Ukraine: Road to Euro 2012

Ukraine is one of those teams that has the most to benefit from a good show as eyes, despite being the hosts, would not follow the team too closely unless a solid performance is registered. Oleg Blokhin's side is capable however, and cannot be discounted by any stretch of footballing imagination.

Even though a spot in Euro 2012 event was guaranteed by the virtue of Ukraine being the co-host the team has not taken their entry lightly. International friendlies were used to improve and prepare for Euro - a reflection however would reveal it to be more of a roller-coaster ride than a journey from strength to strength. The team held Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in August 2010 while the scoreline repeated itself against Poland.

After beating Chile 2-1 and a 2-2 match against the same side, 2010 ended on a disappointing note as defeats against Brazil and Switzerland threatened to plunge morale. The threat became vicious in 2011 when a win against Uzbekistan was followed by four defeats on the trot - against France, Sweden, Uruguay and Czech Republic.

The string of defeats was overturned post September and Ukraine remained unbeaten in five matches that followed. This even included a 3-3 draw with Germany in Kiev.

While no fan would be frenzied enough to claim that Ukraine has a chance to claim the title, prayers would be for an upset or two against the more dominant teams in Group D. The team has the right force to make the most of under-pressure situations that the bigger teams may find themselves in and with home fans rooting for their glory, it will be up to Blokhin and his men to choose between withering away silently or scripting a fairytale on the football pitch.