The Ukraine boss dismissed the Scandinavians for their defensive approach and was thrilled that his pre-match premonition came true
Ukraine boss Oleg Blokhin has claimed he dreamt that Andriy Shevchenko would score twice, following the legendary striker's double in the 2-1 win over Sweden in Euro 2012.
Shevchenko netted two fairytale headers as the co-hosts came from behind to clinch victory in their opening match, and the coach said he foresaw the achievement of the veteran forward.
He stated: “He didn’t believe that I had a dream that he would score twice.
“I think that we had an advantage in the first half, maybe not considering Ibrahimovic's chance, but we had a really great advantage. We conceded a goal, but I must say thank you to the team that we were able to score two goals, but I think that we didn’t play good in the dying minutes, because there was a lot of pressure to hold this result.
“I think it’s really hard to play with such nerves, I must say that the Swedish team is a really good and it is very hard to play against them, we knew everything about them, but I really think that they will be a tough opponent for the next opponents in our group.”
Blokhin, however, was unimpressed with how the Scandinavians lined up and accused them of playing for a draw, continuing: “I think that the Swedish team played to achieve a draw and they only tried to organise counterattacks through Zlatan Ibrahimovic."
The 59-year-old coach showed his anger with Sweden’s goal, which came while Ukraine had a man down injured.
“In the second half I think that the Swedish team wasn’t very fair, because our player was lying on the pitch and the referee should have stopped the game.
“But they just had a chance and they scored, then there was also a second moment and I think that it’s not fair.”
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Rank | Team | W/D/L | Pts |
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Cities & Stadiums
The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments
Year | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Spain | Germany | Russia / Turkey |
2004 | Greece | Portugal | Netherlands / Czech Republic |
2000 | France | Italy | Netherlands / Portugal |
1996 | Germany | Czech Republic | France / England |
1992 | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands / Sweden |
1988 | Netherlands | Soviet Union | Italy / West Germany |
1984 | France | Spain | Denmark / Portugal |
1980 | West Germany | Belgium | Czechoslovakia |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | West Germany | Netherlands |
1972 | West Germany | Soviet Union | Belgium |
1968 | Italy | Yugoslavia | England |
1964 | Spain | Soviet Union | Hungary |
1960 | Soviet Union | Yugoslavia | Czechoslovakia |