Anatoliy Tymoshchuk

Hosts Ukraine will be looking to their captain and the most capped player in their history to guide them through the testing waters of a tough-looking Group D at the finals of Euro 2012.

Ukraine will be looking to their captain and the most capped player in their history to guide them through the testing waters of Group D at Euro 2012. Tymoshchuk, who suffered UEFA Champions League defeat with club side Bayern Munich against Chelsea, will operate in his recognised defensive midfield role for his country this summer. The versatile veteran, who celebrated his 33rd birthday at the end of March, was employed in central defence for the majority of the Allianz Arena contest with the Blues, the second time he has been in the losing squad in the biggest game in European club football following Bayern's reverse at the hands of Inter Milan in 2010, when he was an unused substitute. Oleg Blokhin is expected to build his side around the powerful Tymoshchuk in the centre of the park and Ukraine's slender hopes of progressing from a pool which includes France, England and Sweden will rest largely on his shoulders. Signed by Bayern on a three-year contract from Zenit St Petersburg in the summer of 2009, Tymoshchuk has proved to be an integral member of the German giants' squad, with his presence in a holding role, tough tackling and assured distribution allowing the flair players around him to flourish. The three-time Ukraine footballer of the year helped Bayern to a Bundesliga and German Cup double in his first season with the club, while he lifted the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup while with Zenit in 2008. He enjoyed great domestic success with Shakhtar Donetsk, who he joined from first club Volyn Lutsk in 1997 at the age of just 18, and has previous experience of international competition from Ukraine's 2006 World Cup in Germany, when he played every minute of the campaign in the global showpiece, which ended at the quarter-final stage. Tymoshchuk's career proves he can compete at the highest level for both club and country and Ukraine's Group D schedule will hold no fears for the experienced campaigner, with his greatest challenge to inspire those around him to achieve the high standards which he sets.