Yury Semin

The game will have historical meaning for them, and the Donetsk team has the head-to-head record on their side, having come out on top in their last three meetings with Dynamo.

"Ourselves and Dynamo have already played well for six games [in the UEFA Cup]. In this game we will show what we can do. I do not think that the difference in points [in the Ukrainian League] that we have is a true reflection of the difference between our teams," Mircea Lucescu, Shakhtar Donetsk coach, said.

Hamburg aiming for away goal in Bremen

Werder Bremen will host Hamburg in what is the second match of four between the Bundesliga sides over a 19-day period.

Bremen won the first of these matches in the league last week, and will be hoping for a similar success on Thursday.

However, coach Thomas Schaaf has selections problems, including captain Franck Baumann, whose playing skills are in doubt.

“Of course there is a positive feeling that we have beaten them last time. But of course we know that the opponent will try and cause us problems as well in the next matches. For us it is a big motivation to have a chance of reaching another final. Not only the DFB Cup final, but the UEFA Cup final as well. It would be great to achieve something like that and that's what we are up to tomorrow. And it is good that we can come into the match with a positive experience,” Thomas Schaaf, Werder boss, said.

While Hamburg will be without striker Mladen Petric, with their coach Martin Jol intent on getting a vital away goal.

“I think the chances are fifty-fifty for us to proceed to the next round. But of course Werder is a strong team that did well in the other matches. Again, both teams have the same chances to proceed,” Martin Jol, Hamburg coach, said.

”The best thing for us would be to score a goal or two," he added.

The UEFA Cup final will be held on May 20 in Istanbul, Turkey.