| Facts : |
| • |
Ukraine has taken part in two
previous preliminary competitions, losing
only in the play-offs. In 1997 the Ukrainian
national team were beaten by Croatia 2-0 and
1-1. |
| • |
Four years later they lost the crucial decider
4-1 to the eventual 2002 FIFA World Cup™
runners-up Germany. They had finished the
group phase in second place behind Poland
and were unlucky to draw Germany, undoubtedly
the strongest team in the play-offs. |
| • |
Ukraine's best wins came in 1998 and 1999.
In 1998 they beat Georgia 4-0 and a year later
defeated Andorra by the same margin. Their
heaviest defeat came in 1995 when they lost
to Croatia 4-0. |
