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World Cup NYC: Italy v Ukraine

As many readers know by now, the Ukrainian World Cup squad suffered a painful drubbing against the Italian team on Friday, 3-0. It was to be expected, but that didn't stop fans from congregating in droves at the Ukrainian Sports Club on 2nd Avenue and 7th Street for the match.

We could have guessed it would be full there; the Sports Club was only place in New York City that had a poster of Ukrainian star Andriy Shevchenko in their front window since the end of the 2004 European Cup. The Club itself offers a viewing experience similar to that at an Elks Club or a Boy Scout meeting; there's plenty of linoleum, fake wood paneling and brown carpeting to go around.

Chairs were parked around big-screen TV, and fans were crowded behind the seats. Team Jerseys were even available for purchase, and we would have been tempted if we could have gotten a discount after Italy's first goal in the sixth minute. Before that quick strike, the room was all nervous anticipation and excitement, filling with chants of "U-kray-ee-na!" whenever the Ukranians touched the ball.

We were glad to see that even the team least likely to advance had support, although we sure noticed a lot of newly displayed Italian flags outside one the way home. Coincidence? We think not.

[Image via ksxle/Flickr]

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