PARIS - A year ago Greece were just about to start their extraordinary Euro 2004 adventure which would end with them being crowned champions - a year on and Ukraine will hope to all but end their rivals hopes of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup finals.
The Ukrainians lead Greece by five points in Group Two with 2002 World Cup semi-finalists Turkey two points further behind but the Greeks will be hoping that passionate home support will give them the edge over the gorup pacesetters.
Victory for Ukraine would give them an eight point advantage over Greece with just three matches remaining while Turkey should come away from pointless Kazakhstan with a victory and leapfrog the European champions into the second spot that guarantees a play-off place.
With Greece still due a difficult trip to Denmark Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel realises the task facing his side.
"We meant to defend second place and we did it (the 0-0 draw with Turkey). On Wednesday we must give a better performance and win," said Rehhagel.
Any hopes Denmark entertain of securing the second spot lie in beating Albania at home, but the visitors are no pushovers and still have hopes themselves of taking second.
The players too acknowledge the problems they will face if they don't beat Ukraine, who have never qualified for a major finals since their independence from the former Soviet Union.
"If we don't win, things will be very difficult and the group will be wide open as we have a very tough match against Denmark away," said Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis who plays for Inter Milan.
Group One is a tight affair between perennial rivals The Netherlands and the Czech Republic with the Dutch holding a one point advantage over the Euro 2004 semi-finalists.
The Czechs host Macedonia which should see them take three points while the Dutch - impressive 2-0 winners over Romania at the weekend - travel to what on paper looks a relatively easy task as the Finns have not won a competitive match since last October.
Marco van Basten has recalled the 34-year-old veteran midfielder Philippe Cocu, who was impressive during PSV Eindhoven's march to the Champions League semi-finals, as he has recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of the Romania clash.
However, the Dutch will have to do without Rafael van der Vaart as his booking against Romania means the former Ajax starlet is suspended.
Romania will look to stay within touching distance of second place by beating Armenia at home, anything less and they can start booking their summer holidays for next year.
Group Four could be labelled the one that nobody wants to win with the astonishing amount of draws between the leading protagonists and Ireland will seek to put their latest one - 2-2 at home to Israel after leading 2-0 on Saturday - behind them when they travel to group tailenders The Faroe Islands.
Their manager Brian Kerr admits it is up to him to raise his squad's morale following their morale-sapping result at the weekend.
With the added blows of losing leading striker Robbie Keane to injury and defender Andy O'Brien to suspension after being sent off against Israel it will be a tough task for Kerr, even if it is against one of the group's whipping boys.
Kerr, though, refused to be downhearted by what was Ireland's fourth draw in six matches.
"With four games to go - two at home and two away - we can still get 12 points (from those matches) and we are still in with a shout in the group," said Kerr.
"We have to qualify the hard way now. It's a much harder task. We still have a good team and there are still a lot of positive things about the team, but we need to go on."
Scotland will endeavour to give themselves a seocnd boost in days when they travel to Belarus on the back of a 2-0 victory over Moldova.
Though, they still trail Group Five leaders Italy by eight points, they have not given up hope of at least getting into the play-off position.
One of their goalscorers against Moldova, winger James McFadden, accepts that victory over Belarus - who are one point ahead of them on six points - is imperative if they are to stay alive in the hunt for a qualifying spot.
"Saturday was a successful afternoon, not just for me but for the team as it was a must-win game," said the 22-year-old Everton star.
"And I would say Wednesday's a must-win game as well.
"We have been given a lift by the win, although there is a long way to go. We believe it is still possible to qualify and - until we're told otherwise - we'll keep trying."

06/07/2005 00:16 GMT