Ukraine 2 Sweden 1

The final match of the first round of fixtures saw co-hosts Ukraine face Sweden in Kiev. After the group's 'superpowers' had played out a draw earlier in the day, both teams knew a victory would give them a welcome three points in their opening match.

The Ukraine side had a mixture of the old guard and some younger blood in the form of Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka. They started much the better team and looked better in possession then the Swedes, who relied almost entirely on Ibrahimovic for any attacking threat. The first real chance of the half fell to former Chelsea misfit Shevchenko who, reminiscent of his time at Stamford Bridge rather than the San Siro, scuffed his shot wide. Liverpool fans may have been impressed by the Ukrainian number ten who proved adept at linking midfield and attack, before realising it was merely Andrei Voronin minus his ponytail.

Sweden should have been in front just after the half hour when the impressive Ibrahimovic got free of his marker only to head a Seb Larssen's cross against the post when it seemed easier to score.

The enigmatic front man made up for his miss just six minutes into the second period. A ball across the Ukrainian goal wasn't cleared properly and, when Kallstrom turned it goalwards again, there was Ibrahimovic to side foot home. A stunned home crowd demanded a response from their team and they had only to wait three minutes for their demands to be met. Yarmolenko broke free down the right and his cross was met by Shevchenko who headed firmly past Isaksson.

Seven minutes later the game was turned on it's head when Shevchenko scored his second from a corner. As much as his movement was excellent, it has to be said, Sweden's marking was awful. Credit to the Swedes, however, who never gave up and, but for lack of composure by Johan Elmander would have salvaged a point late on. Instead it was the hosts who celebrated a memorable victory and saluted their hero Shevchenko for rolling back the years to put them top of the group.

If they can claim a point against the French in the next match, they will enter the tie with England in a great position to qualify for the knockout stages.