Blokhin admits France adapted to the weather conditions better

Jun 15, 2012 9:22:00 PM

The 59-year-old doesn’t believe that the hour-long break had any effect on the Euro 2012 co-hosts as they fell to defeat in Group D to hand their quarter-final hopes a blow

Ukraine boss Oleg Blokhin refused to blame the hour-long break during the game against France for their defeat.

The co-hosts fell to second-half strikes from Jeremy Menez and Yohan Cabaye after the game had been suspended for over 70 minutes due to a thunder storm.

And, after being on the back foot for the majority of the game, Blokhin does not see the enforced break as having an impact.

“The conditions were the same for both teams, maybe the French team were able to get used to this weather quicker,” he told reporters.

“But they are one of the best in the world and one of the favourites for this tournament and even if we had won I wouldn’t have changed my mind, it doesn’t depend on this result.

“We did nothing [during the break], we didn’t know if the play would be continued and after quarter of an hour we started another warm-up.”

However, Blokin was unhappy with a section of the home support who jeered his side at the end of the game, insisting that “you should support your team always”.

He added: “I think it’s not fair, the supporters supported the team in the first game during the game against Sweden, they supported until the end of the game.

“So what if the team play good are you supporting them and if not, are you not, I think it’s not fair, you should support your team always, so we have impression that if we are winning everything is fine and if we are losing everyone should be shot.”

Ukraine now face England, with their qualification hopes for the quarter-finals dealt a blow.

Wayne Rooney is expected to return to the Three Lions’ starting line-up following his two-game suspension, but Blokhin refused to comment on his preparations.

He added: “What can I do, we will play against England, there is only half an hour after the game, I can’t change anything, but I have some thoughts and I might analyse something.”

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