Group Elimination D: Monday, 11 June 2012 - Kiev - Olympic Stadium

Sweden is considered to be the underdog not only in this match but in their group. Don’t under estimate the Swedes as they try to get off to a strong start in the tournament with a win over Ukraine this Monday. They have some difficult match ups coming up against France and England . Sweden can’t take Ukraine lightly and not overlook their match on Monday’s . Ukraine playing host who will look to be fired up to play in front of their home fans. Sweden is currently No. 17 in the latest FIFA rankings will look to make some noise in Group D.

Super striker Zlatan Ibrahimović will lead the attack and look to punish in Ukraine with his aggressive style and he’ll be joined up front by mid fielder Johan Elmander and will look to receive the fruits from the midfielder duo of Anders Svensson and Kim Kallstrom.

Sure home crowd can give you the support and make you the favorite but , in this case it’s won’t be the case to necessarily win Group D. On paper they’ll have trouble stacking up against the three opponents in their group, but to have any chance of advancing they need to win this opener against Sweden. The strategy will be to defend deep and look to create chances on the counterattack.

Midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and striker Andriy Shevchenko will look to set up that timely goal. Injuries to keeper Oleksandr Shovkovskiy and defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy won’t help matters at all.

Predictions: Sweden 2-1 over Ukraine

I’m not sold on the whole home field thing. With the attack that Sweden posseses I see Ibrahimovic being that thorn in the side of Ukraine. I think the pressure get’s to the home team. Sweden walks away with this one.

Euro 2012 Highlights: Shevchenko Shines in Front of Home Crowd

Ukraine captain and striker Andriy Shevchenko appeared in his first European Championship match made this a memorable game by scoring 2 goals and leading Ukraine to a 2-1 victory over Sweden. The 35 year old Shenchenko was a forgotten name up until this one. This will definitely be a day to remember for him. It was widely assumed that he was only still leading the the national team at this advanced footballing age, years removed from his Ballon d'Or-winning prime and even his more recent years of expensive disappointment, as a last hurrah for a respected ambassador. But then Andriy Shevchenko scored both goals in Ukraine's 2-1 win over Sweden, putting him back on top once again, even if just for one more day.

In Shev’s prime, He was the man in Milan where he dominated and was twice Italy's top scorer but, his stardom came to a halt when he played for Chelsea, where he was the original Fernando Torres and cost a then British record £30 million for three years of belittling jokes, Sheva has always carried himself with a gentle dignity. For the last three years, his career has quietly kept on where it first started, Dynamo Kiev.

Shevchenko shattered that quiet that on the final day of the first group stage matches, though, toppling the younger Zlatan Ibrahimovic ‘s efforts to carry the Swedes in much the same way.

Ukraine had most of the possession in the first half, but Sweden came out looking much better in the second half. They were in control from the whistle until their possession finally paid off with a goal, in the 52nd minute. Sweden took advantage of some poor defending, with Andriy Yarmolenko failing to clear a deep cross by Sebastian Larsson. Markus Rosenberg got on the end of it and put the ball back across goal, where Ibrahimovic was waiting to finish.

Sweden's lead didn't last long. Just three minutes later, Yarmolenko atoned for his error with a brilliant cross into the box for Shevchenko, who split Sweden's defense and powered a header into the back of the net. At that point, the match looked even, but Ukraine would quickly go on to take a surprise lead.

EURO 2012: Ukraine vs Sweden Timeline

• 90+4' - It's 2-1 as the referee blows for full-time.
• 90+3' - O.Mellberg of Sweden gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 90+2' - Blokhin, Oleg (Ukraine) is making a Third substitution, with Marko Devic replacing Yevgen Konoplyanka.
• 90' - It is reported that 64290 spectators are in attendance today.
• 90' - 3 minutes will be added to the Second half in Kiev.
• 90' - Sweden are pushing forward but J.Elmander's finish is wide of the goal.
• 85' - The Home team have replaced Andrej Voronin with Ruslan Rotan. This is the Second substitution made today by Blokhin, Oleg.
• 83' - Ukraine's S.Nazarenko misses with an attempt on goal.
• 83' - At Olimpiysky National Sports Complex, Rasmus Elm has been yellow-carded for the Away team.
• 82' - Artem Milevskiy is on a sub for Andrej Shevchenko for Ukraine.
• 80' - Sweden's C.Wilhelmsson gets in a shot on goal at Olimpiysky National Sports Complex. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 76' - Z.Ibrahimovic gets his shot on target but fails to score for Sweden.
• 74' - Ukraine are coming forward and Y.Konoplyanka gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 71' - Hamren, Erik is making the team's Third substitution at Olimpiysky National Sports Complex with Johan Elmander replacing Markus Rosenberg.
• 71' - Ukraine are coming forward and Y.Konoplyanka gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 70' - Sweden's R.Elm gets in a shot on goal at Olimpiysky National Sports Complex. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 68' - Sweden's R.Elm breaks free at Olimpiysky National Sports Complex. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 68' - Christian Wilhelmsson is replacing Sebastian Larsson for the Away team.
• 67' - Andrej Voronin of Ukraine is pulled up for offside.
• 64' - Anders Svensson is replacing Ola Toivonen for Sweden at Olimpiysky National Sports Complex.
• 62' - Yevgen Konoplyanka with an assist there.
• 62' - Goal! A Andrej Shevchenko header gives Ukraine a 2-1 lead in Kiev.
• 61' - Cakir, Cuneyt has awarded Ukraine a corner. Yevgen Konoplyanka takes the kick from the Left .
• 61' - In Kiev, A.Voronin of Ukraine is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 59' - O.Gusev of Ukraine gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 59' - Corner awarded to Ukraine.
• 55' - Andrey Yarmolenko instrumental with a fine assist.
• 55' - Goal! Ukraine draw level to 1-1 through a Andrej Shevchenko header.
• 53' - Sweden's Y.Selin is back in action after a slight knock.
• 53' - The match in Kiev is underway once more.
• 52' - Y.Selin is writhing in pain and play has been suspended for a few moments.
• 52' - That's a fine assist from Kim Kallstrom.
• 52' - Goal! The Away team take a 0-1 lead through Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
• 50' - A.Shevchenko is back on the pitch.
• 50' - Play is underway once more.
• 49' - A.Shevchenko is down and play has been interrupted for a few moments.
• 49' - Sweden drive forward and M.Rosenberg gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 46' - It's Ukraine with the kick-off after the break.
• 45+1' - The first-half has come to a close in Kiev.
• 42' - In Kiev Ukraine attack through Y.Konoplyanka. The finish is off target, however.
• 39' - Very nearly a goal for Sweden as Z.Ibrahimovicstrikes the woodwork with a header.
• 38' - Ukraine have been awarded a corner by Cakir, Cuneyt. Sergey Nazarenko steps up to take it.
• 38' - A.Yarmolenko (Ukraine) goes for goal but the shot is blocked by an alert defence.
• 38' - A.Shevchenko (Ukraine) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 37' - Ukraine's Y.Konoplyanka gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 36' - At Olimpiysky National Sports Complex Sebastian Larsson (Sweden) takes a corner from the Left.
• 35' - A.Voronin for Ukraine drives towards goal at Olimpiysky National Sports Complex. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 34' - Z.Ibrahimovic has recovered and rejoins the match in Kiev.
• 33' - Play has been resumed.
• 33' - The match at Olimpiysky National Sports Complex has been interrupted briefly for a check on Z.Ibrahimovic, who is down injured.
• 31' - In Kiev Sweden drive forward through M.Rosenberg. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 27' - In Kiev Rasmus Elm for Sweden takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 24' - Ukraine's A.Shevchenko misses with an attempt on goal.
• 23' - Ukraine drive forward but Andrej Shevchenko is judged offside.
• 21' - Markus Rosenberg for Sweden is whistled offside.
• 21' - Sweden's E.Khacheridi looks ok and returns to the pitch.
• 20' - Play has been resumed.
• 20' - Play has been temporarily suspended for attention to E.Khacheridi for Sweden who is writhing in pain on the pitch.
• 20' - The match has been stopped briefly for attention to the injured K.Kallstrom.
• 11' - Kim Kallstrom (Sweden) gets a yellow card.
• 5' - Sweden are pushing forward but K.Kallstrom's finish is wide of the goal.
• 4' - Y.Konoplyanka for Ukraine gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 1' - The match is underway. Sweden have kicked-off.

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