Ukraine
| Nickname: | Yellow-Blues |
| FIFA Ranking: | 52 |
| Team Colours: | Yellow Shirt / Yellow Shorts |
| Manager: | Oleh Blokhin |
| Captain: | Andriy Shevchenko |
| Best Finish: | N/A |
Fixtures
Ukraine vs Sweden – Mon 11th June 19:45
Venue: Olympic Stadium (Kiev)
Ukraine vs France – Fri 15th June 17:00
Venue: Donbass Arena (Donetsk)
England vs Ukraine – Tue 19th June 19:45
Venue: Donbass Arena (Donetsk)
Road to 2012
Ukraine didn’t need to qualify due to being co-hosts with Poland, tournament preparation was done through numerous international friendlies. In September they held Poland to a 1-1 draw and a convincing win over Chile, 2-0 following that was a 2-0 defeat to Brazil at Derby County’s Pride Park. Highlights of Ukraine’s campaign were draws with a the Netherland 1-1 and Germany 3-3, plus a convincing win over Bulgaria. Ukraine will be looking to Dynamo Moscow striker Andriy Voronin and FC Bayern anchorman Anatoliy Tymoshchuk for inspiration as the high-profile players within the squad.
Manager – Oleh Blokhin
Oleh Blokhin was appointed Ukraine Head Coach in 2011 confirming his second spell as Ukraine manager. In his first spell he led Ukraine to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where they reached the Quarter-finals, losing to later champions Italy. Blokhin stepped down in 2007 after failing to reach Euro 2008 and a week later signed for Russian side FC Moscow. After an unsuccessful season in Moscow, Blokhin took the Sporting Director role at Ukraine club Chornomorets and in 2011 after much media recommendation was appointed Ukraine boss.
Captain – Andriy Shevchenko
Andriy Shevchenko at 35 is coming to the end of his career and will be relishing the Euro’s in his native Ukraine. Home fans will be looking to the national team’s top goal-scorer ever to bring some glory. He looks to be playing out his career where he started for Dynamo Kyiv but will be remembered for his goal-scoring record with AC Milan and perhaps his flop after a £30 million move to Chelsea. Shevchenko moved back to Dynamo Kyiv in 2009 and has shown he’s not lost his eye for goal.
One to watch – Artem Milevskiy
Artem Milevskiy is who Ukrainians will be looking to for goals this summer. He currently plays for Ukraine Premiere League side FC Dynamo Kyiv only scoring 3 from 13 appearances this season. During Ukraine tournament preparation he scored in three of their fixtures against, Canada, Austria & Romania.
Ukraine News
