Ukraine prepares for semifinal thriller

Posted on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 at 6:26 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.

Shakthar Donetsk meet Dynamo Kiev in a delicately balanced UEFA Europa League semifinal fixture on Thursday evening.

Shakthar hold the slenderest of advantages heading into the tie, having secured a valuable away goal during their visit to Kiev in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinals last week. Home advantage also lies with Shakthar in the winner-takes-all tie.

While a goalless draw would secure victory for Shakthar, they’re unlikely to batton their hatches and hope to hold out the Kiev attack. The club have been excellent on attack in front of their home crowds this season, scoring 6 goals in 3 UEFA Europa League matches.

Added to this impressive scoring record is the fact that Shakthar are unbeaten at home in the UEFA Europa League this season. However, if the match is assessed on the basis of pure pedigree it is Dynamo Kiev who should come up trumps.

The visitors are currently runaway leaders in the Ukranian domestic league, and come into tonight’s match bolstered by a 1-0 win on the weekend. The club is also no stranger to success in Europe, having lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1986.

Dynamo Kiev coach Yuri Semin is confident that his side will prevail in tonight’s fixture, telling UEFA.com “We came here to fight, and I believe my players can be winners, and after that in the Uefa Cup final.”