Tie Leaves Ukraine In the Running

Tying the game with Russia's national Saturday, the Ukrainian lads carried out their “minimum program,” placing second in the group, with only the French taking the lead. Jozsef Szabo's team now has to vie in two link-up matches this November. Their results will make it clear whether our boys make it to the Euro 2000 finals.

Actually, the Ukrainian national squad's performance in Moscow was not impressive. The Russians played better and there is no denying the fact, and the draw could be described as a godsend. The point is not the Russian goalie Aleksandr Filimonov's blunder. It was just that Ukrainian boys did not deserve it. The host's victory would be more logical. Well, nobody ever blames success. For Ukraine the tie felt like a win, even if was not quite deserved. What made the match memorable was the tremendous nervous strain. It was felt in every fan on both sides of the barricade and it lasted until the game ended. People saying that sports and politics are indivisible are right, of course. Both sides wanted to show they were the best, and the teams played as they did. The Russians showed an indisputable home turf advantage. The Ukrainians chose a defensive tactic and mostly acted in the counteroffensive. The Russian newspaper

Sport-Express notes that it was the Russians' best performance of the past eight years. A couple of words could be added to this. Russian chief coach Oleg Romantsev said, “I am proud of my team. We deserved to win. At the same time, it is the worst defeat of my life.”

For the second time in its history, Szabo's team got the chance to make it to the world and European championships. Two years ago, in the link-up 1998 World Cup qualifiers, the Ukrainians lost to the Croats. Will they have more luck this time? Their rival will be determined Wednesday and the big question will be answered toward the end of November. Anyway, the Moscow meet leaves little room for optimism.