An impressive victory for France on Friday night and a game and an occasion that will live long in the memory of all those who were here. At 7.30pm local time, with the sky a murderous black and the rain cascading down, there seemed no chance of getting a football match on at all.
UEFA’s Euro 2012 planning looked on the verge of meltdown courtesy of a thunderstorm that had forced these teams from the field after only four minutes of play. But, astonishingly, the pitch at the terrific Donbass Arena withstood the deluge and we had a contest. A super game it was, too. With both teams playing football that always looked likely to produce goals, France secured the lead courtesy of a strike from winger Jeremy Menez eight minutes into the second half. They built on it with an equally well-worked effort from the terrific Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye a few minutes later. Ukraine had their chances, too, and were impressively ambitious and gutsy, even when chasing the game late on. They will be no easy opposition for England when the teams meet back here again on Tuesday night.
This, however, was a victory France thoroughly deserved on a night when all of their attacking players impressed. Menez was a devilish presence on the right while Cabaye’s influence in the centre showed just how good he really is when surrounded by players of equal standing. None, though, matched the graceful majesty of Karim Benzema. The creator of both goals, the Real Madrid player may be difficult to manage at times but when his mind is right he remains a deeply impressive footballer.
For France, this was a big result. The win ends an eight-game streak in major championships that started with the 2006 World Cup final in Germany. It also sets them up for a crack at group leadership when they conclude against Sweden in Kiev. Coach Laurent Blanc was suitably relieved and said: ‘When the game was stopped we were concerned. We thought it may not go ahead. We were prepared and had a great desire. The pitch was not perfect but we wanted the game underway. Let me savour this victory. We have waited a long time for it.’ The weather had turned ugly about an hour before kick-off. It was, however, during the French national anthem that the first incredible clap of thunder was heard. That was the first sign that things were amiss. It had been raining for about 10 minutes by that stage but when the downpour began to turn torrential and the thunder was joined by lightning, referee Bjorn Kuipers had no choice but to take the players off for their own safety.
For a while it looked as though the game had absolutely no chance of restarting. The pitch near the two dugouts quickly became waterlogged and rumours began to circulate about the game being postponed until today.