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EURO 2008 Mission Accomplished Ukraine 1 - 2 Italy ... It Was a Victory with 2 goals by Di Natale
The mission was "anything but a victory not a draw." Italy accomplished its mission with 2 valuable goals by Udinese midfielder Antonio Di Natale on Wednesday, September 12, 2007. The result gave Italy the 2006 World Cup Champions hope to qualify for the EURO 2008. After Italy's victory over Ukraine in Kiev, Italian Head coach Roberto Donadoni complimented the whole team, including the heroe of the match Antonio Di Natale.
Donadoni commented, "I have to say thanks to the whole team, not just Di Natale and Buffon. It was the entire team that achieved this result."
Although Italy won, Donadoni said, "We know we are still behind with our physical condition at this point of the season, but with this character we don't envy anyone anything."
The current standings of the EURO 2008 Qualifying in Group B is as follows:
Scotland 21, Italy 20, France 18, Ukraine 13 points, Faroe Islands 0 points . As it is, Scotland and Italy are the top two in Group B.
France lost to Scotland 0-1.
Lithuania defeated Faroe Islands 2-1
Ukraine lost to Italy 1 -2
UEFA European Championship Qualification Group B: Ukraine - Italy Match Result
In the 41' minute, Antonio Di Natale opened the score for Italy. 0-1
In the 71' minute, Chelsea striker and former ex AC Milan Andriy Shevchenko scored for Ukraine. 1 -1
6 minutes later it was a chance for the Italians to score.
In the 77th minute, again, Antonio Di Natale with an amazing one-on-one with Ukraine goalkeeper delivered the winning goal to italy. It was 1-2.
Ukraine - Italy
Olympic Stadium
Kiev, Ukraine
Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 41,500
Ukraine 1 - 2 Italy
0-1 Di Natale 40'
1-1 Shevchenko 71'
1-2 Di Natale 77'
Ukraine: Shovkovskyi, Kucher, Yezerskiy, Rusol, Shelayev (Gladkiy 69), Gusev (Milevskiy 89), Kalinichenko (Voronin 61), Timoshchyuk, Gay, Nazarenko, Shevchenko.
Coach: Oleg Blokhin
Goals: 77' minute Andriy Schevchenko
Italy: Gigi Buffon, Christian Panucci, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Barzagli, Gianluca Zambrotta, Mauro Camoranesi (Massimo Oddo 77), Ambrosini, Andrea Pirlo, Simone Perrotta (Alberto Aquilani 69), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Quagliarella 85), Antonoi Di Natale.
Coach: Roberto Donadoni
Goals: 41' Antonio Di Natale
47' Antonio Di Natale
Italy did what they had to to win. It got scary when Ukraine scored that goal. There were two defensive break downs close in time (on the other one there was a one on one shot on Buffon but he made a great save. After the goal, Ukraine was flying and I got concerned. Fortunately, Italy not only held on but got another goal.
I don't think many people expected Scotland to beat France. That kind of shocked me. That Italy - Scotland game is huge!
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I sure didn't expect France to lose AT HOME! Trezeguet just hasn't delivered. I think Domenech was right in not putting Trezeguet in the starting lineups during the world cup. "Nico" Anelka & even Samir Nasri scored important goals in the qualifiers. I think it's time to say bye-bye to Trezeguet. I taped it and can't wait to see it tonight.
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No don't agree. Trezeguat is like Gali, so he needs time sure fans doesn't want to wait but coach does wait.
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Great news for you
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Kenntak, this time ITALY accomplished its mission: A VICTORY!
France defeat was a total surprise, losing at home! Now, Italy has a double mission for the Scotland match: Win, and win convincingly.
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Hey Milan99, I thought about you when France lost to Scotland. Incredible, just incredible.
Sure I was sad seeing SHEVA on the other side. Though, one player against my entire AZZURRI no question at all. Italy all the way. I was happy seeing Sheva improving his game, getting back some of his self-confidence. It was nice seeing his ex AC Milan teammates and Sheva sharing a good time. No matter what.. but Sheva is family to us. The prodigal son who will return one day.
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Return? You think thats the right time ? I don't think so Milan have enough strikers don't need more and Sheva choose to leave. Yes I'd forgive him but will he be Sheva the one we all love???? If the answer is no then better not come Sheva is Sheva period
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You are right SHEVA choose to leave. He is now over 30 years old... still is just sad he is not with his MILAN family.
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