MX23RW : Monday, November 25 03:29:50| >> :600:217689:217689:

Match Analysis: Euro 2012 - Ukraine 2-1 Sweden

Sports Mole reviews Ukraine's opening match of the European Championships against Sweden.

Following France and England's 1-1 draw in Group D on Monday, Ukraine and Sweden knew that a win for either would take them top of the group come the end of the evening.

Sweden were handed the lead by Zlatan Ibrahimovic after 52 minutes. However, a brace of headers from Andriy Shevchenko secured the 2-1 victory for the host nation.

What an incredible story for a man who is almost certainly competing in his last international tournament.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes between the two Group D rivals.

Ukraine statistics:
Shots 14
On target 6
Possession 57%
Corners 3
Fouls 12

Sweden Statistics:
Shots: 12
On target: 6
Possession: 43%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 18

Was the result fair?

Ukraine certainly dominated the opening half of play, with Sweden desperately short of ideas and confidence, bar a certain Ibrahimovic. Sweden improved in the second period, as did Ukraine, and the host nation just about shaded it.

Ukraine's performance

Ukraine were full of energy and imagination and impressed with their ability to pass a football. Aside from Shevchenko; Antatoli Tymoshchuk and Andriy Voronin also impressed with workmanlike displays.

Sweden's performance

I think the perfect word to describe Sweden's performance would be bitty. In Ibrahimovic they had the best player on the park. However, they were devout of ideas in midfield and looked suspect in defence.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Andriy Shevchenko: Who else? He scored goals number 47 and 48 for his country as he turned back the clock with two thumping headers. In truth, he had little involvement in other areas, but who cares?

Referee performance

Tonight's referee Cuneyt Cakir was the man who dismissed Chelsea defender John Terry in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona last season. We hardly noticed him tonight, which is a good sign for a referee.

Biggest gaffe of the game

Johan Elmander, dear oh dear. The Sweden striker was sent through one-on-one in the final moments of the match but instead of sending his side level, he fired horribly over the bar.

What next?

Ukraine: Just about the perfect start for Ukraine as they moved top of Group D. They certainly carry a threat with their all-action style and neither England nor France will relish the test.

Sweden: To be blunt, their progress to the quarter-finals depends on the performance of Ibrahimovic. Aside from the skipper, there is no great quality and no real leadership.

ID:30524: cacheID:30524:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4716:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Andriy Shevchenko
Read Next:
Ukraine 2-1 Sweden
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!