England, France Join Quarter Finalists

In a twist of events at the ongoing 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, England and France last night completed the quarter finals line up after emerging as group D’s winners and runners-up, respectively.

While England beat Ukraine 1-0 in a controversial fashion to complete a disappointing tournament for the co-host nations, France surprisingly slumped 0-2 to Sweden but managed to go through on a better goal difference than Ukraine.

Before kick off, the task for Ukraine was clear they must beat England to have a chance while England needed to avoid defeat.

But after a first half in which Ukraine fashioned out several chances it failed to take, Wayne Rooney returning for England after serving out his suspension took only three minutes in the second to put his country ahead.

The Ukrainean defence and goalkeeper failed to deal with a Steven Gerrand cross only for Rooney to not home.

England managed to hold on to their lead as even the introduction of legendary Andriy Shevchenko failed to make it happen for the co-hosts, though they should have had a draw result if not for their goal that was not given when John Terry cleared the ball beyond the goal line.

With the results England has set up a mouth watering clash with Italy and France goes up against champions, Spain in the last eight stage.