Group Elimination D: Friday, 15 June 2012 - Donetsk - Donbass Arena

On June 15 “Les Bleus” meet with the “Yellow-Blues” in their Home Turf at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk.

Ukraine

After defeating Sweden on June 11 by overturning a one goal deficit, the Ukrainian team will be going up against the French on home turf. Playing at home is a big advantage for a sports team regardless of how diverse the spectators can be. This is one strongpoint that the Ukrainians hold. Team captain Andriy Shevchenko seems ready for another battle after a fantastic victory against Sweden where he scored the two goals sealing a 2-1 win.

Although according to fans within the site, Ukraine looks to be the favourite, France is still FIFA World no.14 against Ukraine at a mere no.52 and elsewhere is considered the favourite regardless of a less than explosive performance against England during the Group D opener. Plus the track record says a lot as well.

France

The French remain unbeaten in 21 matches during the climb up to the European championships up to the game against England which ended in a draw. Not bad despite the lacklustre performance over the English team whoare considered already washed up. Equipped with the dangerous and brilliant Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri on the wings the “Bleus” look to deploy 4-5-1 formation once again.

France however needs an upgrade in their gameplay. Although their attack is impeccable, the Ukrainians proved many people wrong with their performance against Sweden. The days of Zidane are long gone so a step up is in place.

Predictions: France wins 1-0

Let’s take a look at the numbers: France, world ranked number 14; Ukraine, world ranked number 52. The French also have a straight 21 wins up to the Euros. There’s really no argument in this but upsets can happen so we’ll just have to see on the 15th.

Euro 2012 Highlights: Thunderstorms Can’t Rain on France’s Parade 2-0 over Ukraine

In Group D action, France literally weathered a vicious thunderstorm that held up play for almost an hour to beat Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine 2-0 and claim top spot in the group.

An almighty deluge at Donetsk's Donbass Arena forced the players off the pitch after only five minutes and when the skies cleared it was France who prevailed through quick-fire second-half goals by Jeremy Menez and Yohan Cabaye.

It was France's first victory at a major tournament since its runners-up finish at the 2006 World Cup and it took Laurent Blanc's side a point above Ukraine and level with England.

"Tonight I really enjoyed watching France play," Blanc told television reporters after the match.

"We scored two goals and we could have scored a few more. We're progressing. Everything isn't perfect but the players know that we have a potential that just needs further progress.

"Each match is different. Tonight we we were better than Ukraine and God knows it wasn't easy because they had a whole stadium behind them."

Les Bleus' unbeaten run now stands at 23 matches, while Ukraine must pick itself up after a reality check that cut through the euphoria sparked by its opening 2-1 success against the Swedes.

"In the first half, it was an even game," Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said.

"In the second, we were unable to score and France were. I'm satisfied with our play but unfortunately everything didn't go as planned.

"The win against Sweden didn't guarantee us anything, so if we thought we were in the quarters, we made a mistake."

The first moment of drama occurred during the national anthems, as a sudden clap of thunder interrupted La Marseillaise.

The match began beneath a steady downpour but the rain quickly intensified, sending spectators scrambling for cover and despite fears that the game would be abandoned and rescheduled for Saturday, it was given the go-ahead to resume at 6pm as conditions appeared to ease.

The 50-minute delay, however, means the match threatened to overlap with the other Group D encounter in which England take on Sweden in Kiev. However, that match was put back to an 8pm kick-off so there was no clash.

EURO 2012: Ukraine vs France Timeline

• 90+3' - The whistle has gone to end the second half. The match finishes 0-2.
• 90' - At Donbass Arena the fourth official shows that 3 minutes will be added to the Second half.
• 87' - France have been awarded a corner by Bjorn Kuipers. Samir Nasri steps up to take it.
• 87' - Samir Nasri gets his shot on target but fails to score for France.
• 87' - Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (Ukraine) has received a yellow card from Bjorn Kuipers.
• 85' - In Donetsk, Yevgen Konoplyanka of Ukraine is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 84' - France's Yann M'Vila misses with an attempt on goal.
• 82' - Ukraine's Aleksandr Aliyev breaks free at Donbass Arena. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 81' - Philippe Mexes for France has been booked by Bjorn Kuipers and receives a first yellow card.
• 80' - France are pushing forward but Olivier Giroud's finish is wide of the goal.
• 79' - At Donbass Arena, Mathieu Debuchy has been yellow-carded for the Away team.
• 76' - Bjorn Kuipers has awarded Ukraine a corner. Aleksandr Aliyev takes the kick from the Right .
• 76' - The Away team replace Karim Benzema with Olivier Giroud.
• 73' - France make their Second substitution with Marvin Martin replacing Jeremy Menez.
• 73' - In Donetsk France attack through Franck Ribery. The finish is off target, however.
• 71' - In Donetsk Ukraine attack through Marko Devic. The finish is off target, however.
• 68' - Oleg Blokhin is making the team's Third substitution at Donbass Arena with Aleksandr Aliyev replacing Andrey Yarmolenko.
• 68' - Yann M'Vila is replacing Yohan Cabaye for France at Donbass Arena.
• 68' - Ukraine's Artem Milevskiy is whistled for offside at Donbass Arena.
• 67' - Ukraine have been awarded a corner by Bjorn Kuipers. Yevgen Konoplyanka steps up to take it.
• 66' - In Donetsk Yevgen Konoplyanka for Ukraine takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 65' - Yohan Cabaye hits the post! Very nearly a goal there in Donetsk for France.
• 63' - At Donbass Arena Samir Nasri (France) takes a corner from the Left.
• 62' - France's Karim Benzema gets in a shot on goal at Donbass Arena. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 60' - Artem Milevskiy is replacing Sergey Nazarenko for the Home team.
• 56' - Great play from Karim Benzema to set up the goal.
• 56' - Goal! France extend their lead to 0-2 through Yohan Cabaye.
• 55' - Yevhen Selin (Ukraine) gets a yellow card.
• 53' - Goal! Jeremy Menez gives France a 0-1 lead.
• 50' - Anatoliy Tymoshchuk of Ukraine gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 50' - Corner awarded to France.
• 49' - Ukraine's Andrej Shevchenko gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 49' - Jeremy Menez of France smashes in a shot on target. The keeper saves, though.
• 48' - Andrej Shevchenko of Ukraine is pulled up for offside.
• 47' - In Donetsk Samir Nasri for France takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
• 46' - The Home team have replaced Andrej Voronin with Marko Devic. This is the First substitution made today by Oleg Blokhin.
• 46' - Bjorn Kuipers blows to start the second-half. Ukraine with the kick-off.
• 45+1' - The whistle has gone to end the first-half.
• 40' - France's Jeremy Menez has been booked in Donetsk.
• 40' - Alou Diarra (France) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 39' - Bjorn Kuipers has awarded France a corner. Samir Nasri takes the kick from the Right .
• 39' - Philippe Mexes (France) strikes at Donbass Arena but his header is cleared.
• 38' - Corner awarded to Ukraine.
• 37' - Ukraine have been awarded a corner by Bjorn Kuipers. Sergey Nazarenko steps up to take it.
• 34' - Andrej Shevchenko for Ukraine drives towards goal at Donbass Arena. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 33' - Ukraine's Yevgen Konoplyanka breaks free at Donbass Arena. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 29' - France drive forward and Jeremy Menez gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 28' - In Donetsk France drive forward through Karim Benzema. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 26' - France are coming forward and Jeremy Menez gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 25' - Andrey Yarmolenko for Ukraine gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 18' - Bjorn Kuipers blows against France's Karim Benzema for offside.
• 17' - Jeremy Menez for the Away team is judged to be offside.
• 11' - In Donetsk France's Karim Benzema is caught offside.
• 10' - France's Mathieu Debuchy gets in a shot on goal at Donbass Arena. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 10' - At Donbass Arena Samir Nasri (France) takes a corner from the Left.
• 6' - Karim Benzema gets his shot on target but fails to score for France.
• The match has been interrupted.
• 1' - The match has started, with France kicking-off.

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