Monday, Jun. 19, 2006

Ukraine Has More Reasons Than Most to Succeed

That had to feel good. Or better, anyway. By doing to Saudi Arabia Monday what Spain did to it in their Group H opener last week, the Ukraine not only showed serious sign 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, the 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, the 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, the 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 (re) 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 the Ukraine with solemn respect as its people mounted the Orange Revolution ended despotic rule that had made the "freedom" won with the implosion of the Soviet Union seem like a moot point. The defiant yet peaceful un-mooting of that provided inspiration to people around the globe-especially the cynical and jaded of us who tend to take liberty as a tired, old given.

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 of that was heightened further when Russian officials played on the division in the dead of winter, as it choked off gas deliveries to the frigid Ukraine in a high stakes game of political and energy industry poker. Today, the Ukraine's long-term political stability, and relationship with an increasingly aggressive Moscow are as hopeful yet tenuous as its football team's shot at making the Big Time of football's Big Show. 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. The Ukraine This has worked hard for a reason to celebrate long-shot success, and it deserves one in Germany.