A lesson in finishing for the debutants

“I’m really happy and really proud of what the players did today,” said Italy coach Marcello Lippi.

On facing Germany, Lippi predicted a tough encounter for both sides.

“Naturally it will be difficult but it will be difficult for Germany too,” he said.

Despite the defeat Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin took satisfaction from his side reaching the last eight and their contribution to the tournament. “There’s no such thing as good or bad luck here. The Italians have a great team and they don’t forgive mistakes. On the whole our team deserves great praise,” he said.

“I would say we have gained a great achievement for Ukraine and Ukrainian football,” he said.

Italy had a grip on the game from the sixth minute when Gianluca Zambrotta cut inside from the right flank and fired home a low left-foot shot. Prompted by the goal, Blokhin made an early change in the 19th minute taking off defender Vyacheslav Svidersky for attacking midfielder Andriy Vorobei. That did little to alter the pattern of the game, however, and with Italy controlling the possession, Ukraine posed little threat.

Simon Evans