Euro 2012: Shevchenko gives Ukraine opening win

Riding on Andriy Shevchenko's brace hosts Ukraine defeated Sweden 2-1 in a Group D tie to take all three points.

Riding on Andriy Shevchenko's brace hosts Ukraine defeated Sweden 2-1 in a Group D tie to take all three points.

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Ukraine's former European Player of the Year Andrei Shevchenko rolled back the years as his second-half double inspired the Euro 2012 co-hosts to a come from behind 2-1 win over Sweden in their Group D encounter. (All AFP and AP Images)

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From one legend to another: Ukraine's star player embraced by Ukraine coach and football great Oleg Blokhin.

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The 35-year-old Ukraine captain took his tally to 48 in 108 international appearances with two superb headers within seven minutes of each other.

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There had been little indication of the fairytale on the evidence of the first-half as Shevchenko, who has been struggling with injury for the past year, looked way off the pace.

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It was Shevchenko's counterpart, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, albeit somewhat controversially as a Ukraine player was lying injured but the Swedes played on regardless.

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Ibrahimovic coolly slotted the ball into the net and embarked on a typical flamboyant celebration, arm raised straight in the air.

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Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, left, waves as he watches with UEFA President Michel Platini the Group D match between Ukraine and Sweden.

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Sweden's Kim Kallstrom, left, gets a yellow card from the referee during the Euro 2012 Group D match between Ukraine and Sweden.

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Ukraine had three shots on goal while Sweden had four but the hosts managed to pull off three saves.

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Sweden coach Erik Hamren had every reason to look angry given that his team has England and France to tackle next and they could not afford to lose this game.

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