Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko has insisted that Euro 2012 was a big success for the country despite their early group stage exit.

Oleg Blokhin's outfit did not make it out of Group D following defeats against France and England, but he has refused to be disheartened by their showing.

"Euro 2012 was definitely a success for Ukraine. It was our first European Championship. Ukraine have won as a country, even though we didn't qualify for the quarter-finals," Shevchenko told Kicker.

"We gave all 48 million inhabitants of Ukraine a feeling they never experienced before. It was a new feeling for the people, and I think it was something extraordinary for them. It was a very historic moment.

"The win over Sweden was much more than just a game of football. It really meant something to the country. Those goals were perhaps not the most important ones I ever scored, but no goals mean as much to me."

Shevchenko announced his retirement from international football following the conclusion of the tournament.