Ukraine V Sweden 19:45

[friedaweed]

So we've had the warm up game. Can the Sveds take it to the co-hosts?

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• The two countries have met on three previous occasions - all friendlies - and two of those matches came last year.
• Both sides recorded 1-0 away wins, Ukraine's coming in June 2008, Sweden's in August 2011. The draw was played out in Cyprus in February 2011. Afterwards the sides contested a penalty shoot-out which Ukraine won 5-4.

Ukraine

• Ukraine are the only debutants at Euro 2012. The first four European Championships (1960-1972) were won by newcomers but none have been since.
• Of all the 368 players at Euro 2012, Andriy Shevchenko has enjoyed the longest international career. He made his debut in 1995.
• Oleg Blokhin's men are the only side at Euro 2012 without a British-based player in their squad.
• Only two players, Andriy Voronin and Anatoliy Tymoschuk, play outside of Ukraine.

Sweden

• Olof Mellberg is set to represent Sweden at a fifth major tournament. He is yet to miss a single minute at any of the finals he's been present at.
• Sweden coach Eric Hamren has selected nine players aged 30 or older - the highest number of thirty-somethings at Euro 2012.
• Kim Kallstrom recorded seven assists during qualifying for Euro 2012, equal highest along with Germany's Mesut Ozil and Hungary's Balazs Dzsudzsak.

V's

 

[Voley]

I know nothing about either of these teams. So it's definitely Ukraine to win to by at least three goals for me.

 

[Random]

Here's the closest you'll see to an Achtung! Tommy! photo: Zlatan and the rest dressed up as 18th century Swedish musketmen http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=2835&grupp=12344&artikel=5145132

 

[Voley]

Oh they've got Voronin. I remember him. Sweden to win.

 

[friedaweed]

Oh they've got Voronin. I remember him. Sweden to win.

I'll raise you an Ibrahimovic

 

[friedaweed]

"It's absolutely throbbing" says the commentator

 

[friedaweed]

"It's absolutely throbbing" says the commentator

dp

 

[friedaweed]

doh!

 

[Random]

There's a Swedish village in Ukriane, founded by Baltic Swedes deported by the tsars http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gammalsvenskby

 

[JimW]

Here's the closest you'll see to an Achtung! Tommy! photo: Zlatan and the rest dressed up as 18th century Swedish musketmen http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=2835&grupp=12344&artikel=5145132

Did Gustavus Adolphus ever take Ukraine?

ETA: Skipped right over your last

 

[The39thStep]

Think there will be a few goals in this,hope so anyway

 

[Random]

Did Gustavus Adolphus ever take Ukraine?

ETA: Skipped right over your last

Seem to remember the Swedes only got Baltic possessions in 1648; Pomerania, etc. The Swedish army kept on campaigning in Ukraine, though, up until Peter I.

 

[goldenecitrone]

A 0-0 draw would leave England at the top of the group. However, Ukraine to win this, 2-1, with the home crowd egging them on.

 

[JimW]

Seem to remember the Swedes only got Baltic possessions in 1648; Pomerania, etc. The Swedish army kept on campaigning in Ukraine, though, up until Peter I.

In that case, 2-1

 

[thriller]

that swedish strip looks shit

 

[starfish]

that swedish strip looks shit

I like it.

 

[friedaweed]

Not enough crowd shots in this game.

 

[JimW]

Good to see the full beard returning to the highest levels of the game.

 

[friedaweed]

Good to see the full beard returning to the highest levels of the game.

Yup better than the Beckham tash job

 

[twentythreedom]

Definitely the highest numbers of cute blond chicks in the crowd of any game so far

 

[starfish]

Theyre getting closer.

 

[editor]

Who's the idiot co-commentating?

 

[starfish]

Martin Keown i think.

 

[JimW]

Unlucky with the header off the post. Clearly six points for England off the pair though

 

[Badgers]

Missed the first half. Any indication of the better side? The Talksport commentary is giving nothing away, still talking England vs France.

 

[starfish]

Gooaall.

 

[not-bono-ever]

lovely goal from Ihbramovich

 

[JimW]

Missed the first half. Any indication of the better side? The Talksport commentary is giving nothing away, still talking England vs France.

Ukraine making most of the running and had Sweden pegged back for a spell or two, but clear-cut chances were a bit scrambled for my money. Couple of decent Swedish efforts of the break.
ETA: Me time-lag saved me from missing the goal tping that now out of date effort

 

[Badgers]

Sweden then?

 

[starfish]

Gooaall.