Old hero writes new chapter

At the top of Shevchenko Boulevard — named after the great Ukrainian writer Taras Shevchenko, not the man who, on Monday, wrote a chapter of his own in Euros history — Ukrainians spilled into the Golden Lion pub that has become a base for England fans in Donetsk.

One explained that although, as a dyed-in-the-wool Kievan, Shevchenko is not as universally admired in this corner of Ukraine as he is in much of the rest, even the residents of Donetsk could not help but be affected by Monday night’s events.

“Today Shevchenko is not just a hero for Kiev,” he said through a haze of booze, “but all of Ukraine”.

Post-match statistics showed that Shevchenko had possession of the ball for only 15 seconds during the entirety of the match in Kiev.

But after more than 15 years of being the poster boy for Ukrainian football, that was all that was needed for Shevchenko — whose 48 goals in 108 appearances mark him out as his country’s greatest ever striker — to produce what could be the final glorious flourish in his storied career.

The former Chelsea and AC Milan striker, 35, produced two high-quality goals in the second half after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given Sweden a 53rd-minute lead. The result places Ukraine, making their debut in the tournament, at the top of Group D and gives them a great chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

“I feel that I’m 10 years younger,” said Shevchenko, who rejoined Dynamo Kiev in 2009. “I want to say thank you to everyone who has worked with me over the past six months.”

He added: “I couldn’t imagine that I’d be able to play because I had lots of problems with my knee and back. Lots of people gave me support and I must thank them because I’m in good condition today.

“It was probably one of the best games I’ve played in the last seven or eight months. It’s a great day for Ukraine. We should go through but we expect two more very tough games (against France and England).”

Those two goals are likely to prove a swansong, a postscript to a great career, but what a life-affirming one. It is probably trite to apply such tags to football, but what heart would not have melted when witnessing the standing ovation Shevchenko received as he strode off the pitch at the Olympic Stadium, all four corners rising to their feet to acclaim their hero?

As Ukraine supporters found themselves overcome with emotion in Kiev, similar scenes were in evidence at Donetsk’s media centre. One Ukrainian journalist leapt out of his seat to mark the first goal with a cry of “yes Sheva!” while the second drew rapturous applause from hacks of all nationalities. Outside, fireworks fizzed and exploded in the night sky as, on the final day of the first round of group games, the co-hosts joined the Euro 2012 party in memorable style.

“I never thought that Sheva would score,” admits Anton Svitlychnvy, a journalist for Sport.au. “It was a surprise that he was in the starting XI but he proved Blokhin made the right decision.

“In Ukraine, Shevchenko is a legend. People love him. It is his last big tournament and I think that he wants to give all the nation of Ukraine all that he has. He is a big player and he wanted to show that Ukraine is a big nation. Euro 2012 is our tournament and we want to show all of Europe that we are a big football nation. Truly I think Ukraine would have lost this game, but Sheva and the others made this game incredible.”

On the road into Donetsk city centre, fleets of cars flew down the road, horns beeping incessantly and flags flying in the warm night air.

Ukraine celebrated their favourite son and their greatest footballing moment.