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Euro 2016 Open Thread: Italy v Sweden

Italy and Sweden kickoff a full slate of matches in today's Euro 2016 action. Can Italy strengthen their grip on Group E by downing The Zlatan?

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Italy's second match of Euro 2016 presents a monumental challenge: The Zlatan. Fresh off their 2-0 victory over Belgium, the Azzurri will look to take a stranglehold on Group E. A win against Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his Swedish mates would, at the very least, give Italy a two point lead in what is arguably the toughest group in this tournament.

The heroes in Italy's win over Belgium, Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle figure to resume their starting spots, but the remainder of the starting XI, beyond the defense of course, is up for debate. Will Daniele De Rossi continue to provide a combative presence in the midfield? Will Alessandro Florenzi get a start alongside him? Can Stephan El Shaarawy provide a spark off the bench?

While these questions will soon be answered, with the possibility of Italy strengthening their grip on the group and with Sweden desperate to stay ahead of Belgium, this figures to be an intense matchup.

TV: ESPN (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, RAI Uno, RSI La 2 (Italy), SVT  1 (Sweden), ITV 1 (U.K.)

Online: ESPN3, WatchESPN (U.S.), Sky Go Italia (Italy), SVT Play (Sweden), ITV Hub (U.K.)

Match Date/Time: Friday, 9 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local

Venue: Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse, France