Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin claims a World Cup quarter-final with Italy holds no fear for the team competing in their first World Cup as an independent state - and admits he is thinking forward to a possible appearance in the final.

Voronin believes Ukraine have been transformed since their campaign got off to a dreadful start with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Spain.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward believes the momentum favours the team from a country which had not played at the World Cup since the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Voronin, speaking after Ukraine had beaten Switzerland in a last-16 match decided by a penalty shoot-out on Monday, said: "We're winning now because we have regrouped.

"We were the underdogs and we had nothing to lose - and that's how we played."

He reports the mood in a camp coached by 1975 European footballer of the year Oleg Blokhin is buoyant.

"I cannot put my joy in words," said Voronin.

"You cannot describe what is happening back in the Ukraine. I believe everyone will get a day off back home."

Voronin added: "We have nothing to lose - just two matches to go and then we are in the final. It's all happening very quickly."

He warned Italy they will be in for a tough last-eight match in Hamburg, saying: "We are not afraid of them. We did not play well (against Switzerland) - but we are in the quarter-finals. It will be a tough match."

Meanwhile, Voronin spared a thought for Leverkusen team-mate Tranquillo Barnetta - one of three players to miss from the spot for Switzerland.

Voronin said: "I tried to console him afterwards because he was in tears - which is understandable given the importance of the match.

"Switzerland played well in all four matches they played in. But life goes on."