You're reading: Euro 2012 blog: British expats to cheer for England, but with reservations

DONETSK – It’s quite a perplexing choice. Root for the team representing your country of birth in the Euro or the team whose nation you call a home away from home. For some British expatriates, it’s a choice they would rather avoid.

“In an ideal world, I want both teams to progress but that’s not going to happen,” said Jock Mendoza-Wilson, director of international and investor relations at Donetsk-based SCM, the holding company of Ukraine’s richest man, Rinat Akhmetov.

Scotsman Mendoza-Wilson, who has spent five years in Donetsk and the past two in Kyiv, has cheered many times in the past for Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian football champion team owned by Akhmetov. He has also cheered for Ukraine’s national team.

But, “This evening I hope England gets through. Both teams getting through would’ve been my dream, but I’m avoiding the decision of rooting for one or the other. That’s why I’ll spend the evening watching the France-Sweden game at the Olympic Stadium.”

Jock Mendoza-Wilson, director of international and investor relations at SCM.

For others the dilemma of whom to support is eased by the hospitable and open-hearted residents of Donetsk.

Englishman Richard Spinks who currently resides in Donetsk said his Ukrainian friends have insisted he wear his English jersey when he joins them today at Donbass Arena.

Englishman Richard Spinks, who currently lives in Donetsk, likes both the England and Ukraine teams. Photo by Mark Rachkevych

“The bottom line is they believe in patriotism and so do I, but I also like Ukraine and support Ukraine,” said Spinks, a longtime resident of Ukraine who currently lives in Donetsk.

David Hyde said he’d rather not see Ukraine play England at this stage in the tournament.

“I’m English, so it’s normal to support the team of my birth. Naturally, I would prefer them not play each other…I’ll have to support England,” said Hyde who divides his time between Berdiansk on the Azov Sea and England.

Nevertheless, the three British citizens said the match should be close. They all predicted England will come out ahead based on their superior skills and team discipline.

“If England plays the way it did against Sweden, and if Ukraine plays the way it did against France, then England will win,” Spinks said.

“I sincerely hope Andriy Shevchenko scores, but if he doesn’t play, Ukraine will definitely lose,” he added.

Hyde said that because the English players play in a strong league, they should win but not by more than two goals.

“It’ll be close, Ukraine will have huge fan support and the home pitch,” added Hyde.

Mendoza-Wilson said that England’s advantage starts with coach Roy Hodgson. He said Hodgson has a clear idea how he wants his team to play and how the players should play in a tactical set up.

“England plays the 4-4-2 system better in a more disciplined way than Ukraine. And, with the creativity of Rooney, England has the better chance. Ukraine’s favor is the wonderful Ukrainian fans that will put England in an intimidating atmosphere. If Ukraine can unsettle England with an early goal in the first 20 minutes, all things are possible,” he said.

But Spinks observed that with only one Shakhtar Donetsk player starting in the first two matches, “Ukraine really doesn’t really have a home team here in Donetsk.”