Euro 2012 Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England

[Darkon]

Legend
Pl: Games played, W: Won, D: Drawn, L: Lost, F: Goals For, A: Goals Against, GD: Goal difference, Pts: Points

Matches

11 June 2012
18.00: France v England 1-1
Stadium: Donbass Arena, Donetsk (UKR)

20.45: Ukraine v Sweden 2-1
Stadium: NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kyiv (UKR)


15 June 2012
18.00: Ukraine v France 0-2
Stadium: Donbass Arena, Donetsk (UKR)

20.45: Sweden v England 2-3
Stadium: NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kyiv (UKR)


19 June 2012
20.45: Sweden v France
Stadium: NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kyiv (UKR)

20.45: England v Ukraine
Stadium: Donbass Arena, Donetsk (UKR)

[Darkon]

Ukraine Team Profile



Goalkeepers: Oleksandr Goryainov (FC Metalist Kharkiv), Maxym Koval (FC Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Pyatov (FC Shakhtar Donetsk).

Defenders: Bohdan Butko (Illychivets Mariupil), Olexandr Kucher (Shakhtar Donetsk), Taras Mikhalik (Dynamo Kiev), Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Shakhtar Donetsk), Yevhen Selin (Vorskla Poltava), Yevhen Khacheridi (Dynamo Kiev), Vyacheslav Shevchuk (Shakhtar Donetsk).

Midfielders: Olexandr Aliyev (Dynamo Kiev), Denys Garmash (Dynamo Kiev), Oleh Gusev (Dynamo Kiev), Yevhen Konoplyanka (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Serhiy Nazarenko (Tavriya Simferopol), Ruslan Rotan (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (Bayern Munich), Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kiev).

Forwards: Andriy Voronin (Dinamo Moscow), Marko Devic (Metalist Kharkiv), Artem Milevskiy (Dynamo Kiev), Yevhen Seleznyov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kiev).

Likely formation and lineup:



STAR MAN

Andriy Shevchenko was once one of the most feared strikers in the European game, and the 35-year-old will see playing on home soil at Euro 2012 as the perfect way to bow out from international football. However, chronic back pain threatens to ruin Shevchenko's fairytale finish.

The forward has been undergoing medical treatment in a bid to be ready for the tournament, and has been used relatively sparingly by his understanding club, Dynamo Kiev. Shevchenko insists publicly that he won't play unless he is fully fit, but it would still be a major surprise if he was not involved.

Shevchenko regularly terrorised defences in Serie A with AC Milan, and won the Ballon d'Or in 2004. However, by the time he moved to Chelsea in 2006 for a British record fee his physical attributes had started to decline, and he managed just 10 Premier League goals in two full seasons at Stamford Bridge.

Allowed to return to Kiev in 2009, he provided a timely reminder of his technical ability in Dynamo's Europa League win against Manchester City last season.

Manager

Ukraine opted for a safe pair of hands when they named their new coach in April 2011, reappointing legendary former striker Oleg Blokhin . The first Ukrainian to win the Ballon d'Or, Blokhin had previously led his country from 2003 to 2007, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

Blokhin replaced caretaker Yuri Kalitvintsev, who led Ukraine's Under-19 side to the European title in 2009. Kalitvintsev will now work as Blokhin's assistant.
Oleh Blokhin

Blokhin was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1975

The 59-year-old, who has served two terms in the Ukrainian parliament, was criticised for remarks he made in 2006 lamenting the influence of African players in Ukraine's top flight.

Record at the Euro's:

First time Ukraine is in the Euro's

Fifa World Ranking 50

[Darkon]

Sweden Team Profile



Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (PSV Eindhoven), Johan Wiland, (FC Copenhagen, Pär Hansson (Helsingborg)

Defenders: Mikael Lustig (Celtic), Olof Mellberg(Olympiakos), Andreas Granqvist (Genoa), Martin Olsson, (Blackburn), Jonas Olsson (West Bromwich), Behrang Safari (Anderlecht), Mikael Antonsson (Bologna)

Midfielders: Rasmus Elm (AZ Alkmaar), Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland), Kim Kallstrom (Lyon), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg), Pontus Wernbloom (CSKA Moscow), Samuel Holmen (Istanbul BB), Emir Bajrami (Twente), Christian Wilhelmsson (al-Hilal)

Strikers: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Johan Elmander (Galatasaray), Tobias Hysen (IFK Gothenburg), Ola Toivonen (PSV Eindhoven), Marcus Rosenberg (Werder Bremen).

Likely formation and lineup:



STAR MAN

One of the most outspoken names in European football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Sweden's totem. No question - the former Barcelona striker has rich talent. But doubts remain about his ability to apply it on the biggest stage. Here, perhaps, is his chance to silence those critics. He once said he was the best player in the world. Let's see.

Manager

Erik Hamren has proved his worth after taking over from Lars Lagerback when Sweden failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. One of the most respected coaches in Scandanavia, he has managed teams in Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Took Aalborg to the Danish title - and into the European Champions League - back in 2008.

Record at the Euro's:

Present at the last 4 out of 5, and reaching the semi's on home turf in 1992.

Fifa World Ranking 17

[Darkon]

France Team Profile



Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux)

Defenders: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AC Milan), Adil Rami (Valencia), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Alou Diarra (Olympique Marseille), Yann M’vila (Stade Rennes), Marvin Martin (Sochaux), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St Germain)

Forwards: Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier), Jeremy Menez (Paris St Germain), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille).

Likely formation and lineup:



STAR MAN

Karim Benzema was left out of France's World Cup squad because of disappointing form during his first season at Real Madrid, but new coach Blanc has shown more faith in him.

The 24-year-old has also won over Jose Mourinho this season. Benzema's improved form at the Bernabeu is in part down to a new fitness regime that helped him to shed seven kilos over the summer. He scored 32 goals in all competitions and assisted 15 others, and has begun to justify his €30m price tag. Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo netted a combined 118 league and cup goals this term, breaking the record for a trio (previously set by Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry in 2009).

Benzema contributed three goals in qualifying and netted decisive strikes in friendly wins against Brazil and England. The former Lyon star will be keen to make amends for his lacklustre display at Euro 2008, when he started two games but made little impression.

Manager

Laurent Blanc inherited a France team in turmoil. World Cup finalists in 2006, they were dismal at Euro 2008 and shambolic in South Africa, where the squad's mutinous actions prompted a government inquiry.

Blanc, who as a player earned the nickname "Le Président" thanks to his leadership skills, was the perfect choice to sort the mess out. The former Bordeaux boss lost his first two games in charge, but results since then have been impressive - February's win against Germany stretched their unbeaten run to 18 games.

Blanc's tenure has not been without hiccups - such as controversial comments about racial quotas at youth academies - but his stature within the game means the criticism that occasionally arises has tended to be muted.

Record at the Euro's:

France have won the tournament in 1984 and 2000, the later as reigning Worlc Champions.

Fifa World Ranking 16

[Darkon]

England Team Profile



Goalkeepers - Joe Hart, Robert Green, John Ruddy.

Defenders - Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, John Terry.

Midfielders - Phil Jagielka, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.

Strikers - Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck

Likely formation and lineup:



STAR MAN

After more than a decade as one of the world's best midfielders, can Liverpool's Steven Gerrard haul England's underachievers to the heights which were expected of them at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?

One of the so-called 'Golden Generation' upon whom the lights are starting to fade, at least at international level, much will rest on inspirational Gerrard initially - if fully fit - in the absence of his fellow Liverpudlian Wayne Rooney, who is banned for the first two group games.

Manager

Roy Hodgson was appointed as Capello's successor on 1 May following several weeks of speculation suggesting Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was a shoe-in for the job.

Hodgson's previous international experience with Switzerland at World Cup '94 was an important factor for the Football Association.

Hodgson, 64, named his 23-man squad on 16 May, leaving out Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and has opted for Gerrard as his captain. Hodgson will be looking to make an immediate impact and only has friendlies against Norway and Belgium as preparation for the tournament.

Record at the Euro's:

Finished third once back in 1968, missed the tournament in 2008.

Fifa World Ranking 7

[Darkon]

Last group done. To me one of the most open groups and hard to name a clear favorite. England with a new manager (haha), France starting to show a bit after a shaky qualification, Sweden a decent side and Ukraine on home soil?

[Fosterbloke]

Barry and Lampard are out btw.

[Darkon]

Barry and Lampard are out btw.

Who is in the team instead Henderson and?

[RichC]

Jagielka

[Darkon]

Jagielka

oh dear. Will fix it now in the list

[Muddled]

Haha! A Roy Hodgson 4-2-3-1? My mind is rattled.

The 32 year old 4-4-2 or the ultra modern, exotic 4-4-1-1 all the way or I'll eat my hat*.

* I do not own a hat.

[JohnDoe]

Woy will definitely play 4-4-2. He knows no other way. I'm tipping France and Sweden to go through. Ingurland will end the group with 4 famous points.

[colin85]

I have this horrible feeling.

Bad season for us, Kenny gets sacked, chelsea win the fa cup and champions league, john terry still manages to get his hands on the champions league trophy and into the england team. Roy is going to win the Euros and go down in history as an England legend.

[Lee]

Confirmed a moment ago that Cahill is out.

Martin Kelly comes in to replace him.

[little dave hedgehog]

no ****?