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Europa League Matchday 2 – Groups G, H, I, J, K and L

October 1st, 2009

Group G saw Lazio coming back strongly after their home defeat against Salzburg on Match day 1. Lazio scored 4 away goals against Levski Sofia who lost their second consecutive group game and are yet to score in the competition. RB Salzburg continued their winning run by defeating Villarreal 2-0 at home.

Alex de Souza scored the only goal in Group H on Match day 2. Fenerbahce defeated Sheriff 0-1 and also registered their first win in the competition. Twente Enschede drew at home against Steaua Bucuresti and managed to stay on top of the table.

Group I had AEK Athens playing at home against Benfica. Majstorovic scored the only goal in the 43rd minute while his team was reduced to 10 men when Georgeas was red carded for a second bookable offence in the match. Everton who were playing away tonight, displayed equanimity when they defeated BATE Borisov coming from behind. Second half goals from Fellaini and Cahill gave Everton their second win in the competition.

Shakhtar Donetsk continued their winning run as they defeated Partizan 4-1 at home. Shakhtar also defeated Bruges with the same score line on match day 1. Bruges drew 1-1 away at Toulouse in the other encounter of Group J. FC Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven registered 1-0 wins tonight against Sparta Prague, and CFR Cluj, respectively in Group K.

Group L saw Austria Vienna score a late equalizer against Nacional as the latter had taken lead in the 35th minute. Earlier in the 10th minute, Acimovic failed to score a spot kick after his team Austria Vienna were awarded a penalty. Schumacher saved his team from embarrassment when he scored the equalizer in the 77th minute. Werder Bremen continued their winning run as they defeated Spanish club Athletic Bilbao 3-1 in front of home fans.

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Posted in Everton, Football Post Match Review, Football Results, UEFA Cup

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Europa League Matchday 2 – Groups A, B, C, D, E and F

October 1st, 2009

48 teams from top European Leagues contested tonight in the second most prestigious competition in European football. Anderlecht was playing at home against Ajax in Group A. Legear scored a crucial equalizer in the 85th minute to equalize the Ajax goal that was scored by Rommedahl’s in the 72nd minute. Other matches in the group saw FC Timisoar defeated 0-3 at home by Dinamo Zagreb.

Lille scored 5 away goals against Slavia Prague who looked promising after scoring the first goal within the first 7 minutes of the match. After that goal it was Lille all the way. Another fixture in Group B saw Valencia taking on Genoa at home. David Villa scored the winner in the 81st minute making the score 3-2 at the final whistle.

Celtic scored their first point in the competition when they drew 1-1 at home against Rapid Vienna in Group C. Hamburger SV defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 4-2 in front of home fans. Group D saw Sporting Lisbon defeating Hertha BSC 1-0 at home whereas the other fixture in the group played between VentspilsSC and Heerenveen ended in a goalless draw.

Italians, AS Roma scored twice within a matter of 4 minutes at home against CSKA Sofia in Group E. English club, Fulham defeated Swiss club Basel 1-0 at home. Group F saw Dinamo Bucuresti losing 0-1 to Panathinaikos who went ahead in the 79th minute with a goal from Karagounis. Dinamo Bucuresti missed a chance to equalize in the 87th minute when Niculescu failed to convert a spot kick.

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Posted in Football Post Match Review, Football Results, UEFA Cup

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Xavi chosen best player

July 1st, 2008

Xavi chosen best player, No room for Ronaldo in the UEFA Squad

After the completion of what was the spectacle in all major football competitions of 2008, it was revealed that Xavi, Spanish midfielder, was named best player in EURO 2008. A panel of experts voted the 28 year-old playmaker as ‘Castrol Player of the Tournament’.

The Barcelona midfielder played as the heartbeat in the midfield of Spanish side throughout the tournament.

However, it was shocking to see the absence of Portugal Striker, Christiano Ronaldo, in the EURO 2008 squad of the tournament, which had 23 players performing out of their skins in the championships.

Barring Ronaldo, there were as many as six players from the Barclaycards Premier league. Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United keeper), Jose Bosingwa & Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Fernando Torres (Liverpool) and Luka Modric (Tottenham Hotspurs) were the ones, who made it to the elite team.

Andy Roxburgh, technical director of UEFA, explained the absence of the Manchester United striker was only for his side not progressing in the business end of 2008. He said that team was chosen on performance rather then reputation.

Roxburgh felt that the striker could have been in the squad, if Portugal progressed further. Ronaldo featured in the all-star squad of Champions League selected by the same panel earlier this season.

Squad of the Tournament as chosen by UEFA officials:

Goalkeepers: Van der Sar (Netherlands), Casillas (Spain) & Buffon (Italy

Defenders: Lahm (Germany), Bosingwa (Portugal), Pepe (Portugal), Marchena (Spain), Zhirkov (Russia) Puyol (Spain)

Midfielders: Modric (Croatia), Hamit Altintop (Turkey), Xavi (Spain), Senna (Spain), Iniesta (Spain), Fabregas (Spain), Ballack (Germany) Zyryanov (Russia), Sneijder (Netherlands) & Podolski (Germany)

Striker: Villa (Spain), Torres (Spain), Pavlyuchenko (Russia) & Arshavin (Russia)

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Posted in General, UEFA Cup

Ballack: We can win EURO 2008

June 24th, 2008

Germany Captain Michael Ballack said he was confident that his side will make it through to the final of the EURO 2008 before their match against a resurgent Turkish side.

Even though Turkey showed great spirits for defeating Croatia in the penalty shootout, he felt that the Germans had the ingredients for emerging out as the winners. With players like Schweinsteiger and Podolski in great form, Chelsea mid-fielder is sure that they can break the defense of the Turkish side.

The only blemish in EURO 2008 campaign for the Germans has been a defeat against Croatia, 2-1. Apart from that they have had a professional outing with no slipups.

They followed the Croatian defeat with 1-0 win over host Austria and then a comprehensive victory over possible title contenders, Portugal (3-2). German attack was unquestionable against Portugal. With players like Miroslav Klose yet to show their true color, they might be tough to beat now.

Ballack felt that the only area, which they needed to work on, was their defense. With 4 goals already scored against them, they would be looking to stop the Turkish attack to penetrate their defense and test the skills of their keeper, Jens Lehmann.

Coach Joachim Low is all set to come out with his best squad for this all-important semifinal clash against Turkey. Now with Torsten Frings almost recovered from his rib injury and Ballack & Co. already in top flight, the coach will be relishing the opportunity and would be hoping that the team can take the cup home.

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Posted in EURO 2008, General, UEFA Cup

Christiano Ronaldo: Bernabeu going to be his next stop ?

June 22nd, 2008

After a long debate over the future of Manchester United winger Christiano Ronaldo, it was revealed by him that he made a decision to move from the ‘Stadium of Dreams’ even before the final of Champions League to the Bernabeu. However, he did not reveal it so that the preparation of his side for the big game was not hampered.

According to a report in The Sun, it was confirmed that the Portuguese Star made his decision for realizing the dream of Dolores, his mother, who wanted her son to play in the Los Merengues, before the Red Devils defeated Chelsea for the crown.

Most experts feel that this will be a huge loss to the Red Devils, if and when he decides to move to Real Madrid. However, after yesterday’s comments on their refusal for putting him up for sale, this statement of Ronaldo could throw disappointment for his Scottish Coach Sir Alex Ferguson and his men. Sources even told that that the Scot and the Portuguese winger were going to have a meeting (one-on-one confrontation) in a short time for discussing his future with the club.

During an interview after Portuguese loss to the Germans, Ronaldo said that it was his national coach Scolari, who advised him to move to Madrid when he was playing an international friendly for his country. However, he cleared that although he will release a statement in a couple of days time in Old Trafford (where he will be having a surgery on his foot) about his personal viewpoint, his future is in the hand of others rather then his own.

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Posted in Champions League, Football Transfer Market, General, Man U, Real Madrid, UEFA Cup

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Turkey Vs Croatia: Another nail biting win for the Turkish Side

June 22nd, 2008

 It was the second quarter final of EURO 2008, where two dark horses of the tournament, Turkey & Croatia, went head-to-head. Both these teams were through to the second round on the back of some wonderful performances with the Croatians winning all their matches including a win over the first Semifinalist Germany and Turkish side, who defeated a resurgent Czech side in nail biting finish to storm into the knockout stage.

The two sides had a grueling start to the game with Slaven Bilic Croatian side putting up a solid attack and pitting the Turkish Side on the back foot. For most part of the game, there were attacks from both the sides and it seemed that any one of them could score at any stage. However, the score line finished at fulltime 0-0 with the match going into the overtime and the chances of a penalty was looming over it.

Extra time was a continuation of the match with both sides having equal attempts at the net and none converting them. It was only in the 119 minute that the deadlock was broken by Croatia, when Ivan Klasnic headed home a goal past Turkish keeper Rustu Recber what looked to be the end of the game.

However, there was another twist in the tale when a long pass by keeper Rustu allowed Semih to shot an equalizer past Pletikosa and made the match to go into penalties in the injury time.

In the penalty kicks, three of the four penalties where missed by Croatia with Modric, Rakitic & Petric failing to convert and Turkish side hit all three to allow the latter with a win on a penalty score line 3-1.

Now it will be a battle between the fancied Germans against the dark horse Turkish side with everyone hoping for yet another thriller of a game.

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Posted in EURO 2008, UEFA Cup

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Germany Vs Portugal: Schweinsteiger show stuns Portugal

June 21st, 2008

 Germany Vs Portugal: Schweinsteiger show stuns Portugal

The showdown between Germany & Portugal was felt to be the EURO 2008 Final by most experts. However with this awaited encounter coming early in the knockout stage of the tournament, fans were in for an enthralling time, as both sides knew that a single mistake might lead to their downfall.

At St. Jakob Park, it was a capacity crowd seeing a spirited German side defeating Portuguese in an excellent football game. Although everyone had an eye out for Ronaldo, it was the Bayern Munich & German Star, Bastian Schweinsteiger with similar number 7 shirt as his archrival, who eventually stole the show for his side.

First Half

With fast-paced game from both the sides, there were several close calls in the first quarter. However, the deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute by a Podolski pass that found Schweinsteiger’s boot and into the back of Portuguese net. Another goal followed only four minutes later rattling the Portuguese defense, when a free kick from ‘Man of the Match’ Schweinsteiger found Miroslav Klose, who headed a goal past Portuguese keeper Ricardo. If it was not for a goal from Nuno Gomes, it would have been tough for Portugal to make a comeback.

Second Half

If first half was amazing, then second one was not far behind. With shots from both sides flying pass the keeper, it was thrilling to watch this battle. However, the match was sealed by another Schweinsteiger free kick that found German Skipper, Ballack’s head and went into the Portugal net for the third time. Although there was a goal minutes before the end from the Portuguese substitute Postiga, who headed a Nani pass into the German net, it was too late for them to recover and the final score line was 3-2 for the Germans.

Germany will next play the winners of the game between Turkey & Croatia in the semifinal.

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Posted in EURO 2008, UEFA Cup

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EURO 2008 | Greece Vs Spain

June 20th, 2008

 Greece Vs Spain: Another last minute goal wins it for Spain

June 18 2008. EURO 2008 has been studded with teams showing attacking instincts for overpowering others and marching into the quarters. The one team, which lacked that instinct and eventually failed to qualify for the next stage, was the Champions from the previous edition of European Championships, Greece.

With defeats against Sweden and Russia, they were already knocked out of the competition and looking to salvage some pride in their final league game against Group D leader, Spain. Spanish side was riding on a majority of changes with only one player, Andres Iniesta, in the playing eleven, who played in the ties against Swedes and the Russians. Again, Greek Coach, Otto Rehhagel, also came up with a new look side from their previous two games.

Luis Aragones Spanish Side started the game with their usual flair and attack, as they dominated the early part of the game with the ball sitting in Greek half. However, the former Champions struck back with a spirited performance and it was three minutes from the first half when Charisteas went past Spanish Keeper on the night, Jose Reina, to hand his team with a 1-0 lead going into the second half.

Aragones resisted the temptation of bringing in his star players with his side a goal behind and his players on the field did him justice. Xabi Alonso, skipper for the night, came close of equalizing, as he hit the bar just after resuming. However, the equalizer came from De La Red, who shot past Nikopolidis (playing his last game). After a scintillating second half, the winner came from leading scorer of La Liga, Dani Guiza, who headed a goal just couple of minutes from the end making it 2-1 for Spain and ending any hopes of retribution for Greek Side.

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Posted in Champions League, EURO 2008, General, UEFA Cup

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EURO2008 – Sweden Vs Russia

June 19th, 2008

 Sweden Vs Russia: Dutchman Hiddinks side set for a faceoff against Dutch in EURO Quarters

June 18 2008. The final major encounter in the group stages of EURO 2008 was going to be another slobber knocker, as Russians faced off against the Swedish side. With a narrow victory against group leaders Spain last time around, Sweden only needed a point to prove and a draw world have been enough for them to qualify. Simultaneously, with a win over European Champions Greece, Russia was all set to put yet another determined effort for booking their own place in the quarters.

Russians were on top of their game from the onset. They used a similar strategy with Roman Pavluychenko, which got them past the defense of resilient English side last October in the European Qualifiers. Striker, Pavluychenko, opened the scoring for Russians early in the first half with a goal in the 24th minute missing the efforts of Swedish keeper Andreas Isaksson. Although there were efforts from Ibrahimovic & Ljunberg, still the first half belonged to the Russians with side being a goal ahead

It felt like a mismatch in most part of the game with Russians running away with the tie and looked to end it in the first half only. It was only to some brilliance from Isaksson that Hiddink’s men were not able to score more than a brace. However within five minutes of the restart, Arshavin, who returned to the side after a suspension, scored the second goal for the Russians and ended it for the Swedes. Russian attack was so promising on the night that they could have scored more than the final score line 2-0. It was only the woodwork that saved them from scoring in the final minute.

Now, Dutchman Hiddink’s Russian side will face off against the might of Van Basten’s Netherlands in what is going to be an eagerly anticipated match of the tournament.

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Posted in Champions League, EURO 2008, General, UEFA Cup

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Euro2008 ~ Romania Vs Netherlands

June 19th, 2008

  Romania Vs Netherlands: Another professional performance by the Dutch side

June 17 2008. After a dream start to the EURO 2008 with thrashing victories over World Champions, Italy, & Runners-up, France and already a seat booked in the quarter finals of the showdown, Netherlands were pitted against Romania, who had everything to play for in this Group C (Group of Death) match.

A win was needed for the Romanian team to qualify for the quarters, whereas it was nothing more than an opportunity for Marco Van Basten to test his bench strength. Even with as many as 9 changes in the side that crashed France 4-1, Netherlands Coach promised their fans of a professional approach and was looking for another win over Romania to keep the momentum going into the quarters. On the other hand, Romania, who almost shocked World Champions Italy where only the brilliance of Buffon saving a crucial penalty crushed their hopes, was determined to give everything for a win.

With no goals in the first half, it promised to be another nail biter for the fans of both the sides. Holland was on the attack from kick-off and was looking the side to draw first blood at most times in the first half.

Romanians resistance came to a halt with a brilliant goal from Robin Van Persie, 4 minutes following the restart. When Klaas Jan Huntelaar shot past Lobont, it sealed the game along with the hopes of the Romania. The game ended with a score line of 2-0 in the favor of the Dutch side.

Netherlands delivered what their coach promised to deliver (a professional performance) and defeated Piturca’s men to yet another victory

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Posted in EURO 2008, General, UEFA Cup

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