Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of the Group D match between Ukraine and France at 4pm on Friday. Ukraine seeking a win to reach the last eight of the tournament while France are seeking their first win of the tournament after a 1-1 draw in their opener against England.

Ukraine trying to become the first country to win both their first two matches ever at the European Championships since Croatia in 1996.

Gusev clatters into a strong challenge on Ribery. Wasn't hanging around with that tackle.

Nice piece of play by Benzema as he thumps a shot at goal from distance. Easy enough take for Pyatov in the Ukraine goal.

France knock the ball back to Ukraine. Very nice of them, and we are off and running again.

Bit of a drying off period in the dressing room as the French players race on to the park. Ukraine rejoin them. Almost ready to go then.

Some matches that have been temporarily suspended at major tournaments: Argentina-Brazil at Confederations Cup 2005 and West Germany-Poland at World Cup in 1974 (both in Frankfurt).

We are hearing that the game between France and Ukraine will start at 6pm. Fingers crossed then.

There is going to be a decision taken by 6pm (BST) on whether this match can be played tonight at a sodden Donbass Arena. Pitch is apparently under a lot of water. Looking at 6.15pm or 6.30pm before this match can start again. If it can start again.

The match is currently suspended due to extreme weather conditions. They will replay the match tomorrow afternoon if they can't get play this evening.

Will let you know what the story is as soon as we get it. We are in the middle of a storm. Some spectators urged to take shelter in the stadium.

Thunder and lightning is circulating the stadium, and the referee has decided to take off the teams. The match has been suspended.

Nasri tries to play the ball through for Menez, but Pyatov is off his line to clear the danger. Solid goalkeeping.

Mexes goes all the way back to Lloris, who scrambles the ball away. Not the wisest choice in this rain. A real downpour.

France won the last meeting between these two teams 4-1 in a friendly in 2011. Ukrainian captian Anatoli Timoshchuk opened the score before Kevin Gameiro, Marvin Martin (2 goals) and Younes Kaboul secured the win for France.

France get the action off and running. The rain smashes off the turf. Ukraine will be the first country through to the last eight with a win.

Timoshchuk making a few signals to Bayern Munich team-mate Ribery in the tunnel. A spot of rain in Donetsk, but Laurent Blanc remains without suit jacket as some thunder and lightning hits the skies overhead. Oleg Blokhin is decidiing not to bother with the singing of his national anthem. Fair play. Have to call it as you see it.

Odds ahead of this one if you fancy a punt: Ukraine 3/1, France Evens, Draw 9/4..Ukraine look quite good at 3/1.

France’s starting XI has an average age of exactly 27 years. That is their third youngest in a match at the Euro’s, they were only younger in their two matches at Euro 1960. The French are on a four-match winless streak at the Euros. France’s last win came on 21 Jun 2004 vs Switzerland (1-3). Only Greece and Poland have a longer active winless streak at the European Championships on five.

Sean Fay has been with the Irish football team, or at least the Irish football team's fans. He has been having a terrific time on the lash with the Irish....and a 4-0 defeat to Spain isn't going to change his outlook on the finals.

So we have a couple of deliveries today from our men in the field. Tom Adams has been chatting to Freddie Ljungberg about what he expects to see from the England-Sweden match later tonight.

Ukraine are winless in six encounters with France. The French won three times, the other three ended up in a tie. This is the seventh match that Ukraine will play at a major tournament. Anatoli Timoshchuk, Andri Shevchenko and Oleg Husyev (all in today's starting line-up) are the only players that have played in all matches.