The match is slated to begin later today at about 2:50 EST. Should feature essentially the Italian "A" line-up with Toni, Del Piero, Nesta, Gilardino Camoranesi & De Rossi all scheduled to start with Totti likely off the bench. However, Shevchenko will not start for Ukraine as he recovers from injury. It will be interesting to see whether Italy can improve from their lackluster draw against the Swiss two days ago. My guess - 3:0 Italy. Follow the matchtracker here: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=195528&cc=5901 If you know of a stream, please post the link!!
Much thanks to Cassano from the Italy forum who has obtained this link to watch the match on PPLive if you are interested: http://www.myp2p.eu/Matches/Match2.htm Also, LuigiNYC has indicated you can also obtain a stream of the match from this site: http://www.theukrainian.net/ I'm certainly going to watch the first half at least and try to do a little pbp if anyone is interested . . .
pbp would be good...I'll help out! GO UKRAINE (I'm half Ukrainian)!!!!! It would be especially helpful to the US if Ukraine knocked out a player or two... (I'm so mean)
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to NBlue again. I woulda repped you for the links. Big help.
You know what the Ukraine is? It's a sitting duck. A road apple. The Ukraine is weak. It's feeble. I think it's time to put the hurt on the Ukraine.
I'll say Italy 2-1 Ukraine. It will be a good tuneup for both teams if they come home injury free. USA should get a good look at Italy's A team (minus Totti) with this game, since Ukraine will definitely be a good test. If Ukraine can exploit the Italians in some way (especially without the use of Shevchenko), that would be very helpful for us since we'll be focusing on the Czech squad mainly and that's what I hope to get from this game.
the attack They are going with a 4-3-3 tonight and a forward line that will look like this: Del Piero----Toni----Gilardino I read a statement from Toni where he said that they feel comfortable with this formation and that he and Gilardino are expected to switch places frequently during the play in order to confuse the opposing defenders. Should be interesting
Why even say that? There's no point for that. Oh and by the way, Ukraine has a better chance to advance to the 2nd round than the US (although I am praying both US and Ukraine go through)
Re: the attack Yep a 4-3-3 it will kinda play like a 4-3-2-1 xmas tree though. they used that formation against the Swiss too.
Wow, someone was actually around to slam his fist on the risk board. Seinfeld really was funny because it was true.
I wrote that match would be available via Setanta Broadband, 450k stream, but I just looked and it's not.
Maybe it's just my pre-WC jitters after months of thinking Spain was going to waltz through this group, but the more I learn about the Ukraine (and NOT Seinfeld's Ukraine), the more that I see them being one of those darkhorses that will be a tremendous factor in this tourney. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see them win their group. But... we shall see. For me (as a Spain and USA fan), this game will be more revealing as to what Ukraine has to offer the tournament field, as opposed to Italy, who is a well-known side.
Carlos, I also think Ukraine has an excellent chance of winning their group though, let's face it, they clearly have the easiest group in the World Cup. I would like the chances of the US in winning that group as well. That said, coming off what can only be described as a lackluster performance against the Swiss, one can only think the Italians will be very ready for this match -- and using their "A" squad to boot. Without Shevchenko, its difficult to forsee the Ukrainians will be able to generate much firepower and, accordingly, I'm not sure the match sets up well for then. If they can hold Italy to a draw I will be quite impressed indeed. We'll see in just a little bit . . .
And over Les Geriatriques, Swiss, "We're the 4th best team in the World... Really!!" and Subway... er... Togo? Damn. I really want to see this match now, but I've got to finish what I'm "working on". I'm so frickin' distracted w/ this Cup. Last night, I kept waking up in anticipation for "Friday", the first day of the WC... even though I am/was well aware of the fact that it starts next Friday. [/tangent] The one solid thing I've got to say about Spain, is that we have a crew of young guns who will prolly peak for Euro '08. In order to go deep, you've gotta have young legs. [/tangent#2]
I don't think the relative strengths of those two groups is even close. Spain, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. Although I personally think that the combination of Portugal and Mexico is stronger than Spain and Ukraine I'll certainly admit that's a tough call. However, Iran has a great shot as a darkhorse and, imo, is significantly stronger than either Tunisia or the Saudis. Especially in light of their recent win over the Costa Ricans and draw against Croatia in Croatia. In qualifiying they split with the Japanese as well. I think the presence of Iran makes that a much, much tougher group.