Ukraine to take Turkish test

Ukraine have ageed to take on Turkey in a friendly game on 12 February.

Sparring partners
The two sides will face each other in Izmir, while their under-21 teams will play a day earlier in Manis. Ukraine have finally found a decent sparring partner as they prepare for an important UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying game against Spain on 29 March.

Respectable start
Ukraine currently lie in second place in Group 6 with five points from three games, a point behind Spain, who have played only two games. Turkey, meanwhile, are comfortably leading Group 7 with nine points from three games and are five points ahead of England.

Strongest team
Ukraine head coach Leonid Buryak said he is looking to field his strongest side in Izmir. "We are hoping to see everyone we will count on in February," he said. "I am also hopeful that Andriy Shevchenko, who missed the autumn games through injury, will be able to join us. Thankfully, all of our defenders are finally healthy now, so the rehearsal before the Spain game is possible now."

Friendly fixtures
Aside from the match against Turkey, Ukraine will play Latvia on 2 April and Denmark on 30 April in their other friendlies. The agreement has been reached to play a return friendly between Ukraine and Turkey on 26 or 27 April 2005.