SHEVCHENKO AND ZIDANE BATTLE FOR GOLDEN BALL

ANDREI SHEVCHENKO is being tipped to emulate Milan legend Marco van Basten by scooping the Golden Ball for the European Player of the Year award, but faces stiff competition from Juventus and France playmaker Zinedine Zidane.

Milan director Bruno Bernardi said the award would be just reward for the Ukrainian striker after a brilliant 15 months at the San Siro since moving from Dinamo Kiev.  

"Sheva was the top-scorer in league last year with 24 goals in 32 games and is set for another brilliant season," Bernardi said. "We will put forward his nomination for the award which would be a tremendous achievement for a Ukrainian."

The 24-year-old striker is seen as the most complete Milan forward since van Basten, who scooped the award twice in his time at Milan in 1988 and 1992.

Shevchenko himself feels that Zidane must be the favourite for the award, adding that "it would be a great honour to stand on the podium next to him."

Zidane previously won the honour two years ago after his two-goal display in the World Cup Final for France and may expect to win the award again after inspiring his country to their Euro 2000 success this summer.

Other candidates for the award include 1999 winner Rivaldo, Luis Figo, David Beckham, Francesco Totti, Raul and Edgar Davids.