| GROUP G | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Spain | Ukraine | Saudi Arabia | Tunisia |
The Big Match
Spain vs. Ukraine: It's the opening game of Group H and it should set the tone for the rest of the group. Spain has a stalwart defence and Ukraine boasts a lethal counterattack, so it'll be interesting to see which prevails in this exciting matchup. These two sides met twice in the qualifers for Euro 2004, with Spain winning one game and earning a draw in the other.
| Date | Teams | City |
|---|---|---|
| June 14 | 
Spain vs. 
Ukraine |
Leipzig |
Tunisia vs. 
Saudi Arabia |
Munich | |
| June 19 |
Spain vs.
Tunisia |
Stuttgart |
|
Saudi Arabia vs.
Ukraine |
Hamburg | |
| June 23 |
Saudi Arabia vs.
Spain |
Kaiserslautern |
|
Ukraine vs.
Tunisia |
Berlin |
What the experts say:
John F. Molinaro, Editor, World Cup 2006, CBC Sports Online:
Spain is a very good team, but they always underachieve at the World Cup and
somehow manage to crash out before the quarter-finals. I think they're finally
ready to prove all the doubters wrong and go on a serious run to the semifinals.
This will depend, of course, on whether striker Raul can rediscover his form
and start scoring goals again.
I'm so happy that Ukraine qualifed for the World Cup. It would have been a
shame if striker Andriy Shevchenko never got a chance to showcase his considerable
skills on the game's greatest stage. They don't play champagne soccer, but
Ukraine has several hard-working players that will allow them to claim second
place.
Tunisia has failed to progress past the first round in its previous three
World Cups. History will repeat itself for the Africans in Germany. As for
Saudi Arabia, well, they won't lose 8-0 like they did against Germany in 2002,
but they will go home without having earned a point.
Predicted finish: 1) Spain, 2) Ukraine, 3) Tunisia, 4) Saudi Arabia
Peter Mallet, Soccer reporter, Globe and Mail:
Will years of frustration on the international stage finally lead to tears
of joy for Spain? Raul (Real Madrid) along with 22-year-old strike-partner
Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid) and teenage midfielder sensation Cesc Fabregas
(Arsenal) still have the memory of their nightmarish qualifying campaign,
which saw them finish behind Serbia and Montenegro and forced a playoff against
Slovakia as reasons to remain 'down-to-earth' about Germany 2006.
Backed by the sure hands of Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) as their likely first choice goalkeeper and defender Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Spain will still prove a tough act to follow in Group H.
Ukraine's hopes at their first World Cup hinge on the health of striker Andriy Shevchenko who is trying to battle back from a serious knee injury. Ukraine is also backed by the advantage no fewer than eight of their 23 man roster all playing their club soccer with former UEFA Champions League powers Dynamo Kiev which should be a great tactical edge.
The faint hopes of Saudi Arabia rest on star player Sami Al-Jaber (Al Hilal)
while Tunisia's key star of hope is Brazilian born striker Santos (Toulouse).
Few have given the Eagles of Carthage or Saudi Arabia any chance to advance
in their second World Cup appearance.
Predicted finish: 1) Spain, 2) Ukraine, 3) Saudi Arabia, 4) Tunisia
David Pye, Soccer reporter, Grimsby Telegraph:
Perennial under-achievers Spain will be hoping to finally make the grade in
Germany this summer. So many times, they have come close but failed to conquer
- even on their own turf in 1982.
This time they face a tricky group with Ukraine a real threat. It may be their debut at the tournament but the likes of hotshot striker Andriy Shevchenko could fire the goals to see them through.
Tunisia is no mugs either after some stirring Africa Nations Cup displays in recent years. Saudi Arabia are long shots for this group and will be lucky to get a point.
The big game will be between Spain and Ukraine and could decide the group.
Predicted finish: 1) Spain, 2) Ukraine, 3) Tunisia, 4) Saudi Arabia