Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko says his country can be more than satisfied with reaching the quarter-finals on their first appearance at the World Cup finals.

A 3-0 defeat by Italy ended any hopes of further progress, but Chelsea new boy Shevchenko says his team-mates have plenty of reasons to be proud of their efforts in Germany.

He said: "It has been a very positive experience. We have played a great tournament and we go out with our heads held high.

"It's difficult to do any better, we are a young nation and a young squad.

"We don't have much experience, but we have shown in Germany that we have a lot of heart.

"I took a decision to play in the tournament (despite injury) and I have been highly rewarded. I think I've had a good World Cup.

"To have guided Ukraine on the pitch to the quarter-finals of a World Cup was just unbelievable, it was one of the proudest moments of my career."