Yakovenko's Ukraine ready for Spanish challenge

While he plots a way out of his side's "must-win situation" against Spain, coach Pavlo Yakovenko is hopeful the home atmosphere in Herning will help his "battle ready" Ukraine outfit progress to the semi-finals.

Yakovenko is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task that lies ahead on Sunday. With just a point from their first two fixtures, only victory over Spain in their final Group B match will ensure his team avoid elimination from the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. However, after a hard-fought goalless draw with England on Wednesday, the coach insists his charges are looking forward to the challenge.

"We have a must-win situation," said Yakovenko. "We're busy with our usual preparations and have been studying our opponents. Three days is plenty of time for the players to recuperate, get fresh and battle ready. They feel fine, they are in good condition and there's no nervousness. No one is afraid of our opponents. We're analysing their strengths and weaknesses. They play typical Spanish football, they don't change their style and we're working on how to counter it."

If Ukraine's record against Spain at this level provides some comfort (W1, D1, L1), their disappointing results so far suggest room for improvement. Before the stalemate with England, Yakovenko's side suffered a 2-1 reverse against the Czech Republic, but the former FC Metalist Kharkiv and FC Dynamo Kyiv midfielder reckons his charges are not far off the pace.

"I wouldn't say we're ineffective in attack," he said. "The only thing we have lacked is a clinical touch to finish off our team play. We intend to show our full potential and win the points from the off, because we know every game can be decisive."

Yakovenko hopes the Ukrainians' tremendous support in Denmark will be repeated in Herning. "The atmosphere in the ground has been like playing at home and that's great. Although I am not out there on the pitch myself I can feel how it gives us confidence. That was the case in the last match and we hope it'll be the same against Spain."

As far as Spain coach Luis Milla is concerned, continuity is the key. The 2-0 success over the Czechs that followed their 1-1 draw with England has left his squad in pole position in Group B, yet while a point will suffice for Spain to make the last four, Milla is loath to ring the changes. "From day one we have kept the same player base. Against the Czech Republic we introduced Iker Muniain because we understood we lacked a little depth. We attach great importance to what we do without the ball, but what works should not be touched.

"There is no problem in using only 14 or 15 players. We all know the line we have to follow and we are getting results. The whole group has to be focused and walk the same path together. Right now I don't want to change the team. It's more likely I may make some changes in the semi-finals."

Milla's morale is buoyed by the fact Spain could even afford to lose by three goals or less if the other group game ends in a draw. However, he is nonetheless guarding against complacency. "Ukraine know us and we know them. They pass the ball really well and will try to make us suffer. In Yaroslav Rakitskiy, they have someone who can bring the ball up from the back well and they have quality up front. We respect them very much."