Live Ticker: Switzerland 0 : 3 Ukraine
June 26, 2006Starting line-ups:
Here's how the two teams will be taking the field in Cologne:
Switzerland (4-5-1):
1-Pascal Zuberbuehler; 3-Ludovic Magnin, 2-Johann Djourou, 20-Patrick Mueller, 23-Philipp Degen; 8-Raphael Wicky, 6-Johann Vogel (captain), 7-Ricardo Cabanas, 22-Hakan Yakin, 16-Tranquillo Barnetta; 9-Alex Frei
Coach: Koebi Kuhn
Ukraine (3-5-2):
1-Oleksander Shovkovsky; 14-Andriy Husin, 17-Vladislav Vashchyuk, 2-Andriy Nesmachny; 9-Oleg Gusev, 4-Anatoly Tymoshchyuk, 8-Oleg Shelayev, 19-Maxim Kalinichenko, 16-Andriy Vorobei; 7-Andriy Shevchenko (captain),10-Andriy Voronin
Coach: Oleg Blokhin
Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico)
Who will face Italy next?
Italy's opponent will be determined in this match, and neither squad was expected to reach the quarter-finals at the beginning of the tournament. Ukraine are led by future Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko while Alexander Frei, who plays for French team Stade Rennes is the main offensive star for the Swiss.
Swiss keeper Pascal Zuberbühler is the only man who has kept his goal clean of opposing goals. Ukraine would naturally like to end that mark. After a 4-0 shellacking at the hands of Spain in their opening match, goalie Shovkovsky has had two shutouts.
The national anthems have been played. We're just minutes from kick-off in a very loud stadium in Cologne, Germany.
0. min.
The Ukrainians kick off, wearing all yellow. The Swiss are in red shirts with white pants.
1. min.
The Ukrainians come out looking very aggressive, challenging the ball already at center line.
4. min.
So far most of the play has taken place in the middle third of the field. In the first Swiss excursion, Yakin sends a nice ball from the right into the penalty box, but the ball is cleared by the Ukraine defense.
6. min.
The Swiss are carrying quite an impressive record so far this year. In seven matches, they have yet to lose. And since EURO 2004, in 24 ties, they've lost only once. But that doesn't matter now. That will only look good if they can win this round of 16 match.
8. min.
Ukraine have yet to pose a threat to the Swiss defense. A nice through ball is a tad too long for Shevchenko and Zuberbühler with his first clear action.
11. min.
Corner kick for Ukraine -- Zuberbühler skies to reel in the cross.
13. min.
The lack of scoring efforts has yet to dampen the enthusiasm of the fans in Cologne, which has been one of the loudest grounds at the Cup.
13. min.
Shovkovsky has to stretch far to save
Wicky intercepts a careless pass in the Ukrainian end and has a clear shot at the Ukraine goal. Shovkovsky has to stretch out very far to stop the leather from touching the netting of the upper left-hand corner.
17. min.
The Swiss are now pestering their opponents whenever the yellow uniforms have possession -- and not infrequently regain the ball. This strategy could well pay off until the Ukrainians can calm down their nerves.
19. min.
Still a magnetic atmosphere here in Cologne where the Swiss supporters are singing their hearts out. They are right to do so up to now, as their squad have played qualitatively better soccer.
20. min.
Crossbar!
Free-kick for Ukraine from the left side. A beautiful bending kick and Shevchenko comes screaming in to the box -- his header bounces off the ground and then smashes into the Swiss crossbar, just inches away from the go-ahead goal.
22. min.
So, despite a clear ball possession advantage, Ukraine get the first chance at taking the lead. It hasn't shocked the Swiss who now have a free-kick from about 30 meters out, straight on.
23. min.
Crossbar!
This time it's the Swiss. Alexander Frei's with a fabulous strike that sails over the Ukraine wall and into Shovkovsky's crossbar. So, now we're even on first-class opportunities.
25. min.
In a very exciting match, both sides are letting it all hang out, looking to get the lead. A skillful Ukrainian attack leads to a great cross from the left and Zuberbühler has to scramble from his line to save.
29. min.
Ukraine are masters of the counterattack. Shevchenko brings down a difficult ball with ease and distributes the ball to the left. A shot from just outside the penalty is blocked and the follow-up is high. Wonderful, fast-paced action in the first half-hour.
33. min.
Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn decides to make a substitution
Defender Stephane Grichting in for defender Djourou
35. min.
Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin questions the failure to give Swiss defender Philipp Degen a yellow card after a challenge. But replays show the Dortmund man hardly touched his opponent.
38. min.
The Swiss clearly dominating ball possession but after Frei's crossbar smash, they have not made any inroads against the Ukrainian defense. But now they have a corner.
39. min.
Stuttgart defender Magnin has cut a good figure on occasion for the Swiss. His long-distance shot with his strong left foot is far off the mark though.
41. min.
Degen takes out his frustrations after a clean tackle by his counterpart. He comes back and viciously retaliates against the Ukrainian.
42. min.
Play getting a little choppy all of a sudden. Swiss free-kick from the right, 40 meter distance to the goal. Shovkovsky punches the ball away.
44. min.
Corner kick for Ukraine. It sails far past the Swiss goal and bounces harmlessly out of bounds.
45. min.
+1 Gusev has continuously overlapped on the right side, creating opportunities for Ukraine. After some passes, Ukraine win a free-kick. But the delivery is too low and Switzerland clear.
Half-time!
No goals in Cologne but it was a fast-paced first-half with each side hitting the crossbar once -- Shevchenko for Ukraine; Frei for Switzerland.
46. min.
The second-half begins
No changes in the line-ups. Who will take the extra risk to go ahead?
46. min.
Veronin is free, heads just wide
Again, Gusev with an effective ball into the box but Andriy Voronin's header is poorly struck and goes wide of the goal.
51. min.
The teams seem to have picked up where they left off in the first-half. Lots of pace, but few chances.
55. min.
Hard challenge by Ukraine -- a free-kick for Switzerland. Shovkovsky has to tip it out of bounds because Frei had got in behind him. The subsequent corner kick is defused by Ukraine and they go on the counterattack.
57. min.
The defenders are getting the best of most situations in the match. A goal would obviously be exciting and Ukraine are laying siege to the Swiss penalty box but the final pass is lacking.
58. min.
Barnetta gets the first yellow card
Free-kick Ukraine. Shevchenko takes it, the ball is deflected out of bounds. The ensuing corner is, not unusually, ineffective.
59. min.
Shevchenko's kick was not without a little controversy if you want to scratch the surface. A Swiss defender in the wall had to raise his hand to protect his face from being disfigured by the shot. Some refs would call that a penalty.
61. min.
Nesmachny has to be carried off the field after an overly exuberant challenge by Cabanas. Referee Archundia didn't see it. No yellow card.
64. min.
Marco Streller in for the Swiss. Hakan Yakin out.
A striker for a striker.
66. min.
Switzerland find themselves a little more on the defensive in this half. Ukraine are applying pressure but Swiss keeper Zuberbühler's goal still is clean in this tournament.
67. min.
That was close!
A long clearing ball to Shevchenko. The Swiss say he used his arm. He dribbles on to the edge of the penalty area, two, three defenders approach. He launches a shot that if it had been a little better aimed, would have been unstoppable.
70. min.
20 minutes to go and Oleg Blokhin seemingly has no intention to bring on any fresh players. Maybe he's thinking of extra-time already -- and then zapping the Swiss with fresh players.
75. min.
Gusin with a sharp header
Corner kick. That's dangerous as Gusin beats Zuberbühler to it. The header flies just inches wide of the Swiss goal.
75. min.
Blokhin substitutes Ruslan Rotin in, out comes Kalinichenko
78. min.
Neither team much wants to take a chance now. Barnetta raises his foot and leaves a stud in the shin of Vashchyuk who riles on the pitch in agony. Very painful, and should have been very yellow for the Swiss midfielder.
82. min.
Stuttgart defender Magnin with a strong run on the left. His cross is headed out of bounds by the Ukrainians. Shovkovsky punches the subsequent corner kick up field and the situation is rendered harmless.
84. min.
An iffy situation at the edge of the Swiss box. A long ball to Voronin who can control it, Grichting and Voronin are pushing, grabbing each other to get to the ball. Magnin joins the scrum and all fall to the ground. No call as referee Archundia has let the two sides play qutie hard, but not unfairly.
88. min.
Earlier today, it looked as if Italy and Australia were heading for extra-time in Kaiserslautern -- before the game winning penalty by Totti turned the tide. Might we get some extra-time here in Cologne?
89. min.
The stadium is turning into a concert of whistles from disapproving supporters -- both Swiss and Ukrainians. They are disappointed that neither team has had the gumption to go for the kill.
90. min.
Three minutes of added time.
90. min.
+1 A sharp cross from the right for the Swiss. The ball blazes across the mouth of the Ukrainian goal but no striker, midfielder or defender is nearby to redirect the ball into the Ukrainian net.
90. min.
The second-half is over
+3 One last surge by the Swiss -- or more like a ripple. They aren't too anxious to go for the gold and kick it around along the ride sideline. We're heading to extra-time.
90. min.
There will be two periods, 15 minutes each. If after that, no one has won, penalties will decide it. No goalkeeper wants to face that fate but he can hardly score the winning goal himself.
90. min.
The first extra period has begun
92. min.
Does anybody want to become a national hero? Whoever scores the goal that could easily be the only one in this match, will be just that.
93. min.
Vorobei heads to the bench. Serhiy Rebrov comes on for Ukraine.
95. min.
Barnetta decides to try his luck from 25 meters -- no worries for Ukraine. The legs are getting rubbery.
97. min.
Opportunity for Switzerland
Free-kick from 35-40 meters. Frei steps up. He can only hit the wall. But Switzerland remain in possession, one pass, two passes, a header in the box -- slight danger but Shovkovsky can grab the ball after it bouncer over Cabanas' head.
100. min.
Whoa! Some Swiss pressure and Vogel is the benefactor. He shoots at the edge of the penalty area but directly at Shovkovsky. Too bad.
102. min.
After 100 minutes of at times desperately innocuous play, the two teams are showing a little bit of ambition and gaining some second wind. But it's still in gridlock.
102. min.
A rarity -- an offsides call against Ukraine.
105. min.
Whistles, whistles and more whistles as the approval ratings for both teams are dropping rapidly.
105. min.
Half-time of extra-time
106. min.
The second-half of extra-time has begun
106. min.
Zuberbühler punches a free-kick cross and Switzerland now have control.
108. min.
Corner kick for Switzerland.
108. min.
A dangerous corner as Shovkovsky is frozen. But nobody can head it smoothly, and the danger subsides.
110. min.
Andriy Voronin out. The fresh legs belong to Artem Milevskiy
115. min.
Marco Streller breaks free and charges into the box. He brakes, swings around to fire, but Husin is on the spot and beautifully stops the shot. Both players, though, fall to the ground in a heap and must leave the field temporarily.
116. min.
Alexander Frei is taken out, Mauro Lustrinelli comes on. That's the final substitution.
A surprise that striker Frei will not be in for what looks like a penalty shot showdown.
119. min.
Pascal Zuberbühler looks destined to his fourth shutout in the Swiss goal -- but when penalties are taken, he will surely have to retrieve a ball or two from the net.
120. min.
After 120 minutes, it's scoreless! Penalties coming up
120. min.
What every player, coach and country dreads -- penalties. Goalies can be the heroes. Strikers can be the scapegoats!
Shevchenko misses. Zuberbühler stops it.
Ukraine already in the hole.
Streller also fails.
It's even again.
Milevskiy remains cool and scores.
Barnetta hits the bar!
Now Switzerland are behind the eight-ball
Rebrov hammers it home
Cabanas also fails -- three shots, three misses for Switzerland!
Ukraine can now win
Gusev scores -- Ukraine win
It's hard to believe, but Switzerland failed to score a single goal in three penalty shot attempts and they are sent packing by the Ukrainians in a match that failed to inspire the masses.