Spain still confident despite "nasty surprise" in Kiev

Spain are still highly confident about claiming an automatic qualifying place for Euro 2004, despite the "nasty surprise" that denied them victory over Ukraine in Kiev on Saturday.

Inaki Saez's side were leading 2-1 and heading for what would have been a third straight win in Group Six when Olexander Gorshkov struck on the volley two minutes into injury-time to snatch a draw.

The result was still enough to keep Spain top of the group with seven points from three games, with Ukraine second a point behind them and having played a game more.

Spain's next target will be to beat Armenia at home on Wednesday and move four points clear in the race for the one direct qualifying slot from the group.

"A draw wasn't at all bad for us," said Raul, who scored after 83 minutes to equalise Andriy Voronin's early strike for Ukraine.

"We stay top of the group and it means we don't depend on anyone else for qualification. That's a good position to be in at this stage."

"If we beat Armenia on Wednesday we'll be even closer to the finals."

That view was shared by midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron, who started the move that led to Spain's second goal.

"That's the toughest pitch we'll have to play on in this qualifying campaign," Valeron said. "It really was a good result for us."

Spain played poorly for much of the game but they were transformed by Raul's goal and went on to take the lead with Joseba Etxeberria's drilled shot four minutes from the end.

Ukraine looked devastated by that blow but they raised themselves for one final attack and were rewarded when Gorshkov struck from outside the box.

"We got a nasty surprise at the end of the game but the result was fair," Saez told reporters after the game.

"We fell behind early on but then scored two good goals and we had the chance to win."

"It was a good game, though, and we'll just go out and give it everything again against Armenia on Wednesday."

Saez will welcome back Ivan Helguera for the Armenia game after the Real Madrid centre-back missed the trip to Kiev through suspension.