Liveblog: Switzerland vs. Ukraine

June 26th, 2006 | by: Chris Heidrich |

We’re liveblogging the full 90 minutes of the Switzerland and Ukraine second round match. Come in and join us with your comments and thoughts before, during and after the game.

Final: Switzerland 0-0 Ukraine (AET) 1-3 Penalties

Ukraine Pen #4: Gusiev hits his penalty into the corner, sending the keeper the wrong way and sending Ukraine into the quarter-finals.

Swiss penalty #3: Cabanas misses. Great save by the keeper but Switzerland look awful at penalties.

Ukraine Pen #3: Rebrov steps up and strokes it home well.

Swiss penalty #2: Barnetta hits the crossbar! He misses.

Ukraine Pen #2: Milevskiy scores! Nice, cocky chip penalty.

Swiss penalty #1: Streller steps up and has his saved too. Knocked it down the middle and Shovkovskiy saves comfortably.

Ukraine Pen #1: Shevchenko has his penalty saved by Zuberbuehler.

Penalties: The coin has been tossed and the players have put their hands up. Let the lottery begin. Someone will be a hero and another a goat.

Full-time AET: The game is over and penalties will follow. Each team will have 5 attempts from 12 yards until someone misses. This game yielded few chances, mostly in the first half. it was a torrid affair for the spectators, but now we have the excitement of pens – the first in LiveBlog history. Woohoo!

119:04 – Final push by the Swiss, peppering the box with passes but no penetration. Shelayev takes a knock on the edge of the area from Streller’s follow-through and takes a wee break on the floor.

117:11 – Swiss doing a much better job of holding on to possession in the last few minutes. Ukraine must be tired.

115:45 – Frei will not get to take a pen as he makes way for Lustrinelli. Maybe he sucks as bad as he does when taking chances in open play.

114:22 – Streller bursts into the box with a great run. He turns his man and is about to get his shot away, but Gusin makes a deparate and well-timed tackle. More chances coming now in the final minutes.

113:21 – Ukraine has a shot onthe edge of the area blocked. Shot of the Swiss bench where the wonderfully named Lustrinelli is about to come on. Forward players to take the penalties by the look.

111:10 – Milevskiy shows some class (and fresh legs) beating his player down the line but his cross is blocked before it gets dangerous.

109:38 – Foul at midfield provides the chance for Ukraine to make a substitution. Voronin is the unfortunate player. Milevskiy better be better at penalties cos that’s where this game is going.

107:26 – Streller is a leggy forward in the Peter Crouch mould. He earns a corner for Switzerland which bobbles around in the box for a bit before being knocked wide.

105:35 – Shevchenko falls over weakly in the corner but earns the free kick like the professional he is. Danger is cleared by a fist of Zuberbuehler.

Extra-time turnaround: There’s the obligatory wasting of time as players take on water and get coaching advice before switching sides “immediately” to start the second half of extra time.

105:09 – One extra minute of the first extra time period. Players are looking tired. Tackles are kinda weak and not quite timed.

103:33 – The ref decides not to blow for what looks like a foul on Streller right on the edge of the area. Replay shows he was correct. Streller hopping like a cat on a hot tin roof before any contact was made.

101:53 – The crowd trying to get something going by chanting Hopp Suisse! In response, the team plays the offside trap against Ukraine successfully.

99:50 – Vogel takes a volleyed shot from the edge of the area after the ball breaks to him from a long throw-in. His shot is well struck but straight at the Ukraine keeper who saves well.

98:41 – Conditions are perfect out there but neither team can string more than a couple passes together before a bad touch or mis-directed pass changes possession. Very frustrating to watch because we know both can do better.

96:43 – Free kick for the Swiss 40 yards out right in front. Frei hits it right into the wall. The ball breaks wide where Wicky knocks it over. Barnetta heads it back across the face but Cabanas misses his header completely and the danger is past.

95:38 – Nice work down the right side by Degen and Barnetta, who crosses into the area. Calls for handball in the box, but the replay shows it was Frei’s hand the ball hit.

94:23 – Frei gets a slight knock and goes down like a sack of spuds. He jumps up all full of passion and heat, calling for a card from the ref. Nice to see someone down there who cares.

93:02 – Vorobey comes off to make way for Rebrov. He looked good in the game against Saudi Arabia.

92:00 – More of the same so far from these teams. Fatigue will play a factor as extra time progresses and perhaps a defensive mistake will make us cheer.

Coin-toss: Stadium PA is playing 500 Miles by The Proclaimers. I wish I was 500 miles away from watching this game.

Full-time: – The whistle blows on this one and no score. Extra time will follow shortly and I’ll be taking a few shots of caffiene to keep myself awake. Let’s hope Jon Lithgow has some tricks up his sleeve for the Swiss to take them onwards.

91:03 – Swtizerland showing some last vestiges of enterprise with a nice low cross across the face of goal, 6 yards out. No one there to connect and no Ukrainian could be convinced to stick out a toe and poke it home.

90:10 – Where did they get 3 minutes of injury time???? That’s an insult to my injury. Eye injury from watching these teams.

89:01 – Zuberbuehler flaps at a corner kick but can’t do enough to turn it into his own goal. Pity.

88:00 – Whistles throughout the crowd. They can’t wait for this

one to end either. But wait! Extra time beckons. Another 30 minutes of defensive power!

85:55 – Grichting got his head bumped by his own player during the penalty area scramble and has been stretchered off.

84:19 – I nearly got my wish. Voronin chests down a speculative long ball on the ege of the area and throws his arm over the Swiss defender while trying to get to the ball. The Swiss defender (Grichting) throws his arm over and appears to drag Voronin down. Looks like the ref made the correct no-call.

83:00 – This is one game that I’d be happy to see a last second penalty given. The ref has done a fantastic job letting the players get on with it. Too bad they haven’t taken him up on his offer.

80:40 – Ref calls play on after a Ukraine player uses his arm to control the ball. If he’d used his chest, he might not have gifted it to a Swiss player, who to be honest, did nothing with it.

78:32 – Vashchuk is felled on the edge of the Ukraine area by a studs up takle by Barnetta who is lucky not to get a yellow card for the challenge. Slo-mo replay shows he never intended to get to the ball and gave Vashchuk a good hack.

76:35 – A minute or two of aerial ping-pong with the ball going nowhere. Players flopping about but the ref letting play go on. I kinda wish he’d just blow time and take us straight to penalties.

74:56 – Kalinichenko comes off to be replaced by Rotan.

74:01 – Ukraine have a corner after Degen is unsure what to do with a bad cross. Gusin gets his head to the corner kick and it scrapes by the far post by a coat of paint. Decent chance.

72:13 – Cabanas is dragged down by Shelayev and Switzerland has a chance to set up a free kick about 40 yards out and at a slight angle. The shot comes in but is over the bar and with no real venom.

69:40 – 25 minutes gone in the half and nary a piece of work for either goalkeeper to do. The crowd showing it’s paying attention by once again chanting Lukas Podolski’s name.

68:17 – Cabanas’ turn to try a long range effort. It sails high and wide. At least he’s trying I guess.

66:34 – Just as I was bagging the guy he produces a moment of magic. Receives the ball on the right wing, dribbles inside and conjures a wicked shot from nothing. It blasts just wide of the upright with the Swiss keeper rooted to the spot.

65:10 – All of Ukraine’s half chances seem to be falling to Voronin. Sheva is basically invisible unless he’s whinging. Chelsea must be happy with their purchase based on his performances so far this World Cup.

63:13 – The excitement of the moment is over and the boredom continues. Nesmachniy returns the field. Hakin Yakin is replaced by Marco Streller. A straight swap, more or less.

61:01 – Ukraine player lies dead on the field after a collision with Cabanas. Nesmachniy had his leg stomped on but it didn’t look intentional. The Magic Spray is out and no doubt Nesmachniy will be fine in a minute or two. Stretcher-bearers finally get to do their job. Well done, lads.

59:23 – Sheva’s free kick hits the wall. Replay shows it hit the forearm of Cabanas. Tough call there. The arm was protecting Cabanas’ body but he did stick his arm out towards the ball. Either way the ref didn’t see it or didn’t call it. Play on.

58:13 – First yellow card of the game for Barnetta. He brought down Nesmachniy from behind as the Ukraine full-back was about to breach the Swiss penalty area. Nice position for a free kick.

56:03 – In the midst of all the celebrity spotting in the crowd, some football was played, but nothing really happened. Frei chased a ball into the Ukraine area, but only succeeded in kicking the ball further away for a goal kick. He was nice and threw it back. Maybe he should be a ball-boy.

54:01 – On the back of the Platini Sighting there is a concurrent Beckenbauer/Blatter Sighting. I’m sure Der Kaiser would rather be sitting next to his wife than Sepp, who I bet makes Franz buy his beers.

53:13 – Platini Sighting in the crowd. He’s been almost as busy as Beckenbauer showing up at games, but I bet he didn’t get married too.

51:41 – Voronin receives a pass to the top of the area and turns his man nicely to make a small run laterally across the area. He shoots on the half turn hoping to surprise the Swiss keeper, but Zuberbuehler has been playing attention and scoops up the weak shot.

49:47 – Swiss crowd in fine voice, urging their team on to victory. They’ll have to get a shot on goal for that to happen.

48:16 – Yakin commits a foul in midfield. It’s the most exciting event in the last two minutes as both teams share possession.

46:01 – First chance of the half falls to Voronin who battles to get a header away in the box. Just off target though.

45:01 – Second half underway and let’s cross fingers and toes for some goals.

Half-time: Not a super exciting half of football, but free of controversy and that’s a bonus considering all that’s gone before. The best chances of the half came from set pieces with both teams hitting the crossbar – Ukraine with Sheva’s header and Switzerland with Frei’s dipping free kick.

I’m hoping for an early goal in the second half to liven this game up, but if you tell me now that it will be 0-0 AET and we’re going to penalties, I would not think you were crazy.

45:39 – Swiss defence shows up big again as Gusev makes a dashing run down the right. The ball bobbles about on the edge of the area, but eventually cleared with not even a half chance falling Ukraine’s way. The Swiss have not given up a goal in 3.5 World Cup matches so far and have looked very solid tonight. If only their offence packed the same punch.

43:29 – Almost an entire half without the ref reaching for his pocket. I’m impressed. But then again, these teams haven’t really shown much in the way of aggression. I can’t tell if they’re just concerned about making a mistake that costs a goal or if they just have no clue how to break the other down.

40:17 – Degen is now a villain as he hacks down Nesmachniy. The Ukraine player is laid out and has not moved. Even though he’s one body roll away from the sideline, the stretcher-bearers make their obligatory appearance. Those guys must be the most frustrated folks in the stadium. Every chance they get to actually do their jobs, the player pops right back up and continues.

38:34 – Philipp Degen does well down the right, breaking a tackle and centering the ball nicely to the open Swiss player (Vogel?). he chests it down and the ball sits up nicely for a volley but it’s mis-hit and goes harmlessly wide.

36:43 – Game once more devolving into midfield scraps. Gagnin breaks free momentarily and sends an early cross in from the left. It’s too high for Frei though and sails over the keeper’s head too.

33:01 – After giving him props, Djourou is substituted. Not sure if that is an injury as he looked fine coming off the field. Grichting takes his place for the Swiss.

32:39 – Chanting in the crowd sounded a bit like they were calling Lukas Podolski’s name. Lot’s of bored German fans in the crowd, or does everyone just love the sweet-smelling guy.

30:38 – Mueller gets a shot away from outside the area, but is easily saved. Nice build-up work, sheilding the ball, from Wicky to set him up.

28:51 – Scramble on the edge of the Swiss area and the ball falls to Shelayev but his shot is scooped high over the bar. Best chances falling to Ukraine right now.

27:08 – Ukraine has started to put some pressure on, doing well when they have possession. Kalinichenko has looked busy and had a hal-chance with his shot from the edge of the area that curled well wide in the end. Shevchenko bitched him out afterwards as usualy. Unless the ball is planted right on his head, he’s never happy.

25:03 – Nice build-up play from Ukraine. A wide ball releases Gusev but his low cross cannot find a team-mate, even though he had two to aim for. Keeper Zuberbuehler saves.

24:15 – No chances coming from open play as yet. Both set pieces, however, have been of high quality and we could easily be at 1-1 now instead of 0-0.

21:56 – Trip by Shelayev on Barnetta as he was charging towards goal. That could easily have been a booking for a professional foul. Frei hammers the free kick ove the wall and rocks the Ukraine crossbar near the post junction. The ball bounces back out but no rebound shot is on target. Great chance for the Swiss.

19:46 – Free kick for Ukraine on the left wing after Voronin is rugby tackled by Djourou. The swinging free kick finds Sheva in the box and his diving header bounces up and hits the crossbar. Great chance for Ukraine but no goal.

18:11 – Chances are still thin on the ground, still 0-0 in this game. The Swiss are defending well and in numbers, Ukraine doing a good job of nullifying Frei. The spark in this game looks to be coming from Yakin and Voronin running from deeper positions.

16:03 – Referee’s headset is dangling all over the place. He might want to tape that puppy up. Having said that, we haven’t had a yellow (or a red) card in this game yet so maybe it’s stopping him from hearing the instructions from FIFA to book everyone under the sun. Play on!

14:32 – John Lithgow on the bench for the Swiss again. I wonder if he allows dancing in the Swiss dressing room or if that’s the Devil’s Work. Just like elbows in football, according to Sepp.

12:38 – Wicky wakes us all up with a great shot from distance outside the corner of the 18 yard box. He draws a solid and acrobatic save from Shovkovskiy.

11:15 – Game being battled out in midfield right now, no clear chances or domination by either team. Final ball to dangerous areas has been lacking.

09:20 – Not that I want Swizterland to blast 5 goals past Ukraine like Spain did, but boy am I in the mood for some goals. The Round of 16 games so far have been pretty lean. Mexico-Argentina was worth the wait, but otherwise a solitary goal a game is not giving me what I need to fall in love with the World Cup all over again. Oh… that and the referees.

08:17 – I really wish Ukraine had gone with Shust in goal tonight. Shovkovskiy may be the first choice, but his name is way harder to type in a hurry.

06:36 – Yakin charges foward from midfield and squeezes off a long distance drive. It bobbles to the Ukraine keeper with no danger.

05:24 – Johan Djourou replacing the injured Senderos in the Swiss defence tonight. The 19 year old is considered pretty darn good. He’ll get a stern test in his first full World Cup start.

03:23 – Yakin breaks into the Ukraine box with a sharp run. His low cross is half cleared before it reaches Frei in the middle. Nice speed in the Swiss attack.

01:36 – Voronin breaks down the middle with a wide player screaming for the ball. His pass has the right idea but blocked by the Swiss. Nice early pressure from Ukraine.

00:20 – Referee today is from Mexico. I’ll be hoping for a good game from him. I’m still gutted after the Italy-Australia debacle.

00:01 – We’re off! Ukraine looking like they’re putting out a 3-5-2 formation, Switzerland a more traditional 4-4-2.

National Anthems: Good to see Yakin still in the Swiss side. He’s been creative and active. Kalinichenko and Voronin have looked sharp for Ukraine and ready to get goals if Shevchenko can’t find it.

5 minutes to go: Whatever happens this match, let’s hope we see a referee who does not influence the result, unlike what we’ve seen so far in 3 of the 4 Round of 16 games we’ve seen thus far.

Pre-game: Who is going to win?
Tough game to call. Both teams have shown they deserve their place in the second round. Switzerland with tough defense, and Ukraine with important goals when they count most. But Switzerland will be without young Senderos, their best defender who popped his shoulder in the game against South Korea. Ukraine will also be without their defensive lynchpin Rusol who picked up his second yellow in the final group game.

With holes to fill in defence, perhaps we will see a more open attacking game. Shevchenko is getting back to full match fitness and Alex Frei surely cannot continue to miss as many chances as he does every game.

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Deviilz.

my bookies gave me this match’s odds: Switz. to win by a goal/more margin within the 90mins.
Possible..?
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

ok, 2 more hours, should we stay or should we go
Ekul

I’m expecting Shevchenko to score this game, but I expect Switzerland to win 2-1, or by a one goal margin.
Deviilz.

Can the Swiss really manage a goal win within 90mins…?
marko

I put on Swiss 100eur. to win
…
SES

I’m rooting for the Ukranians as I have confidence they’ll be able to breach the Swiss defense.

Shevchenko is very powerful offensively so he should be able to deflect attacks from Frei. Both teams will be on the attack throughout the 90 min. of the game so it should be fun to watch.

Ukraine: 2-1.
Keyser

The swiss win 2-1, and I hope the ref gets unnoticed in this one.
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

OK, its on, good luck Switzerland, hope to see a good and clean game

GO UKRAINE
http://www.sportsnews.com.au Michael

To the swiss and Ukraine blog fans, good luck to both sides )- may you each have luck tonight on your side.

I hope for yor team’s sake you player(s) don’t take a dive like the italian player did today against Australia.

Australia were brilliant today and have been for the entire world cup. AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE..

Switzerland if i can say one thing… i saw your team qualify for the world cup against Turkey when you won in Istanbul…

I believe you have a very exciting team… so the best of luck to your team… if you do win.. make bloody sure your beat italy…

what a disgrace… AZZURI… more like CONSPIRACYAZZURI..
AK

I’m putting 100euro on that the referee f**ks this game up as well!!

Hopp Schwiiz, Hopp Suisse, Forza Svizzera!!!
Deviilz.

I’m not underestimating Sheva & co..,but this is gonna be a tight encounter,right..?
Tough to call this one.
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

Rebrov is not starting ?? oooo man, why oh why
Claudio

The Swiss defense will prevail. The Swiss take it in the first penalty shootout of the WC!!!
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

haha thats one thing Ukraine and Switzerland have in common, we both beat Turkey to qualify :O)
marlboroman

why isnt rebrov starting?
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

who knows, they just said in the pregame on tsn he’s not in the starting line up
laprimavera

Good luck to both sides, and may you be lucky to have a ref who goes mostly unnoticed, who doesn’t reward a dive (or who yellowcards a dive), who doesn’t take sides, who doesn’t stop the game flow unnecessarily, who correctly penalizes attacks clearly aimed at players instead of the ball.
laprimavera

….in other words, lucky enough to get a ref who so far has failed to materialize in this World Cup…
pwnawannab

GO YKPAIHA May the force be with ya – and I amnot mad if you lose – great first time run…
Dinhduy

Hope to seea clean… referee!
I’ll go with Ukraine and the best striker Shevchenko!
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

I’m calling Voronin to score, he’s due
SES

It’d be historic if the debutants went on to the quaterfinals against Italy.

I’ll be looking forward to a clean, yet well-played match.

Gotta love the WC.
Andreia & Alex

Looking forward to the start of the game
Roland

I just want a clean match. Lots of goals is a bonus.
Andreia & Alex

Must admit still stunned over the ending of the last game but going to shake that off and enjoy this one
http://www.propagandapress.org propaganda

give this one to the swiss…ukraine have not been playing well in my view…more hype than reality, but we shall see…that’s why they play the game right? :-)
Carlos

I’m calling this one for the Swiss.
Ali Siddiqui

$100 dollars to say that the Ref got a good yelling from the FIFA boys telling him not to go loco with the cards!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

doesn’t really matter who wins…either way it will be easy for Italy to move into the Semis
Trav

I agree with Mohan. I’m waiting for tomorrow.
Ali Siddiqui

Yakin, what a awesome name. :D
rew

Ali.. FIFA proably gave the ef a good speaking too…. however my money is on way more cards.. At least 1o cards.. this ref will want to join his friends…
Carlos

Chris, perhaps you can call him “Shova” or something. lol
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

neither of the teams belong in top eight..its luck that has brought them here
Roman

In Ukraine people call Shovkovskiy ‘Sheva’, so you can use the short variant ;-)
Matt

Let’s go SWISS!!!
Carlos

Yeah Mohan… the BBC calls them the match-up of the “World Cup minnows.” But still!
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

so far, a battle of the midfield, good on both ends, and so far, very clean
Ali Siddiqui

rew, I’m game! I say that by the end of the game we shall see about say…a minimum of 8 yellows.
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

roman, ’sheva’ is for shevchenko, not shovkovskiy
Ali Siddiqui

Oh! So close with that free kick! :o
brian34

Roman’s a retard.
Roland

Pretty entertaining so far.
rew

Ali.. think your right .. at least 8 I think in the order of 10 plus… this ref will want to put his mark on the games as well… although he is trying not to give cards out just the free kicks… the players are looking for the carsd though…
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

very evenly matched, good game
brian34

So is Roland.
Roland

Zuberbuehler has impressed this whole tournament.
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

omg, shut up about the refs already, this ref has been very good so far, if you’re swiss or ukrainian u understand this, anyone else is just looking for drama, lets talk about the game
Ant

Both teams look rusty. Lots of balls sent nowhere. Neither deserve to be in this round based on their play so far.
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

yes, USA shoulda been here right ? please go cry somewhere else
brian34

USA sucks. Landon’s a wanker. Gerrard forever.
freakaholic

refs scared of cards, and it IS getting ugly, like they say on ESPN. (somethings wrong if im agreeing with ESPN)
marco

About Italy-Australia.

About the pk: Every single smart defender knows that you can’t slide in the “box”(we call it Area). NO ONE jumps to avoid the penalty!

About the previous 90 minutes: have you ever seen in this championship a fairer team than Italy? No one has screamed for a foul, no one asked for a yellow card. No bad tackle excluding the Materazzi one.
We did all the match in ten tough! And two important players with yellow card.

My dear, referees are ruining this sport!
It’s enough to cross the run of another player and fall and ask a yellow card to get it!!! (LOOK WHAT TERRY and CAHILL and many others did)
Ant

Your deductive skills are terrible.
USA was abysmal and they deserved to be eliminated.
Australia, however, played well but was robbed today and would have whipped either UKR or SUI.
rew

Looks like i might be wrong… Now I think the ref won’t show a card.. its gonna get real ruff real fast….
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

so far, very good game, personally, I’m loving the level of skill the midfields are showing, as 50/50 as you can get, we’ll see what develops in the second half
Gene

Ukraine!
Let’s kick SWISS out. Please do it
SES

Someone PLEASE score a goal in the 2nd half to liven up the interest!
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Hehe. European defensive football at its best. I’m impressed with the Ukrainian defensive system so far – couldn’t be expected that way. Alltogether Switzerland a LITTLE more likely to win. But both obviously don’t want to loose.

Yakin has to take some 1-on-1 situations. If Degen could only hit a decent cross, he’s doing well otherwise.
matt

this match just proves both these sides are lucky to have got the groups they did.

ivory coast and the czech republic would walk over both sides. As would nigeria who arnt here.

italy versus ukraine or swis will be a match to miss I reckon
sergio

i like this style of refereeing so much more than what we have been seeing…

let the players play..
pf

I see that the posts on in this live blog are occuring as often as the shots on the goal…. once every 20 minutes…

lol. Where is everbody?

How about this. Where will watch the final?
http://www.atmysports.com atmysports.com

today’s matches are not upto exictement at this stage.

n e ways who is gona this match

i guess even this match will end with one goal
pf

correction

Where will you watch the final? Home? Bar? Stadium?

How will you party on the 9th?
Roland

I need to rest for tomorrow.
sergio

every single winner so far in the group stage won their second round match..

will this be any different?
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

what a great game, both proving they deserve to be in the final 16
sergio

this ref is great so far!
Matt

Quick question:

For those of you listening to the game through TheSun’s website, is that “crowd noise” fake? I don’t know if I’m hearing things but it always sounds the same for every game.

Just curious.

And, GO SWISS!!!
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

very clear elbow, oh well, play on
SES

I don’t think I’ll be watching the final as the time difference will be killer. I’ll just check this blog for updates. :)

Go Ukraine!
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

Nesmachniy is getting beat up too much, time to pull a yellow on a player that fouls him, he’s getting targetted majorly
Alex Sim

Brazil, Germany final. Brazil wins 4-3
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Winning tournaments is in first place about not conceeding goals and using your few chances. The further you go, the better the teams, the harder to score. Obviously neither Switzerland nor Ukraine have the creative power of Portugal, Brasil or Argentina. And they don’t pretend to. They play best what they can.

And no, Australia would not walk over either of those teams.

I don’t listen to the sun broadcast. But the stadium is very loud. The Swiss fans have been great so far. Korea – Switzerland was fantastic. 90 minutes of noisy support. Like in England.
ETucker

pf

i watch most of the games at the German Cultural Center in the Ciudad Colonial. There is beer and a decent sized crowd for everygame.

ive also seen a few games at Beerhouse

and you?

Also, this ref has been fantastic so far.
marco

matt, did england impress you?
never did it to me in 4 matches.
“You” lost your qualification group from POLAND. I remember you Northern Ireland-England 1-0.
Besides, the fact that Ecuador deserved to pass against you.
You’ll see against Portugal even without Deco, C. Ronaldo and even if they are full of yellow cards and therefore almost afraid to move.
Switzerland has deserved this second turn, cause they never took a goal!
We deserved Australia cause we played against Ghana, Czech rep and Usa and we won the group.
matt

I never said we’ve been impressive.

we haven’t.

both technically their are better teams in this comp than both ukraine and the swis.

for what its worth germany, brazil,spain and argentina are head and shoulders above what ive seen so far
matt

I never said we’ve been impressive.

we haven’t.

both technically their are better teams in this comp than both ukraine and the swis.

for what its worth germany, brazil,spain and argentina are head and shoulders above what ive seen so far
brian34

Marco, England won their qualifying group. He he.
Roland

I watch the Spain game at Los Gallegos, a Spanish taverna near my home.

I usually watch the rest of the matches at home or at the office and schedule my appointments around the matches. One must have priorities.
pf

ETucker

having a full blooded brazilian fan in the house (wife), we’ll try to break municipal codes for occupancy at our place while inviting everyone and their brother. Luckily the time difference will be pefrect to watch and party all day.

Cerveja, churrasco and samba all day….

(unless of course Brazil won’t make it, then we’ll have to substitue churrasco for Bratwurst or Taps… or…)
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

pf:

I would still go for the churrasco. Brazilians are always up for one, win lose or draw, right?
Tom

I just got back from work. Doesn’t look like I’ve missed much this game…
pf

that would be tapas, not taps. oopsie (btw, all that in Windy City where there aren’t that many Brazilians to throw a mini-carnival)
ETucker

Roland-

good to know you have your priorities in order :)

pf-

do you live in Santo Domingo? If so I’d love to stop by for some asado brasileno! I don’t know how to dance samba though…but I did stay at a Holiday Inn in Rio de Janeiro :)
Ubi

ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
marco

sorry for my mistake. I forgot the last match 2-1. It was not important as both were anyway in. sorry. I put it out of my mind.
Jack

The scoring chances always seem to increase from minute 75 on, lets hope!
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Matt, true as for attacking skills. But you simply also have to admit, that especially Switzerland has shown some great defensive class. Not just, because they didn’t conceed. Look at how they divide the space in the defensive midfield. That’s why it’s so hard to produce chances against them. As I see it, with the from Brazil has shown so far, I only see Argentina ‘walk over them’ – on a good day. Everybody else would have a hard time scoring against them.

Eventually, we are going to go out on a strike of genious by somebody like Shevshenko, Ballack, Riquelme or so. Or in a penalty shoot-out. ;)
Roland

Whoops, laziness, I meant taberna.
Roland

Ubi, is it that obvious?
Ubi

Is it just me or does nobody really care about the outcome of this game?
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

the title of this blog is “Liveblog: Switzerland vs. Ukraine”

stay to topic PLEASE
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Oh yeah, or by a Zuberbuehler flop. :(
ETucker

Adrian-

I am drooling over the Ballack-Riquelme matchup in the quarterfinals.

Both players are brilliant and in form. It should be absolute fireworks!
sergio

for what its worth Etucker, in argentina- and they may be wrong- there are many who think riquelme has been poor and he was given a talking to by the ccoach earlier today asking him to play more of a role in the game..

riquelme however is a unique player .. and its hard to really analyze his game.. no one is like him..

but i tell you : in argentina the press and people are divided on him dramatically..
ETucker

Roland-

how is your boy Raul going to do tomorrow against France? Do you think Aragones would let him take a penalty? (Ala Euro 2000)

This game is going to penalties if the ref does not stupidly intervene
Andreia & Alex

You know I really really want some of that magic spray
marco

I hope they stay on O-O. For a bet and for them to be stressed by a 120′ match.
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Yeah. Germany – Argentina is a classic! Will be good – both teams are in great form.

The best example to show what the Swiss team is about, is Johann Vogel. I don’t think he has made 3 mistakes in this World Cup. Absolutely class. That’s why ManU want him and Milan doesn’t want to let him go.
ETucker

sergio-

yeah, when I lived in Buenos Aires I came to understand that Riquelme was definitely hated by a lot of people for not being a “track star.”

that being said, his vision and his free kicks are WAY BETTER than Pablito Aimar’s.

And he is nowhere near as emotionally volatile as Veron.

And D’Alessandro is too inexperienced and not quite good enough (I think he’s the next number 10 though)

Thus, Riquelme seems to be the best option.

what do you think? You’re not a “gallina” i hope… :)
Honeyman

This game blows.
ETucker

this game is not as bad as the 0-0 indicates…both teams are playing decent first touch football, forming triangles, and tackling like tigers.

they just cant get their act together in the final third of the pitche
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

WHAT ? no penalty ? ok, now that officiating is getting TOO nice
brian34

Don’t worry Marco, they’ll call for a penalty kick in the 95th minute.
Ubi

This game is like the battle of the losers. Which ever team wins this game will surely lose against Italy.
Lurch McCoy

My prediction:

Switzerland wins the world cup without scoring a goal during regulation. Instead they win all of their games on penalty shoot-outs.

Would be great for the fans, no?
Roland

ETucker, I think at this point you roll the dice and take your chances. Losing Raul would suck, but it would no longer cripple the team as it might have in the past.
Honeyman

How do you say “snoozer” in Swiss?
sergio

ETucker,

well, i think it does not much matter what i think…all that matters is that pekerman built the team around riquelme.. i do wonder about riquelme not having someone to work with in midfield.. someone like aimar…

boca’s my club but argentina’s my nation….so..

d’alessandro is just not good enough..

aimar was the best argentine in 2002…..

i just think its remarkable the great press riquelme gets abroad but in argentina he’s getting hit real hard…

riquelme’s got to play his game… its argentina’s only chance against germany

i think its funny when riquelme gets criticized for being too slow when i think in a way he is the quintessential argentine player..

we will know friday about this time what the truth is.. if argentina can beat germany….
pf

So, what will it be? Overtime or perhaps penalty kicks? I kinda like the fact that the ref let the players play (not always 100% clean but certainly on a higher level normal for this cup).

ETucker Santo Domingo? Nah, Chicago. btw, I have a standing bet that if Brazil wins this cup, I get to samba for the guests (as part of the plan to make them leave early… lol)
SES

Hear those jeers..
sergio

this game is poor but i’m glad about the ref.. he’s letting them play their poor game.. as it should be..

i wouldn’t be surprised if before the game he was told to not do anything rash… too many refs acting like rock stars in this world cup… really makes me mad.. let the players play and if they foul let them foul without kicking them out… soccer is a contact sport..it ain’t ice skating for chrissakes
marco

brian34, we didn’t CALL for the penalty.

Ubi, I’m not sure of that. We are playing too defensively cause we are FRIGHTENED of the referee. We can lose even from Switzerland and Ukraine.

We have always people out for no reason in the last Championships. When the game is quick is likely to be full of yellow cards. So that we play slow. Look at Italy-Ghana. We can always play like that.
Roland

Ugh, more of this agony. Can we just start the Spain-France match now?
matt

one good thing about the game is th ref

a rare thing to say is that
http://www.propagandapress.org propaganda

wow…no score…quite surprising…ukraine still looks the weaker team though
http://www.atmysports.com atmysports.com

wooooooooooooooooohooooooooooo

just one goal so far today

is this the worst day of this world cup
Honeyman

Someone wake me in 30 mins. for the penalties.
SES

I like the fact that the ref is going easy on the cards. He’s acting like how a ref should and not trying to be the 12th member of a team. I’m disappointed by the lack of attack on both sides. Hopefully desperation in overtime will lead to a goal and not to penalty kicks.
ETucker

Roland-

do you think we’ll see Villa at the half if Raul hasn’t scored? I actually agree with Aragones’ logic: Raul is much better suited to a possesion offense than Villa. (So don’t think I’m a blind Raul hater :) )

Sergio-

every player gets hammered at home twice as bad as abroad. good to know you’re a xeneixe!

Riquelme does have Cambiasso, Maxi, and Mascherano to work with. plus, Sorin might as well be a midfielder.

the Germany game will be tough, I bet against Argentina (rational me) but will be wearing my Riquelem Argentina Away jersey and singing Oleeeeeee ole ole ole, Diego, Diego!
SES

Honeyman,

The majority of the Swiss speak German. ^^
http://www.atmysports.com atmysports.com

first extra time in this world cup……….
Davai

jeez. both teams lose. Boring points. No more football for them. The swiss should stick to cheese and the Ukrainians should… continue doing whatever they do.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Love the Proclaimers.
Anton

I wish I was 500 miles away from watching this game.

You’re an idiot. Soccer is not just about goals. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re an american that thinks soccer is a boring game. Go watch basketball if you want teams to score every 20 seconds. Oh wait, in basketball defense also wins championships… Ok then.
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Ok, I will admit that the second half certainly was only intersting for the Swiss and the Ukrainians. Sorry guys.

And no, it’s not a loosers game. Italy will have a hard time as well, if both teams play this defensive and destructive game. And look at the success rate of this type of game: Italy, Germany, Greece…all have won titles this way. ;)

Hopp Schwiiz.
SES

Someone needs to teach these players how to shoot a goal. :P
poline

Honeyman, snoozer is Swiss is called Schweizer/Suisse/Tranquillo depends on which part you are in. :)
ETucker

Anton-

defense wins championships, but I think most fans would rather watch attractive attacking footie like Arsenal than boring hatchetmen like Bolton.

also, sometimes the best defense is a patient offense that can control possession.

it also is a good idea to score a goal if you plan on winning a game. :)

penalties is a lottery where everyone loses….
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

SES, that’s rich coming from an American. ;)

The Swiss now look more like they really want it before the penalty shoot-out. Keep going!
Rodrigo

No more this thing; let’s go to penalty kicks.

Ukraine, is the best option to qualify !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pf

I think instead of the Proclaimers they should play “Another one rides the bus” by Weird Al…
SES

I don’t think Chris is only just complaining about the lack of goals in the game.. this game lacks creativity and action.
http://www.atmysports.com atmysports.com

wish to see brazil and germany in finals

third place goes to argentina
SES

I’m American only by citizenship. ;)
Honeyman

Neither of these teams should get to go thru for this Schweizer/Suisse/Tranquillo

Mexico should get to advance by default.

Oh my God! An actual save! Things are heating up!
Roland

Yes, I expect we’ll see Villa regardless of whether Raul scores.
ETucker

If it goes to penalties, the Swiss keeper should know that Sheva always hits the ball either straight on or misses badly (if the keeper holds his ground like Kahn in the Champs League)

who will be the goat?
Honeyman

Is that possibly the first offsides all day?
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

wow, what a game, one of the most entertaining I’ve seen all WC
SES

I think the two teams are determined to take it to the penalty shootouts.
Anton

If it goes to penalties, the Swiss keeper should know that Sheva always hits the ball either straight on or misses badly

For the last time, Sheva knows how to hit penatlies. Go ask Buffon.
aqvamre

i hope for penalty, i love this kind of lottery, to see how stars will not make the goal because of there nervs is always fun

ipenalty, penalty, pls no goal in the fourth half
ETucker

Bring on the lottery!

Who feels lucky?

Does anyone remember that epic England-Portugal enconter at Euro 04? I hope the quarterfinal matchup is just as good!
SES

The ESPN commentators are trying to make it more exciting than it actually is.. ha. ha.
Trapper

BORING.

How can a game that has gone into extra-time be so lacking in suspense?

Bring back Mexico.
Honeyman

Question.

You can bet over/under in soccer can’t you? If they go to penalties and, say Swiss score 3 and Ukraine 2, is that the final score or is it considered 1-nil?
pf

“…wow, what a game, one of the most entertaining I’ve seen all WC…”

It’s obvious you speak your mind based on your heart…

IMHO, it’s like 1990, all over again. Lots of defensive football without daring moves.
SES

I can’t wait for the Brazil-Ghana match. The Brazilians may be the favorite, but the Ghanians are going to pose a tough challenge. The Ghanians will miss Eissen (sp?) though and that could damage them offensively.
Roland

Nice recovery on defense. Hey, action!
Anton

Answer:

It’s considered 0-0 and 3-2 on penalties.
Honeyman

Thank you, Anton.

I’ll bet the bookies got their clocks cleaned for this one.
Andres

Damn, if they get to penalties I don’t know if I ought to switch to the ESPN2 stream on TVUPlayer. Unvision = better commentary but bad video…
ESPN = better video quality…muted commentary.
Anton

Everyone misses once in a while. But Sheva always shoots penalties for AC Milan. I don’t think he does it just because he has pretty eyes.
aqvamre

no penalty, dangerous gaming from the ukraine defence player, i saw today a penalty for much lesser than this
ETucker

Maybe I should ask Dudek.
SES

I think the clashes between players has been more interesting than the overall game play. Anyone up for penalties?
Andrew

“…wow, what a game, one of the most entertaining I’ve seen all WC…”

Obviously he didn’t see the Mexico v Argentina game
Singsing

The real penalty should be on the teams for making this so uninteresting. Poor socceroos.
Trapper

As somebody said during the NED-POR game yesterday:

If only both teams could lose.

This is rubbish.
Andres

Haha, interesting annotation, if Switzerland is eliminated in penalties they’ll be out without a single recorded against goal.
SES

My bet: Ukraine will win on penalties unless everyone is too exhausted to kick it into the goal.
AJ

They should have taken penalty kicks 120 minutes ago and spared us all the time.
Tom

The Swiss make for a pretty boring game…but their defense is very good. I like their grab a goal and turtle up plan. I just don’t like to watch it.
ETucker

Anton-

relax. Sheva is a world class player and penalties are a lottery. :)
Roland

I predict Zubunbuehler will save the Swiss. He’s been doing it all tournament.
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

SHOV-KOVS-KIY !!!
aqvamre

interresting games

germany – sweden, until 35min, after this it was only a strategic defence from germany with some goal chances

germany – poland, 95 min power play from germany to one goal

germany – coata rica, funny with 6 goals for a opening game

argentina – serbia, beautiful friendship game with 6 nice goals

argentina – “elfenbeinküste” , power with interresting defence
SES

This game doesn’t even deserve a penalty shootout as no team dominated the field and people missed good opportunities for goals.
aqvamre

go switzerland, go, and after this knock out italy
Andrew

Ukraine SHOULD win on penalties unless Shevchenko goes last, we all say the AC Milan v Liverpool Champions League game
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

all the best to our Ukraine, if we do not win, we had one hell of a performance, I have full faith in Shovkovskiy to turn on his magic
Jeff Mauldin

Here’s an idea I have for eliminating penalty kicks. What everyone wants to see is a legitimate goal scored in the flow of play. After the two overtime periods (or possibly after shorter overtime periods), we play an additional overtime, somewhat short (e.g. 5, 7, 10 minutes), but we physically widen the goal by some amount (e.g. 1 or 2 meters). If we have no score during the overtijme, we then widen the goal again.
It becomes progressively easier to score, but a goal during play will still be what decides the game. This has the additional advantage of favoring whichever team has been dominating play, since it makes it progressively harder to defend the goal.
Naturally, it would take a fairly complicated goal setup, but for professional matches, that shouldn’t be a big issue.
What does everyone think?
AJ

Easy Save agaunst Sheva
ETucker

Back in the day they used to just schedule re-matches.

I’m hesitant to alter the goal/field dimensions, but would no mind seeing how it worked in a few trial runs.
aqvamre

lol
Andrew

Why not just start eliminating players? 10 v 10, 9 v 9, until someone scores
aqvamre

oh my god, i love penalty shot outs,

two chances, you are the hero or the idiot
AJ

No one is going to score one!!!
http://www.propagandapress.org propaganda

wow..saved..swiss blocked too…wow..this is insane..these guys dont want to win or what?
Roland

Oh baby, these things are always nailbiters.
Rick

I’ve followed NY Time blog for the past week, then I found your’s. Your blog blows the Time away. You describe things better, more often, and in better “real time”.

I’ll be back.

:-#)>
sergio

my god streller’s kick was the worse thing i ever seen!
Mike

These guys can’t even score on PKs!
pwnawannab

cmon YKPAIHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trapper

By far the most boring game of the tournament.

I never thought I’d be tempted to switch off the TV during a penalty shoot-out.

First two penalty-takers have missed. What a surprise. These teams are useless.
Vico

Jeff,
Or how about this: the goal keepers are taken out for a 3rd overtime period to make the possibility of scoring much greater. What do you think? Same effect like widening the goal.
ETucker

What did I say about Sheva?

Hint: do not shoot penalties at the goalkeeper.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

This is the worst penalty shootout evah.
AJ

Swiss miss two in a row. Chokers
aqvamre

switzerland, nervs, oh my god, it will be dramtic
pf

Let’s just pray that the WC final won’t be “as exciting”…

(yawn… but the penalties are the most exciting part of this game despite the fact that the players seem to have problems scoring penalties too!)
SES

The Swiss have given up. The Swiss goalie is giving up goals so easily its laughable.
ETucker

the Swiss are ATROCIOUS.
sergio

yah ETucker..i thought of your comment!
AJ

Italy will wipe Ukraine.
aqvamre

the worm is in the switzer game, no goal during the hole game

ukraine is in the next round
http://www.propagandapress.org propaganda

that’s not the way you want to go out from the cup…that was a tough one for the swiss…see you in four yrs boys…all the best to ukraine
Roland

Shovkoskyi is the man of the hour. Congratulations Ukraine.

The Swiss are young. Who knows? They might be back for 2010.
aqvamre

ok, next round we have one great game, germany against argentina,

italy against ukraine, the winner of this game looses against the winner from the first game
shuai

unable to score a single goal…
You’ll get home before us!!
Jeff Mauldin

Taking the goalkeeper out for a third overtime is interesting too, but I think that makes the game completely different, while making the goal bigger keeps the game essentially the same while simply making it easier to score.
ETucker

Looks like the “defense first” approach of the Swiss cost them dearly.

Mayabe in 2010 they’ll try to score goals in regulation AND maybe they’ll learn how to stroke penalties.

Ukraine stroked some nice ones though: a chip, one that sent teh keeper the wrong way. Now if they would just not let Sheva take them…. :)
sergio

the swiss are the worst penalty kickers i’ve seen…

that was not a lottery! that was justice.

if you can’t take penalty kicks you don’t deserve to go anywhere
SES

Congrats to the Ukraine. They’ll need to be on the attack against Italy.
suba

(btw it’s 3-0, not 3-1)..really so boring a match hard to believe it’s an world cup. swiss should go back and learn to shoot penalties.
Trapper

After that display I have two words:

Forza Italia (and I’m an Aussie).
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

SIMPLY AMAZING !
aqvamre

that is football, 120 min 22 man run after one ball and than gives a beautiful and dramtic end
Sonny

This was the most boring game ever.. Ukraine didn’t deserve to win, but I’m glad they destroyed Swiss on PK’s because the Swiss were pissing me off with unimpressive plays. I excpected more of them, but they can’t even score ONE PK!!!
Andrew

“ok, next round we have one great game, germany against argentina,

italy against ukraine, the winner of this game looses against the winner from the first game”

What about Port v Eng (that will be a good one, even though the ref tried to make it an easier win for england by eliminating players from both NED and POR)

Germany v Argentina, going to be great, winner plays Italy which will be another great game
SES

Those penalty kicks were beyond bad. You would think that the Swiss would WANT to advance yet they gave up easy goals and shot directly at the GK.
Trapper

I’m happy for you Andriy, but as a neutral that was 120 minutes of my life I will never get back.

Pure Garbage.
Vico

Jeff,

Yeah, that’s true. Although taking the keeper out is easier tahn replacing the goals.
robin

the result is what they deseerved
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

what did I say, Im not sure if I wrote it, but I said it to all my firends, if we go into penalties, they cannot defeat Shovkovskiy, he’s been on fire and has not received his credit thus far, but now, its obvious, one of the best goaltenders of this tournament.
Andrew

I can stand in the middle of a goal and put my hands up too
aqvamre

“What about Port v Eng (that will be a good one, even though the ref tried to make it an easier win for england by eliminating players from both NED and POR)

Germany v Argentina, going to be great, winner plays Italy which will be another great game ”

england plays in this tournement only 1 to 5 min every game, in this time they get there goal, after this 5 min they were outpowered and there only luck was that the other team play’s wso weak, too. i belief against portugal we can see a game like argentina against serbia, but with not so much goals for portugal, because deco can not play^^
http://www.conquestgames.net/2006/06/26/slate-on-world-cup-game-theory/ The War Room » Blog Archive » Slate on World Cup Game Theory

[...] For those of you who saw that insane end to the Switzerland-Ukraine game, Slate has some insight: Ignacio Palacios-Huerta, an economist at Brown University, found that individual strikers and keepers were, in fact, master strategists. Out of 42 top players whom Palacios-Huerta studied, only three departed from game theory’s recommendations—in retrospect, they succeeded more often on one side than the other and would have been better altering the balance between their strategies. Professionals such as the French superstar Zinédine Zidane and Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon are apparently superb economists: Their strategies are absolutely unpredictable, and, as the theory demands, they are equally successful no matter what they do, indicating that they have found the perfect balance among the different options. These geniuses do not just think with their feet. [...]
http://ukraine.worldcupblog.org Andriy

“winner plays Italy which will be another great game”

correction: winner plays winnder of Ukraine vs Italy
kkkk

Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^Ukraine Win^^
Raybron

The great thing about this match is that these are both teams that would have finished behind ARG-HOL-IVC in that group. Blame it on the ref in the France-Korea game, blame it on Zidane, blame it on Korea for getting beat, but there always seems to be one or two matchups where there are two outright BAD teams going at it in the knockout round, and this was it.

What a gift of a first two rounds Italy got. Incredible. Now I really wish Australia would have gone through as it would have meant Aussies or Ukraine in the semis, and it’s not like we’d be missing much of Italy’s play to not be outweighed by the novelty factor of both teams.

Anyway, good luck to the Ukraine. Shevchenko always gives them a chance but it will take quite a miracle.
dietmar

Who wasn’t appreciating the ref’s better judgement?
rad|x

Trust me, if you are a Ukrainian, and you watched this game.. it feels awesome ;)

And the game was good. It was different from the rest, not alot of opportunities, but alot of action, and frankly both teams deserved to win.

Tonight it was Ukraine, first time in WC, first time in 1/4.
dietmar

think they were representin’ for their russian brothers?
freddyb

Never, Ever, say to a Ukrainian for thier Russian brothers, I dont know about todays Ukr. youth, but in my day and especially my fathers making a statement like that always let to a quick fight, don’t forget, Ukraine was repressed by Russia for many years and were bitter enemies. Anyway, go Ukraine, I just wish I could watch the games, I don’t, could not stand the crying and rolling around like thier in agony, what a bunch of wussies these players are today, when I played in the 50’s and 60’s if one of us pulled a stunt like that we would have gotten our ass kicked after the game, not only by the coache but by the payers as well.
Drax

Only 1 card handed out that match? Gosh!
hahahaha

I knew Ukrain will win and they did!!!!
hahahaha swiss losers!!!!
CTL

This is the first time in the major football tournament that I’ve seen a team miss ALL its penalties. Switzerland’s penalty taking is a joke!

The Ukraine goalkeeper hardly had to extend himself to save them. I do not see it as Shovkovskyi’s heroics but the sheer incompetence of Streller, Barnetta and Cabanas. And it speaks volumes that topscorer Frei shies away from taking penalties. He was replaced by Lustrinelli who never even got his chance!

A shame and a ruddy waste of time!
Carlos

Ukraine-Switzerland… Boring match. Sorry Ukraine, Ukraine will be eliminated next match. Neither Switzerland or Ukraine deserve to have a chance to move to the next round.