Euro 2012 Preview: Ukraine

This summer will mark the first time that Ukraine have appeared at the European Championships.

Fortunately for them their qualification was guaranteed due to their role as co-hosts with Poland.

Amid suggestions of racism in their country, the former Soviet state will be hoping to put themselves on the footballing map for all of the right reasons at Euro 2012.

Group: D

Manager: Oleg Blokhin - The former international, who has 22 years of management experience, is now in charge of the national team for a second spell.

Players to watch:

Andriy Yarmolenko: Hailed as the future of Ukrainian football, the 22-year-old winger has both brains and supreme skill.

Yevhen Konoplyanka: Another wide man, Konoplyanka has been linked with moves to Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. If Ukraine are going to cause an upset, they will need the 22-year-old to be on song.

Andriy Shevchenko: The veteran striker may be in the twilight of his career, but who's to bet against him causing a stir on home soil?

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Sports Mole says: Group stages