Larsson's goal best at Euro 2004

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Last updated on: September 23, 2004 12:12 IST

Striker Henrik Larsson's spectacular diving header in Sweden's 5-0 win over Bulgaria was the best goal in open play at Euro 2004, according to UEFA.

Henrik Larsson scores Sweden's second goal past Bulgaria's goalkeeper Zdravko Zdravkov (R) during their Group C Euro 2004 soccer match at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, June 14, 2004.Sweden's second goal in the group match followed a quick counter-attack that swept across the pitch ending in a pinpoint cross to Larsson -- who also made UEFA's all-star squad.

The goal is included in a statistical breakdown of Euro 2004 in a technical report by European soccer's governing body.

The data is something for national coaches -- who ended a meeting on Friday to discuss the tournament -- to pick over.

The best goal from a set piece came from Portugal midfielder Maniche who scored the second goal in their 2-1 semi-final win over the Netherlands after receiving a short pass from a corner.

Germany will rue the fact that they had the highest average number of shots off target in each match, nearly 10, although they also were the best at retaining possession.

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Euro 2004 winners Greece had an average 3.5 shots on goal per match against 8.7 by Italy, who had the most, 8.4 from the Dutch and England's 8.3.

Greece had one of the best defensive records, though, conceding just 0.67 goals per game, while England were the highest scorers, averaging 2.5 goals per match.

Euro 2004 as a whole averaged 2.5 goals per game, lagging the highest average for a European Championship of 4.75 in 1976.

Attendances averaged 37,061 per game, higher than four years ago but below the record of 56,656 in Germany in 1988.

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