Germany v Ukraine Match of the Day Live

Good evening and welcome back to an expectant fan park here in Paris,

where all eyes are fixed on Germany, as the World Cup winners seek to

become European champions for a record fourth time. I wouldn't put

it past them. Would you? Odd miracle is meant, suggested by

this relaxed and bent, what wonders to this tightener are revealed? It

is Germany. Roll on again. With subtle might against himself to

stride, to struggle up wards from the brutish theme. Brazil have been

humiliated. They have been humbled and taken apart. It is seven.

Inward and inward still is vision since. What does he hear?

He thinks. There is the German coach, just

after he got off the German coach, Joachim Low. The Germans still look

a foremid-able side, with recognisable faces, of course, all

over the place. Opponents Ukraine were joint hosts four years ago when

they failed to progress beyond the group stage. They defend five goals

in 12 qualifying matches. Here with us tonight are Alan Shearer, Thierry

Henry and a warm welcome to the Belgian captain, Vincent Kompany.

What are you doing here? Well, first of all, I don't want to

allow myself to feel down. If there is one thing I have learnt in

Germany and in Manchester, of course, is, just get on with it.

That is what I am doing. We are glad to have you. Have you been in side

with the Belgian side since your arrival here? Would you sooner

distance yourself? I am playing two roles. I am obviously in touch with

my friends, but I am a big fan of this team. They are very hungry for

success. I hope for this team because they deserve it to be

successful. They have a lot of good players. It is Germany we are

concentrating on this evening. They lost against Slovakia and even

against England. Yes, I mean you look at the German

team, with the experience of the stars. At the same time you see

question marks. We are not used to a German team to have question marks.

It will be interesting to see how they are set up and especially how

they cope with the expectation again. And they tend to do well when

the tournament has commenced, don't they? That is one thing we can be

sure about with the Germans. One thing they are short of, for a very

long time, is they don't have a well-recognised number nine who can

score goals. We all know that Thomas Muller can score goals. For first

time they don't have a guy like that. You would love to play with

that mid-field. You would be there at the box. It is not very often

German come into a major tournament and look vulnerable. There have been

question marks in their country about their hunger, their desire and

all those big players have retired since then. Having said that, they

will be all right, they are Germans, aren't they. How can you ask

questions like that two years after you have won the World Cup. We would

love to ask those questions.. We were poor in qualification. We

nearly didn't qualify. We went on to win it in Belgian and Holland. You

always have a weird thing happening after you win a World Cup. Let's see

if they will deal with it. You must know. It must be lovely to have that

problem. Ukraine, Vincent, it is the first time they have qualified. They

played four years ago, they were hosts. They are a dangerous side,

particularly on the counterattack. I will say, this I think the question

marks are different with Germany now than when you came off the back of

the world cup. If Poland think they can go and play out, they will get

punished - there's no doubt about it. If they are well organised and

hit them on the counterattack then this team can be hurt. I do think

so. Defensively there are question

marks. They are solid and they will fancy their chances of going out and

scoring goals if their two main wingers are in form, then they will

fancy their chances. OK. Well, the other two teams in Group C met in

Nice this afternoon with Northern Ireland playing Poland. There was

just the one goal in the game. Sadly for Northern Ireland it went to

Poland. And it wasn't a bad finish, was it? He took it quickly with his

left foot and very little backswing with his left foot. He gave the

goalkeeper no chance through the legs and it was amazing how many

times but the defender's leg. When that happens the keeper doesn't have

time to see. A good finish. A good strike. Not bad, Poland, are they?

Not bad. People expect you to beat and I

think that Northern Ireland did OKKish... If I can say, they knew

what they were up against job done - five points. First game, well done.

The other two teams in this group, you would expect Germany to be

strong favourites to go through, wouldn't you? Regardless of any

previous form. Especially with the format the way it is, I think

Germany will go through. I think people are waiting to be convinced

and impressed with seeing the only team who has impressed us so far is

the top team, England. They have not won and I think like he said what is

important is the result now. We would like to see one of the top

teams show how powerful they are. Set the tournament alive. That might

happen this evening. Let's look at the spectacular Stade Pierre-Mauroy

in Lille. It is the venue for tonight's game. It holds 50,000

spectators and among them we are joined.

Lens they have the qualifying campaign as well. It comes to

occasions like this they can turn on the style, can't they? That is what

we are well known for. In a tournament it is a different

pressure. Everyone knows how to perform under pressure. That is how

we trained. Most of the time you can expect something good out of us. And

you hope Ukraine give you a real tonight? It would be good if they

are not too shy and stand too deep. Most of the time we have to say they

are not trained to play against a system like ours. So I think their

systems are remote to get something out of this game. One player on the

game you think he has a big future if he comes on tonight. His future

long-term will be very bright. If he makes a difference tonight, we will

see. I don't know if he comes on, that would mean we were down for one

or two goals. He is a guy to watch and will be seen across Europe over

the next couple of years. And to carry on that World Cup winning

feeling as well. You will want to pick up from that feeling in Brazil

and bring it here into France, won't you? Yes, the German public expect

the team to win it. The coach has said he sees it as a stage on the

route to the next World Cup. They like to win it and that is why they

put themselves under pressure. We were talking earlier, your dream

final here would be Germany verses England. Yes, the English looked not

bad yesterday. Conceded a late goal - unfortunate. In total, I think

they have a good team spirit and that can bring them far in the

tournament. As I said, my dream game would be England verses Germany.

Thank you. Thank you. Goodbye. Go straight with England early on.

They will only beat us on penalties, anyway. One man who still has faith

in the youngest squad in the competition is Jurgen Klinsmann.

The expectations are just given as a world champion to win the Euros. No

German coach can say it would be fine to achieve the quarter-finals.

To win a tournament takes an incredible amount of hunger and

willingness to go through difficult motels, to stick together as a goal.

If that chemistry is not the same as it was in Brazil, you will not win

the tournament. It is a very normal phase they went

through after winning that World Cup in such a tremendous way. You have

to come back down to the ground, you will lose points. You will lose

games. You will kind of not have the same grinding mentality you had - so

many years until you finally win that World Cup again.

You always, as a young player, you look up to these guys that had

already a couple of tournaments under their belts and they know when

it really matters like Schweinsteiger. They know to get

everybody on the same stage. It would be important to have these

players. What is also very fascinating to see is the production

line of German talent is going full steam right now. They have so many

young players coming through. Everybody is constantly putting his

own stamp on the game, no matter if he is 18, 19, 20, or if it is the

older guys. It is based on that kind of

foundation that was laid out 10-15 years ago. It is not necessarily the

system that is put out there. It is the culture developed over the last

years. Therefore, it is not that difficult for younger players to

break into the German side, also from a psychological side. You go

into the tournament and it depends then which of those teams now really

has the right mixture of players, the right chemistry, the right

atmosphere within that group, which plays a big, big role and which has

the biggest hunger. This is now an interesting moment for Germany if

they can reconfirm what they showed two years ago.

Let's look at the two teams. Starting with Ukraine.

Pyatov has long been established as Ukraine's number one.

Performed so well during qualification, conceding five goals

in 12 matches. Holding mid-field Stepanenko gives further protection

to his defence. Wingers: Up front is Zozulya.

As for Germany, the original sweeper keeper, Neuer plays in goal and

defence at times. Hummels is not fit enough to return.

Khedira along side Kroos. Draxler is preferred on the left

side of an attacking three with Ozil and Thomas Muller. And despite a

mixed season Gotze plays in the false nine role. What do you think

to that starting line-up for Germany, Thierry Henry? It is

obviously a good starting line-up. We mention about the chemistry they

have in mid-field when you see Draxler and Muller and obviously

Ozil. They have a guy who can score and guys who can

They can all interchange. I question not having a number nine. You have

to have a guy who knows what it is there and how to move. That is when

Muller is at his best, when he can go off the run of the nine. It is

still an amazing team. Don't get me wrong. When teams play without a

number nine, does that make it awkward? When to go, when not to go?

It is a difficult environment not to disagree with Thierry. If the system

is well co-ordinated, it is difficult because you don't have a

point of reference. Then again a proper number nine would not let

himself be cornered, if you like. With a number nine it makes it more

difficult, I would say. Do you prefer a defender to have someone

there to mark? It depends. If he is mobile, then it is difficult. If

someone wants to stand his ground, I find it more easy. A bit like Alan

Shearer! I know you are a big fan of Muller.

His goal-scoring record is superb. In 2010, Golden Boot. And in

tro,00014. -- and in 2000146789 His finish something superb. He

starts the move there. Look at the hunger to get on the end of

everything and be a part of it. Be the finisher.

He is a genius at finding and making space for himself. We were talking

about Vincent there. He rarely goes up and stands up against a defender.

That's why I think it is more difficult for a defender. They don't

actually know where he is. He is go on the right, on the left-hand side.

He scores all sorts of goals. Scuffy goals, tap-ins. He is an

awkward-looking footballer. He is in and out of the six-yard box. He is

gangly, awkward. He is not as sexy as a Messi or Ronaldo but his

goal-scoring record is superb. He scores more goals than them in a big

tournament. He is more important than them in a big tournament. I

always say those guys are freaks. I say to youngsters, try to see what

Muller does, you can emulate, that don't try to copy Messi, it is more

difficult. And the success was with a combination of goals. There was

Klose who scored 71 and Muller. So you have lost 71 goals at the front.

It is not ease -- it is not easy to replace.

Gotze won't do it. Everyone is waiting for Ozil to be the main man

in that team. He can do it. Midfield wise, plenty of bodies, would you

expect them to have a lot of possession In midfield they are not

scared. Ozil on the left. Draxler in the middle. And they will make sure

they can do an interchange and do whatever they want. Like I said, I

talk about chemistry. There is not really a way they play, it is not

really rigid. They can do whatever they want along as they possess the

ball. It is about possession. Will they have the understanding with

Gotze up there? He has been out injured for months. He has only

played 11. There has to be an understanding when he drops, Muller

will go up. They have the players from Real Madrid. Kroos won the

Champions' League this season. He passes the ball well. Brilliant. The

number of times he demands the ball, he gets it, pass, pass, pass. If

Ukraine let Germany do this tonight, they will be in big trouble. They

like to do that. There is not a real natural width in their team and they

are very good at picking the passes out and coming through the middle.

That is not to say they can't go out wide but they like and prefer to go

through the middle and find passes. wide but they like and prefer to go

through the middle and find passes. The defence will give it to him. He

will demand the ball there. If he will allow them to do that and give

them this amount of space there, they will get punished tonight and

Muller and Gotze will be on the end of them. Kroos has the second best

stats for passing in the whole of Europe. So they have to get someone

in and around him immediately to stop him dictating the pace of play

and dictating his passes. He is a top, top player. What about Ukraine

counterattack? Dangerous? Speed on the wing? Well, the qualification

games of Germany, that's how they got caught, on counters. And when

you have Yarmolenko and Zozulya, who can run for fun they have to be

careful. They can play the counterattack ever so well. Well

shall as we know, Epping land are yet to win their opening game of the

European Championship. Germany, you have guessed it, are yet to lose

one. Your commentators are Danny Murphy and Jonathan Pearce.

COMMENTATOR: Jonathan pears:

. -- JONATHAN PEARCE: Good evening to you.

We have a giant lantern illuminating things. Good job. It is a gloomy

night. On and off for hours heavy rain has been falling. Germany have

had seven defeats in 18 games. Most unlike them. Two in qualification

for this. Unheard of. Is this the night then, for Ukraine to beat them

for the first time ever. We await, of course the anthems. This is a

wonderful stadium. Ukraine up.

# Shche ne vmerla Ukrayiny i slava, i volya

# Shche nam, brattia molodiyi, usmikhnet'sia dolia

# Z-hynut' nashi vorizhen'ky, yak rosa na sontsi

# Zapanuyem i my, brattia, u svoyiy storontsi

# Dushu y tilo my polozhym za nashu svobodu

# I pokazhem, shcho my, brattia, kozats'koho rodu!

# Dushu y tilo my polozhym za nashu svobodu

# I pokazhem, shcho my, brattia, kozats'koho rodu! #

Can they repeat what they did in the play-offs to get here and beat

Germany now? . # Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Fur das deutsche Vaterland # Danach lasst uns alle streben

Bruderlich mit Herz und Hand # Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Sind des Gluckes Unterpfand # Bluh' im Glanze dieses Gluckes

Bluhe, deutsches Vaterland. # # Bluh' im Glanze dieses Gluckes

Bluhe, deutsches Vaterland. # Eight years ago to the day, they

were beaten 2-1 by Croatia at Euro 2008. The bookies said that wouldn't

happen there either. Ukraine have the pace and flair in

wide positions. Their young starlet, Kovalenko plays. And they started

scoring freely in the warm-up games after what was a dire qualification

campaign in many ways. Big news in the German camp, Hummels didn't make

it. He trained but not ready to start.

Seven of the team started the World Cup Final. Gotze comes on, got the

winner and gets the nod ahead of Gomez. Muller comes into the

tournament ahead of his best-ever club goal-scoring season.

The referee is Yorkshire's Martin Atkinson. He'll refer a few of the

players from the 2015 Europa League Cup final.

The tall and Commander sweeper keeper, Neuer.

Ukraine lack a bit of pace in central midfield. Not wide.

In Kovalenko they have one of the stars of last year's under-20 World

Cup but there is a fragile dressing room peace between Yarmolenko and

Stepanenko. They do not like each other. And if Zozulya stays on the

field, it might be a miracle. He is a fiery one. They have several fiery

ones in their team. Can they create a major Jock here Ukraine? We will

have to wait and see. It'll be fascinating to see how leftback

deals with one of Europe's best, Thomas Muller. What a pleasure to be

here. We have mixed with the Germans today, singing, dancing, drink

willing their beer. They are in great spirits. What a are endation

that was It was, while you were doing, that I was drinking Diet

Coke. It is going to be Germany in the white and black that will start.

The pitch looks heavy. As it did in the opening game on Friday. Here we

go, the World Champions, then, can they emulate Spain and France in

holding both Europa, European and world titles at the same time?

Long from Gotze. As was said in the studio, he hasn't played much. They

are taking a gamble with him. He is a super player. Great technician. He

is clever. He will come and get in the little am pok ets. I probably

thought Gomes would be a more obvious choice. But he gets to see

them in training river day. Early feel of the ball for Manuel Neuer.

He is our 11th outfield player says Toni Kroos. He said he would have

made a very good international midfield player. I think all

goalkeepers fancy themselves as players out on the field.

Khedira, he had another nasty calf sprain as he had in the World Cup

finals. They had problems at fullback and

who was going to step up into the boots of Felipe Lam? Huge boots to

feel. But he is experienced. He did well in the World Cup. He can play

that role perfectly. There is Mykhailo Fomenko, a very good player

in his day. One of the outstanding Dynamo Kiev's Cup winners. They beat

mine Munich in the final of the European Super Cup as well and won

three titles in a row. There are the exuberant fans. My worry for Lille,

is that England fans come here for the clash against Wales, played in

Lens, of course but the hotels are here and that Russia are in Lille as

well later this week. The policing was very relaxed, Danny. A little

bit worrying. It was a concern. There were thousands of fans mixing

in the square. There was no trouble, I have to say. They were in great

spirits, both sets of supporters, but, yes, it is a little bit

worrying the lack of police presence today but I'm sure they will have

learned their lesson, let's hope they have, from Marseille.

Boateng there and his fellow country team-mate, Muller.

Kroos never wastes a pass. He has attempted more passes than any other

player. It nearly game to Draxler. The

youngster couldn't quite adjust his body to get the shot on time. It was

that pocket he was talking about, dropping off the back four, do they

go with him? No, midfielders didn't spot him. Before you know it, he is

inside causing problems. You talk about Kroos, I love the fact that he

is so good at keeping the ball and he is progressive with it. He is

looking to passing forward. The right back getting forward

there. And support from the Ukraine fans as they come in and support a

very talented and Kovalenko. He has pace and finish. He was denied by a

top safe. A great tackle from Rakitskiy. Really alert in the

opening exchanges. A good safe. It has to be a hell of a shot to beat

that man from outside the box. Takes the corner himself. Not yet away.

Neuer comes and claims, in his 66th international for Germany. 23 clean

sheets in that time. Kovalenko was at a game when we played for Fulham

in the Europa League some times ago. I don't think he has achieved the

levels people expected him to do since then. I know he sat on the

bench with the Cup final against Liverpool. But with that talent you

would hope would score more goals and contribute more in games.

The keeper gets it away. Manuel Neuer, one of the players

from the under-21 winning side. They build teams and age groups and by

and large they keep them together. What Klinsmann was talking about

before, wasn't it, the way they produced players over the years and

players are given a chance really early, whereas other countries tend

to be a bit more tentative. There he is - the man in charge of this

country who have won this competition.

20 years since their last Euro success.

Draxler, hit by an injury a couple of years ago. Rested his talent for

about 18 months. Kroos again with that move. Decisive

pass through the mid-field of the Ukraine.

He's come away to that left-hand side. Yesterday there was

confirmation of where he would play. It is his best role, isn't it? When

he plays wide, he doesn't particularly want to be tracking

full-backs back into his own half. He uses energy in more attacking

areas of the pitch. Of course he had such a successful season, with

Arsenal playing that role, it makes sense to me.

Seven of the 88 Euro semi-finalists were from Ukraine.

A little bit of a late challenge in there.

Caught by Jonas Hector. Told to get forward more.

Attack with more firmness and he has done, recently, for his country.

Stepanenko and Yarmolenko not the best of buddies, as we said earlier.

They have a public peace pack, but they will not talk to each other or

have anything to do with other, in the warm-up, I noticed.

Hector with the cross. Too high the pass for Jonas Hector.

Looking forward to seeing him, actually. I heard good things about

him. I know he was linked with Liverpool recently.

This lad has been linked and we could see him in a Liverpool shirt

next season. The thing about Hector as well is

he's versatile and he can play as a defensive mid-field player. He did a

lot of times this season for his club.

Unbeaten in five against against Ukraine.

They are allowed to have the odd bad qualifying campaign. They cannot be

perfect the whole time, can they? They always turn up at the

tournaments. High up the pitch.

Wanted it, but he was by-passed. The ball to Ozil...

With the cross and forward from the full-back.

The danger is not over yet. It should be 1-0. A good ball in

from Draxler. Header back from Muller.

Hector, on his weak foot, slips. A great chance. A brilliant

opportunity that for Germany. One for his country against Italy.

Joachim Low's team won. The ball finds Muller in the box,

doesn't it? Knows when it will come. Such a clever player.

A little bit of space. In the end, squeezed away from him.

Helping out the centre-backs. Muller, brilliant ball out.

Describes himself as an interpreter of space. That is what he calls his

position. A space interpreter. Not a bad way of explaining it.

I wonder what would have been said to you all those years ago - I have

become a space interpreter. I think he would have given me a few harsh

words and told me to go away. A great football man.

A wonderful coach. Always encouraging us to play the

right wasmt much like these young German players, in many ways. Play

the right way, under pressure. They don't ever revert to a long ball,

even early in the match. Great combinations. Great rotation of

positions. It is Kroos with that cross field

ball. This is the miss from Hector. The left foot gives way there.

The manager is not best pleased. Cannot be just a coach, flag-waving

in the wind. It is important that Kovalenko is a

creative player and well thought of. He keeps an eye out for Kroos when

he comes deep. He cannot just have possession. Shown it so many times.

Kovalenko, forward in five games at that young World Cup final

tournament. Three hours of senior international

football is what he's played for the country.

Atkinson, assistant to Howard Webb, at Euro 2012.

Muller. He's a good referee. He has been a referee many times. Does not

get flustered. Muller, with the return.

Is he a talking referee? Does he talk to you, explain? Not hugely.

He'll listen. He's not ignorant or arrogant in any shape or form. You

can chat with him. He soon puts you in your place.

Lucky with that clearance. Shoves it away.

Foul. Yes, it looks worse than it is. He's

just protecting himself. It is a decent run forward though by

Rakitskiy to get that cross in. Twice he's got behind Draxler. Just

switched off there, ball-watching. Runs behind.

Amendment to the interpretation of the rule of the game, when striking

the head or the face, when not challenging for the face it is a red

card unless the force used was nobody. I don't think they have made

these laws any easier to interpret, really. Some are more obvious than

others. Schurrle was applying that law. He

was very lucky to stay on the pitch. None of us want to see players get

sent off for small, trivial things. That spoils the game. I think the

referees have been good in the first few games. It is a credit to them.

Just flicked a hand Muller coming in off that... He's

unlucky. Oh... Got the ball. You can see the ball direction

change. It is a good tackle. They have got to start getting some

passes in. They cannot just defend. Kroos over the

BA Is this the opening for the world champions? Yes, it is.

An Everton player scores in the Europeans for his country.

Well, we have mentioned him two or three times.

That man Kroos, a passer of the ball he S right in that danger area.

Begging for somebody to come and head it.

Boy, does he head it. What a ball that is. Superb header from Mustafi.

A good leap. A strong desire to get there.

Well, would he have even played. German joy.

The player who has been linked with Liverpool, a possible return to

Merseyside. He played just one game for Everton in his time there.

Quarter of an hour appearance, was there very, very young in his

career. They have to dig in now. Germany are

dominant. They have started the game well. Some nice moves. And would he

have played Hummels, if fully fit? -- would he have played him if

Hummels was fully fit? Unlikely. He is making the most of his

opportunity, Mustafi. He was in the Cup final ander to a calf muscle and

as they were saying yesterday, this will come too early for him. But he

should be ready for the other two group games.

Khedira, and Mueller. All Germany. -- Muller.

A fair amount was made about Germany's recent bid where they lost

3-1. It was atrocious conditions, virtually flooded. They have

certainly found their rhythm here. Kroos getting into a central

position there, and a big GP from the goal scorer. On it goes, the

passing movement. -- a big gap. Boateng.

Ozil to Muller. Ukraine standing off them. Too deep. Too much respect.

Too deep. They have got to get there, five or ten yards. And a late

challenge there by Zozulya. Allowed to carry on by the referee. Good use

of the advantage but he may go back and have a word with the Ukraine

striker. Stabbed away by Rakitskiy. Although they are playing against

such a good team. They don't need to be so deep. The front three of

Germany are not lightning quick. They can push up a bit more.

Khedira, he plays in Italy with Juve. A winner there this season.

Kroos. He has run this game from minute one until now. I feel for the

young lad, Kovalenko. All he has done was chase him around. That was

probably not what he thought he was going to be in the team for. He has

dominated the ball. Everything good has come through him. Every minute

of the successful World Cup campaign, the Champions' League

winner, and with two different clubs now.

Defensively, Ukraine were durable in qualifying. Germany up again. He is

up there with a punch under pressure. Ukraine unhappy with the

challenge on him. It was Mustafi, getting in there again. Certainly

has the desire to go and head the ball. But a definite foul. Pyatov.

Germany will have watched the warm-up game Ukraine had against

Romainia. I would imagine they were sent out to wrap up the goalkeeper.

He looked suspect in the cross cross in that game.

31 now, the leading rightback. He is a key player for them. They need to

get him forward and get balls in to him. It hasn't happened so far.

This time the referee, for a minute he was reaching for his pocket. But

it is just a warning against Howedes.

They need to get these men on the ball. They are the danger men and we

haven't seen enough of them. Kovalenko. He scored a fantastic

goal against egg land in Wembley in 2012. I think it was a World Cup

qualifier. What can he do here now? In it comes and blasts up and over

by Muller. A dyke Russ ball. Good quality, good pace. A really good

area. -- a dangerous ball. Muller in there defending.

Oh, he thought about coming. Didn't come but gets his hand to stop the

header from Khacheridi. Well, it should be 1-1. That man Neuers saves

them again. Good quality in from the corner. That was Kovalenko. . A very

good save. Goal bound, the header from the'6" inch Khacheridi. Yes,

sir, he is a threat. -- yes, he is a threat. This one whips in low. I

think it hit Boateng there. Khacheridi out wide again. Back in

by Konoplyanka. Yarmolenko has been quiet so far.

Back towards Zozulya. The flag raised.

Yes, he has been quiet. I think he needs the ball. If you are playing

in a wide area, you need your players to find you with the ball.

Get the two central midfielders on the ball more. We haven't seen

enough from Stepanenko and Shevchuk. They are the ones who need to get

the team playing. Boateng, only 27. He came through

the under-21 European-winning side. The frightening thing about most of

this German squad, I think they'll be around for the next World Cup

finals but they'll be there for the next European finals as well.

Draxler on the outside. What a ball. The referee listening to his

goalline official there. He just about did enough, good skill from

Draxler. Nice and positive free kick. He is fortunate enough to get

away with that. Kovalenko and good cover. Strong and

fair challenge. Well-won back. Over the top and Khedira. A big chance

for Germany for 2-0. What a pass. Sublime. It was a sublime piece of

football from that man in the middle of the park again. Always wants the

ball. Always uses it so diligently. Finds Ozil. On it goes again.

Draxler at the heart of everything. There he is in. -- Kroos is at the

heart of everything. He just sees all the pictures. Khedira, good run

from midfield. What a ball that is. Just takes it a

little bit wide. But still gets a good connection. It is a decent

safe. But he will be disappointed there. It should be 2-0 Germany. 900

minutes of qualification for Germany. He attempted over 1100

passes. You do the maths. Yarmolenko causing a little bit of a stir.

He reminds me of Paul Scholes, he really does the way he can dictate

the game. Sees every pass. So calm on the ball. A pleasure to watch

him. This corner caused damage last time. A decent effort but wide from

Shevchuk. He doesn't get many. Yes they have been a threat on the

set plays. Decent enough strike. An occasional goal for Shaktar but

hasn't scored for Ukraine in the appearances. He had an injury

problem this season either side of their winter break.

Kroos - he has 20 yards of space again. There is nobody near him. I

think we were a little bit surprised that they want to Kovalenko. It was

an attacking move. A corner again for Germany. It is

really not that difficult to see from anybody watching the game, who

is running the game. You cannot give somebody who has that much quality,

20 yards, 30 yards, free possession. They have done it again, though.

Draxler's cross all the way through. Germany have their fourth corner of

the game. My PE teacher is Khacheridi. Comes

the corner. Missed by Zozulya. Out by Yarmolenko. Draxler again,

holding deep. Concern for him, it is an ageing

squad. Eight of them in their 30s. Will they have enough in the goes

tank in the second half? He has been criticised for being too neglect ti.

But Shevchenko is alongside him now and should take over as coach, they

say, in July. They look to be a bit too far up the pitch, don't they.

They need to be compact and speedy on the break if they were to create

any danger. I don't think Zozulya has scored double figures in the

league for any side he has played for, which is somewhat of a worry if

he is your main striker. Draxler, look at the space here for Toni

Kroos. They have to get hold of him. Looks like a break here now. That

was a forlorn chase for Zozulya. The thing is, in effect, here it is

again, look, they have three in midfield, Kovalenko has become a

midfielder. One of them can just go and stand on him. You say -- just

stand on him. Forget where the ball is. Zozulya skied in the warm-up

game in Romania. It was his first international goal in four years.

They have a problem, they don't have - the days of the Ukraine prolific

goal-scoring centre forward have gone since the days of Shevchenko.

Khedira - was there space there? Boateng. He thought he would join

in. No great pressure on him. They have played very, very well. A

passing masterclass. Ukraine have made it easy for them. Zblmplts

exactly that. You have to get stuck into people, especially when they

come into your final third. They are just not getting close. There's in

the been any firm tackles. Not given too many free kicks away. -- there's

not been many firm tackles. Nobody seems to be giving any orders out

there, dictating. This is the goal again. It really is a good ball.

Oh, a lovely ball in and over the line.

Remarkable clearance. Germany counter immediately.

Khedira, between Ozil and Gotze. Well, dramatic clearance there by

Boateng to foil that. It is the first time we have seen Yarmolenko

in that final third and he produced a brilliant pass.

We have to give Boateng some credit. That was a wonderful clearance from

the defender. Must have been close. Hawk-Eye being used here, Euro 2016.

Goal line technology. A corner ball.

Couldn't keep it in play. For the first time they will know

that Ukraine are stirring. You don't get too many better than

that this evening. How many of you go out there on a

Sunday morning and now about corner flags?

Kovalenko with the corner. A good switch back here.

A lovely ball in. It is offside. Ukraine thought for a moment they

were back in at 1-1. They have looked dangerous on set plays.

Germany have looked vulnerable. He's a yard off. It is the right

decision. That's the clearance from two

minutes ago from Boateng. Wow! That should give them a lift, though. A

good five minutes for Ukraine. It really was.

He actually mis-hits it. Boateng stops his own deflection

going in for an own goal. It is not a good finish. He does so well to

sort his feet out there. Super from him. A big man to regain his balance

at six foot three. 12-and-a-half stone. You might have

struggled with that one. I wouldn't have made the mistake in the first

place. He got caught in two minds.

Just watch him at the top of your screen.

Am I going to volley? Am I going to head it? He nearly kicked himself in

the face. Space for Khedira.

. For all of Germany's dominance, they have looked aed the vulnerable

at the back -- a tad vulnerable at the back, which is enkourageable for

anybody else. Good pressure here by Ukraine.

If you get players pressing you early and at good speed it is hard

to play through. That was much better from Ukraine, it was much

higher up the pitch. Kovalenko made a run in. It was too

late. Hector, just time for us to tell you

three more games on the BBC tomorrow. First up Spain take on the

Czech Republic. Five five, 2pm. As we see that Hector header away

again. Two live games on BBC One. Republic of Ireland against Sweden,

from 4. 30. Belgium against Italy at 7. 35.

Group E. Three-and-a-half minutes left in the half.

All the way through to Yarmolenko. Germany could have problems in the

second half. A good switch away to Rakitskiy.

Germany pressed at the end of the first half. This is what Ukraine

intended to do. They came out looking like startled rabbits for

half an hour. Better on the front four. Getting

players forward. Inventiveness down the right-hand side. Good play from

Sydorchuk. That is a poor ball, isn't it?

They certainly can take some confidence in the last ten minutes.

It has been much better from them. 20th job in 37 years, Fomenko. He

decided to take jobs at lower clubs to test himself. Very little

resources. An intriguing character. From the Moscow school of coaching.

His team are on the attack again. Muller...

Gotze... One player who could have kicked off at Liverpool next season.

Spoke to the incoming manager. That was for reassurances.

He would have been happier with what he's seeing, much more positive in

the last ten minutes. They have been believing in themselves a little bit

more. Lovely ball by Rakitskiy.

Three players with their arms up in the air wanting to pull back. He

tries to go straight across. He's lost his footing as he got the

pitch in. The pitch is deceptive in patches. The rain has been thumping

down. That has been during the afternoon.

Going into one minute of stoppage time.

If they can get Rakitskiy on the ball, he could pump out 60-70 yard

diagonals. Pushed on the right-hand side.

Draxler got a call to tell him he was in the team when he was in a

history lesson. And Germany are going in the world

champions ahead with a goal from Mustafi. They are indebted to Jerome

Boateng for clearing off the line at the other end. Ukraine finish

strongly. The team need to get back to the rhythm of the opening 15

minutes or so. That is a nervy end. The world champions end at the break

a goal to nil. You crane certainly have given as

good as they have got. They have pushed all the way. It has been a

good and entertaining first 45 minutes. The pass from Germany has

been crisp. They have created chances. They created the goal,

which we will look at. It was not a foul. They have asked, Ukraine have

asked questions of them defensively, but for good goal keeping it could

be different. You have been impressed with the fluidity of the

German play. It is difficult to play against them. You don't know who is

where. Sometimes they go early in the pockets. The full-backs give

them the width. Very difficult. You see sometimes

there are two holdings running and acting as a ten. Very difficult to

know what they are about to do. I suppose in some ways the only

concern for Germany would be the fact that Ukraine have managed to

have a few chances to score. Would be concerned about that. I would be

worried if I was the German manager right now. I don't think they can

get a lot of confidence out of this first half. Yes, they were playing

well. If you look at the sheet, that is what you expect from this team.

We expected that Ukraine could be dangerous and that is what is

happening right now. The goal from Germany is debatable.

I don't think they will get a lot of confidence out of this first half.

OK, let's look at that goal. Included in the decision, the free

kick to Germany. Might have got a touch on the ball. Rakitskiy does

get a little touch on the ball. We think it is a very harsh free kick

on Muller. Danny called it in commentary. You can see the ball

move from a different angle. He does touch it. Having said that, it is a

brilliant ball in. I thought Mesut Ozil would take it. That created

confusion. A superb ball. Whipped in with pace.

The goalkeeper has a split second - can he come out? He can't because of

the pace on the ball. It is the 34th different player for score for

Germany in the championship final over the years. The next country?

Spain, Italy. England. Hey, the roof is leaking!

We better get on to a VT while someone brings a bucket because it

is pouring down through the ceiling. Khedira had a chance from that ball.

The defender gets the ball here. He has two or three options to pass it

to. Look who he is looking to. The impressive thing about Germany is at

every opportunity they looked to pass forward. What a ball that is

into Khedira. A very good touch. He should stick it away. Myself and

Thierry were talking it makes it easier for centre forwards when the

first thing a mid-fielder thinks, is can he pass it forward, inside of

side ways orback wards, the first thought should be that.

That is why I admire Toni Kroos. He always plays forward. We always look

at possession - can you play forward? . It was Khedira at the end

of it. Plenty of touches as well, Khedira. He likes to go forward.

Always going forward, it is very important. I used to go mad when

guys used to go back and play with the centreback. That is not point of

the game. The point is to go forward. But he likes to go on his

right from being on the left. He can see a pass. Do you know what, it is

not a problem. If he has to knock it three or four yards, because he is

actually lending it to the other player, openings himself up to an

angle to get it back. He can play simple passes and also very cute

passes. Brilliant. Demanding the ball, wanting the bull. Arms in the

air. Give me the ball, I'm the one that makes things happen. Look,

simple five-yard ball. Gets a corner for his team. Superb On the last one

you just saw there, he put his head up three times to look, while the

ball was coming, two-two, guy forward, go forward. He is such an

excellent player. He has evolved over the years, we have seen him

from Bayern Munich, to Leverkusen, and come back. We never thought that

anyone could do the job like Schweinsteiger did for many years.

But look at him today you wonder if he is maybe not even a level above.

At times Germany, their defence has been as leaky as our roof. A

brilliant clearance by Boateng. You must appreciate that Yes, another

player I have seen evolve over the years, Jerome Boateng, he is paying

atevenlingts the others are maybe switching off. He is looking, coming

back, this position he has, he is actually almost scoring an own-goal.

Gets there and he makes something happen for his team in this case and

thanks to the goalline technology. It is outstanding what he is doing.

If you remember, at the beginning of the play, he doesn't clear the ball

well with his head but here he clears it ever-so-well. Actually

falling back, a toe-poke and away. And that is pure reaction and

instinct. Thattent with a the only opportunity they had, Ukraine, one

or two other deept ones and Neuer being called upon on a couple of

occasions. -- decent ones. That is what you expect. When you play a

team like Germany. You won't have a lot of saves to make but you have to

do the job. I don't like to give a keeper a lot of credit but this one

is a good save, yes. He thinks about coming again. He has a step out. But

no, steadies himself again, good save. What I like him about him in

the air is how calm he is. Just offside there. It was the correct

decision. He is just calm. You doesn't get up after and have a go

at his defenders. He is very calm but that is offside there. I think

he appreciates having something to do on occasions. Yes, he gets bored.

I think in the clips we have seen, you can see the difference the

experience is making in the German side at the moment. We have

mentioned Kroos and Boateng, and Neuer. These players seem to deal

very calmly with very difficult situations. Maybe where the problem

will be is the fact that not everyone is on the same level when

it comes to experience. I suppose having the experience of succeeding

and winning a World Cup, it'll help your confidence. Yes, just a bit.

Earlier today the other two sides in group C met in Nice, where Northern

Ireland played Poland. The COMMENTATOR: This is Arkadiusz

Milik. Easily the best piece of play. That is a big miss for Poland.

Appeal for handball. Saved by McGovern. An excellent save from

Michael McGovern. Another loose ball picked up easily by Jonny Evans. A

good ball in. That will beat McGovern. It's been coming for some

time. The loose ball picked up and then super play out on the ride

right-hand side. He gets one touch inside the box, Milik, I think it

goes through a defender's legs. An excellent strike from Milik, 1-0 to

Poland. He is guilty of following in on the

tackle. Here is Davis. Couldn't sort the

stride out. My goodness, what a clever free

kick. A lovely ball down the channel. He lets it run and he can't

hit it first time. He shoots. Hits fiercely but wide.

He is a powerhouse. Well, for the men in green, this is

off to Leon on Thursday, where they will surely have to get something

against Ukraine. -- Lyon. Not to be for the Northern Irish.

The Republic of Ireland are playing Sweden tomorrow at the Stade de

France. We can hear the thoughts of striker, Shane Long.

COMMENTATOR: Long. Puts it away. The kind of goal you dream of, against

the World Champions. Everyone talks about that goal. It was amazing to

be part of that night and to get that winning goal was something

special. I hope I can get a few more. Why have things clicked and

you are in the form of your life? Playing 0 minutes, week in and week

out. Ronald Koeman has given me the chance to keep playing. Hopefully I

can continue in that form. How confident are you with the star

status and being the main man? I don't take notice. I try to

concentrate on my training and if I'm picked, make sure I'm in the

best condition possible. You have been in social media with the guitar

out. More of a thing to keep me occupied. There is a long time

between lunch and dinner in these shift. It is a nice hobby to have in

the room. That's as far as it goes, I think. That first game, I think we

all know is a key game for how we do in the group stages. I'm sure Sweden

are thinking the same thing. We will approach it right. We will have our

homework done. If you look at the three games as a whole, I this is it

is a good chance to put our stamp on the euros and if we can get a result

there, we can get results We will have live coverage of the

Republic of Ireland verses Sweden at 4.30pm tomorrow. You can watch the

game on BBC One and the BBC Sport website.

And after that there is a heavy-weight clach between Belgium

and Italy at 7.35pm. -- clash.

The world champions are in town. They come with a baggage weight of

expectancy. COMMENTATOR: He thought about

coming. Khedira. A remarkable clearance.

Terrific first half we have seen there.

Spain, by the way, the team with 32 different goal scorers. We have our

man Birchy over there who gives me the super stats and feeds me along

the way. Germany, second half, what will Low be happy with and what

won't he be happy with? I think he will feel vulnerable but I think he

will still tell his team to be positive. A manager of the World

Champions has to tell the team to be positive. They will be looking to

score more goals which will be key to the game. They will be hard to

stop, that flexibility and fluidity of their play. Yes but I will go

back to what I said I think Gomez should come on and make sure they

can maximise the position they are having. They haven't done much with

corners and set piece For Ukraine, he will be saying someone has to get

closer to Kroos to stop him dictating play. He will say much of

the same. Keep going, get into the back third, you can get joy. Gotze

he has only had ten stitches there. He is the man to come off. Ukraine

will have plenty to play for in the second half. They have created

chances. So, mentally they will be quite strong, you would think. Yes

and cliche, we talk about that last pass, at the moment for Ukraine it

is the last pass and the lack of efficiency but they are still in

this game. And, you know, it has been an entertaining game. It has.

Everything is possible. The standard of passing has been extremely high.

We said beforehand, when midfielders and forwards are making runs, they

want to know the midfield skoming, otherwise they sto. That's why the

first thought is to get it forward and pass for forward, if you can get

it forward, it makes the job of the runner so much easier. More of the,

please. Let's remain Danny Murphy and Jonathan Pearce.

Germany completed 362 passes. And to back up what Alan was saying,

Ukraine 131. It pa le,s into insignificance against the German

mighty summer. And fairly accurate. A 70% success rate. Follow follow

will be delighted with how his team played at the end of the first half.

No changes made by the manager. Ukraine in yellow, getting under

way, kicking from right-to-left. Which means that young Viktor

Kovalenko will presumably be the man to try to get close to Toni Kroos.

Although Stepanenko got into the game as it got on it. It can be one

of the deeper ones coming out and taking more of a risk. It doesn't

have to be the young lad in the number 10 role. It can be one of the

deeper ones, who was bold enough to come out and make something happen.

They did that in the last ten minutes, I thought they played a

much better Kemp tier. -- tempo. It was given away cheaply by

Khacheridi. Shevchenko got up well, for 35.

Think he is 37. He looks quite fresh, considering. Muller hasn't

really caused him too many problems. Up until now. He did have that

injury problem, Shevchuk. They had the winter break. He has fouled his

man there. Kroos. No great pressure from the

Ukraine player nearest him there. Gotze has done well. Ozil is to his

left 46 hand side. Gets the shot away. Arsenal fans have been

complaining that he doesn't strike from that sort of range.

Boateng. A lovely ball away. They are in on

goal here. The shot from the edge of the penalty area by Draxler.

Not a bad sfriek Draxler. A comfortable stage. Two good balls

from Boateng in the second half. Again playing forward, aggressively.

Good start to the second half by Germany.

Fedetskiy, the rightback. German pressure.

There's a problem for Yevhen Khacheridi.

A grim manage and a tear or two to the eye.

He will be all right in a couple of minutes.

Swathes of space for Boateng. Khedira...

Reports that Everton were chasing Yarmolenko.

Staying wide... Kroos... Always a white shirt in space.

Moves the ball quickly and slickly on.

You see, that is better. Higher up the pitch.

They have got out by playing good football. At least they are trying

to do the right things. Put pressure on Boateng.

Khedira gets it back. Ozil... Tailed off in the second half of the season

for Arsenal. Kroos, could be a change again.

Opens up the space for the full-back.

Toni Kroos... Oh, zipping on through.

That passage of play lasted over a minute.

He was in 30 yards of space for 50 seconds of that minute.

It is beyond belief that somebody out there doesn't just press him and

try and close him down. It is bizarre. They must have talked about

it at half-time. A couple of goals in the World Cup finals in Brazil.

He only scored one this season in 44 games.

Muller, needs to change again. Into the box, looking for Kroos. He's not

had the best of games Mario Gotze. He was 24 earlier this month. He was

out October to March and then nearly a month at the tail end of the

season. A throw to Ukraine.

Communication there between the referee and the assistant. Neither

of them was best cited. He's got to dye his hair.

It might be that he's one of those lucky people who has a good head of

hair. Unlike myself. I can see, I can hear you

thinking... No, no. The two central mid-fielders for

Ukraine, they are so worried about protecting their back four that what

is happening is they are giving so much space to the German mid-field

and of course the young lad is having to run from Khedira to Kroos,

from Kroos to Khedira. There is always one of them free on the ball.

One of them has got to come out, which you can see they are trying to

do more now in this passage of play. If they don't he'll kill you.

Demanding season - 44 games for his club. They won the Cup.

Took over the role of that big money move to China, didn't he? A

startling amount of money being thrown about by that league.

Muller looks for Gotze. Rakitskiy stuck out a leg.

He went to tackle with his wrong leg, really.

There is one of the game's great goal scorers, now assistant manager,

Andriy Shevchenko. When Fomenko steps down, Shevchenko

will take over. A good golfer, by all accounts. He's at a club near

me. He's the only goal scorer at the finals, when they were cohosts last

time around. Konoplyanka... The Premier League, a

lot of clubs interested in him. He said if he was two metres taller he

would have gone to the Premier League. Silly comment that was. The

Premier League, fans will remember...

Likes to get tight, Mustafi. A few times in the game he's tried to dive

in and get in front of people or make challenges.

A tat when people try to defend the ball when it is in an unwinnable

situation. Need to go in like that sometimes. A free kick here.

Rakitskiy can hammer a ball. Rakitskiy, and the goalkeeper felt

he had to push it away. It might have been sneaking in.

It would have to be something special to beat that man from that

far out. As he was running up, I was thinking, too far out to beat him.

Rakitskiy, back into the middle. Taken away.

Rakitskiy played against England in the last finals. Ukraine, they've

given it away. Ozil with the carry.

In no-man's-land, really, there. He did not have enough numbers really.

Only had Ozil. More problems for Germany with the set play. Corner.

Ukraine winning the first header again. France, very poor defending

set plays in the opening game. It was from a corner, wasn't it that

Dier scored the winner in the friendly. An astonishing game, that.

Mustafi away. Tarantula tar played in that. He

Khedira, finding so much room in the game as well.

Ozil... Looking for that extra pass. His first thought is to pass rather

than the first thought to shoot. Impossible shooting position.

You know when you think of someone, an attacking mid-fielder Lampard

springs to mind. He was the best in Europe. Every time he's around the

box he's shooting. It's the first thought that comes to his mind and

Ozil, a very unselfish player. Brilliant passer of the ball, of

course. He rarely thinks of that option first, even when he's in

really good positions. 146 chances in the Premier League

last season, Ozil, a record and created 16 goals in his first 18

games of the season. Just three in his final 17. His campaign Petered

out a little bit. Goodness me, Boateng took a chance

there. A good switch by Boateng.

Rakitskiy with the header down. Yarmolenko didn't seem too much

bothered about that. Germany have it again.

Hector was in the penalty area. Draxler rolling in. Khedira... Can't

get the ball away quick. Thomas Muller...

Ozil tried to bend it away by Rakitskiy. Here come Germany again.

Khedira... A good save. The ball was moving a lot in the air there.

Very intricate passing. Side-to-side, waiting for the gaps

to open. A decent strike by Khedira. A very good save.

Ten attempts by the Germans. Six by Ukraine.

Went into that first half so promisingly.

Don't run across your six-yard box with the ball. Asking for trouble. A

Khedira chance. A good, solid save that is. He moves

his feet nicely to get across. A strong hand. Germany may think of

making a change. Gomez in the scene. They talk about a ?50 million German

record move. If they are - there he is. The man

up there wearing 20. Another product of the talent

academy. The World Champions lead 1-0. The

dump the World Champions whoer to up their system after their failure at

the Euros and they then they won the -- the World Champions whoer to up

their system after their failure at the Euros and won the World Cup the

summer before last. Something that be learned by many a country, I

think. Gotze dropping deep. In the fact

they have dominated but haven't put the game to bed is reminiscent of

England yesterday. Yes. Here's Khedira. A decent block by Shevchuk.

Yarmolenko. Power and pace. Wrong product.

All the play through they have hit that long diagonal.

Rakitskiy bends it in. One of the lads was saying in the studio at

half-time about that bit of lack of quality in the final third. That was

evident there again. High up the pitch. A couple of good scenarios

but couldn't quite find that final ball. Well the player they are

sending on now, will replace Zozulya. He is more of a battering

ram centre-forward. He was in Russian football and there was

virtually a national outcry, accused him of near treason for going to

Russian football after the political problems between the countries. He

was ousted from the provisional squad. Went back to Ukraine club

football and got himself back into the squad. Experienced

international. 11 goals from 50 games. Can he get them into the

game? A big talent. Yar area on the ball.

Well, Zozulya didn't have much joy, did he? He chased around a lot but

he didn't look a goal threat. They say Stepanenko and Yarmolenko have

patched up their differences, I haven't seen them pass the ball to

reach other. Poor communication. The corner kick.

Khedira got it away. Konoplyanka's header and Khedira again. Steered

through and a foul. It is going to be a yellow card. A clever foul.

They were in on the left. Is it is one of those ones that you take for

the team, knowing that you are a man down, it would have been a 3 v 2 for

Germany. Konoplyanka's name in the book.

On the edge of the box. A great run-in.

Nearly. A terrific ball from Howedes. What you want from your

wide player on the opposite side. Get into the box. A bit of

determination from Draxler to try to get on the end of it. Unlucky.

Kovalenko, getting perkier as the game goes on, the 20-year-old.

Time for us to tell you about the games due tomorrow on the BBC.

Defending champions Spain taking on the Czech Republic, you can get that

on 5 Live. And two live games for you on BBC One. The Republic of

Ireland against Sweden, live from 4.30, back in Paris, followed by a

cracker, Belgium against Italy at 7.35pm.

It'll be a tough old group for Ireland.

Some great games to come, JP. I think the tournament has started

really positively. Another good game this evening. Wonderful atmosphere.

So much to look forward to in the coming weeks.

How much dissent have you seen? Very good point. Very little. I can't

remember seeing any diving. Still a bit of time to go, mind you.

Kroos, the puppet master in there. Well, he wasn't pulling his strings

very well then. Howedes and Muller. A good turn by Draxler. Ozil. He got

it away, Shevchuk. Another one of those clever little

moves where Muller comes inside, Ozil ends up on the right. Good

rotation. Poked back dangerously into his own box. Gotze was

hesitant. He scored the World Cup winner in Brazil. Khedira was left

with mixed feelings. They won the World Cup but he missed the final,

injured. Fedetskiy. A foul by the Shaktar player. He has gone down.

He has actually given it the other way, hasn't he? It could be the

first arm in the face. There. And he gets one back. I've been

impressed with Boateng tonight. He has been confident, assured. His

passing is good. A couple of good defensive blocks and clearances.

I bet Man City still wish they had him, eh? Well, played in the right

position. He wanted to go back to Germany to play where he favours.

Here is Ozil. Fedetskiy now. A hugely-experienced

Ukraine defence. 200 international caps. I knew they would be tough to

beat, tough to breakdown in these finals, but I suspect they don't

have enough at the other end. Here they are defending again.

Well, Draxler and this time Muller coming in off the line. Well, good

football again. A little interchange. But really good

defending. Followed his man all the way. Stayed on his feet.

Muller in the middle. Did it come to him? No, away. Rakitskiy.

The keeper came there, he didn't get the right angle. Ukraine about to

make another substitution. It is a winger. Off goes Kovalenko.

On comes Zinchenko. He has been linked with a move to Germany and

Borussia Dortmund. . Do you think that was a right decision? The young

lad, Kovalenko. He has tried hard. He got better as the game went on

But chasing the German midfielder around all night, taking its toll on

him. Here is Germany on the counter. Gotze. Two arriving outside.

He just wasn't very decisive there, Gotze. Short on ideas. Didn't really

want to shoot. Looking for options and a poor effort, really.

Is will will A rangy, pass from Yarmolenko. Good defending. Really

good defending. He has scored the goal and defends like that, Mustafi.

He has given his manager a headache, hasn't he, from the next group game?

Exactly what you want from your players.

Muller. He might have seen it late. He could have bobbled it. It went

off for a corner. A good little lay-off from Gotze. The first time

in the second half we have seen him, really. A little deflection and a

decent save down to his left there. Shevchuk.

A second goal here would be decisive, I would think. Kroos. At

the near post was Howedes. Boateng. Boateng under pressure there. A

little bit lackadaisical. They have played their way out of

trouble neatly, Khedira. A player has stayed down momentarily. He has

come to a good understanding with Hector. Howedes.

Muller, and Kroos. Draxler to Hector. Kroos wants it

again. Cleared away. Has it ricochetted? He

has kept it in. Good work and the German supporters.

Muller hasn't been at his best of the No. -- at his best.

A lovely switch of play. Not the greatest control. Shame really, a

wonderful ball out by Kroos again. I saw something earlier on Thomas

Muller. The amount of games he played. He is always out there. He

has only missed 14 of a possible 238p Bundesliga games over the last

seven years. -- 238. That says a lot about the man, the mentality. The

appetite to be out there. Draxler replaced by the Chelsea player,

Andre Schurrle. Linked with a move back to the Premier League. I have

been empressed with Draxler. Showed some real quality out there this

evening. He will be pleased with his performance. Only 22.

I wish I was 22 again. I can't remember whivens 22, Danny!

Schurrle looks awkward but a very good end product - good fitness.

Rakitskiy... A lot to do there for Stepanenko. That was his first pass

to his mate there, Yarmolenko. They've had a real set-to over the

years. Yarmolenko came down and hacked him

down. Both were sent off. It was an incident, in another they swapped

shirts a at the end of the match. Spat on the shirt and threw it to

the ground. My goodness me! It helps if your players get on and

you are all a close bunch. It is not always the way. There have been

quite a few examples over the years of players who did not get on

particularly well and still managed to play together. I think they've

got to think a bit more about the team and try to put in their best

performances. I think they've had some positive moments, Ukraine

tonight, but they are looking a bit leggy now. Germany have tired them

out with their crisp passing and their rotation, and better quality,

actually. Better quality. Ten minutes to

Government 64% of possession by Germany in the

game now. Mustafi has had a good night. He

has. Gotze... And trying to finish it

here. A good chance. Always finds himself in good areas,

Schurrle. Kicked against his left boot there.

Scored a hat-trick in qualifying against Gibraltar.

Good record in internationals, Germany. Got themselves into a

muddle at the back. Rival fans today, text book lesson,

sitting in bars together. Saw one or two Irish fans in there. A Sheffield

Wednesday supporter and a fan of Bournemouth. Out there watching the

England game, happily. They should be.

It was a pleasant experience today, around all the fans, it was a joyous

atmosphere. Kroos around the corner.

Ozil. Felt he was fouled. Get it out your feet and have a dig. It is a

bit intricate that. Got a good strike.

One shy of 20 goals for his country in 22 internationals. A good score

at this level. I think with his ability, more for Arsenal you expect

him to score more. He's got such skill, such a wonderful technique.

Khedira has had a very decent game. Very steady.

Played 25 games this season. Comes in relatively fresh now.

Skut gart, Madrid and now Italy. -- Stuttgart.

Rakitskiy, for Ukraine. Just over four minutes of the game left, plus

stoppage time. Hasn't quite happened this evening

for him. He's worked hard enough. Tried to get in the right areas and

do the right things. It is not a natural position for him. I cannot

believe they've not sent the big man on for that free kick. Six foot six

centre-half. Especially when they caused trouble in the first half.

Schweinsteiger will come on and his experience will just shut up shop

and see Germany through. 150th appearance for him. Here they

go with Ozil. Can he finish this time? No. Straight at Pyatov.

They've had their one on ones - it's been too near the big goalkeeper.

How about this? Very nearly in there.

Came from nothing this. Long goal kick.

The Euro-16 director was on the replay there. Ukraine got very, very

close. A corner.

Super quick. Good goal keeping.

Decides to take it with his left. Gives him extra time to close that

ball down. This is the header. Doesn't know where the goalkeeper

is. Corner. Over the head of Rakitskiy

it went. Good ball. This is that long punt forward. It

should have been dealt with easily. So close to an equaliser, that they

didn't really deserve, to be honest. Germany have been the better side.

Here comes Schweinsteiger. Five semi-finals in a row.

A national hero. His 14th appearance in a European

finals. That is a record equally in German

football. Again to Shevchuk. Can Ukraine do to

Germany what Russia did to England? They nearly just did.

With more luck Ukraine could have nicked an equaliser. They don't

deserve it. Northern Ireland next up for Ukraine

and then Poland, in Marseille. I think the Polish lads f they are

watching, they would have taken some of confidence... Rakitskiy, started

the game in shaky fashion, but he's been strong as it's gone on.

Could this be the moment for Yarmolenko to trin ingle? - twinkle.

Now a chance for the big man to come forward.

Keep it away from new tu DUP -- Neuer, that is all you have got to

do it. Schweinsteiger. 2-0 to Germany.

He doubles the lead. The old man of the side.

Into stoppage time. Schweinsteiger makes it 2-0. The world champions

start their campaign with a victory. And Ozil made that pass look so

easy. This is why he creates more goals than anybody else in the

Premier League, because the weight of his passing in the final third is

always perfect. He sees Schweinsteiger - look at that pass.

A man of his quality will always put that into the back of the net. Took

it on the half volley. For a man who has played 22 minutes

of football since March 20th, he got up well.

He did. He did. Seems to find an extra yard when he thinks there

might be a goal on the end of it. First international goal since

October 2011. It settles the game for Germany.

Shkodran Mustafi put them ahead in the first half after a free kick

dubiously given. On came the wiley Schweinsteiger, to see his team win

by 2-0. But his team in moments were troubled. Ukraine may have shown

their opponents until the group a way forward. Their keeper beaten

twice. STUDIO: Germany start this campaign

rather like they finish the World Cup with a victory. Three points n a

strong position and in the end pretty comfortable. Ukraine didn't

threaten too often in the second half and Schweinsteiger's goal

there. He has not played much football of late. Overall. They went

at a cater in the second half. I was really disappointed in Ukraine. Even

with ten or 15 minutes left, they still had nine and ten men behind

the ball. I'm thinking to myself - come on, if you are going to get

beat, get beat going down fighting but Germany passed it around. They

played with them really in the second half. They were never, ever

in any danger of conceding any goals, I never thought. I think when

you play against the team that passes the ball so well around you,

Alan, at one point - we are all here saying, come on have a G but could

they have a go because they ran a will the and ironically, Germany

scored on the counter. I mean, the second goal, I think Ukraine played

well in the first half. Not enough in the second half, but you know,

well-deserved in a way. 1-0 was a bit better. 2-0 too much. I think

Ukraine ran a bit out of steam as we have said before. Germany, though,

still question marks. But it is 2-0. What can we say? They tend to find a

way. If we want to be nit-picking with Germany, they looked uneasy.

Once or twice at the back there was an example in the last two or three

minutes where it should have been a clear header from Mustafi, but they

got mixed up because they hadn't played that much together. But other

than that, they dominated, particularly with the passing and it

was a masterclass really, in passing. Well there is group C. It

speaks for itself, Germany and Poland with victories. Northern

Ireland play Ukraine next. Well Northern Ireland probably need to

win that to have a chance of qualifying. But the Germans, there

is a lot of talk coming into this tournament about the fact they have

not been playing very well. But come the tournament and the hour

they get it right. Right mentality. Confidence. Belief in their ability

to perform when they have to perform. I mean it wasn't a

sparkling performancep tonight but it was enough. Why do you think they

always seem to get it right, so consistently over so many years?

They have a winning mentality. Just mentality, divan sets of players

coming at different times? Is it a national trait We had the same

problem you guys have had against Germany for a long time. We couldn't

beat them. They knew and they were going - we are going to win,

whatever. That hurts. With you? No, with Germany. But it is true. One

thing I would say is we were all sitting here saying - wow, it is

going to be a very difficult game for Ukraine, I can see 2 or 3-0

there. Suddenly the game died out a bit in the second half. Both teams

looked like they were running out of steam a bit. They did. Let's remind

ourselves of how Germany took the lead. Mustafi, the goal scorer with

a very fortunate free kick. We think it was a decent tackle. Vincent?

Yes, brill. It should have been a foul. I thought the game plan was

perfect but that's a powerful header. As has been said before, we

don't know who is going to... And it is Kroos on the ball. I think it is

probably a wrong decision that leads to the goal but the second half

makes me comfortable in saying that Germany deserve to win. Well

Schweinsteiger was only on the pitch two-and-a-half minutes and he

managed to clinch it for them. Obviously by that stage Ukraine were

throwing a few people forward. The last 30 seconds of the game, gary

and they had a corner. But what a cross this is from Ozil. And

Schweinsteiger makes this finish look so easy. When you see it from

another angle, it is on the half-volley. It is anything but

easy. It is a fantastic finish from him. It really is. A brilliant cross

but the ball just bounces in front of his foot. And the way he controls

that finish into the back of the net is absolutely superb. There you go,

brilliant. Not easy And a lap of honour all the way back to Neuer. He

had only been on two minutes, he hadded energy. And Kroos, we thought

he was the star player on the pitch this man. He was involved in pretty

much everything. Well we are all saying that Ukraine have to try to

get someone around him. The impressive thing about Germany

tonight is their range of passes but the thought of passing, to get it

forward, as quick as possible when they can. It is not a long ball, it

is a culture. It is a great run. First thought is he is just

brilliant. But it is actually - come on, if you are going to try to stop

them, you have to nullify one of their best players and get closer to

him. If you had any thoughts about getting yourself back into the game

but look, he is not even making any attempt to get to him. He is a

delightful footballer. I would have loved to have played with him. He

wants to play forward. Never a centre forward will tell you that

you don't like that. But it is just the fact - listen, I think he has

100-plus passes in the game, accuracy, 93. It is crazy. We all

know the amount of times he passes the ball forward, whether he pings

it on the side, the diagonal ball or throughout the Ukrainian team, he is

a joy to watch. Those percentages, considering the amounts of times he

passes it forwards are quite remarkable, because they are more

difficult passes. He is also being clever, as in keeping the ball

moving, whether it is one touch or two touch. The thought of it - and

it is not side ways. It is very easy to get the ball off a centre half

and give it back to a centre half or give it back to a goalkeeper but to

get it, to turn and control when you are under pressure from different

players, that's when you can tell good players. One thing I want to

mention, people always talk about guys going on the ball and things

like that and they don't mention enough about the brain part of the

game. He is always looking around him and seeing what is happening. He

has a picture in his head before the ball comes to him. It is very

important. Yes, we have seen great midfielders do that, you watch

images of Zavi and Pirelo. That's what they do, they have eyes in the

back, like we say. But what is incredible with Kroos is he seems to

have this consistency throughout the season. For Real Madrid. A big

achievement by the way in a difficult season and he comes here

again and can your main man turn up? And he is doing it again. He is in

the prime of his career 26. He will only get better. Can Germany win

this tournament with just playing a false 9. Gotze or do they need a

bring a proper centre forward I think they'll have to bring a proper

centre forward or maybe having the option of I have a Schurrle up

there. They only have Gomez in there as a proper centre forward. The

option of playing Schurrle we know he can run in behind and threaten

the defence. Now, it is one thing to arrive late, as a late runner, as a

10, or whatever when when you are there. Look at this one, he controls

it and then doesn't know what to do with it. He doesn't put his body in,

try to block it, he doesn't try to have an idea. It is not an easy one,

don't get me wrong, it is not his position. He doesn't have a clear

idea. It is difficult to be critical because it is not his position.

That's the point. He is not a natural number 9. The manager is

asking him to play there for the sake of the team. So, it is

difficult to be critical of him, but, yes, it is hard for him in that

position. He doesn't really understand it. It is one thing, when

you are playing as 10, you generally play facing the opposition' goal.

When you play as a centre forward, much of the time you play with your

back to the goal. I suppose that's the difference. It is a massive

difference. I think what we are seeing as well, we have this habit,

that Germany has, a very direct number 9, throwing himself in the

box and on any chance - remember a couple of the crosses Kroos would

have dived on the ball, anything. Even if he makes something happen

around him and I think Gotze probably doesn't have this ability

to move, to cause troubles for the defenders and it was far too easy

for the defenders today to contain him. But they will look at it and

I'm sure tomorrow this will be the story in the newspapers in Germany.

Well another example where you were saying Thierry, that there was a

cross going in and I think it was Draxler who got in the end of it and

it called out for a centre forward, didn't it? What it is, look at Gotze

putting his head down. He doesn't even - he saw it a tiny bit before.

He put his head down, look, he is not interested. I think Gomez would

have maybe read it a bit better. Again, I agree with Alan, that's not

his position. We all know that. We saw him before, scoring a goal like

that against Ghana in the World Cup but he became late as a runner,

being already in the box early, you need to know a certain type of

movement and be good as a 9. He doesn't have that but that's not

him, also. . We didn't expect it before the game. We talked about

that. We are never far away. They did have a couple of hairy moments

in the match, including one brilliant goal-line clears from

Boateng. Yes, a little bit of a clumsy clearance but what I like is

how he switched on. Oers might not come back, he knows it. Out of

experience he is there. He knows the striker is going to go for that

ball, Exactly that one and is standing in between. We saw in the

Wales' game yesterday and we saw a brilliant goal-line clearance from

Wales early on in the game and that is every bit as good as the one in

the Wales' game. The late breakaway. Leading to confusion at the back

which is unusual. As Thierry mentioned, there was a similar

situation with Neuer. Here is a misunderstanding. Blocking off

Neuer? No! You can say from Mustafi, the first rule, always, if you pass

it back, pass it back out of the frame. I actually don't know if

Boateng would have had the opportunity to clear it if it was in

the frame. I'm not sure he knew where that header was going.

Exactly. A moment of panic no doubt. Anyway,

we have three more games to look forward to tomorrow. We'll have full

commentary of pain verses the Czech Republic on Radio 5 Live from 2 owe

clockpm. Followed by the Republic of Ireland v Sweden on BBC One at

4.30pm and the heavyweight clash between Belgium and Italy on 11 one

from 7.35pm. We are admiring here the Eiffel Tower T does a marvellous

colour display the in evenings. It is quite something. Laying on a bit

of a show you French for us. It was weird. I just saw the English flag

on the tower. And I was like - wow, I never thought I was going to see

that before. But I was, like, OK, cool. We are just about out of time.

A thoroughly enjoyable game of football. Vincent thank you for

coming in, and we will see more of you throughout the tournament. And

you as well tee airia. Alan as always. -- tee airia.

Alan you as well. Well Germany have won their opening

match. In other news, Shearer is still bald. And you've still got big

ears! Good night. COMMENTATOR: The opener for the World Champions. It

is. Khedira. # You always get what you want

# And you don't even try # COMMENTATOR: A remarkable

clearance. # Luck on your side. Kroos, zipping

on through. . He must dye his hair. The goalkeeper felt he had to push

it away. How about this. Schweinsteiger? The World Champions

$:/STARTFEED. With a victory. I acted for France -

because I AM FRANCE!