Euro 2012 Team Guide: Ukraine

Road to Euro 2012

We have only friendly matches on which to judge the progress or lack of it which has been made by Ukraine. They managed a 3-3 draw with Germany back in November, but that wasn't anything like a full strength German side, and this is a team which looks like it's suffering because of the instability which has surrounded them over the last copule of years. There are signs that they've found some form in friendly matches recently, but should we read that much into victories over Estonia (twice), Austria and Bulgaria. Their win in Israel was a good one, but remember that the last time Ukraine came up against a fellow Euro 2012 entrant, they lost 4-0 to the Czech Republic.

The Manager

Oleg Blokhin was an inspirational calming influence throughout his storied playing career, but he has yet to earn that kind of reputation as a coach. Blokhin knows that the pressure will be on his team at Euro 2012, and also that it might be worth downplaying expectations: this looks like an ageing, uninspired team, and maybe he knows deep down that they'll do well to get out of their group. Blokhin has used nearly 50 different players in the friendly matches building up to the Euros, and there's a familiar and slightly tired look to much of the squad. And remember that Blokhin is only back in the job because of the farcical goings on off the field. Myron Markevych quit the job last year and then the caretaker Yuri Kalitvintsev managed only one win in eight matches. Blokhin, the man who had engineered a quarter final place at the 2006 World Cup was brought back in to steady things. Whether he has managed to do that is a moot point. One thing that younger readers should learn about Blokhin, though, is that, of all the coaches on view at Euro 2012, he was the best outfield player. Ballon D'Or winner in 1975, his onfield achievements leave the Blancs, Bilics and Bentos trailing in his wake.

The Star

Apart from their error prone goalkeeper Andrei Pyatov, and the fading forward Andrei Shevchenko, Ukraine possess the beginnings of a useful spine. There are plenty worse centre halves at this tournament than Dmitri Chygrynsky and Olexandr Kucher, and joining the rock Anatoly Tymoschuk in the centre of midfield should be the converted centre back Yaroslav Rakytski. The 22 year old got his chance in the Dynamo Kiev back line when Chygrynsky was transferred to Barcelona a couple of years ago, and he has progressed rapidly since. Whether he plays in the centre of midfield or at centre half, he looks certain to have a good tournament.

The Rock

Anatoly Tymoschuk ended up playing at centre half for Bayern Munich in their ill fated Champions League final, but he'll be a solid presence in the centre of midfield for Ukraine. Tymoschuk has played well over a hundred times for his country now, and at the age of 33 he is as important as ever. He made his international debut twelve years ago and in that time has inspired both Zenit St Petersburg and Shakhtar Donetsk to title wins. He hasn't been a Bayern regular this season, but is still an important member of a strong squad, playing over half of their League games. With the possible exception of Yarmolenko, Ukraine don't have a better player in the squad.

The Youngster

If too much faith is being placed in one Dynamo Kiev legend at the end of his career, then there's nothing wrong at all with finding a place in the side for a more current Kiev star. Andrei Yarmolenko is 13 years younger than Andrei Shevchenko, and is far more important to the Ukraine's chances here. Yarmolenko is a classic product of the KIev academy: technically excellent, great awareness of those around him, and blistering pace. he always seems older than he actually is when he's on a football field, and that's often the sign of a great player in the making. Be sure to have a look at what price he is to finish as the Ukraine's top scorer, as Yarmolenko is the real deal.

The Bet

Ukraine may look uninspired, but they're certainly capable of causing problems for the better fancied teams in this group. What Blokhin's side should be able to offer is the ability to keep their shape, and keep hold of the ball. With one or two rugged performers dotted around the team, this is exactly the kind of unit which could cause England problems. I'd keep a careful eye on the group match against Sweden, as over 2.5 goals should be available at a price, and with the amount of ball players that Ukraine have, it would be no great surprise to see them involved in a couple of high scoring matches against the right kind of team. Sweden may just fit the bill. Their group prices look right to me, as they're 3.185/40 to finish bottom and 2.56/4 to qualify. There's no value there, so the best Ukraine related bet is to support Andrei Yarmolenko to finish as their Top Goalscorer. You should be able to get a price of around 8.07/1 matched.