Ukraine's Andrei Shevchenko has called the games against the three-time world champions the most important of his life.

The Shevchenko-led Ukrainians, who have lost their two previous play-off ties, hope to qualify for their first major championships.

The Germans are under enormous pressure to keep intact their proud record of never failing to advance to the finals.

German coach Rudi Voeller must do without Bayern Munich midfielders Mehmet Scholl and Jens Jeremies, Hertha Berlin midfielder Sebastian Deisler and Bayer Leverkusen striker Ulf Kirsten. Bayern striker Carsten Jancker is likely to miss the first leg.

The Ukrainians have no injury worries.

UKRAINE (probable): Reva; Luzhny, Vashchyuk, Holovko, Nesmachny; Husin, Popov, Parfyonov, Zubov; Shevchenko, Rebrov.

GERMANY (probable): Kahn, Rehmer, Nowotny, Woerns, Schneider, Hamann, Ramelow, Ziege, Ricken, Ballack, Zickler.