EURO 2012 LIVE: Sweden vs. England

1825: There’s a danger that if the players do get back on, the game will run over into the group’s match _ Sweden vs. England in Kiev. By the way, 4 minutes, 20 seconds were played before the match was suspended.

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1817: (at)mattekaren Incredible images of the lightning over the stadium in Donetsk. That pitch doesn’t look like it will be playable any time soon. (via Twitter)

There will be a pitch inspection before the players are allowed back on, but there is no sign of the rain abating. France’s Franck Ribery and Ukraine’s Anatoliy Tymoshcuk _ teammates at Bayern Munich _ are chatting in the tunnel.

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1813: UEFA rules state that if play is postponed for the rest of the day, the players will come back to complete the remaining minutes tomorrow. There are, of course, some crazy fans in the stands _ both French and Ukrainian _ who are taking their clothes off and dancing in the rain. One French fan is rolling around like a fish on the steps in the stand. These scenes are incredible.

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1808: There is thunder and lightning in Donetsk and the players have been taken off by the referee for their own safety. Only around four minutes had been played. No idea how long the break will be. The rain was so strong that the fans in the front row had fled to the back of the stands to avoid getting a soaking!

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1805: MATCH SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF A THUNDERSTORM!

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1800: And we’re off. There was a huge roar from the crowd as the French kicked off. It really is pouring down out there.

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1756: It’s raining in Donetsk as the players sing the national anthems. Bjorn Kuipers of the Netherlands is the referee for the match.

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