Euro 2012: Will England reach the quarter-finals? (From Bournemouth Echo)

Euro 2012: Will England reach the quarter-finals?

1:40pm Tuesday 19th June 2012 in News By Stephen Bailey

UKRAINIAN women with English other halves will be cheering on their country during tonight’s Euro 2012 game.

Friends Katerina Nabatova-Pearson and Elena Rusakova both live in Bournemouth’s Meyrick Park.

And they said despite media fears of hooliganism and racism the English fans will get a warm welcome.

Elena, 51, who runs Classic Hair Salon inside the Royal Bath Hotel, said: “Ukrainian people are very friendly, very lovely people. I didn’t know much about football but I interpreted for a few days when the Lokomotiv team visited last summer and I started to understand a bit of the excitement.

“I think it will be 3-1 to Ukraine.

“If Ukraine are knocked out, Russia would be the second team, then I would support England.”

The women estimated there were up to 100 Ukrainians in the Bournemouth and Poole area.

Katerina, 32, pregnant with her third child to Englishman Stephen, is from a city 140km north of the capital Kiev.

She is a design consultant with Wickes and said: “When we watch it together we sometimes take the mickey. But when you see something nice you are proud for that player, wherever they are from.

“My dad is passionate about football and he goes to the Ukraine games.

“I think we are quite good at the moment and the TV channels all have special programmes for the football. My favourite player is Shevchenko. I think it will be 1-1.

“My favourite England player was David Beckham – he’s good looking.”

What do you think the score will be? Let us know in the comments...