Ukraine

FIFA ranking: 40th

Key man: Andriy Shevchenko. For many observers the finest striker in world football, Shevchenko will play in his first finals at age 29.

How they qualified: Lost only once, at a time when they had already muscled Turkey, Denmark and Greece out of Group Two.

Coach: Oleg Blokhin. The renowned former Soviet Union striker and European Footballer of the Year is also a member of the Ukrainian parliament.

Leading scorer in qualifying: Andriy Shevchenko 6.

Record: Debut appearance.

This time: The quality of nations Ukraine disposed of in reaching the Finals is telling, but their defensive approach relies heavily on the odd spark of inspiration from Shevchenko.

If they were an English team they'd be: Charlton.

Fact: Ukraine is the unhappiest World Cup nation; 52 per cent of Ukrainians described themselves as 'not very' or 'not at all happy'.