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EURO 2012 GROUP D MATCH PREVIEW: UKRAINE VS FRANCE

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Co-hosts Ukraine will face a dangerous looking French side in Donetsk on Friday knowing that a victory will send Oleh Blokhin’s side into the quarter-finals of Euro 2012
Ukraine surprised everyone by securing their first win of the tournament at the expense of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sweden-c3015 in their Group D opener. France’s 1-1 draw with England sent Zhovto-Blakytni on top of the group with two games to go.
Ukraine’s golden boy http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andriy-Shevchenko-c6014 rolled back the years on Monday as his brace sealed a 2-1 victory against Erik Hamren’s side. Shevchenko and co. have the belief that they can make it through to the knockout stages. However, Ukraine are well aware
that the match against Laurent Blanc’s side would be much tough, keeping in mind that the co-hosts have never beaten Les Bleus (three draws and three losses in six games).
Despite sitting in a pole position to secure qualification into the next round of the tournament, Ukraine are not getting carried away. Oleh Blokhin expects a tough encounter against a young but impressive French side at the Donbass Arena.
Oleh Blokhin has played down his team’s chances against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899, who have not lost in their last 22 matches.
“I think England and France are the favourites in the group,” he said.
“If (Laurent) Blanc said France are an outsider he did not mean it. They have great young players. I said after Sweden we haven’t achieved anything yet. My main task is to give strength to the players and make it possible that we get through the group stage.
Meanwhile, France coach Laurent Blanc has expressed his frustration over the failure to get maximum points out of their opening game against England, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite dominating in the match and creating many chances, Les Bleus had to settle
for a draw as they could not manage to find a way past a defensive http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 side.
Laurent Blanc is aware of the threat Ukraine pose for his side and has warned his players not to let their guard down. But the Frenchman vowed that his side will play their natural game on Friday.
“The country [Ukraine] is in a state of euphoria. The people will be behind the team more than ever now. It’s going to be a hard game, there’s no doubt about it, but we will prepare ourselves in the same way we have planned.”
Team news
Oleh Blokhin could field a more defensive line-up against Les Bleus. Midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andriy-Voronin-c6020.
Captain Shevchenko is set to lead his side after emerging unhurt from a minor road accident.
France squad have received a massive boost as Yann M’Vila has returned to full fitness and could replace http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alou-Diarra-c5259 in the midfield.
Players to watch
Ukraine: Andriy Shevchenko
The 35-year-old has proved his doubters wrong with a brace against Sweden and his experience and skills will be vital for Zhovto-Blakytni against Laurent Blanc’s side. Oleh Blokhin would want more of the same from his captain against the French.
France: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Karim-Benzema-c20350
Karim Benzema failed to live up to the expectations in the first match of the tournament. The French will be hoping that the Real Madrid striker finds his golden touch against Ukraine that has helped him become one of the best strikers in the Europe.
Prediction:
Game against Ukraine is a must-win for France while on the other hand victory for Ukraine will send them right into the quarter-finals of the tournament.
France are a better side of the two but such matches are not won on paper. Ukraine are coming on the back of an impressive victory against Sweden and Laurent Blanc’s men should expect a strong and tough opposition.
Both sides want to win the match to secure their qualification. However, France look more dangerous and are likely to come unscratched from the match.
Predicted final score: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032 0-2 France

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