By Anna Italia


Just few hours before the much awaited EURO 2008 Qualiffying Match Ukraine - Italy,
 what is the current situation for Italy?  After the 0 - 0 draw with France, Italy the
2006 World Cup Champion is in danger of qualifying for Euro 2008. Now, let's see Italy's situation. What are the options of Italian Head coach Roberto Donadoni?

- Although injuries are not completely healed, it is reported that midfielder Andrea Pirlo, defender Gianluca Zambrotta, and midfielder Daniele De Rossi will play tonight.

-  Who are the key players not playing?

    a.  Midfielder Gennaro Gattuso for suspension after receiving a yellow card in the Italy - France match.
    b.  Forward Luca Toni for injury

- Doubts are in the forward section, building a strong attack, forwards who can score and move fast.
  Ukraine defence is considered a strong wall, at least for the moment.

    a. Although Alessandro Del Piero is a great forwards and have been scoring with Juventus,
        in the Italy - France did not look that well.

    b. Vincenzo Iaquinta, another Juventus player, might have a chance to start the match because
        he is fit, his self confidence is high after scoring against the friendly match with Real Zaragoza.

    c. AC Milan Filippo Inzaghi might have a higher chance than Iaquinta. Inzagui is much faster,
        can improvise his moves, and usually works well under pressure. He has more experienced in
        the international level than Iaquinta.

     d. Shakhtar Donetsk Cristian Lucarelli might be another option.  Lucarelli and Iaquinta might
        be a second option or third option after Inzaghi. Lucarelli's advantage is knowing the Ukrainian
        style and could give a different perspective to the game. Lucarelly already replaced Inzaghi in
        the 65th minute during the France match, still he could not score either.

- Team Game Attitude

     a. Italy presents a less motivated mentality towards the match, starting with Italian head coach
         Roberto Donadoni. He has expressed that 'even a tie would be ok." Some of the Italian players also
         think this is not the ultimate match to decide Italy's participation in EURO 2008.

     b. Ukraine comes with higher confidence, including from former AC Milan player Andriy Shevchenko.
        Sheva wants to give not only 100%, but 200% to win the game. Sheva has declared their deep
        desire and the belief that they can win.

Here is the EURO 2008 Qualifying situation  for Group B:

This is the standing of Group B - Italy Group

France          19
Scotland       18
Italy              17
Ukraine         13 (one game in had)
Lithuania         7
Georgia           7
Faroe Islands  0

- France leads the group with 19 points. 2 points ahead of Italy.

- Scotland is second with 18 points, just a point behind the French and a point ahead Italy.

-  Italy is third with 17 points, 2 points behind France, a point behind Scotland, and a point ahead of Ukraine.

- Ukraine are fourth with 13 points,  6 points behind France, 5 points behind Scotland and 4 points behind Italy.
   Howeer, Ukraine has a game in hand.

- In case of Italy losing, hopes are still  present but very remote. Italy will have to win their final game on November 17 in Scotland and rely on what France does today.

France plays against Scotland today. If France defeats Scotland and Italy defeat Ukraine, then both will take the first 2 spots. But if France get a draw with Scotland and Italy lose today, then the panorama will start looking dark, uphill.

Therefore, anything but a victory not a draw is expected from Italy to keep their hopes for qualifying to EURO 2008 high.


Euro 2008 Qualifiers Match Group B

Ukraine - Italy 

WHEN:    Wednesday, September 12, 2007
WHO:       Ukraine - Italy
WHERE: "NSC Olimpiyskiy" Stadium
                 Kiev, Ukraine
             21:45 (Italian time) 

Check your local TV listing here  www.soccertv.com



What will be the score of Ukraine - Italy?