UEFA Cup final to be German v Ukrainian showdown

By Justin Palmer

LONDON (Reuters) - The UEFA Cup final will be contested by German and Ukrainian teams after Werder Bremen and Hamburg SV along with Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk set up domestic semi-final showdowns.

Brazilian playmaker Diego scored twice, as he did in the quarter-final first leg, to help Werder draw 3-3 with Udinese in Italy on Thursday to record a 6-4 aggregate victory.

Bundesliga rivals Hamburg await Werder. Martin Jol's side lost 2-1 at Manchester City but progressed 4-3 overall.

Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine can also look forward to a scrap between their two top sides.

Dynamo brushed past Paris St Germain 3-0 in Kiev after a goalless first leg while Shakhtar won 2-1 at Olympique Marseille to eliminate the French league leaders 4-1 over the two ties.

Diego again proved the thorn in Udinese's side after the mid-table Serie A team had threatened to pull off a thrilling comeback in Udine.

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, the home side cancelled out Werder's advantage by the break only for the Germans to hit back with Diego getting his second of the game and then missing a penalty. Claudio Pizarro fired Werder level on the night.

Brazilian midfielder Elano also played the starring role for Manchester City but the Premier League side just fell short despite a spirited display.