Match report: Italy 3 - Ukraine 0 (Quarterfinal 2006 World Cup)

• Goals scored: Zambrotta 6', Toni 59', Toni 69'
• What happened: Italy defeated Ukraine in the quarterfinals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. They advanced to the semifinals against Germany.
• Players who appeared in the match and who had played at AC Milan during the previous season: Gattuso, Pirlo, Shevchenko
• Players who appeared in the match and who would later play for AC Milan: Zambrotta, Oddo
• Players who were on the bench for this match and who had played at AC Milan during the previous season: Inzaghi, Gilardino, Nesta
• Players who were on the bench for this match and who would later play for AC Milan: None
• Players who played in the match and who I wish played for Milan: Fabio Cannavaro
• Players whose brothers played in this match and who I wish played for Milan: Paolo Cannavaro
• Questions raised by this match: Was this Gianluca Zambrotta's greatest career moment?
• Who did I root for the first time I saw this match? Ukraine
• Things the ESPN announcers did that were annoying: Mispronounce many names ( "Zambratto," "Purrlo," "Cam-rone-a-nay-see," probably almost all of the Ukraine players' names)
• Injured former players/Juventus staff members whose recent scandal-related suicide attempts were frequently mentioned during the broadcast: Gianluca Pessotto
• Relatively amusing injuries to Italy players: Gattuso 14' (kneed in back), Gattuso 26' (wrist stomped on), Cannavaro 47' (hit in groin by ball after Ukraine player missed header), Buffon 50' (bumped head on goalpost making save)
• Words to describe most of the Ukraine players' hair: long, blond, stringy, Owen Wilson-like
• What this match teaches us: Why AC Milan insisted on acquiring Zambrotta (pictured at top) from Barcelona

Below: Ukraine captain and former Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko

Video highlights are below:

Shevchenko steals some reporter's wallet

Last month, Dynamo Kiev beat KAA Gent in a Champions League qualifying round match. After the game, Dynamo's Andriy Shevchenko (who had earlier scored a goal) picked this reporter's pocket. Or, as the description on the video says: "Shevchenko after game has stolen purse at the journalist."

Shevchenko scores

Andriy Shevchenko scored for Dynamo Kiev last weekend.

Meanwhile, so did Adriano.

Sheva to Milan!!!

This summer has been full of rumors of Milan and Chelsea players switching between the two teams. (Kaka to Chelsea, Drogba to Milan, Pirlo to Chelsea, Ivanovic to Milan). However, the only rumor that made me happy was that Andriy Shevchenko was coming back to Milan! From 1999 to 2006 Sheva played for Milan. He won a Champions League, Scudetto, Supercoppa Italiana, Coppa Italia, and UEFA Super cup. Also, he was Serie A top scorer twice, and he was European Footballer of the Year in 2004. He came in 3rd for the FIFA world player of the year in that same year. In addition, he is the 4th highest scorer in European club competitions (Inazaghi is the first) and AC Milan's second highest scorer of all time.

He only moved to Chelsea in 2006 because his wife wanted to, and he still was in close contact with the team. He talks on the phone with Kaka on a regular basis, and even attended Maldini's 40th birthday party in June. Everyone is really happy that he's back, and Galliani ( Milan's presindent, kind of) mentioned that he shouldn't have left, but now he knows that Milan is his home. Even though this signing is mostly the result of Silvio Berlusconi (you know... Milan's owner and Italy's Prime Minister?) wanting him back, fans, players, and everyone is happy. Yay!