The rain in UKRAINE falls mainly DURING THE GAME!!!
Less than five minutes into the game, the players, stadium staff and fans ran for cover as sheets of water fell from the skies. The torrential downpour threatened to postpone the game, it flooded the pitch and left some areas covered in water. After almost an hour of maintenance crews raking the pitch, the game resumed. The first half of the France and Ukraine match wasn’t very exciting, that being said…the second half was great. Although I was rooting for Ukraine, France came out for the second half with a vengeance. Laurent Blanc’s men were focused and fast, scoring in the first ten minutes of the second half. Menez was first to score, followed by Cabaye. There had been a few shots on goal from Ribery and Benzema, as France kept up the pressure on the co-hosts. Shevchenko missed a golden opportunity, as did Yarmolenko, overall the Ukrainians were unable to find their stride against the French, who seem to have finally gotten their act together (about time too).
The second game of the day was perhaps the most action packed match of the tournament thus far. England needed a win, with only one point from their tie with France. After their surprising defeat by Ukraine, the Swedes desperately needed 3 points as they were at the bottom of the table with no points. Andy Carrol headed in a cross from England Captain Gerrard, sending Roy Hodgson’s men ahead in the first half. In the second half, England gifted Sweden a goal, courtesy of Glen Johnson’s fumble. Larsson’s free kick cross was headed in by Mellberg giving the Swedes a 2-1 lead, which almost became 3-1 as Ibrahimovic broke away but was unable to get passed Hart. A few shots on goal for both sides followed, but towards the end of the second half Welbeck scored, and simultaneously sank Sweden’s EURO 2012 dreams. Great game.