The hunt for Shevchenko
- 9 Jun 06, 09:55 AM
A VERY BUMPY MOTORWAY, NEAR KOBLENZ - He didn't say much, nothing to be precise.
But in Andriy Shevchenko's defence when the pen was thrust upon him, the Ukrainian striker certainly knew what to do.
Perhaps putting pen to paper on a bumper deal at Chelsea a couple of weeks ago had primed the striker for a spot of autograph signing.
Ricco and I went to watch Ukraine's final pre-World Cup friendly against Luxembourg with the aim of persuading the Shev to sign a couple of 'Fletch and Ricco' Sport Relief T-shirts.
Having failed to collar the great man after spotting him minding his own business in the dugout an hour or so before kick-off I thought our chance had gone.
A Ukraine press official called Oleg provided fresh hope, promising to take us down to pitchside at the final whistle.
Alas, a few 'jobs' crept up and Oleg mysteriously disappeared at the end of the match.
All Ricco and I could do was hang outside the players' exit for what seemed like an age, preparing to pounce every time someone in blue and yellow appeared in view.
A pretty largish crowd, by Luxembourg standards at least, were waiting with similar intentions but thankfully we had the advantage of being inside the stadium gate rather than stuck on the outside.
The Shev had made his first appearance since injuring his knee several weeks ago in the match, coming on as a second-half sub and marking his return with a one-yard stunner.
As he appeared from the dressing room, though, he didn't seem to want to stick around and discuss the matter.
Still, his English, pretty similar in standard to my Ukranian, will doubtless improve now he is a Premiership player.
And I actually felt a little bit sorry when he posed with me and a signed T-shirt.
The look on his face tells me he was expecting someone to take a photograph, not have Ricco move in with his video camera.
And I guess it doesn't matter how much money you have, sometimes you just don't know what to do with a large marker pen.
To see what I mean you'll just have to watch the video - it'll be up shortly so watch this space...
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gee that's a big boon for the Ukraine to have their captain and best player back for the World Cup and straight into it already
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SHEV JUST MEANS CLASSY TO HAVE IN THE ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP IS A GREAT HONOUR.HI IZ ONE OF THE BEST FOOTBALLRES IN THE WORLD.
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is roony playing what days?
bradley haigh.
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yeah, i agree - shevchenko is 100% class - unfortunately he is playing for chelsea, a team not lacking in talent nor $$$ - just a shame he wouldn't join a team like reading
- here's an idea - fantasy football comes to reality - give EVERY team WORLDWIDE a spending budget (don't ask me to do the maths) which they are categorically not allowed to breach - then the emphasis IS on managerial skills, team spirit and most importantly SPORT, and NOT on foreign investors.
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Zsar of the East
Fantastic to hear one of Europe's finest strikers will be making his mark on the world stage. Many past greats including the likes of George Weah, George Best - never appeared in a World Cup - relief that Andriy has not joined that infamous list. Do not underestimate Ukraine - could mirror the success of Croatia in USA '94!
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completely agree sheva is quality but ukraine are not a one man team even without sheva we would have qualified but he could bring us to the final-croatia did it in france 1998(probably with a more creative team but still you just never no 1-8 final vs brazil 1-0 to ukraine dreams do happen.
sheva to be top scorer or tevez
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All players are highly qualified professionals. I believe in Ukraine.
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hmmn.. i really can't wait for the next european season to start. i hope mourinho would be able to deliver on all fronts especially the CL. the premiership is in the bag already?
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fghfh
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Have a good trip Fletch - hopefully you will bump into Mad Dog and Philips - Sean
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...Although I follow Shevchenko alot as i am a Rosseneri fan, is there an heir to his throne in the Ukraine? future Milan signing!? I agree they are not a one man team - also is Shatskikh (Kiev player) in the squad? if not why not!?
Who's got a better chance Ukraine or Serbia & Mont?
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...Although I follow Shevchenko alot as i am a Rosseneri fan, is there an heir to his throne in the Ukraine? future Milan signing!? I agree they are not a one man team - also is Shatskikh (Kiev player) in the squad? if not why not!?
Who's got a better chance Ukraine or Serbia & Mont?
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..i stand corrected it was France '98 that Croatia had that wicked team - Suker and who could forget Boban - magical player! So is there an heir to Shevchenko's throne - a possible signing for the Rosenneri? How can you replace someone of that calibre - Henry? perhaps - but he only has pace, Shevchenko's movement is xtraordinary - thats why he was a success in Serie A - Premiership sides wont know whats hit them!
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shatskikh is from usbekistan
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Sorry to put a damper on things but shev could prove to be a big disappointment for chelski, he is a great player but mourino already has enough great players to fill two teams to come 1st and 2nd in the prem.
how will shev react when he gets left out for a few games, my guess is he and ballack will be on their way at the end of the season.
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Sorry to put a damper on things but shev could prove to be a big disappointment for chelski, he is a great player but mourino already has enough great players to fill two teams to come 1st and 2nd in the prem.
how will shev react when he gets left out for a few games, my guess is he and ballack will be on their way at the end of the season.
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Sorry to put a damper on things but shev could prove to be a big disappointment for chelski, he is a great player but mourino already has enough great players to fill two teams to come 1st and 2nd in the prem.
how will shev react when he gets left out for a few games, my guess is he and ballack will be on their way at the end of the season.
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Sir Ferguson, a powerful person of English premier league, is really helpless this time as the matter is related with the aspiration and hopes of English fans. Mr. Sven might have taken the right decision but it is yet to see how right he is. It is not easy to make a player like Jermain Defoe out of the team.
It would a bit relief for Costa Rica if Ballack miss today鈥檚 game though Germany has some good player to recover the place of Ballack.
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Shevchenko is undoubtedly one of the top strikers in England and Ukraine can dream for an excellent performance which relies much on the performance of Shevchenko. He has proved himself as a striker in the European league that made him a big star of a small team.
Now it is time to show his performance in the largest stage of football. His fans are eagerly waiting to see his class football in the tournament.
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