Shevchenko aiming high

Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko believes the national team can go all the way to the final of Euro 2012 as they prepare for their final warm-up match in Turkey on Tuesday. The 35-year-old has 107 international caps and is arguably the most well-known Ukrainian footballer of all time. The final of the European Championships will be held at Kiev’s Olympic Stadium on July 1 and Shevchenko reckons Oleh Blokhin’s side can get there. “If we show our quality and have a bit of luck we can reach the final,” he said. “I understand that will be extremely difficult but you only get one chance to make history.” The former Milan and Chelsea forward revealed the thought of participating in a major European competition on home soil has kept him playing for longer than he expected – even if he now knows his own limitations. He said: “For the last five years I’ve hardly thought about anything but the European Championships that will be held in my country. It’s fair to say this has extended my career. It’s my dream. “I need more time for rehabilitation. That’s natural. If I’m not completely fit I don’t want to play and let down the fans. I want to do what’s best for the side.”