The Ukraine and England are expected to face each other in a classic East VS West battle in Euro 2012. The date is set for June 19, 2012 at Donbass Arena located in Donetsk, Ukraine.
The two countries located at opposite ends of Europe belong to Group D along with France and Sweden. Their match will be the final match of Group D and of the two countries before advancement into the next phase.
While England has been discussed in previous Premier League Insider articles, it can only be said that they will offer resistance. What about the Ukraine and their involvement in the European Championships?
What about the possibilities of the Ukraine in the Euro 2012 Championships? The time has come to talk about the possibilities of the Ukraine in Euro 2012 starting with its history and going forward.
History
The Ukraine has never won any European Championships although they arrived at the qualifying round, play off, and preliminary round. The biggest victory for the Ukraine was in 2007 over the Faroe Islands.
The biggest defeat was to Croatia in the year 1995. The Ukraine shares with Poland the honor of hosting the Euro 2012 tournament.
The country has refurbished its infrastructure and is doing what it can to accommodate people attending the tournament. The attempts at a boycott of Euro 2012 appear to have failed as people realize that sports and politics should remain separate.
Prediction
While England has the superior power in the Euro 2012 tournament, the Ukraine should not be counted out. In addition to predicting a Ukrainian victory over England, the national team will defeat Sweden and France.
The reason is not just only the power of the team but the expectations placed on it. The Ukraine and its national team are not going to allow it to lose in its country.
They have not forgotten what happened to FC Bayern Munich when they lost the UEFA Champions League to Chelsea in their home stadium and country. The Ukraine is a country that is very proud and is willing to show that new stars are arising from Central and Eastern Europe.
The Ukrainian squad has the internal will power and attitude [as well as the practice] to advance in Group D. The Ukraine will attempt to cover all of the bases including the goalkeeper.
The match between England and the Ukraine [as well as Sweden and France] is expected to be protracted. It may reach the point that if penalties were allowed, the Ukraine may defeat England and the other Group D members.
The result is that the Ukraine may prevail with the following prediction: Ukraine 2-1 England.
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