Though Ukraine tops group B with 3 points but it's going to be a big test for them tonight as they face mighty France.
The 52nd rank Ukraine, who made its debut in the Euro Cup this year as co-hosts, won their first match against Sweden 2-1, but the road to the quarters won't be easy for them as they are yet to face France and England.
Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin seemed to agree as he said, "I think England and France are leaders of world football". Further he added, "I said after our game against Sweden that we hadn't achieved anything. My main task is to give strength to the players so that they can get through the group stage, and I do everything possible to give them energy."
Ukraine do understand that a win against France would take them to the quarter finals, leaving England, Sweden and the French to battle it out for the other qualification place.
But their concern is that tonight they are playing against a side which has been unbeaten in 22 games and have thrashed Ukraine 4-1 in their last outing in 2011.
Meanwhile, France coach Laurent Blanc admits he was left frustrated after the 1-1 draw with England on Monday. He also admits the win for Ukraine has galvanized the host country and that could make things even tougher for Les Bleus.
Further the French coach indicated about the home advantage of the Ukrainian team as he said, "The country is in a state of euphoria, the people will be behind the team more than ever now."
"It's going to be a hard game, there's no doubt about it, but we will prepare ourselves in the same way we have planned." He added further.
The second game of the day would see England face Sweden. The English team should be confident about their performance as they managed to put up decent show against France despite having multiple injury problems. While Sweden would only be hoping for a miracle, as lost their opener against debutant Ukraine 2-1.
Hodgson seemed quite certain of fielding the same team that played against France as he said, "There won't be wholesale changes, that's for certain because we don't have any injury problems and the players who did well against France are all hoping to get picked to play again,"
"You'll see a much more determined England side." He added further.
Swedish coach Erik Hamren is certainly unhappy with the way team played in their opener and said, "We're not reaching the level we want to and that's my responsibility as a coach."
Both the teams are most likely field an unchanged squad, Skipper Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker are set to continue in England's midfield after recovering from the clash with France.
For Sweden, striker Johan Elmander recovered from a fractured metatarsal to feature as a second-half substitute in the defeat to Ukraine and coach Hamren could be tempted to start the former Bolton star as he searches for a win.
The 52nd rank Ukraine, who made its debut in the Euro Cup this year as co-hosts, won their first match against Sweden 2-1, but the road to the quarters won't be easy for them as they are yet to face France and England.
Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin seemed to agree as he said, "I think England and France are leaders of world football". Further he added, "I said after our game against Sweden that we hadn't achieved anything. My main task is to give strength to the players so that they can get through the group stage, and I do everything possible to give them energy."
Ukraine do understand that a win against France would take them to the quarter finals, leaving England, Sweden and the French to battle it out for the other qualification place.
But their concern is that tonight they are playing against a side which has been unbeaten in 22 games and have thrashed Ukraine 4-1 in their last outing in 2011.
Meanwhile, France coach Laurent Blanc admits he was left frustrated after the 1-1 draw with England on Monday. He also admits the win for Ukraine has galvanized the host country and that could make things even tougher for Les Bleus.
Further the French coach indicated about the home advantage of the Ukrainian team as he said, "The country is in a state of euphoria, the people will be behind the team more than ever now."
"It's going to be a hard game, there's no doubt about it, but we will prepare ourselves in the same way we have planned." He added further.
The second game of the day would see England face Sweden. The English team should be confident about their performance as they managed to put up decent show against France despite having multiple injury problems. While Sweden would only be hoping for a miracle, as lost their opener against debutant Ukraine 2-1.
Hodgson seemed quite certain of fielding the same team that played against France as he said, "There won't be wholesale changes, that's for certain because we don't have any injury problems and the players who did well against France are all hoping to get picked to play again,"
"You'll see a much more determined England side." He added further.
Swedish coach Erik Hamren is certainly unhappy with the way team played in their opener and said, "We're not reaching the level we want to and that's my responsibility as a coach."
Both the teams are most likely field an unchanged squad, Skipper Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker are set to continue in England's midfield after recovering from the clash with France.
For Sweden, striker Johan Elmander recovered from a fractured metatarsal to feature as a second-half substitute in the defeat to Ukraine and coach Hamren could be tempted to start the former Bolton star as he searches for a win.
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