SHEVCHENKO DOUBLE SINKS SWEDEN
Skipper Andrei Shevchenko bagged a brace as Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine beat Sweden 2-1 in Kiev to get their campaign off to a fine start.
Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic silenced the home fans at the Olympic Stadium with a second-half opener but the 35-year-old Shevchenko rolled back the years to snatch the three points with two superb headers.
Shevchenko misfired in the first-half, dragging a shot wide of the far post after exchanging passes with Andriy Yarmolenko, and having another effort blocked.
Ibrahimovic also failed to convert a decent chance, hitting the outside of the post with his header when Sebastian Larsson picked him out at the back post.
But the AC Milan forward made no mistake seven minutes after the break, stabbing the ball home after Kim Kallstrom had turned Larsson's deep cross back into the danger zone.
But Ukraine were soon on level terms, Yarmonlenko dinking over a lovely cross from the right which a diving Shevchenko (55) headed into the net.
And the former Chelsea man was at it again seven minutes later, beating Ibrahimovic to Oleh Gusev's left-wing corner and finding the target with a glancing header.
Ibrahimovic tried to save the day for the Swedes and he linked up nicely with Rasmus Elm before unleashing a thunderous shot, which Andriy Pyatov did well to parry.
And in the closing stages, sub Johan Elmander and veteran defender Olof Mellberg both put good chances over the crossbar, but the hosts held on to assume the early leadership of Group D.
Skipper Andrei Shevchenko bagged a brace as Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine beat Sweden 2-1 in Kiev to get their campaign off to a fine start.
Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic silenced the home fans at the Olympic Stadium with a second-half opener but the 35-year-old Shevchenko rolled back the years to snatch the three points with two superb headers.
Shevchenko misfired in the first-half, dragging a shot wide of the far post after exchanging passes with Andriy Yarmolenko, and having another effort blocked.
Ibrahimovic also failed to convert a decent chance, hitting the outside of the post with his header when Sebastian Larsson picked him out at the back post.
But the AC Milan forward made no mistake seven minutes after the break, stabbing the ball home after Kim Kallstrom had turned Larsson's deep cross back into the danger zone.
But Ukraine were soon on level terms, Yarmonlenko dinking over a lovely cross from the right which a diving Shevchenko (55) headed into the net.
And the former Chelsea man was at it again seven minutes later, beating Ibrahimovic to Oleh Gusev's left-wing corner and finding the target with a glancing header.
Ibrahimovic tried to save the day for the Swedes and he linked up nicely with Rasmus Elm before unleashing a thunderous shot, which Andriy Pyatov did well to parry.
And in the closing stages, sub Johan Elmander and veteran defender Olof Mellberg both put good chances over the crossbar, but the hosts held on to assume the early leadership of Group D.