Posted on 06/14/2006 5:46:34 AM PDT by soccer_maniac
The first cycle of group play in the FIFA World Cup comes to a close on Wednesday with all four Group H teams in action, Spain taking on Ukraine at 8:55 a.m. ET (ESPN2) and Saudi Arabia facing Tunisia three hours later (also on ESPN2). Then Cup hosts Germany start the second series of matches in the groups when they face neighbors Poland in Dortmund.
Spain finally get a chance to get the ball rolling in Leipzig, facing a Ukraine team looking for a result in its first-ever World Cup match. But just because the Eastern Europeans are new on the world stage doesn't mean they don't have the talent to make an impact. In fact, they were the first team apart from the hosts to secure passage to the World Cup, topping a difficult Group 2 that also included Denmark, European champions Greece and a Turkey team that finished third in the World Cup four years ago.
Ukraine also boasts one of the most deadly strikers in the world in Andrei Shevchenko, a new arrival to London's Chelsea FC after a stunning career at AC Milan. However, "Sheva," as he is known, has been battling a knee injury and it remains to be seen if he will be in the starting 11.
Shevchenko isn't the only lethal striker that will be on the field; Spain has several of their own, as well, including Real Madrid legend Raul. Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes is also a danger and could start, especially since Spain coach Luis Aragones often lines his side up in a 4-3-3 formation. Spain is looking to break their World Cup curse in Germany, having never advanced to the final in the competition.
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Poland doesn't seem as genteel today. Wonder why?
Germany's work rate always amazes me; especially in the midfield. It's very hard to maintain possession against them because they are so good at instantly pressuring the ball with at least two players every time Poland gets a touch in the midfield.
Looks like Poland will continue to create half chances but I expect it'll end up 2-0 to Germany. Beckenbauer looks worried though...
Boruc is keeping Poland in it.
Near miss!
Sheesh. Podolski misses a sitter from point blank range. This could just be Poland's day after all. One can only hope....
The German run right before was great, unfortunately couldn't convert the goal
Phew! Poland makes it to halftime 0-0. Still hope. Afraid a tie still won't help unless CRC beats Ecuador tomorrow.
0-0 at the half.
Could turn out to be Poland's day with a late break before the half.
Poland now takes the lead in the hooligan department.
Firmly in the lead with 40 hooligans arrested.
Zero goals does not lethal make.
Losers or chokers would be appropriate.
One more scoreless half from Germany, they join France as toothless.
If the Poles can weather the storm at the beginning of the half, they'll have a chance.
This guy Jelen looks dangerous and he just drew a yellow from Ballack.
Poland may have weathered the worst it appears.
The Polish keeper is clearly wasting time. Somebody needs to tell him a draw is NOT what they need.
Poland keeps driving it around Germany's box.
If only we saw this effort against Ecuador.
Germany unlucky again as nobody was there to pounce on that juicy rebound....
Poles are lucky Sobolewski didn't get sent off.
Agreed, that thing ticks me off. They also occasionally run promotional graphics that block another third of screen.
Wish I had the UK feed for the games.
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