Ukraine gamble on strike pair

Strikers Andriy Shevchenko and Serhiy Rebrov are among nine foreign-based players in the Ukraine squad for the 29 March UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Spain in Kiev.

Recent absences
Shevchenko of AC Milan and Rebrov, currently on loan at Fenerbahçe SK, join fellow forward Andriy Voronin from 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the party despite recent absences. Rebrov spent most of the season on the Tottenham Hotspur FC bench before his move to Turkey, and Shevchenko has been injured.

'A key player'
Their inclusion, though, was never in doubt. "I was in Turkey recently," coach Leonid Buryak said. "I can say that Rebrov's level of play is adequate. Shevchenko has recently had a surgery, but he is recovering and this is very important for us. It is very clear to everyone that Andriy is a key player for the Ukraine."

Luzny doubt
Arsenal FC defender and Ukraine captain Oleh Luzhny is included, but is questionable for the game as he is recovering from a calf injury, while the coach decided not to gamble on defenders Vladislav Vaschuk and Dmitri Parfionov of FC Spartak Moskva as neither is totally fit.

Uncapped pair
Uncapped FC Zenit St. Peterburg pair Olexandr Horshkov and Olexandr Spivak are among the nine players. The duo played for Buryak when he was coaching FC Chornomorets Odesa in the mid-1990s. The rest of the squad will be named a few days before the game. Ukraine, who are a point behind Group 6 leaders Spain having played a game more, will also take on Latvia in Kiev in a friendly on 2 April.

Ukraine squad
Luzhny, Kalinichenko, Kormiltsev, Serebrennikov, Horshkov, Spivak, Rebrov, Shevchenko, Voronin.