fifa.com
UKRAINE
Playing at and hosting a tournament for the first time brings a great deal of positives and reasons to be optimistic. Unfortunately for the people of Ukraine their football team is not one of them. Since their separation from the Soviet Union on 1991 Ukraine have always been regarded as a something of a dangerous opponent, a tricky customer, a potential “banana skin” for the big sides especially on their own patch in Kiev. Qualifying as hosts means that recently though, Ukraine have not been playing competitive fixtures and the friendly results make for depressing reading.
They lost heavily at home to France and were also beaten by Sweden, both sides they now face in group D. Three goals were also leaked to Uruguay at home and they were hammered 4-0 in Prague.
There have been wins but ultimately they have come against European sides, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Austria, none of which are good enough to be at this summer’s tournament. At the moment it seems like this ageing Ukraine team simply lack the quality to overcome the big sides, especially those blessed with attacking options and the French in particular are overflowing with creative talent. Wayne Rooney too, will be champing at the bit by the time he is let loose against the hosts in Donetsk.
There are some glimmers of hope though. A 3-3 draw with Germany shows the side can compete on occasion and coach Oleg Blokhin, now returning for his second spell in charge, guided them to the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup during his previous tenure. The squad is also vastly experienced which may count for something when the hosts step into the limelight.
Key Man: Anatoliy Tymoshchuk
A battle-hardened midfield enforcer and the most capped player in Ukrainian history, Tymoshchuk will be vital to ensuring Ukraine can get a foothold in games at the tournament. With a huge amount of Champions League experience under his belt the Bayern Munich man will patrol in front of the back four with his primary duty to break up opposition attacks. The 33-year-old though also boasts a great range of passing and Blokhin will be looking for him to launch counter attacks with pinpoint balls to the strikers and wide men.
Watch Out For: Andriy Yarmolenko
Although primarily a winger the Dynamo Kiev man can also operate in a more central attacking midfield role. Blokhin is likely to start with him on the right where he will look to cut inside and shoot with his left foot. At 22-years-old Yarmolenko is regarded as one of Ukraine’s best hopes at the tournament. He has pace to burn and is regularly amongst the goals for his club. He also has seven international goals including one which came after just 15 seconds in the game against Uruguay.
1000 Goals Predicts:
Ukraine are certainly no worse a side than fellow hosts Poland but unfortunately they have be allocated a much tougher group than the Poles and will face a mammoth task to qualify for the quarter-finals, even on home soil. The opening game against Sweden will be considered a must win. The trouble is though that Swedes are an established tournament outfit and will have the players to get a result against a nervy home side. Ukraine’s party will be over before it can get going. Bottom of the group.
Tags: Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Andriy Yarmolenko, Euro 2012, Ukraine
