Ukraine's veteran striker and captain Andriy Shevchenko felt like a young man again after helping his team to a comeback victory over Sweden, he said on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old former AC Milan and Chelsea forward scored twice to give Euro 2012 co-hosts a dramatic 2-1 win over Sweden in their first-ever appearance at Euros on Monday.
"I have become ten years younger," Shevchenko said.
"I could only imagine such a night in my dreams. I'm very happy, because even if had I wanted to have a dream like that, then I would not be able to see something better than what happened."
In the winter, injuries threatened to derail Shevchenko's plans to play for Ukraine at their first major tournament at home, but the support of friends and family helped him to carry on, he said.
"Only half a year ago I had big problems with my knee and back, but there were people close to me who supported me. For this I thank them."
With games against France on Friday and England on June 19, Ukraine should not get carried away, he said.
"This victory shouldn't turn anyone's head," he said.
England and France shared the points in a 1-1 draw in their opener on Monday with the goals from two Manchester City players Joleon Lescott and Samir Nasri.
Shevchenko spent the peak of his career at AC Milan between 1999 and 2006, and scored in Milan's 2003 Champions League final win over Juventus.
After failing to find success at Chelsea and on a return to Milan, Shevchenko now plays for his first club, Dynamo Kiev.
Shevchenko has scored 47 goals in 109 matches for Ukraine since 1995, and reached the 2006 World Cup quarterfinals with the national team.
