Euro 2012 Day 4 Wrap: Shevchenko Stars, Heavyweights Draw, Kid Steals Show
The fourth day of Euro 2012 had plenty to teach us.
After two more matches, we learned that fairytales still have a place in the real world, that England still have a place at the table of Europe's best and that Samir Nasri still can't get along with anyone.
Tournament co-hosts Ukraine came from behind to defeat Sweden in both teams' opener, and the story of how it happened would be too perfect even for Hollywood.
Elsewhere, England and France drew 1-1 in the day's first game. That means we've finally got something more than speculation to go on with Roy Hodgson and his English project.
All the details await inside.
Lescott Heads England in Front
1 of 10England's 1-1 draw with France was tight throughout, with both teams enjoying only brief periods of superiority.
Roy Hodgson's disciplined, organized team wrested a tenuous hold on the match in the early stages, and Joleon Lescott's headed goal in the 30th minute—from Steven Gerrard's beauty of a free kick—gave England a deserved lead.
France, who entered the match with a 21-game unbeaten run, looked stunned. But Les Bleus responded quickly.
Shh! Nasri Scored
2 of 10Samir Nasri equalized for France in the 39th minute, firing a low shot past English keeper Joe Hart at the near post. Franck Ribery supplied the assist.
After his goal, Nasri celebrated by placing a single finger over his lips in a hushing motion. Later, he said the gesture was directed at his critics (via The Guardian).
"That's between him and his detractors, no one else," said France manager Laurent Blanc. "It's something personal."
Hodgson Gambles on the Ox
3 of 10England manager Roy Hodgson made a surprise selection in his starting XI, opting for 18-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the midfield ahead of Liverpool's Stewart Downing.
Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal last summer from Southampton in a high-profile deal and broke into the Gunners' first team during the club season.
Monday, however, was his first competitive start for England.
I Am Zlatan
4 of 10Zlatan "I Am Zlatan" Ibrahimovic did what he does best, scoring the opener for Sweden on Monday against Ukraine.
The 30-year-old AC Milan striker turned home Kim Kallstrom's excellently placed cross in the 52nd minute, giving Sweden a 1-0 advantage.
The lead didn't last.
The Shevchenko Show
5 of 10Andriy Shevchenko grabbed the equalizer for Ukraine in the 55th minute—just three minutes after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's opener—and the winner seven minutes later.
That might not seem like a big deal. Shevchenko, after all, is Ukraine's all-time leading scorer.
But at 35, Shevchenko isn't the player he once was. In fact, the 2004 Ballon d'Or winner last scored two goals for Ukraine eight years—and after a disappointing stint at Chelsea, another lifetime—ago.
What's more, this was Ukraine's first match in European Championship history, and this historic tournament is also expected to be Shevchenko's last before his retirement.
With all that in mind, Shevchenko's heroics felt more like a Hollywood ending than reality for Oleg Blokhin's team.
Shevchenko's first goal, a near-post header, sent Kiev into raptures. His second, another header, nearly blew the roof off the stadium.
"I feel great. I feel 20 years old, not 35," said Shevchenko (per BBC). "It was an historic game for us, and it's a victory."
Excited Young Fan
6 of 10Ukraine's big day and Andriy Shevchenko's heroics delighted at least one young fan in Kiev.
The celebration was caught on camera, and, thanks to the wonders of the Internet, the kid is now an international star.
Click here to see the celebration.
How Group D Stands
7 of 10After one round of matches in Group D, Ukraine and Shevchenko top the table with one win and three points.
France and England follow with one point from their 1-1 draw, and Sweden prop up the table with no points.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the quarterfinals.
Group D resumes play Friday, with England playing Sweden and Ukraine facing France.
Quote of the Day
8 of 10If you can't get enough of Ukraine's thrilling victory over Sweden, don't fret.
Ukraine manager Oleg Blokhin, the 1975 winner of the Ballon d'Or as Europe's top player, provides our best quote of Day 4.
From the Kiev Post:
"We're like a good horse," said Blokhin of his team. "The players are chomping at the bit and I need to keep them calm."
We're all rooting for you there, Oleg.
Up Next
9 of 10Group A returns to the spotlight Tuesday.
Greece and the Czech Republic have the early kickoff at noon Eastern.
Then it's Russia against Poland in a match filled with centuries of political intrigue.
After the shocking scenes we saw from Group A on the tournament's first day, nothing should be ruled out.
Russia and budding superstar Alan Dzagoev lead Group A with three points after crushing the Czech Republic 4-1 on Friday. Greece and co-hosts Poland drew 1-1 and have one point each.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
