LiveBlog: Italy vs Ukraine

Italy finished with an impressive win against Ukraine in their quarterfinal match. An early goal set the tone for Italy and helped to secure a spot for them in the World Cup’s final four. You can read the play-by-play below and leave your thoughts and comments about the game and the two teams.

Final: Italy 3-0 Ukraine

Full time It is all over in Hamburg. Italy comes out on top and punches their ticket to the semifinals where they will take on Germany. It was a commanding performance from the Azzurri against a Ukraine team that might have overachieved to make it to the final 8. Italy’s defense continues to put the lock on its opponents, yielding just one goal in five games.

89:23 Sheva goes diving in the box, but he should just worry about packing the bags and going home to his lovely wife. No call from the ref.

88:04 The referee did a nice job tonight. There. I said it.

87:35 The beer is out. Time to turn out the lights on this game. Maybe the Belgian ref will implement a reverse injury time to spare us all the next three minutes.

86:16 Italy hasn’t missed Nesta or De Rossi a bit in this game. Belik gets a head on one but Buffon isn’t going to let a shot like that beat him tonight.

84:04 Credit to Ukraine for making the quarterfinals, but really, did you think they were one of the top 8 teams in this competition? I didn’t.

82:49 Totti in the box but he is unable to put in a fourth goal. Maybe he was just being nice and saving Ukraine further pain.

81:12 All in all, this hasn’t been a bad day of World Cup football. We saw a penalty shootout after an entertaining first game and now we are seeing Italy showing its class. Tomorrow promises to be a good one too. I think I will keep watching this World Cup thing. At least for another week or so.

79:39 Free kick from Sheva from long range and Buffon is more than up to the task. Buffon has had a good second half after seeing no action in the first 45.

78:45 Blokhin shown looking at his watch. It looks like he wants this one to end so he can go party in Berlin. Oh wait, that is me. Carry on….

77:34 Public service announcement: We have liveblogged every game thus far so we aren’t going to stop now. Join us again tomorrow for a pair of interesting and exciting games. Same bat time, same bat channel. Thank you.

76:23 I think if you told Ukraine they would make the final 8 before the tournament started they would have been happy with that. Gattuso off for Italy and Zaccardo on. Lippi has used his three subs.

75:12 Italy now with nine goals in the tournament. They have only yielded one, an own goal against the United States in the opening round.

73:34 Hasn’t taken long for the chant of “Italy, you’re next” to start on the streets of Berlin. The way the Azzurri have played tonight I think the Germans might be in for a dogfight in Dortmund.

71:23 Ukraine’s World Cup debut likely to have but 20 minutes left. The second Italy goal really killed their chances to get back in the game. Olekcil Byelik coming in for Artem Milevskyy as Ukraine is looking for someone to provide a late game offensive spark. Ukraine has used all three subs.

70:02 Zambrotta made an excellent move to leave his defender behind and his touch pass to Toni made it easy for the striker to get his second of the match.

68:34 GOALLLL!!! Zambrotta sets up Luca Toni who simply has to direct the ball into an open Ukraine net. Italy headed to the final four.

67:12 Italy set to bring in two players off the bench. Yellow card shown to Milevskyy. Pirlo and Camoranesi off and Barone and Oddo on.

65:23 For the first 10 minutes of the second half it looked like Ukraine would have a chance but Buffon came up big and as has been the case this tournament the Azzurri took advantage of their chance. Camoranesi down on the pitch after running into the knee of a defender while trying to get a call in the box.

63:12 The Italy team we have seen tonight has played enjoyable football and would give Germany a run for their money in the semifinals. Ukraine still has time but not many people are rushing out to bet their pensions on a comeback.

61:45 Gusin with a header that goes off the crossbar. What a turn of events. Ukraine was this close to getting the equalizer and then Italy puts in a second goal.

61:02 Toni has been all around the goal this tournament and he finally gets his name in the books for scoring a World Cup goal. This one might be all but over with 30 minutes still left.

58:33 GOALLLLL!!! Luca Toni heads in a cross from Totti. Good finish.

58:12 Ukraine with a pair of great chances. Gusiev with a blast in the box that Buffon saves and the rebound is saved by the Italy defense on the line. This one isn’t over yet, folks.

55:34 Totti taken down outside the box and Italy with a good opportunity on a free kick. Perrota chips it in to Toni who is unable to get it on goal. Nice set play from the Azzurri.

54:45 Italy has weathered an initial attack by Ukraine and is back to muddling up things in the midfield. Totti gets off a shot and it is easily saved.

52:23 When Zambrotta is allowed to make runs forward for Italy it makes things that much more interesting. Italy with a pair of back heel passes at midfield and for a second there I thought I was watching the 1970 Brazil team. Back to reality, Ukraine trying to scratch back into the game.

51:23 Ukraine clearly got the memo at halftime that they need to play in their offensive end to score and that a goal is somewhat important to them this game. Buffon showed his class on the save from an solid header.

49:38 Buffon holding his head after he makes an excellent save against the post from a header shot from Gusin. Ukraine’s best chance yet.

48:40 Kalinichenko with a nice cross for Ukraine and the Italian defender almost sends it on goal. Ukraine showing signs of life to start the half.

48:12 Barzagli is down now for Italy but his reproductive abilities are not in jeopardy. He limps it off. Rough start for the players. Stay safe, kids.

46:23 Cannavaro takes a shot from the ball in, well, his reproductive area. There is no amount of magic spray that will make him sing anything other than soprano.

45:24 No changes from either side at the half. Ukraine has used two of their three subs and Italy has not used any. Same liveblogger here but we have a couple more standing by if I break a finger or something.

45:01 We are back underway in Hamburg with Italy leading Ukraine by a goal. The Azzurri are 45 minutes away from a semifinal showdown with Germany, but Ukraine still has something to say about things. Thanks again for joining me. Your comments are appreciated and your readership will earn you all medals of honor.

Halftime stats Ukraine leads possession 58-42%, both teams with three shots, neither team has a corner kick and Ukraine has picked up the game’s only two cautions. One beer down, another one in reserve and waiting to be enjoyed while I watch Lehmann’s penalty kick save for the 1,600,089th time on German television.

Halftime An early goal by Zambrotta has put Italy up at halftime. The Azzurri have been in control for most of the game and Ukraine will have their work cut out for them to get an equalizer. I’m going to go join the riot in Berlin. I’ll probably be back for the second half. Go ahead and leave your thoughts about the first half.

45 Vladislav Vashchuk on for Rusol as Blokhin is forced to make his second substitution of the match. All that magic spray and it still didn’t heal Rusol.

44:45 Rusol on the ground with his right boot off and he is getting a healthy dose of the magic spray. Wow, they are using a whole can. The ozone layer above Hamburg is not so happy right now. His foot is in tough shape but he is able to walk off under his own power.

44:02 Oleg Shelayev with a shot for Ukraine but it had no shot on going in. Lippi looking like he needs a halftime nap.

43:37 Anyone know the font Italy uses on their kits? I find it next to impossible to read, but I am dim witted that way. Italy with 2 shots on goal, Ukraine with 1.

41:32 Sheva with a shot that deflects off of Canavaro but Buffon is able to track it down. Sheva comes up limping a bit but appears to be fine, well as fine as someone who essentially has the weight of the world on his legs right now.

39:54 Italy attack looking beautiful in the midfield but breaking down in the final third. This is a much different Italy team tonight and one worth watching. Ukraine struggling to keep up.

37:56 Maybe they will call this one at halftime so I can go outside and burn cars and stuff as Berlin continues to celebrate Germany’s victory. Italy on the attack and Gattuso is stood up by the Ukraine defense, which is not having a bad game.

36:34 Italy with the 56-44% possession edge and more importantly the edge on the scoreboard. Free kick for Ukraine from wide of the box. It goes in and is booted away by about 27 Italy players.

35:02 Italy spending a lot of time on the ground but it is mostly earned. Not a lot of diving in this one to this point. In swinger on the free kick is cleared away by the Ukraine defense.

32:45 Anatoliy Tymoshyuk shows Ukraine is alive with a shot that goes wide of the goal. You have to shoot to score. At least that is what my coach told me when I was 6.

32:33 Perrotta down after banging knees with the Ukraine defense. That one hurts for about 25 seconds and then it isn’t too bad. Even though we are only one goal difference here this one has the feeling that it is over. Ukraine has plenty of time to prove us wrong.

30:46 You and I both have had as much work this game as Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon. He gets a front row seat to a World Cup quarterfinal. Lucky guy.

29:54 Luca Toni with his best Ronaldinho impression flicks on the ball but Totti is not able to get there in time. Blokhin looking nonplussed on the Ukraine bench. Maybe he will insert himself into the game in the next half. He might be the only one to crack Italy’s defense.

27:37 Ukraine finally gets it to their offensive box but they are met by a wall of blue shirts. Italy has only given up one goal in four games and there is a reason why. They are pretty nifty back there.

26:03 Barzagli and Sheva battle for the ball and it is the Azzurri player who comes out on top. Gattuso down after etting stepped on. His arm is looking a bit tender. He walks off without the aid of a stretcher, cruches or a wheelchair.

24:45 Ukraine having little success with the ball. Somewhere Switzerland is at home saying that they could play this poorly against Italy too.

22:54 Zambrotta has made a case for being on the all-tournament team with his play the last few games. There is a scrum in the box in front of the Ukraine goal but Perrota’s little fall to the ground is met with scorn by the ref.

21:12 An early goal from Zambrotta has put Italy in the lead and in control of the early run of play. Maksim Kalinichenko shown a yellow for a silly foul and Nedved-like hair.

19:23 Blokhin sporting his trademark track suit. He is going for an early sub putting in forward Andriy Vorobey for defender Vyacheslav Sviderskyy. He realizes he needs to beef up his attack.

17:34 A much different Italy team than the one that played in a defensive bunker against Australia. They are still organized in the back but are more willing to pressure the ball and go for the attack. Maybe Lippi read your comments after that game.

15:59 Totti with a long range free kick that is collected easily by the Ukraine keeper.

15:56 Ukraine without a shot on goal this game. Italy has jumped on things early and is playing like the more confident team. Yellow card shown to Vyacheslav Sviderskyy. Try saying that name three times.

14:12 Crowd with a nice round of Deutchland, Deutchland. Gatusso is down on the pitch and looking unhappy about the state of his health. A bit of magic rub has him up and walking again.

13:21 The referee tonight is from Belgium. He has not shown a card but now that the crowd is doing the wave he might give a caution to the 50,000 spectators. Lots of long balls and that is about it.

11:51 The president of Ukraine sitting in the stands looking like he would after a 20-hour session of parliment. Italy is much more fun to watch when Totti and Toni are paired together up front.

10:34 Ukraine fans trying to rally their lads. What a tough way to start a big game playing against a team that has a reputation for being a killer when it leads. Still a long way to go and this will force Ukraine to push forward. Some fans insist in chanting Lukas Podolski. He doesn’t appear to be on either team’s roster.

8:32 That goal even got Lippi jumping in the air. Didn’t think that was physically possible. We’ll see how content Italy will be sitting on the lead or whether they want to get another one. So far they seem buyoed by the goal and remain on the attack.

7:12 Zambrotta sending all of Italy into a fit of joy with an early goal. The task is going to be tough now for a Ukraine team that has been lacking in the attack much of the World Cup. Italy is always tough playing ahead.

5:12 GOALLLLLL! Gianluca Zambrotta makes a nice run from the back and blasts in a goal with his left foot just outside the box. Great strike.

4:45 Ukraine able to move it forward but the Italy defense is lined up like the Berlin Wall in the back. Ukraine showing no signs of nerves playing in their biggest game ever.

3:42 Italy already pressuring the ball more than they did last game against Austalia in the midfield. Both teams playing fast and with the play in the middle. Mauro Camoranesi with a shot wide for Italy.

1:35 Ukraine starts on the attack but it peters out. Ukraine missing Voronin up top putting even more pressure on Sheva to do the scoring. Grosso down early but he gets up.

0:23 Beckenbauer makes it to the stadium in time for kickoff. He is sitting next to the president of Ukraine and his new bride. The dude know how to live.

Kickoff: We’re underway in Hamburg. The winner goes on to face Germany in Dortmund. The loser heads for home. Thanks for joining me for the game. Your comments are appreciated. Keep the clean, have fun and try your best to love one another. Here’s a toast to an entertaining World Cup match.

4 minute countdown: Ukraine’s turn to stand and sing. The first stanza is: “Ukraine has not perished, neither her glory, nor freedom, Upon us, fellow–Ukrainians, fate shall smile once more. Our enemies will vanish, like dew in the morning sun, And we too shall dwell, brothers, in a free land of our own.”

There you have it. Death and vanishing of enemies. Both teams are properly fired up and so am I.

6 minute countdown: Italy national anthem is played. Players sing with pride. Did you know the final line is something like: Ready to die! Italy has called!? Let’s hope no one dies tonight.

8 minute countdown: The teams are lined up in the tunnel and they are led out onto the pitch. Ukraine wearing their yellow kits. Italy with whites shorts and a blue tops. A pleasant color combination for the eyes. Fabio Cannavaro reading something in Italian, presumably about fair play, racism, etc. Sheva doing the same in Ukrainian.

10 minute countdown: It is a cool night in Hamburg, a near perfect evening for football. There appears to be a large contingent of Italian fans in the stadium with a decent representation from Ukraine. They just showed Italy coach Marcello Lippi watching the penalty shootout from the last game. He was stoic throughout. Perhaps the only person watching who didn’t show much emotion. We’ll see how he holds up on the sideline with the equally steel glazed Oleg Blokhin on the Ukraine bench.

15 minute countdown: German television is continuing to replay the Lehmann save. You wouldn’t even know that there is another game coming up in less than a quarter of an hour. Sure this game wasn’t billed as the marquee match of the day, but it could turn out to be a dramatic, interesting contest. Ukraine is playing without the weight of the world on its shoulders. Italy always has pressure. I am usually wrong about these type of things, but I think this is going to good quarterfinal match. Either way, I’m enjoying a cold one and some good chatter with all of you.

20 minute countdown: The winner of this game knows its mission. It will have to play in Dortmund against a German team that has an entire nation behind it. We’ve already seen one game today decided by penalty kicks. Will this one follow suit? Ukraine has already won one game in this competition in a penalty shootout. Italy has taken part in more World Cup penalty shootouts than any other country. Would make for some good drama, although I’m not too sure how my heart and fingers would respond if we have back-to-back games decided by penalty kicks.

25 minute countdown: Italy and Ukraine have met on three previous occasions. The Azzurri won twice in Euro 1996 qualifying. The two teams drew 0-0 in a friendly before the start of the World Cup this year. None of that really matters today. Italy expected to make it this far. Ukraine is playing with house money. There will be no sleep in Berlin tonight as people are demonstrating just how loud car horns can be when a million are blown at the same time.

30 minute countdown: Italy will be without two players serving suspensions for cards, Daniele De Rossi who is out until the final and Marco Materazzi who must sit out this game. The Azzurri is also Alessandro Nesta who is injured. Ukraine will be without the injured Andriy Voronin and Dmytro Chygrynskyy. Here are the 22 men who will make you smile or cry at the start of the game.

Italy
1. Gianluigi Buffon, 3. Fabio Grosso, 5. Fabio Cannavaro, 6. Andrea Barzagli, 8. Ivan Gennaro Gattuso, 9. Luca Toni, 10. Francesco Totti, 16. Mauro Camoranesi, 19. Gianluca Zambrotta, 20. Simone Perrotta, 21. Andrea Pirlo

Ukraine
1. Oleksandr Shovkovski, 2. Andriy Nesmachnyi, 4. Anatoliy Tymoshyuk, 6. Andriy Rusol, 7. Andriy Shevchenko, 8. Oleg Shelayev, 9. Oleg Gusiev, 14. Andriy Gusin, 15. Artem Milevskyy, 19. Maksim Kalinichenko, 22. Vyacheslav Sviderskyy

40 minute countdown: While today’s teams have not impressed offensively, they have been quite stingy on defense. Italy has yielded just one goal in four matches, an own goal against the United States. After letting in four goals in their opening match loss against Spain, Ukraine has gone three straight games without giving up a goal. Will we see a defensive battle today? My money says yes, but after a month in Berlin I am too broke to put my money where my mouth is. Starting lineups coming your way next.

50 minute countdown: The second quarter-final of the day has not received as much hype as the first, but hopefully it will have at least some of the drama. Italy is no stranger to playing in the final 8, while Ukraine makes its debut appearance today. Neither team has exactly lit it up on attack with Italy punching in six goals and Ukraine 5. It has been a few days since I have liveblogged but I am hoping it is like riding a bicycle and I will remember how. More tidbits and starting lineups coming up in a bit. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the sounds of Berlin going ballistic with joy.

Pregame: It will be tough to top that Germany-Argentina match. Who do you think will win this one?

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