Will Shevchenko be fit in time for the World Cup? Will Shevchenko's absence be a big blow for Ukraine?
540779
Yes i think he will be fine before the world cup.\nYes Shevchenko's absence will be a big blow for Ukraine
658534
totti fit\n\nRooney will have his next scan on may 25\n\nhttp://www.worldcup2006news.net/2006/05/22/rooneys-fast-recovery/\n\nShevchenko is facing serious doubts\n\nhttp://www.worldcup2006news.net
1027868
The boy is a genious, yes yes yes! England don't have a hope without him, even if he isn't fully fit 30 minutes at the end of a game he could completely turn it by himself. Someone said England have good enough players to win it without him, they don't, its a pale team with no shape and no direction in their play, this tournament is crying out for a Rooney after Greece winning Euro 3004 we need some epic world cup moments to keep international football alive!
1163153
Of course they have a chance. Nesta is still out I believe and Totti's fitness for a full 90 minutes can not be guaranteed.What a fantastic job the Ukraine have done. A poor country does not make a poor team as implied above. Many poorer nations have great players and teams. It is a way out for them so they are committed. They will have to play as a team and create the opportunity for Shevchenko to be used at his deadliest. He is for me one of the top 3 players in the game and someone like that can not be under estimated nor can his ability to motivate and drive his side. As with Australia, the Ukraine have nothing to lose so I'm sure they will go out there with that in mind and have the game of their lives. I love to see sides like this succeed. They have worked hard for this opportunity. My money is on them and I hope they take Italy to the cleaners. It would just be fantastic for world football to see an under dog have such great success. Good luck to them and lets hope Shevchenko is on his game. If they get past this game anything is possible for them. Their confidence and belief in themselves will be unshakable. Confident teams will play well.
1129078
Although talented, Crespo is not the star Shevchenko is. Shevchenko is more talented than Crespo and far more feared when he has the ball anywhere near the goal. \n\nCrespo can't carry a team!!! Argentina will be lucky to get out of the 1st round.\n\nSheva will be a one-man wrecking crew for the Ukraine and carry that team in to the Q-F... at least!!!
709120
That would be a huge mistake. The fullback positions are very demanding, physically. It sucks that Heinze has not been seen much. I know for sure, the Argentine national team has been feeling the effects of his absence. I hope the coming year sees him in full fitness. He better be called up for the France friendly match in Febuary.
1176500
we've lost owen, but rooney seems to be back (and could well be fully match fit after an outing against ecuador).\n\ni doubt if any world-cup squad can lose one of its best players and still be a favourite for the tournament - but teams have been lucky in the past (uruguay in particular).\n\nif england can get through to the semis anything might happen.
1151655
Hey...\n\nbelieve it or not...\n\nif SHEVCHENCKO plays like he plays in Milan\n\nSaudi will lose at least 5-0\n\nwith respect to Saudi Team
500904
pretty bad....more 6-7 weeks I think...I'm not sure if he'll make it to the world cup...\nBut he's a young lad...he'll have more oportunities
1170617
I'm thinking Spain will win but it will be really close. If Andriy Shevchenko is fit to play and performs well then Ukraine will be a tough team to beat.\n\nFinal Score: Spain 1 - 0 Ukraine
1045790
Ok, I believe Ukraine is a fairly tough soccer team for various reasons. I do not think, however, they really are a threat to any of the "favorites" if that's how you define tough. However, I think they are tough in the sense that they may very well or easily be able to qualify out of their group along with Spain and there's an outside shot they may be able to upset France (assuming they finish number 2 and France finishes first in the group.)\n         First of all, they have an excellent striker in Shevchenko...duhhh...and despite questions over his injury, he is arguably top 5 in terms of ability at forward.\nBut Ukraine also has a good team and great striking ability in the other Andriy's (Voronin and Vorobey).\nAlso, during the Preliminaries, they were pitted with Turkey, Denmark, and Greece, which are themselves top teams. Ukraine still managed to come out on top and concede only 7 goals in 12 matches. This is particularly commendable considering they are more of an attacking team. \n         One could point out the fact that the FIFA ranking pits them at 45, but one could also point out that the US is not number 5 in the world really and that would justify throwing these rankings out. The reason being is that so much of these rankings are based on goals scored/differential, where in the Concacaf it's easier to pile up big goal leads, whereas in the European Zone games are much more closely contested due to better defensive play. So that's why Ukraine isn't ranked that high.\n         Lastly Ukraine are tough considering their performance in recent friendlies. They were able to hold the del Piero, Luca Toni, and Gilardino led Italians to a 0 - 0 draw. If that's not convincing, they also crushed Costa Rica. I believe this earns them respect (note they also beat Libya), but they have to be more consistent (i.e. see Azerbaijan friendly) and they could have a good run. With regards to their questionable defense...they have held their last 4 opponents to 0 goals, so that ought to serve them with confidence as well.\n       So to wrap up. I think Ukraine is tough and will be more formidable than anticipated. I think they would have a better time against Spain than France though and should take that into account and try to really draw against Spain, so their virtual victories could push them ahead of Spain and possibly result in them facing a second place opponent from G, but if I had to claim something about them, I'd bet they'd get to the second round and not likely further unless they draw a weak team from G. \n         I hope I answered your question.
603345
they will not be as strong on attack as they were going to feature rooney allot with owen as a second striker!!\nNow all of a sudden it is owen and who?????\nEngland has lacked strikers for a few years now!!!
1177183
Ukraine, parce qu'ils ont de super joueur comme Shevchenko par exemple qui sont capables de très bien jouer. Les Suisses sont trop surs d'eux!
992884
They better!!!  As long as they don't get a big head and think it'll be easy and play well they'll win.  I have faith in Italy.  Afterall they have won 3 World Cups b4 and Ukraine is fairly new.  Ukraine got beaten badly by Spain too.  Go Italy!!!  Make me proud boys!!!
366016
I think Ukraine. With Shevchenko on the lineup? I think they can be very hard team to face. Not only the Milan #7 is good but all Ukrainian players have a good history of being good players. SO WATCH OUT. MAYBE 16 ROUND? WHO KNOWS SOCCER ANYTHING CAN HAPPEND\n\nThank You\nKG
591040
NO!!He will not be available only  for the group matches and as per the doctors he should be fit once the knock out phase starts..He will be travelling with the Eng team during the group matches..
1116746
Any advance on twice in injury time?\n\nhttp://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/manager?id=32&cc=5739