Ukraine
Friday 18 January 2008
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Ukraine (©Oleksandr Zadiraka)
Ukraine's record in the past suggested that they were leading contenders to be one of the teams to benefit from the expansion of the UEFA European Women's Championship finals from eight to 12 teams. In the end they were, qualifying for their first major women's tournament via the play-offs after narrowly missing out on an automatic berth.
The Soviet Union came to female international football late in its existence but both Russia and Ukraine proved useful teams after the USSR's dissolution. The two sides were drawn together in the same 1995 qualifying group, in fact, with a 2-1 loss in Russia ended Ukrainian hopes. A subsequent 5-0 defeat by Romania then sent third-placed Ukraine into the new second tier for the 1997 edition; however they were to have their revenge on the same team, 5-3 on aggregate in the promotion play-off, after topping their group.
They have never looked like losing that status. Indeed, in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup they progressed to the qualifying play-offs, only to lose to Germany. Ukraine were unfortunate to have 1997 European finalists Germany and Italy in their 2001 qualifying pool, but third place gave them a play-off, which England won, before Norway and France beat them to the 2003 World Cup.
A disappointing UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ qualifying campaign drew to a close with Ukraine well adrift, but their 2007 World Cup bid was impressive; after losing their opening matches in Italy and Norway, they picked up five straight wins, including a triumph over the Azzurre. A 1-1 draw with Norway ended their chances but secured them second place, and their improved seeding aided them in the 2009 draw. Six straight wins at the start of the campaign, including against Denmark, sparked hopes of automatic qualification, and although they were to finish second, Ukraine eased past Slovenia into the finals.
Key players
Ukraine benefit from their proximity to the professional Russian league. Tetyana Chorna of WFC Rossiyanka holds the defence alongside Alla Lishafai and Elena Hodyreva of Zvezda-2005, who also provide midfielders Nataliya Zinchenko and Vera Djatel. Rossiyanka's Lyudmyla Pekur is another important midfielder, while VDV-Ryazan forward Darina Apanaschenko scored six qualifying goals.
Tournament record
2005: qualifying
2001: qualifying play-offs
1997: promoted
1995: qualifying/relegated
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