World Cup News 2

LAUSANNE, Jun 2 (SW) - Despite a drab match in Switzerland, Italy made it 18 games without a loss on Friday as they held Ukraine to a goalless draw in the Azzurri's final warmup for the World Cup.

Neither side had much in the way of goalscoring chances, although Daniele De Rossi was denied just before the interval by a sprawling Olexander Shovkovskiy in the Ukraine net and Ukraine again had to play without new Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Italy's unbeaten run dates all the way back to August of 2004 when they were beaten 2-0 in a friendly by Iceland, and that game is their only loss since November of 2003.

Ukraine still have two more warmup matches before they open World Cup play, against Libya on Monday and Luxembourg on Thursday. Their first game in the tournament is on 14 June against Spain while Italy open on 12 June against Ghana.