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Shevchenko might not play on Wednesday against Spain ?

June 11th, 2006 | By: Andriy Korol | 11 Comments »

Ukraine guarding Shevchenko’s status
BERLIN (AP) — Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin refused to say Saturday whether star striker will play in the team’s World Cup opener against Spain.

Ukraine had two training sessions on Saturday, a day after arriving in Berlin for its first World Cup, which it opens Wednesday in Leipzig.

Shevchenko, battling a knee injury since early May, trained separately in a morning session, running sprints and checking his heart rate under the supervision of personal trainer Piero Ondo.

“I can’t say anything about Shevchenko’s injury or whether he will play,” Blokhin said. “We’ll just have to see over the next few days. It’s not that I want to hide anything from the Spanish, it’s just that I don’t know.

“If he is not ready then we will play without him. With Shevchenko, Ukraine is one team and without him it is a completely different one.”

Though the press had been invited to attend the morning practice and speak to players afterward, Blokhin cancelled the meeting without explanation, and security was present to prevent access.

“I feel fine, just a bit tired,” Shevchenko said. “The knee feels good, as good as it can, but doctors have to decide. I think I will be fit for Spain. I have talked a lot to Blokhin. He is trying to slow me down, saying not to hurt myself, that the team needs me.”

In an open evening session attended by 1,000 fans, Shevchenko trained a full 90 minutes with his teammates.

Blokhin said Shevchenko’s was not the only injury on the team.

“We don’t have a lot of big problems but we have several players carrying slight injuries,” Blokhin said.

Defender Serhiy Fyodorov has recovered from a hip injury and striker Serhiy Rebrov was also recently injured. Goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovsky is returning from a collarbone injury.

Ukraine plays Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in Group H after facing Spain.

The Ukrainians are considered a threat with a healthy Shevchenko, who has 28 goals for his country, including six during qualifying for the 2006 tournament.

Though he only played part of the game, Shevchenko scored Thursday to help Ukraine beat Luxembourg 3-0 in its final World Cup warmup match.

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Im not sure why they are still discussing if Sheva will be playing on Wednesday or not, he already stated a while ago that he would be ready in time, they put him on in the second half against Luxemburg and he scored a goal. Maybe Blokhin is just playing mind games with Spain to throw off their strat, or maybe theres a legitimate chance he won’t play ?

Tags: blokhin, injury, shevchenko, Ukraine

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Comments

By Roland | June 11th, 2006 at 11:37 pm

If I were Aragones, I would assume the worst and prepare as if Shevy will start.

Posted from United States

By Andriy | June 11th, 2006 at 11:42 pm

as i’ve said before, i used to care, i dont anymore, im confident the team can beat spain without sheva

Posted from United States

By Petro | June 12th, 2006 at 4:10 am

Of course we dont know for sure what Shevchenko’s status is. However, the only news we hear about the Ukrainian team is about him. At this point it, I second the idea of mindgames.

There are a couple of ways this whole thing could go.

1. He is not 100% healthy. Blokhin will start the match with him and then substitute him at th e half.

2. He is not 100%. He doesn’t start. Blokhin puts him in after the first half. Much like Blokhin did in the game with Luxemburg

3. He *is* 100% and he will play the whole match.

Out of the first two i would pick option #1. Have Sheva start the match. The Ukrainian team needs an early goal or two. Once his work is done substitute him at the half and continue attacking.

That is what I think.

Posted from Canada

By zorro | June 12th, 2006 at 4:45 am

With or without Shevchenko Spain will take 3 points. Shevchenko then should rest and focus on wins against Tunisia and saudia, to lock up the 2nd spot. Spain is young and ready to erase the past tournament dissapointments. Good luck to all and enjoy.

Posted from Canada

By Petro | June 12th, 2006 at 4:58 am

Sure let’s let Spain take the first spot and face Brazil in the second round.

Posted from Canada

By Andriy | June 12th, 2006 at 5:13 am

hah, im pretty sure that was a Spain fan, they’re so optimistic about their victory

btw man, Ukraine has a younger team I think

Posted from United States

By myk | June 12th, 2006 at 5:37 am

I can’t understand why people keep saying that spain is going to beat ukraine.

It’s either 1) You haven’t followed spain and ukraine qualification/friendlies or 2) Spanish die hard fan, ignoring everything 3) US dude who keeps thinking Spain is good, for whatever reason.

Well guess what, they aren’t good since ever butragueno retired. Look at their worldcup/euro stats. They have lost more matches than they have won in their world cup appearances. Look at recent friendlies. Pathetic performance.

My personal opinion, It is going to be a draw, however i tend to favor ukraine in this game.

And no, I am not ukrainian.

By serg | June 12th, 2006 at 3:35 pm

ok, guy’s i hope Ukraine will beat them,but football is fotball,and u can’t count on it,so lets support our team,and good luck UKRAINE!!!!

Posted from United Kingdom