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Order of importance Ukrainian striker would trade Golden Ball for berth
MILAN, Italy (AP) -- AC Milan's Ukrainian star striker Andriy Shevchenko, reportedly in the running for the 2001 Golden Ball award, said Saturday he would trade the prize for a berth of his national team in the World Cup finals. "If I should choose right now, I would say the World Cup finals with Ukraine," Shevchenko said at AC Milan's training camp. Ukraine will play two-leg playoffs with soccer powerhouse Germany for a World Cup berth after both teams finished runner-up in their qualifying groups. Shevchenko, who's playing his third season with AC Milan, has scored 72 goals in 102 league and Cup matches with his Italian team. He's also Ukraine's top striker. According to published reports in Italy "Sheva" is in the running for the yearly "Golden Ball" award as best European soccer player. Real Madrid's Raul and AS Roma's Francesco Totti are also said to be top contenders for the prestigious award. "I would vote Raul, a very strong player who has produced great performances with Real," Shevchenko said. AC Milan's Turkish coach Fatih Terim supported Sheva, of course. "He's one of the strongest forwards in the world. The goals scored prove this," Terim said.
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