Intro:

French expatriates living in Ukraine give their impressions of Donetsk - one of the host cities for Euro 2012.

Script:

The industrial city of Donetsk in the Ukraine will host five matches during Euro 2012, including two Group D games involving France.

Donetsk is home to few French exiles, but those who do live in the Eastern city snapped up tickets to see their countrymen play England and the Ukraine at the Donbass Arena.

The Ukraine has recently been criticised for appearing to tolerate racist elements of their society.

As a foreigner living in the country, Cedric Gras doesn't believe there the Ukraine is suffering from a major problem with racism.

SOUNDBITE: (French) Cedric Gras director of Alliance Francaise in Donetsk
"There has been a harsh campaign against Ukraine in the British press saying that Ukraine is dangerous, that there are skinheads here, and that everyone will get ripped off on the streets. Personally, I have never had any problem here. Actually, when Ukrainians visit France, they are more scared of walking in some northern districts of Paris than in the suburbs of Donetsk."

Gras is amongst many residents of Donetsk who will hope the British media will be concentrating on England's early exit from the European Championships rather than racists incidents.

France share Group D with England the Ukraine and Sweden.

For the small French community living in Donetsk, there are only two nations that they want to reach the knock-out stages.