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Talk about everything going according to the script. Ukraine, the
co-hosts, could hardly have had a better night than they did against
Sweden in Kiev.
Before a noisy and expectant crowd, the key
questions were answered: could they handle the occasion? Could they
score goals? Could Andriy Shevchenko, the 35-year-old talisman and
national sporting hero, make the impact supporters craved?
With
the exception of a very jittery finale during which Johan Elmander
missed a glorious chance to spoil things with an equaliser, Ukraine were
energetic and enterprising. They reacted brilliantly after falling
behind to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's strike, maintaining their belief and
upping the tempo, and the two superbly-taken Shevchenko goals that
followed showed that the old stager still has what it takes.
But
it wasn't all about him: many of Oleg Blokhin's less heralded players
rose to the occasion, too. Andriy Voronin - who had faced sustained
criticism after a series of underwhelming international performances
over recent years - Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka also played
major attacking roles. Ukraine, though, will have to tighten up
defensively if they are to secure a second successive win: a more
clinical side than Sweden would have punished the nervy indecision that
characterised the closing stages of the opening game.
But, on the
evidence of their first group game, will France be that much more
clinical? The possession statistics favoured them against England, and
they had 15 shots on target to the grand total of one mustered by Roy
Hodgson's side, but they did not look as threatening as that would
suggest.
Their goal, when it came, was beautifully struck through a
crowd by Samir Nasri, but the French rarely hit any kind of real
stride. Coach Laurent Blanc admitted as much when he lamented that they
had finally started their Euro 2012 campaign with about 20 minutes of
the match left.
But the potential threat posed by a side now
unbeaten in 22 games is unquestionable: Nasri, Franck Ribery, Karim
Benzema, Florent Malouda et al can between them summon up much more than
they did against England. Ukraine will not be as stifling as England
were - more open in midfield and less rigid in their formation, the way
they play looks set to allow the French more space in which to create.
This could be an exciting, attacking occasion.
Ukraine player to watch: Yevhen Konoplyanka.
In a team that enjoys playing on the counter, Konoplyanka provides
plenty of direct running, can drift in from the left and offers
dangerous deliveries. France should beware his potential on the break.
France player to watch: Karim Benzema.
Benzema endured a frustrating time against England's defensive wall but
still conjured up a couple of good strikes that were kept out by Joe
Hart. He could have a happier night against a less defensively-minded
side.
Key battle: Philippe Mexes v Andriy Shevchenko.
England couldn't be accused of having been ambitious against the French,
but Blanc's men didn't look entirely happy at the back. Mexes was the
best of the defensive bunch: can he stop Shevchenko's glorious swansong
from continuing?
Odds: Ukraine (3.75), the draw (3.30) and France (2.10) are on offer with bet365, while Shevchenko to be first goalscorer is available at 8.50.
Stat: France have won three, drawn three and lost none of six games against Ukraine.
Trivia:
Shevchenko's brace against Sweden made him the oldest player to score
two in a match at an international tournament since 38-year-old Roger
Milla did the same for Cameroon against Romania at the 1990 World Cup.
Prediction:
Ukraine exceeded expectations last time, while France were frustrated.
Similar performances when they play each other would suggest a draw, but
a hard-fought, Ukrainian euphoria-denting win for France is a bit more
likely.
Watch Live Ukraine v France Euro Cup 2012