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ARRESTING >>>> Ukrainian police detain a fan during the live broadcast of the country's 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, displayed onto a large screen in Kiev

Web Exclusive | The World Cup | Saudi Arabia v Ukraine Ukraine Has More Reasons Than Most to Succeed A 4-0 win over the Saudis helps to regain some pride for a nation with a turbulent recent history By BRUCE CRUMLEY subscribe to TIME Printable Version email this story TIME Magazine: A Blue Revolution In Ukraine Bill Saporito: What's Missing From This Picture?

Posted Monday, June 19, 2006; 23.10BST
That had to feel good. Or better, anyway. By doing to Saudi Arabia Monday what Spain did to them in their Group H opener last week, Ukraine not only showed serious signs of life and scoring potential, it also made serious soft eyes at the group's second-place spot in Group H, and its attendant berth in the knock-out round.

In thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0, Ukraine showed the footballing grit and oomph that got it to Germany in the first place. That contrasted sharply with the listless slug impersonation the Yukies did while on the receiving end of a 4-0 pummelling by Spain last week — a performance that won the perpetual also-ran Iberians immediate respect as a tournament power to be feared.

Spain confirmed that status by earning its place in the knockoff round with a 3-1 win over Tunisia, the team the re-born Ukrainians will now face in the final group match to decide which of the two will join Spain in advancing into the playoff round.

Not surprisingly, Ukraine's resurrection was led by Juventus Golden Ball winner Andrei Chevchenko, who punched in a pair of goals into the Saudi cage after being invisible against Spain. But in addition to Cheva's personal busting out, Ukraine as a unit again demonstrated the kind of sober, solid, carries-a-lunchbox-to-work football that had made some pencil it as a potential dark horse capable of stringing enough upsets together to make it perhaps as far as into a quarter or semi final. If they've turned their game around for good, the Yukes may yet have a shot at becoming the 2006 version of 2002's South Korea: the little side that could — and did a lot longer than most people expected.

There's still a full match (and a world of footballing challenges to face) before Ukraine fans can pop the cork to celebrate their side reaching the knockout round in its first ever appearance in a World Cup. But if that does happen, it'll mark joyful milestone in what has been a momentous, though tumultuous period for the nation. Last year the world watched Ukraine with solemn respect as its people mounted the Orange Revolution.

Of course, happy endings are never perfect or complete: in-fighting between leaders of the Orange Revolution, new tensions and dangers with an acrimonious split. The drama was heightened further when Russian officials played on the divisions in the dead of winter, choking off gas deliveries in a high stakes game of political and energy industry poker. Today, Ukraine's long-term political stability — and its relationship with an increasingly aggressive Moscow — is as hopeful and tenuous as its football team's shot at making the Big Time. Let's hope it happens on all sides. As odd as some still find it, pulling off sporting magic can perform miracles on a nation's outlook and self-esteem.

Ukraine has worked hard for a reason to celebrate long-shot success, and it deserves one in Germany.

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