Spanish step up a gear
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Article summary
Ukraine 0-3 Spain
Spain join Ukraine in the last four with a dynamic display.
Article body
Double for Kike
Kike scored two for the Spanish but the victory that set up a showdown with Italy was due to a collective effort from every player in a squad missing the suspended Oscar Redondo, the point-saving hero in the last match against Belgium. Spain's fire was demonstrated straight from the Ukrainian kick-off as Daniel closed down his opponents and forced Olexandr Kosenko into giving the ball away within seconds.
Koridze booked
Admittedly, Ukraine had already qualified for the semi-finals as winners of Group B by virtue of victory in their first two group games but they were certainly not taking it easy. They had the chance to eliminate a team that could still come back to haunt them in Monday's final and an early yellow card shown to tournament top scorer Serhiy Koridze for an exuberant challenge on Daniel emphasised their will to win.
Few chances
Before the game, Spain coach Javier Lozano had pledged his side would still retain the trophy they won two years ago in Russia despite two successive draws, and his confidence was to prove justified as his men turned in a scintillating display of defensive guile and forward flair. Ukraine were limited to few chances while Daniel, Javi Sánchez and Cobeta all went close for Spain.
Experience pays
Ukraine were changing their players regularly but it was telling that Spain tended to limit their rotation. Javi Sánchez, the most experienced player in the team, played the first ten minutes without a break. He only went off when 24-year-old Kike broke the deadlock. The No8 scored after slipping in behind Serhiy Sytyin and rolled the ball into the goal.
On top
It was end-to-end stuff but Spain were still on top. The second goal had to come and it duly did with four minutes and four seconds left on the first-half clock. Julio fired in from seven metres to the left of the goal and, despite goalkeeper Olexiy Popov's best efforts, the ball ended up in the net. Spain were in cruise control and in the 19th minute the match was won, Kike winning a free-kick in a central position and then blasting in the set-piece after Javier Orol touched the ball into his path.
Sensible move
The second half was a more subdued and certainly less physical affair with both sides perhaps conserving energy for their respective semi-finals to come in Caserta on Saturday. Ukraine coach Gennady Lysenchuk, who had been without the suspended Oleg Shaytanov, opted to keep Koridze on the bench, a sensible move given his earlier caution.
Full voice
Spain still threatened, though, with Julio looking particularly bright in offensive positions while Javier Orol produced a fizzing shot and a timely block within seconds of each other in the 31th minute. It was indicative of the Spanish approach throughout the game. Ukraine will be a different proposition when they face the Czech Republic while the enthusiastic Spanish support had no hesitation in reminding all present that they were the reigning champions.
Potential realised
"Today we saw the real Spain," said Lozano. "We played to our full potential. We considered this the first final and we will treat every game in this way from now."