"We have not finished yet," coach Oleg Blokhin told reporters on Thursday.

"We understand that Italy are the favourites, but two teams are playing. We will try and get to the semi-final."

Ukraine go into the game knowing that whatever the result they have already made their mark at the tournament.

Ukraine came into the tournament after an impressive qualifying campaign in which they were the first European team to secure a place at the finals.

They bounced back from a 4-0 thrashing by Spain in their first finals game, defeating Saudi Arabia by the same score before reaching the second round after a 1-0 win over Tunisia.

They beat Switzerland [Images] on penalties in the second round after a tedious scoreless draw.

Despite the achievement of getting so far in the tournament in their first outing, they have been criticised for playing uninspiring football in their matches so far.

That criticism cuts little ice with Blokhin.

"Many of the teams who played attractive football have already gone home. I really liked Mexico but they are out, Spain and others," Blokhin said.

CHEEKY CHIP

Ukraine are almost at full strength going into the game, with the only problem being who to pair with feared striker Andriy Shevchenko after usual partner Andriy Voronin picked up a thigh injury in the previous game.

The daily Sovietsky Sport said his replacement was likely to be Artem Milevsky, who impressed with a cheeky chip into the net during Ukraine's penalty shootout victory over Switzerland on Monday.

Milevsky, distinctive with his flowing black hair, was called up for the World Cup from Ukraine's under-21 team, runners-up last month at the European Championship.

The game kicks off at 1900 GMT on Friday in Hamburg and the winner will face either Germany [Images] or Argentina in the semi-finals.