Two days before he was hanged for murder, 25-year-old Norman Thorne (pictured left) wrote a letter to his father, pleading his innocence for the last time and insisting that he did not die a bitter man.

ADAM SHERGOLD: Coach Joachim Low was ruthless with his refresh of the German team following their humiliations in the World Cup and Nations League last year.

KIT HOLDEN IN GERMANY: There are many enduring images of Bastian Schweinsteiger. And then there is that one. The one of him with blood streaming down his face in the Maracana in 2014.

Experienced German centre-back Antonio Rudiger has played just 45 minutes all season for Chelsea after undergoing surgery on his knee back in April.

BUNDESLIGA PREVIEW: The first 'Klassiker' derby of the season is upon us with the title race set for a huge shake up. A crunch meeting of relegation candidates also awaits. Sportsmail examines.

RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is on Lewandowski's tail in both the race to be atop the German top-flight scoring charts and in following suit by becoming a striker at the peak of his powers.

The Manchester City star is believed to be closing in on a return to his home country, with reports in Germany on Wednesday claiming that he wants to join Bayern Munich in January.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has walked to the cage 28 times and left it as the victor on every occasion. The UFC lightweight champion seems to be cut from a different cloth and the folklore is growing.

Striker Isaac Kiese-Thelin spooned a late shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy as his Sweden side were held to a goalless draw by Denmark in their pre-World Cup friendly at the Friends Arena.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still not satisfied with his omission from the Swedish national team for Russia and believes the national media cost him a spot in the 23-man squad for the World Cup.

Sweden drew another blank as fellow World Cup contenders Peru held them to a frustrating scoreless draw in their final warm-up game on a sun-drenched evening in Gothenburg.

Ibrahimovic retired from international football after Euro 2016 but Sweden's record goalscorer appeared to be tempted to return after qualification for this summer's finals had been achieved.

Sportsmail's MARTIN KEOWN gives his rundown of each team in Group F, including the manager, the man to watch out for, their strength and their biggest weakness.

Sweden's former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said on Thursday that they should simply enjoy themselves at the World Cup because without him in the team there was no expectation.

On Sunday, Sweden conducted their final training session at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, before their opening game of the World Cup, against South Korea. 

South Korea have undergone their final training session ahead of their World Cup opener against Sweden at the Nizhny Novgorod stadium on Monday afternoon.

After Germany’s shock loss to Mexico in the first World Cup 2018 Group F match, all eyes turn to today’s Sweden vs South Korea. Here is all you need to know about the second Group F match.

After Mexico's surprise victory over Germany on Sunday, Group F has been blown wide open as Sweden and South Korea prepare to get their World Cup underway. Follow all the action as it happens.

JOE CALLAGHAN AT THE NIZHNY NOVGOROD STADIUM: Andreas Granqvist fired Sweden to victory over South Korea from the penalty spot as VAR once again proved decisive.

Sweden were given a pleasant surprise during their training session on Wednesday morning when their national anthem was sung over the tannoy system by one of the World Cup volunteers.

Emil Forsberg believes Sweden would undoubtedly have a better chance at success this World Cup had Zlatan Ibrahimovic been in the squad, despite getting off to a winning start.

Sportsmail provide you with everything you need to know for the World Cup 2018 clash Germany vs Sweden including how to watch, kick-off time, squads, stats and latest odds.

Sweden could be missing a few players for Saturday's group match against defending champion Germany because of illness and injury.

Toni Kroos scored a sensational last minute winner to keep Germany's World Cup dreams alive with a 2-1 win over Sweden. Relive all the action with Sportsmail's MAX WINTERS here.

CHRIS HATHERALL IN SOCHI: Zlatan Ibrahimovic may not be here with them but Sweden, with a team whose image is the antithesis of their former hero, came so close to becoming legends.

MATT BARLOW AT FISHT OLYMPIC STADIUM: For a short time, just over half an hour including the half-time interval, Germany were on their way out of the World Cup.

Sweden boss Janne Andersson accused the Germans of gloating and 'rubbing his face' in defeat after the goal which puts them back in control of their destiny in Group F.

Toni Kroos has praised his Germany team-mates for their second-half performance against Sweden on Saturday which saw them come from a goal down to win in the last minute. 

FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against two German team officials who stormed towards the Sweden bench gesticulating and clapping after a last-gasp victory on Saturday.

Thunder rumbled as the players boarded the team buses but it would take more than another mighty storm crashing ashore from the Black Sea to clear the air.

While Mexico is in a strong position to make it through to the World Cup 2018 final 16 after their famous win against Germany, Sweden will need a two-goal win to qualify for the knockout stages in Russia.

The calculators may be needed this afternoon when Mexico take on Sweden in their final round of Group F encounters at the World Cup. Follow all the action as it happens with Sportsmail.

Sweden is set to take on Switzerland in the Knockout Stage of the 2018 World Cup. Here's all you need to know about when the match is on, where it will take place, how to watch and more.

Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic hung up his international boots following Euro 2016 in France, scoring a record 62 times in 116 appearances for Sweden.

Sven-Goran Eriksson twice led England to the World Cup last-eight stage during his reign as manager, and he has been impressed with Gareth Southgate's squad so far in Russia.

They may no longer be able to count Zlatan Ibrahimovic among their ranks, but the enigmatic striker's retirement has certainly not hindered Sweden at the current World Cup.

AMITAI WINEHOUSE: At some point, the world is going to stop listening to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Thankfully, Sweden have already moved beyond him.

Join Sportsmail's ANTHONY HAY with all the live action from the 3pm (BST) kick-off, with IAN LADYMAN providing all the updates from St Petersburg.

IAN LADYMAN AT SAINT PETERSBURG STADIUM: With two minutes of this game remaining and with Sweden in the lead, their forward Ola Toivonen tried to play the ball against an opponent for a corner. 

With England through to the quarter-finals, here is all you need to know about the history of England vs Sweden matches including the results, head-to-head stats and the 2002 World Cup meeting.

Thousands of England fans will have woken up on Wednesday morning with one question on their minds: how do I get to Russia for Saturday's quarter-final? 

England and Sweden will meet on Saturday, with Janne Andersson's side ranked as the underdogs ahead of the clash in Samara. Sportsmail takes a closer look at the Three Lions' next opponents.

Gareth Southgate's side progressed to the last eight of the competition following a dramatic win over Colombia on penalties on Tuesday night. The victory set up a clash against Sweden.

Swedish football fans - one of whom is an MP - said their team will defeat England in the World Cup on Saturday as they referenced a massacre in 793.

Albin Ekdal has had x-rays on a foot problem while fellow Sweden midfielder Jimmy Durmaz also missed his country's training session on Wednesday because of a minor issue with his hip.

Sweden have lit the blue touchpaper before Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with England by accusing Ashley Young of diving. Young has been criticised in the past for going to ground too easily.

In the interview area beneath the St Petersburg Stadium, Swedish star Viktor Claesson was asked the question, the Zlatan question. If you are Swedish, the question always arrives eventually.

Sweden have taken off for Samara ahead of their World Cup quarter final — a full day ahead of their opponents England. Gareth Southgate's squad will fly in from Saint Petersburg on Friday.

A colony of penguins at an aquarium in Birmingham have picked England to win in their World Cup quarter final fixture against Sweden this Saturday.

The Russian National Tourist Office reiterated on social media on Thursday morning that the embassy was now making an exception to their usual process and issuing visas within one working day.