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Teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain said he was privileged to become the second-youngest player to represent England at a European Championship.The 18-year-old was surprisingly named in the starting line-up for England's 1-1 draw with France but emerged with credit as Roy Hodgson's men took a point from their Euro 2012 opener.The Arsenal youngster caused problems in the French defence on a couple of occasions in the first half, escaping from his marker at one point with a delightful piece of skill. However, he also picked up a booking for a foul on France right-back Mathieu Debuchy, who was a constant threat, and was eventually replaced by Jermain Defoe.Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "It was a massive honour for me to get out there today and represent my country in a competition like this."Personally, I think it went OK. I showed in small glimpses what I can do."I would like to have done a bit better and got on the ball a bit more in different positions, where I like to attack players, but it was really hard against a good French side."

Fernando Torres has told Republic of Ireland that Spain are determined to win their remaining games in Group C after being held by Italy.Giovanni Trapattoni's men need a positive result themselves in Gdansk on Thursday following a loss to Croatia, but Torres is confident that Spain will come out on top.The Chelsea striker is not too worried about only drawing 1-1 with the Azzurri but recognises that no more points can be dropped if they are to finish as group winners."I wouldn't say it's a disaster but we have to win every game now," he said."We knew it was Italy and what we were up against. Now we have to try and finish top of the group."

Keeper Joe Hart took the positives after England's opening 1-1 draw with France at the Donbass Arena.Following James Milner's earlier miss, Roy Hodgson's side took the lead on the half-hour mark through Joleon Lescott's close-range header.But Hart, playing in his first major championship, was beaten nine minutes later by his Manchester City team-mate Samir Nasri, who struck from just outside the box to score into the bottom corner. Afterwards Hart paid tribute to Nasri for his goal and took the positives from the display.

Laurent Blanc had no criticism of Samir Nasri's goal celebration after he salvaged a draw for France against England in Donetsk.
The Manchester City playmaker fired Les Bleus level in the 39th minute with a powerful shot from just outside the area that beat Joe Hart at his near post.He responded by running past the England bench and allegedly shouting 'shut your gob', before putting his finger to his lips.Blanc has no problem with Nasri hitting back at his critics and instead praised the midfielder for a fine display against the Three Lions.

Andriy Shevchenko was the hero for co-hosts Ukraine as they came from behind to beat Sweden and go top of Group D.The 35-year-old scored two headers in the space of six minutes to turn the game in his side's favour after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given Sweden a second-half lead.The Swedes applied a lot of late pressure in search of an equaliser. But the home nation and their talismanic striker were not to be denied an important opening win.
Regardless of what Shevchenko achieves at this tournament his status as a legendary figure in Ukrainian football is secure, following a near 15-year international career that has seen him average close to a goal every two games in 108 caps.There were suggestions that the 35-year-old would not even be included in Oleg Blokhin's squad as the coach looked to usher in a new, exciting generation of Ukrainian players, with the 59-year-old former Soviet Union international stating that "names do not play football... if they did, I could be playing now".Blokhin will be thankful now that he gambled on including the aging forward for what is to be the player's final international tournament.

Euro 2012: England will improve, says coach Roy HodgsonCoach Roy Hodgson felt England's 1-1 draw against group favourites France was a "good platform" on which to build at Euro 2012.Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance in energy-sapping heat in Donetsk, with England taking the lead through Joleon Lescott before Samir Nasri equalised."This gives us a good platform," Hodgson said after the Group D opener."Hopefully we'll get fitter. The more we train and get matches under our belts the fitter we'll become."He continued: "I have to be proud of their display. No player let us down. I was confident the players would not let us down."

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has escaped unhurt after he was involved in a car crash in Manchester city centre on Thursday afternoon, the club have confirmed. The 21-year-old, who drives a Bentley, was in a collision with another vehicle in Medlock Street, near Deansgate.City confirmed Balotelli was unhurt in the incident but police have said a passenger from one of the cars was taken to hospital as a precaution.A statement from Greater Manchester Police read: "Shortly after 3.15pm on Thursday 5 April 2012, police were called to Medlock Street, Manchester City Centre to reports of a collision between two cars."The passenger of one of the cars was taken to hospital for precautionary measures."Inquiries are ongoing."City have said Balotelli was not at fault for the incident.

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia could delay an end-of-season operation on his ankle to enable him to represent Ecuador. The South American nation are due to face Argentina and Colombia in early June as part of their World Cup qualifying campaign, with Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda keen for Valencia to be involved.The 26-year-old still has a plate in his left ankle following the horror injury suffered against Rangers in a UEFA Champions League contest back in September 2010 which ruled him of action for six months.Valencia was reportedly scheduled to go under the knife once the Premier League season concluded in May, but the procedure on the former Wigan man could now be put back.

Blackburn boss Steve Kean has warned Sir Alex Ferguson off making a move for Rovers defender Grant Hanley. Hanley is thought to have impressed Manchester United manager Ferguson during his side's 2-0 win over Rovers at Ewood Park on Monday night.The 20-year-old has established himself as a regular in Kean's side this term, forming a solid central defensive partnership with Scott Dann.Kean revealed Ferguson spoke highly of Hanley after Monday's game, but he has told the Old Trafford supremo not to make a move for the young Scot.

Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye has revealed he plans to stay at the club for a long time. The Frenchman has been a revelation for the Magpies since arriving from Lille last summer and has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.Cabaye is thought to be attracting interest from a number of clubs following his exploits this season in the North East.However, Cabaye insists he is happy on Tyneside and is determined to help his side qualify for Europe next season."My goal is to play in Europe again - either the Europa League or Champions League," he told The Times."Newcastle United is on a good way to get that, so I don't really want to change where I am if I can achieve that here.

Michael Owen has revealed he would look to stay in the Premier League if he was not kept on by Manchester United, as he wants to finish his playing career at the highest level. The 32-year-old striker will be out of contract in the summer and is waiting to see whether he remains a part of Sir Alex Ferguson's future plans.He has loved his time at Old Trafford since arriving in 2009 and has made it clear he would like to stay, but otherwise he would be keen on joining another top-flight club.While he hopes to carry on playing for another three years, Owen would prefer not to take up a challenge in a lower division and could then pursue other interests such as media work when he finally hangs up his boots. "As long as I'm wanted at a good level I will play on, but part of that is in my hands and part isn't. I'll wait to see what the manager says on that," he said.Michael Owen has revealed he would look to stay in the Premier League if he was not kept on by Manchester United, as he wants to finish his playing career at the highest level. The 32-year-old striker will be out of contract in the summer and is waiting to see whether he remains a part of Sir Alex Ferguson's future plans.He has loved his time at Old Trafford since arriving in 2009 and has made it clear he would like to stay, but otherwise he would be keen on joining another top-flight club.
While he hopes to carry on playing for another three years, Owen would prefer not to take up a challenge in a lower division and could then pursue other interests such as media work when he finally hangs up his boots."As long as I'm wanted at a good level I will play on, but part of that is in my hands and part isn't. I'll wait to see what the manager says on that," he said.

Swansea will attempt to get back to winning ways when they host high-flying Newcastle at the Liberty Stadium. Brendan Rodgers' side have lost their last two clashes with Tottenham and Everton but had previously won three matches to sit on 39 points.Sixth-placed Newcastle go into the clash on a three-match winning run, the latest a 2-0 victory over Liverpool.Alan Pardew's side are just five points off the UEFA Champions League berths with seven games of the season remaining.