Ukraine’s slim hopes rest with Shevchenko

As Ukraine face a must win Euro 2012 group game against Roy Hodgson’s England, you can read my predictions on the contest here. While I may have suggested a narrow victory for Oleh Blokhin’s side, my tip came with a caveat – if Andriy Shevchenko doesn’t play then the co-hosts have little chance of progressing.

There are around eight hours until kick off as I write this and at the moment, Ukraine’s captain and striker has been rated as having a 50% chance to take his place in the starting line up.

"It is hard to say whether Shevchenko will be fit,” said the national coach, “but I would say his chances of being fit to face England are 50-50," he said. "There are still 24 hours to go before the game and we will do everything possible to get him fit.”

Prior to the tournament, Blokhin had tried to play down Shevchenko’s role but even he had to concede just how important his skipper was to the nation’s success.

"He is a big player for us and if he is unable to play it will be a big loss to us, but there are other players in my squad. I understand the interest in him but this press conference should not just be about Shevchenko."

Even with those comments, I’m not sure that Blokhin isn’t understating the situation. Ukraine’s support strikers just don’t seem to pose anywhere near the same threat and if the veteran Sheva fails a fitness test, I feel that the co-hosts will miss a glorious opportunity to progress to the quarter finals.