Russia look for improvement

Russia coach Dick Advocaat insists his side have plenty of work to do despite thrashing Italy 3-0 last week.

The Russians sounded out a warning to maiden opponents Czech Republic with a comprehensive defeat of Italy in Zurich, with Aleksandr Kerzhakov opening the scoring on the hour-mark before Roman Shirokov netted a late double.

The manner of the victory has led many pundits to install as Advocaat’s team as dark horses for Euro 2012, but the Dutchman is ignoring the pre-tournament hype surrounding his team ahead of their Group A opener.

“The result against the Italians gives us great confidence,” the former Netherlands coach told Sky Sports.

“These friendlies are very important.

“That game (against Italy) showed that we are on the right track. But I also think we have to be a lot better defensively.”

Advocaat said he knew what his starting line-up would be for Friday’s meeting with the Czechs in Wroclaw.

“We still have a few days to go and anything can still happen,” he said.

“Of course, I have prepared the side in my head for the most part, but I will not be saying anything about it.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/russia-look-for-improvement/95881/

Rosicky fit for Euro 2012

Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek has revealed Tomas Rosicky will start the team’s opening match of Euro 2012 against Russia on Friday.

The creative midfielder had missed both of his side’s warm-up games against Israel and Hungary after sustaining a calf injury in Arsenal’s last English Premier League match of the season against West Brom.

Despite a replacement being called up as a precaution, he has now been declared fit for Euro 2012.

“Rosicky will play in the opening match,” Bilek told reporters. “He showed his qualities even during training.

“When he gets the ball, he is able to find space for a clever pass. He is decisive with the ball.

“Today showed how much he is looking forward to playing. I believe that he will boost the quality of our line-up.”

Czech Republic will also face Greece and co-hosts Poland in Group A.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/rosicky-fit-for-euro-2012/95879/

Blanc unsure over M´Vila fitness

France coach Laurent Blanc has cast further doubt over Yann M’Vila’s participation in France’s opening Euro 2012 clash with England.

M’Vila suffered an ankle sprain in last week’s friendly international with Serbia.

The 21-year-old, believed to be a transfer target for Arsenal, sustained the injury when tackled by Dusan Tadic early in the 2-0 win, and although he attempted to shake off the knock, he was unable to continue.

The Rennes man was an expected starter in Les Bleus’ midfield for the match with England, but Blanc is cautious about a premature return.

“I don’t know if he will play versus England,” Blanc said to reporters.

“He has a substantial injury, but we should be careful. The injury can move in the right direction in a few days.”

Speaking ahead of his team’s friendly against Estonia on Tuesday, Blanc said he wanted a good performance from his side.

“It is very difficult for me to confirm whether the team that starts tomorrow against Estonia will be the same one that will start against England on June 11,” Blanc said.

“We still have the same goal and objective – to progress past the first round, to reach the quarter-finals and then see where we go from there.

“For us, we want to play well during the friendlies and to have that confidence and conviction in order to achieve our objectives.”

France attacker Florent Malouda said it was important for his side to take the clash against Estonia seriously.

“The most important thing is to keep doing what we are doing, but we still have to increase our level and build up our confidence ahead of the tournament,” Malouda said.

“Of course, the competition itself is always different compared to the friendly games.

“It is essential to enforce good practice, whatever the opposition or match.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/blanc-unsure-over-m%c2%b4vila-fitness/95877/

Catania confirm Montella departure

Catania have parted company with coach Vincenzo Montella, paving the way for the former Italy international to take charge of Fiorentina.

The head coach took over at Catania in June last year, replacing Diego Simeone, but impressed greatly in his one and only season in charge, leading the Sicilians to a comfortable 11th in Serie A.

Montella had a year left on his contract with Catania, but the club confirmed on Monday they had granted the 37-year-old an early release from his role.

“Catania announce that it has agreed in principle to the termination of its relationship with coach Vincenzo Montella,” a statement from the club read.

“The coming days will be used to evaluate the agreements and understandings that have been reached.”

The former striker had been heavily linked with a return to Roma, following Luis Enrique’s decision to step down.

But Catania president Antonio Pulvirenti stood in his way and Roma appointed Zdenek Zeman.

However, Montella looks poised to take up the role at Stadio Artemio Franchi, with Fiorentina looking for a new boss having fired Delio Rossi following his bust-up with Adem Ljajic towards the end of last season.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/catania-confirm-montella-departure/95875/

Zeman appointed Roma coach

Serie A club Roma have announced that Zdenek Zeman has been installed as the club’s new coach.

The 65-year-old, who has signed a contract with the club until 2014, will return to the Italian capital after previously coaching Roma between 1997 and 1999.

Zeman will take over from Luis Enrique, who left the Stadio Olimpico just one year into his contract following Roma’s disappointing season.

The Czech coach leaves Pescara after guiding the club to Serie A promotion in his first season at the Stadio Adriatico.

Roma finished seventh in Serie A last term and will not compete in Europe in the 2012/13 campaign.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/zeman-appointed-roma-coach/95857/

Olic ruled out of Euro 2012

Croatia striker Ivica Olic has been ruled out of Euro 2012 with a thigh injury, the country’s football federation has announced.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic had been sweating over the fitness of the Bayern Munich striker since he sustained a thigh injury in the 1-1 friendly draw against Norway at the weekend.

A scan has revealed a partial rupture of the biceps muscle of the 32-year-old’s right thigh, with an estimated recovery of four to six weeks.

Bilic has acted quickly to replace Olic, calling Dnipro’s 24-year-old striker Nikola Kalinic, who has 13 caps to his name, into the squad.

Croatia will kick off their Euro campaign against Republic of Ireland before taking on Italy and Spain.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/olic-ruled-out-of-euro-2012/95843/

Blanc hopeful on M´Vila fitness

France coach Laurent Blanc is hopeful that Yann M’Vila will recover from his ankle problem in time for Euro 2012.

Les Bleus’ 2-0 friendly victory against Serbia on Thursday was disrupted by M’Vila’s injury in the opening minutes of the game, which looked serious after the Rennes midfielder limped out in distress.

France national team doctor Fabrice Bryand said after the match that he will need 48 hours to reassess the injury before determining M’Vila’s recovery time.

Blanc is upbeat about the player’s chances of featuring in the country’s opening game at Euro 2012 against England.

“We think that he will be available for the first match of the Euros,” he told reporters.

Turning his attention to the win over Serbia, Blanc was satisfied with his men’s display, but noted there are many things that the team must improve on before the start of the tournament.

“We strive for perfection, but there is no such thing,” he said. “We showed a better physical freshness than we did against Iceland, but we are not yet ready.

“We were a bit disappointing in the last 15 minutes, but overall I am pretty happy with our display.”

France kick off their Euro campaign against England on June 11 before taking on Ukraine and Sweden.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/blanc-hopeful-on-m%c2%b4vila-fitness/95624/

No WAGs allowed, warns Neville World Soccer Shop

England coach Gary Neville has vowed that there will never be any repeat of the WAGs debacle at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Cheryl Cole: Proved an off-field distraction in 2006

As with this summer, six years ago, England opted to base themselves in an accessible location for a major tournament, the rather genteel spa resort of Baden Baden, close to the Black Forest.

However, England's presence was completely overshadowed by that of their glamorous wives and girlfriends, who became a magnet for photographers and a massive distraction.

Poland's second city Krakow may not hold the same appeal and, a combination of the logistical difficulties of getting to matches taking place in Ukraine - a two-hour flight away - and the potential for racism has led some families to make a decision to stay away altogether.

Whether the lure of Brazil in 2014 raises the WAGs issue once more is open to debate.

Neville, part of that England squad in Germany which bowed out to Portugal in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out, is confident those chaotic scenes are a thing of the past.

"That won't happen again," he said. "The FA learned from the experience in 2006. The England team did. The England players did.

"That wasn't ideal for anybody.

"It was symptomatic of the times. Between 2002 and 2007 everyone got carried away with everything in life.

"It is a different world now and those mistakes won't happen again under any manager or any regime. The platform won't be given.

"We are managing it this time in a completely different way. We are here to play football. We are here to work."

England's response to Baden Baden was to shut their players away in the relative isolation of Rustenburg in South Africa.

That did not work either, with many players complaining of boredom.

So, when they leave England on June 6, they will do so for the centre of a city with approximately 750,000 inhabitants.

Yet, according to Neville, this is the only way to replicate the normal day-to-day experiences of the England squad, and get the best out of them.

"Players would not pen themselves into a countryside location between a Saturday and Tuesday game for their clubs," he said.

"That is the big message, to have players doing what they would normally do.

"You can never replicate the home environment but in terms of being free to go for a coffee or to the shops - we should embrace it, even though it has never been done before."

Though he went to five major tournaments as a player during an 85-cap England career he regards as "a waste of time" in the sense of never winning anything, this will be Neville's first as a coach.

It represents a giant leap of faith from manager Roy Hodgson, who knows the 37-year-old has no relevant coaching experience.

Hodgson was attracted to Neville, though, because of his astute observations in his role as a TV pundit on Sky.

Yet, during that time, the former Manchester United full-back has made many forceful comments about most of the 23-man squad he is now trying to get the most from.

"I don't think the players are too fragile," said Neville. "Yes, at some point I will have highlighted a mistake from every player in this squad, or praised them.

"But football players are very honest.

"If someone makes a mistake in a big game millions around the world will have seen it, plus their own coaches, own fans, family, themselves.

"The last thing they will be worried about is me sat in a little glass box saying something.

"A lot more questions were being asked about me and my role at Sky 12 months ago.

"I had been at United for 20 years and I was still an ambassador. How was I ever going to talk openly and honestly about Manchester United's players and their opponents?

"I would like to think I have proved I am impartial and can speak openly.

"As long as you are fair and honest across the board I don't think anyone has a problem, although the real proof will come next season.

"That is when I have to prove I can handle both of these roles.

"But I am not worried about it at all."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17523/no_wags_allowed__warns_neville

Pescara president confirms Zeman move to Roma

Pescara president Daniele Sebastiani has revealed that head coach Zdenek Zeman will leave the club to take charge of Roma.

The capital club are in the market for a new coach due to the departure of Luis Enrique, and they have now found a replacement in the 65-year-old for the 2012-13 campaign.

“Zeman is going to Roma. Everything has been decided. Roma’s call was too strong for him to turn down,” Sebastiani told Radio Mana Mana.

“We will always have a good relationship with him. Zdenek has very close ties to the city, and will always be in Pescara’s heart.

“We could not keep him here. He has a lot of affection for Rome, and for Roma in particular. His choice was inevitable.”

Zeman guided Pescara back to Serie A this season after a 19-year absence from Italy’s top flight.

Roma have yet to confirm the appointment of Zeman, but are expected to release an official statement in the next few days.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/pescara-president-confirms-zeman-move-to-roma/95585/

Diego talks up Wolfsburg return

Brazilian midfielder Diego has confessed that he expects to play for Wolfsburg next season.

The highly rated playmaker left the German side for Atletico Madrid after clashing with coach Felix Magath last summer, and signed a loan agreement with los Colchoneros.

The Brazilian managed to kick-start his career at Vicente Calderon and had a big role to play on the road to the Europa League title, but it appears that the La Liga outfit won’t be able to make his transfer permanent.

The player now admits that a summer return to Wolfsburg is the most likely scenario.

“I think I will be at Wolfsburg next season,” Diego told Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung. “I still have two years of contract.”

The 27-year-old was purchased by the Wolves in 2010 following an unsuccessful spell at Juventus and he enjoyed a great first season at Volkswagen Arena.

Nonetheless, the Brazilian was allowed to leave the club last summer following a row with head coach Felix Magath.

The experienced coach recently revealed that he would be happy to welcome the Brazilian back to the side.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/diego-talks-up-wolfsburg-return/95581/

Anderlecht confirm Van Den Brom World Soccer Shop

Anderlecht have appointed John van den Brom as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

Van den Brom: New Anderlecht boss

Van den Brom leaves Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem to take up the post with the Belgian champions.

Vitesse said in a statement on their website they were "disappointed" that Van den Brom had opted to move to Belgium having been convinced last week that he would stay.

Former Holland and Ajax player Van den Brom, who won two caps for his country, is now 45 and succeeds Ariel Jacobs at Anderlecht. Jacobs resigned earlier this month after delivering the league title.

Anderlecht president Roger Vanden Stock said at a press conference, according to Anderlecht's official website: "I am very pleased that we have quickly found a new coach. We're going to work together for at least the next three years.

"I know that we have been in the habit here of seeing out long contracts, but we have confidence in the qualities of our coach. The future will show us if we are right."

Van den Brom said: "I am very happy to be here as coach, but especially proud that such a great club has thought of me.

"RSCA (Anderlecht) are synonymous with good and attractive football, with a style of play that I appreciate."

Anderlecht are targeting a place in the Champions League next season but begin in the penultimate qualifying round.

"Yes, we all know how important it is for the entire club to take part in this competition," Van den Brom said. "This is a wonderful challenge and we are going to do everything we can to get through these two qualifying rounds."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17472/anderlecht_confirm_van_den_brom

Carobbio points finger at Conte

The extent of Filippo Carobbio’s allegations against Juventus coach Antonio Conte has begun to circulate in the Italian media.

His deposition to investigators claims that the coach was aware of alleged match-fixing involving Siena’s president Massimo Mezzaroma.

The midfielder was detained by police last December as part of the ongoing Scommessopoli investigations into the match-fixing of several Serie A and B matches in 2010-11.

He claimed in his testimony that Mezzaroma sent a messenger down to the locker room to ask the players about the possibility of losing so he could win money on a bet, something the coaching staff, then including Conte, were aware of.

Siena and Conte have moved to officially deny such allegations.

However, Carobbio’s claims, given to investigators in Cremona, were damning of Mezzaroma.

“Before the Serie B match between Siena and Varese, president Mezzaroma sent someone close to him to the locker room to ask about the possibility of losing the game,” Carobbio said.

“That person then went on to say the president had wagered on our defeat.

“I later learned from our assistant coach that the coaching staff also knew of this arrangement made by Mezzaroma.”

Conte, who led Siena to promotion to Serie A that campaign, had his house searched by police as part of the investigations on Monday.

If Carobbio’s statements are proven, the coach could be charged with failing to report Mezzaroma’s misdeeds.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/carobbio-points-finger-at-conte/95543/

Afellay can be the Dutch Zidane

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said Ibrahim Afellay can fulfil an attacking role at Euro 2012, similar to French legend Zinedine Zidane.

The 26-year-old Afellay is regularly deployed on the wing by La Liga giants Barcelona but prefers to play more centrally, in behind the centre forward.

With Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart also vying for the trequarista role in the Dutch side, Van Marwijk intends to employ Afellay on the wing, but with the licence to move infield at every opportunity.

“One of the best ever No.10s, Zidane, always played at Real Madrid coming in from the left,” the Netherlands boss told Algemeend Dagblad.

“In their hearts, they all want, ideally, to play as a 10 – the Van der Vaarts, the Sneijders and the Afellays.

“But if you play in the centre, you often have to play with your back to you opponent. He (Afellay) has shown that he is excellent in that role for the Oranje.

“But on the wing is different, and you can go either way. You can go inside or outside the opponent and give a pass. Afellay has to be convinced.”

Netherlands kick off their Euro 2012 campaign against Denmark on June 9 before then facing Germany and Portugal.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/afellay-can-be-the-dutch-zidane/95541/

Blanc: Benzema, Giroud pairing viable

France coach Laurent Blanc said Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud can play in the same XI, but they may not do so in their Euro 2012 opener.

Both players are coming off the back of hugely successful club campaigns, with Benzema having played an integral role in Real Madrid’s Liga triumph and Giroud having fired Montpellier to Ligue 1 glory.

Blanc has already intimated that Benzema will lead the Les Bleus attack at the Euros but has now admitted that he is toying with the idea of a front two for their opening clash with England on June 11.

“Benzema and Giroud can play together,” the former Bordeaux coach told reporters on Wednesday.

“They are two interesting players but they are complementary – I’m convinced of that.

“But there are choices to make, tactically in particular. It is necessary to think about the balance of the team.”

Blanc also admitted that he had been hoping to call upon the services of Yoann Gourcuff in Poland and Ukraine, but felt that he had no option but to drop the Lyon playmaker because of his fitness problems this season.

“Gourcuff had a big role to play. But he was injured,” he said.

When asked about how his side will line out for the meeting with old rivals England in Donetsk, Blanc replied: “I don’t know. But we will play to win.”

France play their final warm-up game on Thursday, against Serbia, and Blanc is expecting another tough test in light of their hard-earned victory over Iceland at the weekend.

“On paper, Serbia is better armed than Iceland. But it will be a different match,” he said.

“Whatever the opposition, we want to do what we set out to do. And without announcing the team, I say to you that there will be many changes.”

France and England and joined in Group D by tournament co-hosts Ukraine and Sweden.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/blanc-benzema-giroud-pairing-viable/95540/

Parker: Capello couldn´t communicate

Scott Parker has admitted that a poor grasp of the English language tainted Fabio Capello’s tenure as England coach.

Parker admitted improved communication under the former West Brom manager Roy Hodgson compared to Capello, has already been key as the Three Lions prepare for Euro 2012.

“To be honest, the previous manager struggled to get his point across because of the language barrier,” he told The Sun.

“Fabio Capello was a bit distant whereas Roy Hodgson is very proactive and interacts with the players.

“He’s extremely well organised and you have a far better understanding of what he requires from you.

“He’s an old-fashioned type of manager, the type you know is very approachable and hands-on.”

Despite England’s expectations going into Euro 2012 being reasonably low, Parker said it has not transmitted onto the playing squad who are going to Poland and the Ukraine to win the tournament.

“As a player I’m not going to the European Championship with the mindset it’s alright if we perform reasonably well,” he said.

“And I’m quite sure I can say the same for the other players — we are going to the tournament to try and win it.

“I will be 33 when the World Cup comes around and this may be my first and only chance of winning something with England.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/parker-capello-couldn%c2%b4t-communicate/95512/

Del Bosque urges stars to end conflict

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has admitted that tension exists between defenders Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.

As the European champions continue preparations for Euro 2012, the duo’s relationship has soured after a number of heated encounters between Barcelona and Real Madrid, but the national-team boss has called on the centre-back pairing to cast their differences aside ahead of this summer’s tournament.

“If they don’t get on well then they will just have to get on, because on the pitch is where they have to get on well,” Del Bosque told ONA FM.

“They are young and have their differences but in the end they are just two excellent lads and I am sure there will be no problem.

“They have already played together and there have been episodes in the past. The main thing is that they both have a good heart and that’s all.”

Spain kick off their Euro 2012 campaign against Italy on June 10, before taking on Republic of Ireland four days later, and then Croatia on June 18.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/del-bosque-urges-stars-to-end-conflict/95508/

Prandelli unfazed by difficult preparation

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has played down talk of his country’s match-fixing scandal ahead of Euro 2012 being a case of history repeating.

Italy’s preparations for the 2006 World Cup in Germany were infamously disrupted by the Calciopoli scandal, but Marcello Lippi nonetheless led them to triumph.

Now, with Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine set to begin on June 8, Italy have been beset by the Scommessopoli probe.

Domenico Criscito was dropped from Italy’s squad for the European Championship earlier this week due to his alleged role in the scandal, while Leonardo Bonucci is also under investigation, but Prandelli is hopeful his squad will not be distracted by recent events.

“The comparisons to 2006 seem like a cliche to me. The situation’s different now,” Prandelli said at a press conference.

“They always say that Italy become more united in difficult situations, and I hope that is the case now, too. However, I don’t believe in the theory that we can only perform under pressure.

“We should be giving our best in a calm atmosphere as well. The important thing now is to show the people that we are determined to clean up football.”

Italy have been paired with Croatia, Republic of Ireland and champions Spain at Euro 2012 and start the tournament against the title holders on June 10.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/prandelli-unfazed-by-difficult-preparation/95505/

Ranieri named new Monaco coach

French Ligue 2 club Monaco have confirmed former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri as their new coach.

The 60-year-old, who had also been linked with the vacant managerial positions at West Brom and Fiorentina, has signed a two-year contract with the option for a third.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “AS Monaco are delighted to announce the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as coach.

“This appointment follows a search and a rigorous selection process during which Claudio Ranieri has clearly established itself as the best candidate for the position.

“He is now considered one of the best coaches in European football and brings to AS Monaco all the richness of his experience and achievements in football.”

Ranieri replaces Marco Simone, who was dismissed at the end of last season, despite guiding the club to a credible eighth-placed finish in the French second-tier, with the team bottom of the table upon his arrival last September.

The appointment marks a return to coaching for the Italian, who had previously endured a disastrous spell in charge of Inter Milan last term.

He was sacked in March after a dismal run of results left the club languishing in mid-table.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/ranieri-named-new-monaco-coach/95499/

Stramaccioni handed Inter deal World Soccer Shop

Inter Milan have handed a three-year contract to Andrea Stramaccioni after seeing him impress during a stint as interim coach.

Stramaccioni: Rewarded for his efforts

The 36-year-old was promoted to the senior dug-out from the youth team ranks in March following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri.

He oversaw a late-season revival in fortunes, but was unable to guide Inter into the Champions League.

He will, however, be given the opportunity to push for a top-three finish in 2012/13 after being handed the reins on a permanent basis.

"Yes, his contract was renewed earlier for three years," Inter president Massimo Moratti told reporters on Tuesday.

Stramaccioni has no previous top-flight coaching experience and had only been with Inter's youth team for less than year before being promoted into the top job.

He is, however, considered to be the man to guide Inter towards an exciting future.

Moratti expects his new boss to blood a number of Inter's successful youngsters into the senior set-up next term, after seeing them win the U21 Next Gen European Championship, but he will also be given money to spend.

Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi is understood to be a top target, but no discussions have been held as yet regarding a summer swoop.

"We said that we'd be in touch, but neither of us has been able to as we've both been busy," Moratti said when asked if he had spoken with Napoli counterpart Aurelio De Laurentiis about the Argentine playmaker.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17406/stramaccioni_handed_inter_deal

Koval makes Ukraine squad World Soccer Shop

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin has finalised his 23-man squad for Euro 2012, with Dynamo Kyiv goalkeeper Maksym Koval making the cut.

Koval: Retained in Ukraine squad

The co-hosts are facing a goalkeeping crisis heading into the tournament, with first-choice Olexandr Shovkovsky ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Andrey Dykan suffered head and facial injuries in a Russian Premier League match, while Oleksandr Rybka was suspended for using a banned diuretic.

Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov, who has 24 caps, is therefore considered to be the first-choice custodian, while Metalist Kharkiv man Olexandr Horyainov and Dynamo's inexperienced teenager Koval have been named as cover.

Oleksandr Bandura misses out along with defender Vitaly Mandzyuk and midfielder Taras Stepanenko as coach Blokhin cuts his initial 26-man party down to 23.

Ukraine, who are co-hosting the tournament with Poland, warmed up with a 4-0 friendly win over Estonia on Monday.

They will take on Austria in another friendly on Friday before finishing their preparations against Turkey on June 5.

Blokhin's men open their Euro campaign against Sweden on June 11, with England and France also in Group D.

Final Ukraine squad for Euro 2012:

Goalkeepers: Pyatov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Horyainov (Metalist Kharkiv), Koval (Dynamo Kiev).

Defenders: Kucher (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rakitskiy (Shakhtar Donetsk), Shevchuk (Shakhtar Donetsk), Khacheridi (Dynamo Kiev), Mykhalyk (Dynamo Kiev), Selin (Vorskla), Butko (Illichivets).

Midfielders: Aliev (Dynamo Kiev), Garmash (Dynamo Kiev), Gusiev (Dynamo Kiev), Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kiev), Konoplyanka (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Rotan (Dnipro), Nazarenko (Tavriya), Tymoshchuk (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Milevskiy (Dynamo Kiev), Shevchenko (Dynamo Kiev), Devic (Metalist Kharkiv), Voronin (Dynamo Moscow), Seleznyov (Shakhtar Donetsk).

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17394/koval_makes_ukraine_squad