"Test the keeper early," is what my old Sunday League manager used to say when it was chucking it down with rain.

Wise bloke he was. And Ukraine try the same tactic, Yaroslav Rakitskiy having a low dig from long range. The ball bounces off the surface like a stone being skimmed on a lake, Michael McGovern keeping his eye on the ball to gather.

No panic from Northern Ireland. Ukraine are hogging possession, but when Michael O'Neill's side do get the ball they are still knocking the ball around confidently. Problem is they're hardly having a kick.

Image source, PA

Andy Wilson: My girlfriend is Northern Irish, so praying for them to win or it'll be a miserable evening.

Who else is behind Northern Ireland and why? Andy, we hope your partner doesn't read this.

Is there anywhere across northern Europe that isn't smashing it down with rain? The heavens have opened in Lyon, greasing up the lush surface. A clipped ball forward by Ukraine skips up and just evades the marauding run of right-back Artem Fedetskiy.

Image source, EPA

After 10 minutes of today's game you can see how many more touches Northern Ireland have had (left) compared to their opening 1-0 defeat by Poland (right). 

Image source, Opta

That's be clear here. Ukraine are no mugs. They played relatively well against Germany and are starting to control this game. Serhiy Sydorchuk has another pot shot from 25 yards... well over.

Image source, EPA

Gerry Taggart
Former Northern Ireland captain on BBC Radio 5 live

"I'm just a little concerned about Oliver Norwood in the holding role. Defensively it's just not really his game. There have been a couple of balls he should have cleared which he hasn't."

Careless ball from Oliver Norwood gifts possession back to Ukraine inside the Northern Ireland half. But the Reading man is let off the hook as Ukraine fail to do anything with the ball.

Image source, Getty Images

Quibby: Come on Northern Ireland! Lovely country with smashing people! And boy can they stage a wedding!

It sounds like you had fun there Quibby. Anyone else got a reason for supporting the side in green? Tweet us on #bbceuro2016.

Gerry Armstrong
Former Northern Ireland International on BBC Sport

"I haven't seen much of Conor Washington but he's a handful and in the last three or four games he has made quite an impact."

Washington scored 17 goals in 51 outings for club and country last season and this is just his sixth cap.

Not sure how much Ukraine's defenders will know about Conor Washington. The QPR forward is working hard to create an impression, chasing his own pass on the left flank, then whipping a low shot past the left-hand post.

Image source, Getty Images

Ukraine are growing into this contest nicely. Andriy Yarmalenko - Ukraine's second all-time highest scorer - is starting to find pockets of space.

Northern Ireland have fizzled out like a Bonfire Night sparkler following that bright opening. Ukraine midfielder Serhiy Sydorchuk picks Oliver Norwood's pocket, driving forward to drill a 20-yard shot into Gareth McAuley.

Don't leave the back door open though Northern Ireland. Ukraine pile forward down the left, Vyacheslav Shevchuk's sweeping cross is looking for Yevhen Seleznyov. But Gareth McAuley uses his strength to lever the Ukraine forward out of the way and the ball runs harmlessly clear. 

Gerry Armstrong
Former Northern Ireland International on BBC Sport

"Northern Ireland have made a very good start and Ukraine are on the back foot for the moment.

"This attitude is much more like it."

Northern Ireland needed an hour to smash a shot at goal against Poland. Today they've needed less than five minutes. Leeds United winger Stuart Dallas smashes an angled 20-yard drive towards the Ukraine goal, but keeper Andriy Pyatov keeps his eye on the ball to gather.

Image source, EPA

You might wonder why the Northern Ireland players are wearing black armbands during the game.

It is in memory of Darren Rodgers, the 24-year-old from Ballymena who died in Nice following his country's game with Poland there.

It is believed he was on his own and fell about eight metres from a promenade onto a rocky beach.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill offered his condolences to Mr Rodgers' family and friends.

Gerry Taggart
Former Northern Ireland captain in Lyon

"Fair play to Michael O'Neill. He's told Kyle he wasn't sure who he would pick and I'm sure Kyle is not happy, he's our star striker. Good management from Michael O'Neill, Kyle can always come on and make an impact."

Gareth McAuley slopes forward from the back, but the lanky Northern Ireland skipper can't stick his noggin on the delivery. Ukraine hack clear.

Image source, Reuters

Ukraine have the honour. Northern Ireland race out of the blocks, pressing the custard yellow shirts into an early shank out of play. The GAWA loved that. And now they are cheering a Northern Irish corner...

Image source, Reuters