Monday, February 11, 2008
Sudays Matches Info
Cameroon 0 - Egypt 1 (Africa Cup of Nations, February 10, 2008) After some initial sparring between the two sides, Egypt came closest to taking the lead when Moteab’s shot was saved by Kameni and Aboutrika skied the rebound over the bar. In the second-half the Pharoahs went looking for the winner, and Abd Rabou was unfortunate to see his header strike the post. But the Egyptian pressure finally paid off when sub-Zidan wrestled the ball off Song, playing in Aboutrika who slotted home the winner. Egypt retained their Africa Cup of Nations crown, celebrations here and here.
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Manchester United 1 - Manchester City 2 (Premier League, February 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Darius Vassell stunned Old Trafford with the opening goal midway through the first half. Petrov played in Ireland who saw his shot saved by Van der Sar, and the former England striker placed it home on the second attempt. On the stroke of half-time Benjani got the second on his City debut, flicking on a great cross from Petrov. Michael Carrick fired one back for United in the 91st minute but City completed a league double over United for the first time since the 1969/70 season.(The minute’s silence and the events preceding the game can be seen on this video.)
Chelsea 0 - Liverpool 0 (Premier League, February 10, 2008) Peter Crouch missed a great opportunity to give Liverpool the lead at Chelsea but he dragged his shot wide, only for the beanpole to miss a header moments later. At the other end, Joe Cole had a penalty shout turned down. In a stale match, one of the highlights was referee Mike Riley falling over after getting tangled up with the ball. Ballack almost snatched the winner.
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Aberdeen 1 - Celtic 5 (SPL, February 10, 2008) Celtic took a 3-0 lead into the break away at Aberdeen, thanks to goals from Nakamura, McGeady and McDonald (pen). McDonald scored his second three minutes into the second-half after great play by Aiden McGeady. Lee Miller pulled one back for Aberdeen. Barry Robson got the fifth from a fine free-kick.
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Catania 0 - Inter Milan 2 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) Inter’s title charge remains on course thanks to second-half goals from Cambiasso and Suazo.
Udinese 1 - Juventus 2 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Dossena gave Udinese the lead at home to Juve. With half-an-hour remaining Camoranesi equalised with a storming header and fifteen minutes later, Iaquinta netted the winner with his first touch.
AC Milan 1 - Siena 0 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) Without Pato and Kaka, Milan struggled to find the breakthrough, but 18-year-old sub-Paloschi scored an incredible winner after only five seconds of being on the pitch. Siena had Vergassola sent off late on.
Cagliari 1 - Parma 1 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) The Sardinians opened the scoring as Jeda ran forward and unleashed a strike that gave the keeper no chance. Less than 60 seconds later Parma were level after Reginaldo put the ball through Storari’s legs from close range.
Sampdoria 2 - Napoli 0 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) Goals from Delvecchio and Franceschini earned Mazzarri’s side the win to place them above Genoa before next week’s derby.
Livorno 1 - Genoa 1 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) Tavano gave the hosts the lead on the quarter hour. Gleison saw red for the visitors with 15 minutes remaining before Marco Di Vaio hit a sweet late equaliser eight minutes from time.
Torino 3 - Palermo 1 (Serie A, February 10, 2008)
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Real Madrid 7 - Valladolid 0 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) Real Madrid pummeled poor Valladolid in the first-half, smashing five goals past them in the opening 45 minutes. Baptista slotted home the first, Raul rounded the keeper to make it two, Robben was given the freedom of the left hand side to add the third, Raul’s spot-kick made it four, and Guti smashed home the fifth. Guti added the sixth midway through the second period and Drenthe bagged the seventh with ten minutes to go.
Racing Santander 0 - Athletico Madrid 2 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) Forlan bags a brace, the second was a cracker.
Athletic Bilbao 1 - Levante 0 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) Llorente scored the only goal.
Mallorca 0 - Almeria 0 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.)
Osasuna 1 - Zaragoza 0 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) Plasil hit thge winner on the stroke of half-time.
Espanyol 1 - Recreativo Huelva 2 (La Liga, February 10, 2008)
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Roda 2 - Ajax 1 (Eredivisie, February 10, 2008) Lamah wriggled past four defenders before firing a shot to give Roda the lead over Ajax. But Ajax’s ever reliable goal-machine, Klass Jan Huntelaar, levelled matters after collecting the ball around the penalty spot. Hadouir headed home the winner to leave Ajax in a four way scrap for second spot.
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Bayern Munich 1 - Werder Bremen 1 (Bundesliga, February 10, 2008) The top two in Germany couldn’t be separated, as Bayern held on to their three point lead over Bremen. Diego drew first blood for the visitors, and after Luca Toni saw his penalty saved, the onrushing Ze Roberto found the equaliser.
Borussia Dortmund 2 - Schalke 3 (Bundesliga, February 10, 2008) The Revier derby was a pulsating affair with Schalke twice taking the lead through Asamoah and an own-goal from Amedick, only for Borussia to come back each time through Federico and then Petric. Dortmund had Dede sent-off and Schalke took advantage as Ernst grabbed the winner just eight minutes from time.
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Caen 1 - Lens 4 (Ligue 1, February 10, 2008)
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Sertanense 0 - FC Porto 4 (Taca de Portugal, February 10, 2008)
Naval 3 - Rio Ave 1 AET (Taca de Portugal, February 10, 2008)
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Central Coast Mariners 3 - Newcastle Jets 0 (A-League, February 10, 2008) The Mariners set up a grand final meeting against the Queensland Roar by overcoming a two-goal first leg deficit to win in extra-time. Kwasnik opened with a looping deflected shot, Petrovski netted the second from Gumprecht’s cross-come-shot, before Petrovski stole the headlines with a fine solo goal for the third.
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FC Brussels 2 - Anderlecht 4 (Juplier League, February 9, 2008)
Club Brugge 2 - Mechelen 0 (Juplier League, February 9, 2008)
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Manchester United 1 - Manchester City 2 (Premier League, February 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Darius Vassell stunned Old Trafford with the opening goal midway through the first half. Petrov played in Ireland who saw his shot saved by Van der Sar, and the former England striker placed it home on the second attempt. On the stroke of half-time Benjani got the second on his City debut, flicking on a great cross from Petrov. Michael Carrick fired one back for United in the 91st minute but City completed a league double over United for the first time since the 1969/70 season.(The minute’s silence and the events preceding the game can be seen on this video.)
Chelsea 0 - Liverpool 0 (Premier League, February 10, 2008) Peter Crouch missed a great opportunity to give Liverpool the lead at Chelsea but he dragged his shot wide, only for the beanpole to miss a header moments later. At the other end, Joe Cole had a penalty shout turned down. In a stale match, one of the highlights was referee Mike Riley falling over after getting tangled up with the ball. Ballack almost snatched the winner.
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Aberdeen 1 - Celtic 5 (SPL, February 10, 2008) Celtic took a 3-0 lead into the break away at Aberdeen, thanks to goals from Nakamura, McGeady and McDonald (pen). McDonald scored his second three minutes into the second-half after great play by Aiden McGeady. Lee Miller pulled one back for Aberdeen. Barry Robson got the fifth from a fine free-kick.
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Catania 0 - Inter Milan 2 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) Inter’s title charge remains on course thanks to second-half goals from Cambiasso and Suazo.
Udinese 1 - Juventus 2 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Dossena gave Udinese the lead at home to Juve. With half-an-hour remaining Camoranesi equalised with a storming header and fifteen minutes later, Iaquinta netted the winner with his first touch.
AC Milan 1 - Siena 0 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) Without Pato and Kaka, Milan struggled to find the breakthrough, but 18-year-old sub-Paloschi scored an incredible winner after only five seconds of being on the pitch. Siena had Vergassola sent off late on.
Cagliari 1 - Parma 1 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) The Sardinians opened the scoring as Jeda ran forward and unleashed a strike that gave the keeper no chance. Less than 60 seconds later Parma were level after Reginaldo put the ball through Storari’s legs from close range.
Sampdoria 2 - Napoli 0 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) Goals from Delvecchio and Franceschini earned Mazzarri’s side the win to place them above Genoa before next week’s derby.
Livorno 1 - Genoa 1 (Serie A, February 10, 2008) Tavano gave the hosts the lead on the quarter hour. Gleison saw red for the visitors with 15 minutes remaining before Marco Di Vaio hit a sweet late equaliser eight minutes from time.
Torino 3 - Palermo 1 (Serie A, February 10, 2008)
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Real Madrid 7 - Valladolid 0 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) Real Madrid pummeled poor Valladolid in the first-half, smashing five goals past them in the opening 45 minutes. Baptista slotted home the first, Raul rounded the keeper to make it two, Robben was given the freedom of the left hand side to add the third, Raul’s spot-kick made it four, and Guti smashed home the fifth. Guti added the sixth midway through the second period and Drenthe bagged the seventh with ten minutes to go.
Racing Santander 0 - Athletico Madrid 2 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) Forlan bags a brace, the second was a cracker.
Athletic Bilbao 1 - Levante 0 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) Llorente scored the only goal.
Mallorca 0 - Almeria 0 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) (Longer highlights here.)
Osasuna 1 - Zaragoza 0 (La Liga, February 10, 2008) Plasil hit thge winner on the stroke of half-time.
Espanyol 1 - Recreativo Huelva 2 (La Liga, February 10, 2008)
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Roda 2 - Ajax 1 (Eredivisie, February 10, 2008) Lamah wriggled past four defenders before firing a shot to give Roda the lead over Ajax. But Ajax’s ever reliable goal-machine, Klass Jan Huntelaar, levelled matters after collecting the ball around the penalty spot. Hadouir headed home the winner to leave Ajax in a four way scrap for second spot.
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Bayern Munich 1 - Werder Bremen 1 (Bundesliga, February 10, 2008) The top two in Germany couldn’t be separated, as Bayern held on to their three point lead over Bremen. Diego drew first blood for the visitors, and after Luca Toni saw his penalty saved, the onrushing Ze Roberto found the equaliser.
Borussia Dortmund 2 - Schalke 3 (Bundesliga, February 10, 2008) The Revier derby was a pulsating affair with Schalke twice taking the lead through Asamoah and an own-goal from Amedick, only for Borussia to come back each time through Federico and then Petric. Dortmund had Dede sent-off and Schalke took advantage as Ernst grabbed the winner just eight minutes from time.
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Caen 1 - Lens 4 (Ligue 1, February 10, 2008)
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Sertanense 0 - FC Porto 4 (Taca de Portugal, February 10, 2008)
Naval 3 - Rio Ave 1 AET (Taca de Portugal, February 10, 2008)
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Central Coast Mariners 3 - Newcastle Jets 0 (A-League, February 10, 2008) The Mariners set up a grand final meeting against the Queensland Roar by overcoming a two-goal first leg deficit to win in extra-time. Kwasnik opened with a looping deflected shot, Petrovski netted the second from Gumprecht’s cross-come-shot, before Petrovski stole the headlines with a fine solo goal for the third.
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FC Brussels 2 - Anderlecht 4 (Juplier League, February 9, 2008)
Club Brugge 2 - Mechelen 0 (Juplier League, February 9, 2008)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Satudays matches report
Ghana 4 - Ivory Coast 2 (Africa Cup of Nations, February 9, 2008) Sulley Muntari gave Ghana a 10th minute lead in the third place play-off with a stunning free-kick. Boubacar Sanogo equalised for the Elephants with a strong run and finish. Nine minutes later, the Werder Bremen striker scored from close range to give the Ivory Coast the lead after Drogba’s shot was saved. Five minutes after bagging the second, Sanogo then should have completed his hat-trick but he hit the bar after being played in by the Drogs. But the Black Stars drew level with a fine solo goal from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, who outpaced three defenders before coolly slotting home. The host nation then completed the comeback after Junior Agogo broke the offside trap to easily beat Kone. And the Elephants then ended the tournament on a sour note, as Kone failed to handle Dramani’s speculative shot from distance.
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Aston Villa 4 - Newcastle 1 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Newcastle came flying out the traps when England U21 hero James Milner swung in a cross which England bench-warmer Michael Owen headed home under pressure from Laursen. Newcastle had Given to thank for saving Carew’s free header just before the break (first-half highlights here), but straight after the interval Given was helpless as Bouma’s deflected right-foot shot nestled in the corner. Newcastle quickly conceded the second three minutes later when Carew headed home Young’s corner, and unable to get back in the game, the sorry Toon fell to pieces from a corner which ping-ponged in the box before Carew bagged his second of the match. The humiliation was completed when Carr stupidly handballed in the box, and Carew scored his hat-trick goal from the spot. Newcastle are experiencing relegation form.
Everton 1 - Reading 0 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Phil Jagielka got the only goal from a deep Osman cross to send the Royals into the bottom three after their seventh consecutive league defeat.
Middlesbrough 1 - Fulham 0 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) A Jeremie Aliadiere goal put further distance between Boro and the drop-zone, Fulham remain deep in the mire.
Bolton 0 - Portsmouth 1 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Lassana Diarra scored his second goal for Pompey since joining during the January transfer window.
Derby 0 - Tottenham 3 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) The Ramos revolution continues to propel itself forward as Spurs recorded only their second away win of the season at Championship-bound Derby. A dull first-half blossomed after the break as goals from Robbie Keane (rebound), Younes Kaboul (shot following a corner) and a stoppage-time penalty from sub-Dimitar Berbatov sealed a convincing victory.
West Ham 1 - Birmingham 1 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Freddie Ljungberg scored his first goal in a year after punishing some slack defending, but Birmingham were soon level through new signing James McFadden, who scored from the spot after he was brought down by Lucas Neill. Lee Bowyer saw red late on, as Brum escaped out of the bottom three.
Sunderland 2 - Wigan 0 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Sunderland leapfrogged the Latics in 14th place thanks to a goal in each half from Dickson Etuhu’s close-range header and sublime strike from Daryl Murphy.
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Sevilla 1 - Barcelona 1 (La Liga, February 9, 2008) Sevilla dominated the first-half at home to Barca, Diego Capel got the breakthrough ten minutes before half-time. Xavi equalised from a great through ball by Messi, Palop probably should have kept it out.
Real Murcia 0 - Villareal 1 (La Liga, February 9, 2008) Guille Franco got the winner three minutes into injury-time at the end of the game.
Deportivo La Coruna 1 - Getafe 1 (La Liga, February 9, 2008)
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Bayer Leverkusen 1 - Hamburg 1 (Bundesliga, February 9, 2008) Van de Vaart got the opener for the away side, Friedrich equalised with half an hour to go.
Hannover 2 - Karlsruher 2 (Bundesliga, February 9, 2008) Balitsch gave Hannover the lead in the 44th minute only to see Kennedy equalise just past the hour mark. Hajnal put Karlsruhe ahead minutes later but Rosenthal restored parity three minutes from time.
Stuttgart 1 - Hertha Berlin 3 (Bundesliga, February 9, 2008) Hertha claims all three points at Stuttgart with Marko Pantelic netting a brace in the first-half. De Rafael added a third with Mario Gomez on the mark for the hosts. Delpierre was sent-off for Stuttgart late on.
Bochum 3 - Energie Cottbus 3 (Bundesliga, February 9, 2008)
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AS Roma 2 - Reggina 0 (Serie A, February 9, 2008) Pannuci headed in at the back post from a fine Totti cross for the first, Mancini followed up on a fine run and shot from Giuly for the second.
Atalanta 2 - Fiorentina 2 (Serie A, February 9, 2008) The Viola took the lead when Pazzini controlled a pass and spun to find the far corner against his former employers. Muslimovic levelled from a corner just a minute later. Fiorentina went ahead again, Semiol headed in Kuzmanovic’s cross from the right on the hour. But Muslimovic slid home his second of the game in injury-time to end the game all square.
Messina 1 - Mantova 0 (Serie B, February 9, 2008)
Vicenza 2 - Bari 3 (Serie B, February 9, 2008)
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Lyon 4 - Socaux 1 (Ligue 1, February 9, 2008) Bodmer got two for Lyon, the first came after two minutes the second came from a rebound off a fine Juninho free-kick. Sandiwhced between the two Lyon goals was a brilliant volleyed equaliser from Pancrate. In injury-time Govou and Benzema added some gloss to the scoreline.
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Larissa 1 - AEK Athens 0 (Greek Super League, February 9, 2008) AEK had Alves sent-off as they fell to their second consecutive deafeat, losing to Zurawski’s first goal for Larissa since joining from Celtic.
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Aston Villa 4 - Newcastle 1 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Newcastle came flying out the traps when England U21 hero James Milner swung in a cross which England bench-warmer Michael Owen headed home under pressure from Laursen. Newcastle had Given to thank for saving Carew’s free header just before the break (first-half highlights here), but straight after the interval Given was helpless as Bouma’s deflected right-foot shot nestled in the corner. Newcastle quickly conceded the second three minutes later when Carew headed home Young’s corner, and unable to get back in the game, the sorry Toon fell to pieces from a corner which ping-ponged in the box before Carew bagged his second of the match. The humiliation was completed when Carr stupidly handballed in the box, and Carew scored his hat-trick goal from the spot. Newcastle are experiencing relegation form.
Everton 1 - Reading 0 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Phil Jagielka got the only goal from a deep Osman cross to send the Royals into the bottom three after their seventh consecutive league defeat.
Middlesbrough 1 - Fulham 0 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) A Jeremie Aliadiere goal put further distance between Boro and the drop-zone, Fulham remain deep in the mire.
Bolton 0 - Portsmouth 1 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Lassana Diarra scored his second goal for Pompey since joining during the January transfer window.
Derby 0 - Tottenham 3 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) The Ramos revolution continues to propel itself forward as Spurs recorded only their second away win of the season at Championship-bound Derby. A dull first-half blossomed after the break as goals from Robbie Keane (rebound), Younes Kaboul (shot following a corner) and a stoppage-time penalty from sub-Dimitar Berbatov sealed a convincing victory.
West Ham 1 - Birmingham 1 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Freddie Ljungberg scored his first goal in a year after punishing some slack defending, but Birmingham were soon level through new signing James McFadden, who scored from the spot after he was brought down by Lucas Neill. Lee Bowyer saw red late on, as Brum escaped out of the bottom three.
Sunderland 2 - Wigan 0 (Premier League, February 9, 2008) Sunderland leapfrogged the Latics in 14th place thanks to a goal in each half from Dickson Etuhu’s close-range header and sublime strike from Daryl Murphy.
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Sevilla 1 - Barcelona 1 (La Liga, February 9, 2008) Sevilla dominated the first-half at home to Barca, Diego Capel got the breakthrough ten minutes before half-time. Xavi equalised from a great through ball by Messi, Palop probably should have kept it out.
Real Murcia 0 - Villareal 1 (La Liga, February 9, 2008) Guille Franco got the winner three minutes into injury-time at the end of the game.
Deportivo La Coruna 1 - Getafe 1 (La Liga, February 9, 2008)
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Bayer Leverkusen 1 - Hamburg 1 (Bundesliga, February 9, 2008) Van de Vaart got the opener for the away side, Friedrich equalised with half an hour to go.
Hannover 2 - Karlsruher 2 (Bundesliga, February 9, 2008) Balitsch gave Hannover the lead in the 44th minute only to see Kennedy equalise just past the hour mark. Hajnal put Karlsruhe ahead minutes later but Rosenthal restored parity three minutes from time.
Stuttgart 1 - Hertha Berlin 3 (Bundesliga, February 9, 2008) Hertha claims all three points at Stuttgart with Marko Pantelic netting a brace in the first-half. De Rafael added a third with Mario Gomez on the mark for the hosts. Delpierre was sent-off for Stuttgart late on.
Bochum 3 - Energie Cottbus 3 (Bundesliga, February 9, 2008)
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AS Roma 2 - Reggina 0 (Serie A, February 9, 2008) Pannuci headed in at the back post from a fine Totti cross for the first, Mancini followed up on a fine run and shot from Giuly for the second.
Atalanta 2 - Fiorentina 2 (Serie A, February 9, 2008) The Viola took the lead when Pazzini controlled a pass and spun to find the far corner against his former employers. Muslimovic levelled from a corner just a minute later. Fiorentina went ahead again, Semiol headed in Kuzmanovic’s cross from the right on the hour. But Muslimovic slid home his second of the game in injury-time to end the game all square.
Messina 1 - Mantova 0 (Serie B, February 9, 2008)
Vicenza 2 - Bari 3 (Serie B, February 9, 2008)
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Lyon 4 - Socaux 1 (Ligue 1, February 9, 2008) Bodmer got two for Lyon, the first came after two minutes the second came from a rebound off a fine Juninho free-kick. Sandiwhced between the two Lyon goals was a brilliant volleyed equaliser from Pancrate. In injury-time Govou and Benzema added some gloss to the scoreline.
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Larissa 1 - AEK Athens 0 (Greek Super League, February 9, 2008) AEK had Alves sent-off as they fell to their second consecutive deafeat, losing to Zurawski’s first goal for Larissa since joining from Celtic.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Frendly Matches Info and Video Stories
England 2 - Switzerland 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) England took the lead just before half-time with a goal from Jermaine Jenas, Joe Cole did brilliantly to skin his man and cross for the Spurs midfielder to finish from close range. Switzerland equalised just before the hour-mark with a fine strike from substitute Eren Derdiyok. England responded almost straight away, captain Steven Gerrard setting up Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Republic of Ireland 0 - Brazil 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Brazil had the opening effort on target against managerless Ireland when Diego fired his free-kick straight at Shay Given. Towards the end of the first-half Robinho displayed great skill to set up Josue who tested Given. Midway throught the second-half Robinho scored the only goal of the game with a lovely finish.
Italy 3 - Portugal 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Italy went one-up in injury-time of the first-half, Luca Toni scored after a number of Portugal defenders failed to clear. Five minutes into the second period Italy doubled their lead through a deflected shot from Andrea Pirlo. With twelve minutes to go, Ricardo Quaresma pulled one back for Portugal. Two minutes later Fabio Quagliarella restored Italy’s two-goal advantage.
Spain 1 - France 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Joan Capdevilla got the only goal with ten minutes remaining after Diarra had headed off the line from Iniesta. In the last minute Benzema hit the bar for France and following up Thierry Henry missed an absolute sitter.
Poland 2 - Czech Republic 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Two goals in the opening half-an-hour from Lobodzinski and Lewandowski (great finish) gave the Poles a comfortable win. Artur Boruc also saved a penalty from Jan Koller.
Turkey 0 - Sweden 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008)
Austria 0 - Germany 3 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) After a dire first-half, goals from Hitzlsperger, Klose and sub-Gomez gave Germany the win. The two sides next meet in Group B at Euro 2008.
Croatia 0 - Holland 3 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) England’s conquerers fell to an embarrassing home defeat to Marco Van Basten’s side, for whom John Heitinga and Klaas Jan Huntelaar netted at the beginning and end of the first-half while Vennegor of Hesselink added the third just before the final whistle.
Bolivia 2 - Peru 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) In a comment on South American defending, all three goals were headers from set-plays.
Macedonia 1 - Serbia 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008)
Hungary 1 - Slovakia 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Zoltan Gera’s header from a corner was cancelled out by Sestak.
Israel 1 - Romania 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Israel recorded a morale-boosting victory over Romania, who were reduced to 10-men after Ovidiu Petre was sent off after 20 minutes, thanks to Omer Golan’s header.
United States 2 - Mexico 2 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Oguchi Onyewu’s towering back-post header gave the hosts the lead, but Magallon’s first goal for Mexico tied the score five minutes later. Highly-regarded starlet Jozy Altidore, then restored America’s lead, only to have Magallon net his second of the game just after the break.
Argentina 5 - Guatemala 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Fielding a predominately young side in preparation for the under-23 competition at August’s Olympic Games, Gonzalo Higuain netted a brace (second goal here) whilst Ezequiel Lavezzi, Jonatan Maidana (great strike) and Marco Ruben added the other goals in the Argentinean rout, marking the first meeting between the two nations.
Uruguay 2 - Colombia 2 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Edison Perea scored a goal in each half to put Colombia in the driving seat. But the introduction of Edinson Cavani for Diego Forlan reaped immediate benefits with the striker pulling the a goal back before Suarez completed the comeback with a late equaliser.
Republic of Ireland 0 - Brazil 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Brazil had the opening effort on target against managerless Ireland when Diego fired his free-kick straight at Shay Given. Towards the end of the first-half Robinho displayed great skill to set up Josue who tested Given. Midway throught the second-half Robinho scored the only goal of the game with a lovely finish.
Italy 3 - Portugal 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Italy went one-up in injury-time of the first-half, Luca Toni scored after a number of Portugal defenders failed to clear. Five minutes into the second period Italy doubled their lead through a deflected shot from Andrea Pirlo. With twelve minutes to go, Ricardo Quaresma pulled one back for Portugal. Two minutes later Fabio Quagliarella restored Italy’s two-goal advantage.
Spain 1 - France 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Joan Capdevilla got the only goal with ten minutes remaining after Diarra had headed off the line from Iniesta. In the last minute Benzema hit the bar for France and following up Thierry Henry missed an absolute sitter.
Poland 2 - Czech Republic 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Two goals in the opening half-an-hour from Lobodzinski and Lewandowski (great finish) gave the Poles a comfortable win. Artur Boruc also saved a penalty from Jan Koller.
Turkey 0 - Sweden 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008)
Austria 0 - Germany 3 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) After a dire first-half, goals from Hitzlsperger, Klose and sub-Gomez gave Germany the win. The two sides next meet in Group B at Euro 2008.
Croatia 0 - Holland 3 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) England’s conquerers fell to an embarrassing home defeat to Marco Van Basten’s side, for whom John Heitinga and Klaas Jan Huntelaar netted at the beginning and end of the first-half while Vennegor of Hesselink added the third just before the final whistle.
Bolivia 2 - Peru 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) In a comment on South American defending, all three goals were headers from set-plays.
Macedonia 1 - Serbia 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008)
Hungary 1 - Slovakia 1 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Zoltan Gera’s header from a corner was cancelled out by Sestak.
Israel 1 - Romania 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Israel recorded a morale-boosting victory over Romania, who were reduced to 10-men after Ovidiu Petre was sent off after 20 minutes, thanks to Omer Golan’s header.
United States 2 - Mexico 2 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Oguchi Onyewu’s towering back-post header gave the hosts the lead, but Magallon’s first goal for Mexico tied the score five minutes later. Highly-regarded starlet Jozy Altidore, then restored America’s lead, only to have Magallon net his second of the game just after the break.
Argentina 5 - Guatemala 0 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Fielding a predominately young side in preparation for the under-23 competition at August’s Olympic Games, Gonzalo Higuain netted a brace (second goal here) whilst Ezequiel Lavezzi, Jonatan Maidana (great strike) and Marco Ruben added the other goals in the Argentinean rout, marking the first meeting between the two nations.
Uruguay 2 - Colombia 2 (International friendly, February 6, 2008) Edison Perea scored a goal in each half to put Colombia in the driving seat. But the introduction of Edinson Cavani for Diego Forlan reaped immediate benefits with the striker pulling the a goal back before Suarez completed the comeback with a late equaliser.
Friday, January 18, 2008
JANUARY FOOTBALL NEWS
ENGLAND
Blackburn relief over Newcastle's Keegan appointment
Villa celebrate new Laursen deal
Bolton land Portsmouth's Taylor
Fulham agree fee for Watford's King
O'Leary rejects Republic of Ireland job
Spurs target Fred staying with Lyon
Everton announce accepting Birmingham offer for McFadden
Edman claims Wigan agreement
Spurs join Arsenal interest for Catania's Vargas
Villa boss O'Neill in talks with Tottenham's Defoe
Liverpool agent denies link for Fiorentina coach Prandelli
Portsmouth, Spurs battle for Mallorca star Jonas
Juventus want immediate deal for Villa's Mellberg
ITALIA
AC Milan, Fiorentina chiefs discuss Gilardino, Frey swap
Ronaldo helping Juventus win Amauri race
Udinese's Quagliarella back on Inter Milan radar
Juventus to bring forward plans for Palermo's Barzagli
Inter Milan tracking Corinthians defender Renato
Agent: Zambrotta will only leave Barcelona for AC Milan
Fiorentina intensify talks for Sturm Graz's Proedel
Porto's Gonzalez keen on Fiorentina move
Parma's Dessena interesting Napoli
Belenenses defender Rolando hoping for quick Lazio move
Genoa welcome Corinthians striker Wilson
Reggina wrap up signing of Palermo's Brienza
Siena sign Levante striker Rigano
Parma youngster Paci fractures jaw
Nike back Inter Milan bid for Barcelona's Ronaldinho
Inter Milan seek their own Pato
Fiorentina keep tabs on Gilardino's AC Milan situation
Roma check on Lille starlet Salibur
SPAIN
Deco: Barcelona future decided at season's end
Vazquez: Pinto genuine threat to Barcelona No1 Valdes
Zigic winning Koeman around at Valencia
Manzano blasts Real Madrid's Schuster: Show some humility
Mijatovic insists Real Madrid can be happy despite Copa exit
Barcelona agree terms for Celta Vigo's Pinto
PSG starlet Arnaud reveals Barcelona offer
Deportivo La Coruna players discuss Munua, Dudu futures
Calderon: Casillas would make great Real Madrid president
Benfica, Besiktas move for Recreativo's Beto
Poli Ejido snap up Valladolid striker Kike
Agent reveals Deportivo La Coruna offer for River Plate's Ruben
Chevanton slams ex-Sevilla coach Ramos
Agent rules out Argentina return for Zaragoza's D'Alessandro
Deportivo La Coruna, Sevilla go for Santos star Maldonado
Baptista delighted with Real Madrid breakthrough
Real Madrid coach Schuster keen on Juventus outcast Tiago
Jorquera backs Barcelona's Pinto move
Blackburn relief over Newcastle's Keegan appointment
Villa celebrate new Laursen deal
Bolton land Portsmouth's Taylor
Fulham agree fee for Watford's King
O'Leary rejects Republic of Ireland job
Spurs target Fred staying with Lyon
Everton announce accepting Birmingham offer for McFadden
Edman claims Wigan agreement
Spurs join Arsenal interest for Catania's Vargas
Villa boss O'Neill in talks with Tottenham's Defoe
Liverpool agent denies link for Fiorentina coach Prandelli
Portsmouth, Spurs battle for Mallorca star Jonas
Juventus want immediate deal for Villa's Mellberg
ITALIA
AC Milan, Fiorentina chiefs discuss Gilardino, Frey swap
Ronaldo helping Juventus win Amauri race
Udinese's Quagliarella back on Inter Milan radar
Juventus to bring forward plans for Palermo's Barzagli
Inter Milan tracking Corinthians defender Renato
Agent: Zambrotta will only leave Barcelona for AC Milan
Fiorentina intensify talks for Sturm Graz's Proedel
Porto's Gonzalez keen on Fiorentina move
Parma's Dessena interesting Napoli
Belenenses defender Rolando hoping for quick Lazio move
Genoa welcome Corinthians striker Wilson
Reggina wrap up signing of Palermo's Brienza
Siena sign Levante striker Rigano
Parma youngster Paci fractures jaw
Nike back Inter Milan bid for Barcelona's Ronaldinho
Inter Milan seek their own Pato
Fiorentina keep tabs on Gilardino's AC Milan situation
Roma check on Lille starlet Salibur
SPAIN
Deco: Barcelona future decided at season's end
Vazquez: Pinto genuine threat to Barcelona No1 Valdes
Zigic winning Koeman around at Valencia
Manzano blasts Real Madrid's Schuster: Show some humility
Mijatovic insists Real Madrid can be happy despite Copa exit
Barcelona agree terms for Celta Vigo's Pinto
PSG starlet Arnaud reveals Barcelona offer
Deportivo La Coruna players discuss Munua, Dudu futures
Calderon: Casillas would make great Real Madrid president
Benfica, Besiktas move for Recreativo's Beto
Poli Ejido snap up Valladolid striker Kike
Agent reveals Deportivo La Coruna offer for River Plate's Ruben
Chevanton slams ex-Sevilla coach Ramos
Agent rules out Argentina return for Zaragoza's D'Alessandro
Deportivo La Coruna, Sevilla go for Santos star Maldonado
Baptista delighted with Real Madrid breakthrough
Real Madrid coach Schuster keen on Juventus outcast Tiago
Jorquera backs Barcelona's Pinto move
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW
Marseille - Liverpool
Liverpool FC will be stepping into a lions' den at the Stade Vélodrome on Tuesday, according to Olympique de Marseille coach Erik Gerets. Victory for either side would guarantee qualification, and Gerets is adamant that his will be the team celebrating at the final whistle.
Adrenalin rush
The hosts also know that a draw will suffice unless Group A basement club Beşiktaş JK can win at FC Porto, but the Belgian tactician does not expect his charges to hold back. "We won't set out looking for a draw," said Gerets. "Our preparations have been normal but, from the first second on Tuesday, the players will know they are in a special game, more intense than in the league. It's the match the fans have been waiting for and there'll be adrenalin aplenty on the pitch. We won't freeze, we'll be like lions."
Anfield win
The Mediterranean outfit certainly did not freeze on Merseyside in October, as Mathieu Valbuena gave Gerets a stunning 1-0 victory in his first match in charge. Since then, they have managed just one point from three European outings, yet their coach sees enough reasons to believe they will progress. "We have already proved that we have the ability to defeat Liverpool," he stated. "One of my colleagues said we don't have a chance on paper, but the match won't be played on paper. Even though they're slight favourites, we're at home and we're unbeaten in our last five league games."
Nasri injury
Marseille extended that Ligue 1 run with a 2-0 success over AS Monaco FC on Saturday, which lifted them to 13th in the standings. Influential playmaker Samir Nasri missed out with an ankle injury, although there is a slight chance he may return to replace Karim Ziani. "We'll make a decision after training," explained Gerets, who admitted he is relishing another meeting with the 2005 winners: "There's pressure but it's the right kind of pressure, the pressure you hope for as a coach."
Reading defeat
Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has come under pressure of his own since Saturday's 3-1 loss at Reading FC ended his side's unbeaten Premier League record, not least because he withdrew key men Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres to keep them fresh for Marseille. "Right now, the Champions League is the most important competition for us," said the Spaniard. "We were really disappointed to lose the Reading game, but we're only thinking about this one and finding the right solutions."
'It's a final'
Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso will not figure among those solutions as they are not yet back to full fitness, while Andriy Voronin and Mohamed Sissoko have been left in England. Torres has recovered from an ankle knock, on the other hand, and will lead the charge for goals – although a draw would suit Liverpool if Beşiktaş prevail in Portugal. "We made a lot of mistakes when we last faced Marseille, but we know more about them and their coach now," continued Benitez. "If you want to win trophies then you have to win finals, and for us this is a final."
Porto - Besiktas
Coach Jesualdo Ferreira is adamant FC Porto will not underestimate the challenge of Beşiktaş JK as the Portuguese side attempt to rubber-stamp qualification for the knockout stage for the fourth time in five UEFA Champions League campaigns.
Record loss
"They're a strong team," said Ferreira, whose charges will advance by avoiding defeat on Tuesday – and as Group A winners should they triumph – but face elimination if they become Beşiktaş's first away victims in the section. The coach is certainly not fooled by the Black Eagles' poor form on the road so far, which includes the heaviest defeat in UEFA Champions League history, an 8-0 humbling at Liverpool FC. "We know they will be very difficult," he said. "They beat [Olympique de] Marseille and Liverpool at home. The fact they lost in Marseille and Liverpool won't affect our plans."
Bounced back
Ferreira can, however, take confidence from the fact Porto are the only side in the pool to have left the Inönü Stadium with any points this term, having won 1-0 in Istanbul on Matchday 2 when Ricardo Quaresma scored in added time. The 61-year-old accepts that the Liga leaders will be favourites, especially as they have bounced back from a 4-1 loss at Liverpool last time out by beating SL Benfica and advancing in the Portuguese Cup. "It's normal," he said. We're the leaders after five games. We have built this position. We're not preoccupied with anything else, just with winning the group."
'Great support'
Ferreira assures the Estádio do Dragão faithful that their idols will not sit back and play safe – in return, the players will be wanting the home crowd to help push them over the line. The former SC Braga boss said: "They expect things from us. They give great support to the team, and the bond between them and the team is important. We intend to win the game, and to win the group." It is eleven years since Porto topped a section in the competition, while Beşiktaş are trying to "make history" by reaching the last 16 for the first time.
'Tricky opponents'
"This game is very important, both for our team and for Turkish football," said Ertuğrul Sağlam. "This isn't a game where the players need motivating." The coach knows only a win will keep his side in Europe, yet he hardly wore the look of a worried man on the eve of the match. "I prefer to play in games like this, where we have to win," said the 38-year-old. "We know Porto well. They're a strong team with many good players and are tricky opponents, especially at home."
Pride
Sağlam saw his charges prevail by 1-0 at Bursaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on Friday, and he has hinted that he could field the same starting XI in northern Portugal as Márcio Nobre and Ricardinho are both ruled out. It is a source of obvious pride to him that Beşiktaş remain in contention going into Matchday 6. "Everyone thought the top two would be Porto and Liverpool, and it would be a struggle between us and Marseille for third place," he said. "Now we have it in our own hands."
Chelsea - Valencia
Valencia CF go looking for the win that only one visiting team has managed in 23 UEFA Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge to give themselves a fighting chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup. And, despite a poor run of form, coach Ronald Koeman believes they can do it.
English experience
Victory away to Liverpool FC as SL Benfica coach, and a draw at Arsenal FC while in charge of PSV Eindhoven, give the Dutchman confidence as he prepares his side to try to dismantle the Chelsea FC fortress. "It's a pleasure to play in England against English teams because it's always a good atmosphere," he said. "You do get opportunities in these games and I am confident we can take something out of the game."
Rosenborg defeats
After 20 minutes on Matchday 2 it looked as if it was all falling into place for the Spanish club. After winning their Group B opener at FC Schalke 04, they were leading Chelsea 1-0. But that was as good as it got as Valencia eventually succumbed to the London visitors, and then lost back-to-back fixtures with Rosenborg BK, before an uninspiring 0-0 draw at home to Schalke two weeks ago. That put paid to their hopes of reaching the next stage and leaves them needing to better Schalke's result against the Norwegian team to continue their European adventure. "It is very important for the club that we go into the UEFA Cup," Koeman added.
Weekend tests
Both sides have crucial games looming at the weekend. Valencia, in seventh position in the Primera División, ten points adrift of Real Madrid CF, play host to FC Barcelona; Chelsea, who lie third in the Premier League, visit leaders Arsenal FC hoping to claw back a three-point deficit. The difference on Tuesday is that Chelsea have already guaranteed their progress as group winners while Valencia have it all to do – their task a sizeable one considering they are without captain David Albelda after his red card against Schalke, and given they have failed to score in their last four outings.
Drogba out
Chelsea are missing Didier Drogba, who has had a knee operation and is expected to be out for around three weeks, and Petr Čech, although the goalkeeper returns to full training this week following a calf injury. Other senior players are likely to sit this one out as energies are conserved. Grant admits the weekend fixture is the most important on the club's immediate agenda, saying of Tuesday's match: "It's not so important because of what we have done in the group, qualifying with one game to go. But it's the Champions League and we want to perform well."
Unbeaten run
Grant pinpoints the victory at the Mestalla in October as crucial in their run of 14 unbeaten games, Chelsea having suffered just a single loss since the departure of José Mourinho. "Everybody thought Chelsea were a little bit down and would continue to be down after we lost to Manchester United [FC]," he said. "But we won in Valencia, played very well and our attitude was very good. Now we can see how important that game was."
Schalke - Rosenborg
FC Schalke 04 coach Mirko Slomka says his side are "happy to still have a chance" of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout stage for the first time ahead of their Group B finale against Rosenborg BK.
'Step forward'
Schalke go into the game third in the section, two points behind their Norwegian rivals and needing victory to join group winners Chelsea FC in the next round. The pressure is on the German team who could still miss out on the UEFA Cup spot should Valencia CF defeat Chelsea in the evening's other match. Slomka, though, is drawing strength from Schalke's 2-0 triumph in Trondheim on Matchday 2. "Victory against Rosenborg will take us a step forward," he said. "We're very motivated and will take a lot of confidence from the away match against Rosenborg. I don't think they're dream opponents for us, but I have dreamt about playing our last game at home and then about the knockout phase. We're happy we're at home and still have a chance."
Goal shortage
Jermaine Jones and Kevin Kuranyi struck against Rosenborg on 3 October to lead Schalke to their only win in the section. Indeed, those are Schalke's only goals so far. The Bundesliga side have not scored in their last three Group B matches but a pair of goalless draws, at home to Chelsea and away to Valencia, have kept hopes alive. Slomka takes particular courage from having held the Premier League club, especially given the 4-0 drubbing Chelsea dished out to Rosenborg two weeks ago.
'Right spirit'
"Our performance against Chelsea gives us the right spirit – we just need to score goals," said the 40-year-old, whose team drew 2-2 at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. "There's no favourite but perhaps playing at home gives us a little advantage. If we perform at the same level as we did against Chelsea then we can win. Rosenborg are defensively strong but perhaps their loss to Chelsea makes them less confident at the moment. Also there are no more league games in Norway, so they have not played for a while."
Pander out
Schalke are without the injured Christian Pander but with Heiko Westermann and Levan Kobiashvili both available again, Slomka has a near full-strength squad to choose from. His Rosenborg counterpart, Trond Henriksen, is keeping his cards close to his chest, confirming only that midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred will have a fitness test following a bout of flu. The 43-year-old has shifted attention away from his side, claiming the onus is on Schalke as Rosenborg are already assured of European football – by finishing above Valencia – next spring.
'Game plan'
"We have a game plan," he said. "We won't sit back and try to defend but will look to go forward. They have to win. We're playing against a good team with a good defence but we must focus on ourselves. If we fight and play the best we can, we'll be satisfied. Regarding the Chelsea game, the players were over-confident before the match and therefore made some bad mistakes. It's not easy for them to concentrate as our season has ended, but we are focused for this match."
Real Madrid - Lazio
If S.S. Lazio are to assure themselves of a place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, their coach Delio Rossi must mastermind a victory by two goals against Real Madrid CF at the Santiago Bernabéu, a venue where the Spanish champions have lost only once in their last 24 games in the competition. A draw will be enough to send Madrid through.
Job to finish
Bernd Schuster, like Rossi, is another coach would have preferred to have wrapped up qualification by now, but the Madrid boss realises his team must forget about missed opportunities ahead of the Group C decider. "It's true we didn't want to find ourselves in this position," said the German. "We had some great chances to beat Olympiacos [CFP] away [on Matchday 4] and I thought we deserved at least a draw in Germany against Werder Bremen [on Matchday 5] but we lost. We have to resolve our situation on Tuesday."
Home advantage
The last time these two sides met, in Rome on Matchday 2, they produced an exciting 2-2 draw. The same result again would suffice for Madrid, and Schuster feels that going into the tie as group leaders gives his team a telling advantage. "We're in a better position than they are, in that we have two possibilities to advance: with a win or with a draw. We have a lot in our favour and we must take advantage of that."
Confidence
Madrid are without the injured trio of Gabriel Heinze, Javier Ángel Balboa (both knee) and Christoph Metzelder (heel) but will have striker Ruud van Nistelrooy available after he shrugged off an injury scare. According to Schuster, Madrid are "up for this one. It'll be difficult but we're confident. We have a lot of respect for Lazio. We're going to try to play at our rhythm. Our players know how important this game is and they know their capabilities and qualities."
Winning possibility
Both Madrid and Lazio enjoyed league victories at the weekend, with the former winning 1-0 at Athletic Club Bilbao to maintain their four-point lead in the Primera División, while the Biancocelesti gained a confidence-boosting 2-0 triumph against Calcio Catania in Serie A. Lazio coach Rossi says the prospect of "playing one of the best teams in the world" is a "very emotional one" but this is a match he believes his side can win. "In a game of football a thousand things can happen. It's going to be difficult but we can win."
Team performance
The visitors will be missing Simone Del Nero, who has a foot injury, but good news comes with the return of Emílson Sánchez Cribari who was suspended for the 2-1 loss at home to Olympiacos two weeks ago. Most attention, though, will be on Lazio strikers Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev, who both scored against Catania. "They'll be important, of course, but it won't only be up to them," said Rossi. "Every player in our team is important. We'll need to keep our balance against Madrid. We need to play our game, not allow Madrid to play theirs, and we'll also need a bit of luck."
Olympiacos - Bremen
Adrenalin rush
The hosts also know that a draw will suffice unless Group A basement club Beşiktaş JK can win at FC Porto, but the Belgian tactician does not expect his charges to hold back. "We won't set out looking for a draw," said Gerets. "Our preparations have been normal but, from the first second on Tuesday, the players will know they are in a special game, more intense than in the league. It's the match the fans have been waiting for and there'll be adrenalin aplenty on the pitch. We won't freeze, we'll be like lions."
Anfield win
The Mediterranean outfit certainly did not freeze on Merseyside in October, as Mathieu Valbuena gave Gerets a stunning 1-0 victory in his first match in charge. Since then, they have managed just one point from three European outings, yet their coach sees enough reasons to believe they will progress. "We have already proved that we have the ability to defeat Liverpool," he stated. "One of my colleagues said we don't have a chance on paper, but the match won't be played on paper. Even though they're slight favourites, we're at home and we're unbeaten in our last five league games."
Nasri injury
Marseille extended that Ligue 1 run with a 2-0 success over AS Monaco FC on Saturday, which lifted them to 13th in the standings. Influential playmaker Samir Nasri missed out with an ankle injury, although there is a slight chance he may return to replace Karim Ziani. "We'll make a decision after training," explained Gerets, who admitted he is relishing another meeting with the 2005 winners: "There's pressure but it's the right kind of pressure, the pressure you hope for as a coach."
Reading defeat
Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has come under pressure of his own since Saturday's 3-1 loss at Reading FC ended his side's unbeaten Premier League record, not least because he withdrew key men Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres to keep them fresh for Marseille. "Right now, the Champions League is the most important competition for us," said the Spaniard. "We were really disappointed to lose the Reading game, but we're only thinking about this one and finding the right solutions."
'It's a final'
Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso will not figure among those solutions as they are not yet back to full fitness, while Andriy Voronin and Mohamed Sissoko have been left in England. Torres has recovered from an ankle knock, on the other hand, and will lead the charge for goals – although a draw would suit Liverpool if Beşiktaş prevail in Portugal. "We made a lot of mistakes when we last faced Marseille, but we know more about them and their coach now," continued Benitez. "If you want to win trophies then you have to win finals, and for us this is a final."
Porto - Besiktas
Coach Jesualdo Ferreira is adamant FC Porto will not underestimate the challenge of Beşiktaş JK as the Portuguese side attempt to rubber-stamp qualification for the knockout stage for the fourth time in five UEFA Champions League campaigns.
Record loss
"They're a strong team," said Ferreira, whose charges will advance by avoiding defeat on Tuesday – and as Group A winners should they triumph – but face elimination if they become Beşiktaş's first away victims in the section. The coach is certainly not fooled by the Black Eagles' poor form on the road so far, which includes the heaviest defeat in UEFA Champions League history, an 8-0 humbling at Liverpool FC. "We know they will be very difficult," he said. "They beat [Olympique de] Marseille and Liverpool at home. The fact they lost in Marseille and Liverpool won't affect our plans."
Bounced back
Ferreira can, however, take confidence from the fact Porto are the only side in the pool to have left the Inönü Stadium with any points this term, having won 1-0 in Istanbul on Matchday 2 when Ricardo Quaresma scored in added time. The 61-year-old accepts that the Liga leaders will be favourites, especially as they have bounced back from a 4-1 loss at Liverpool last time out by beating SL Benfica and advancing in the Portuguese Cup. "It's normal," he said. We're the leaders after five games. We have built this position. We're not preoccupied with anything else, just with winning the group."
'Great support'
Ferreira assures the Estádio do Dragão faithful that their idols will not sit back and play safe – in return, the players will be wanting the home crowd to help push them over the line. The former SC Braga boss said: "They expect things from us. They give great support to the team, and the bond between them and the team is important. We intend to win the game, and to win the group." It is eleven years since Porto topped a section in the competition, while Beşiktaş are trying to "make history" by reaching the last 16 for the first time.
'Tricky opponents'
"This game is very important, both for our team and for Turkish football," said Ertuğrul Sağlam. "This isn't a game where the players need motivating." The coach knows only a win will keep his side in Europe, yet he hardly wore the look of a worried man on the eve of the match. "I prefer to play in games like this, where we have to win," said the 38-year-old. "We know Porto well. They're a strong team with many good players and are tricky opponents, especially at home."
Pride
Sağlam saw his charges prevail by 1-0 at Bursaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on Friday, and he has hinted that he could field the same starting XI in northern Portugal as Márcio Nobre and Ricardinho are both ruled out. It is a source of obvious pride to him that Beşiktaş remain in contention going into Matchday 6. "Everyone thought the top two would be Porto and Liverpool, and it would be a struggle between us and Marseille for third place," he said. "Now we have it in our own hands."
Chelsea - Valencia
Valencia CF go looking for the win that only one visiting team has managed in 23 UEFA Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge to give themselves a fighting chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup. And, despite a poor run of form, coach Ronald Koeman believes they can do it.
English experience
Victory away to Liverpool FC as SL Benfica coach, and a draw at Arsenal FC while in charge of PSV Eindhoven, give the Dutchman confidence as he prepares his side to try to dismantle the Chelsea FC fortress. "It's a pleasure to play in England against English teams because it's always a good atmosphere," he said. "You do get opportunities in these games and I am confident we can take something out of the game."
Rosenborg defeats
After 20 minutes on Matchday 2 it looked as if it was all falling into place for the Spanish club. After winning their Group B opener at FC Schalke 04, they were leading Chelsea 1-0. But that was as good as it got as Valencia eventually succumbed to the London visitors, and then lost back-to-back fixtures with Rosenborg BK, before an uninspiring 0-0 draw at home to Schalke two weeks ago. That put paid to their hopes of reaching the next stage and leaves them needing to better Schalke's result against the Norwegian team to continue their European adventure. "It is very important for the club that we go into the UEFA Cup," Koeman added.
Weekend tests
Both sides have crucial games looming at the weekend. Valencia, in seventh position in the Primera División, ten points adrift of Real Madrid CF, play host to FC Barcelona; Chelsea, who lie third in the Premier League, visit leaders Arsenal FC hoping to claw back a three-point deficit. The difference on Tuesday is that Chelsea have already guaranteed their progress as group winners while Valencia have it all to do – their task a sizeable one considering they are without captain David Albelda after his red card against Schalke, and given they have failed to score in their last four outings.
Drogba out
Chelsea are missing Didier Drogba, who has had a knee operation and is expected to be out for around three weeks, and Petr Čech, although the goalkeeper returns to full training this week following a calf injury. Other senior players are likely to sit this one out as energies are conserved. Grant admits the weekend fixture is the most important on the club's immediate agenda, saying of Tuesday's match: "It's not so important because of what we have done in the group, qualifying with one game to go. But it's the Champions League and we want to perform well."
Unbeaten run
Grant pinpoints the victory at the Mestalla in October as crucial in their run of 14 unbeaten games, Chelsea having suffered just a single loss since the departure of José Mourinho. "Everybody thought Chelsea were a little bit down and would continue to be down after we lost to Manchester United [FC]," he said. "But we won in Valencia, played very well and our attitude was very good. Now we can see how important that game was."
Schalke - Rosenborg
FC Schalke 04 coach Mirko Slomka says his side are "happy to still have a chance" of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout stage for the first time ahead of their Group B finale against Rosenborg BK.
'Step forward'
Schalke go into the game third in the section, two points behind their Norwegian rivals and needing victory to join group winners Chelsea FC in the next round. The pressure is on the German team who could still miss out on the UEFA Cup spot should Valencia CF defeat Chelsea in the evening's other match. Slomka, though, is drawing strength from Schalke's 2-0 triumph in Trondheim on Matchday 2. "Victory against Rosenborg will take us a step forward," he said. "We're very motivated and will take a lot of confidence from the away match against Rosenborg. I don't think they're dream opponents for us, but I have dreamt about playing our last game at home and then about the knockout phase. We're happy we're at home and still have a chance."
Goal shortage
Jermaine Jones and Kevin Kuranyi struck against Rosenborg on 3 October to lead Schalke to their only win in the section. Indeed, those are Schalke's only goals so far. The Bundesliga side have not scored in their last three Group B matches but a pair of goalless draws, at home to Chelsea and away to Valencia, have kept hopes alive. Slomka takes particular courage from having held the Premier League club, especially given the 4-0 drubbing Chelsea dished out to Rosenborg two weeks ago.
'Right spirit'
"Our performance against Chelsea gives us the right spirit – we just need to score goals," said the 40-year-old, whose team drew 2-2 at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. "There's no favourite but perhaps playing at home gives us a little advantage. If we perform at the same level as we did against Chelsea then we can win. Rosenborg are defensively strong but perhaps their loss to Chelsea makes them less confident at the moment. Also there are no more league games in Norway, so they have not played for a while."
Pander out
Schalke are without the injured Christian Pander but with Heiko Westermann and Levan Kobiashvili both available again, Slomka has a near full-strength squad to choose from. His Rosenborg counterpart, Trond Henriksen, is keeping his cards close to his chest, confirming only that midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred will have a fitness test following a bout of flu. The 43-year-old has shifted attention away from his side, claiming the onus is on Schalke as Rosenborg are already assured of European football – by finishing above Valencia – next spring.
'Game plan'
"We have a game plan," he said. "We won't sit back and try to defend but will look to go forward. They have to win. We're playing against a good team with a good defence but we must focus on ourselves. If we fight and play the best we can, we'll be satisfied. Regarding the Chelsea game, the players were over-confident before the match and therefore made some bad mistakes. It's not easy for them to concentrate as our season has ended, but we are focused for this match."
Real Madrid - Lazio
If S.S. Lazio are to assure themselves of a place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, their coach Delio Rossi must mastermind a victory by two goals against Real Madrid CF at the Santiago Bernabéu, a venue where the Spanish champions have lost only once in their last 24 games in the competition. A draw will be enough to send Madrid through.
Job to finish
Bernd Schuster, like Rossi, is another coach would have preferred to have wrapped up qualification by now, but the Madrid boss realises his team must forget about missed opportunities ahead of the Group C decider. "It's true we didn't want to find ourselves in this position," said the German. "We had some great chances to beat Olympiacos [CFP] away [on Matchday 4] and I thought we deserved at least a draw in Germany against Werder Bremen [on Matchday 5] but we lost. We have to resolve our situation on Tuesday."
Home advantage
The last time these two sides met, in Rome on Matchday 2, they produced an exciting 2-2 draw. The same result again would suffice for Madrid, and Schuster feels that going into the tie as group leaders gives his team a telling advantage. "We're in a better position than they are, in that we have two possibilities to advance: with a win or with a draw. We have a lot in our favour and we must take advantage of that."
Confidence
Madrid are without the injured trio of Gabriel Heinze, Javier Ángel Balboa (both knee) and Christoph Metzelder (heel) but will have striker Ruud van Nistelrooy available after he shrugged off an injury scare. According to Schuster, Madrid are "up for this one. It'll be difficult but we're confident. We have a lot of respect for Lazio. We're going to try to play at our rhythm. Our players know how important this game is and they know their capabilities and qualities."
Winning possibility
Both Madrid and Lazio enjoyed league victories at the weekend, with the former winning 1-0 at Athletic Club Bilbao to maintain their four-point lead in the Primera División, while the Biancocelesti gained a confidence-boosting 2-0 triumph against Calcio Catania in Serie A. Lazio coach Rossi says the prospect of "playing one of the best teams in the world" is a "very emotional one" but this is a match he believes his side can win. "In a game of football a thousand things can happen. It's going to be difficult but we can win."
Team performance
The visitors will be missing Simone Del Nero, who has a foot injury, but good news comes with the return of Emílson Sánchez Cribari who was suspended for the 2-1 loss at home to Olympiacos two weeks ago. Most attention, though, will be on Lazio strikers Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev, who both scored against Catania. "They'll be important, of course, but it won't only be up to them," said Rossi. "Every player in our team is important. We'll need to keep our balance against Madrid. We need to play our game, not allow Madrid to play theirs, and we'll also need a bit of luck."
Olympiacos - Bremen
Olympiacos CFP coach Panagiotis Lemonis will urge his players to stick to their attacking philosophy and play to win against Werder Bremen as the Group C rivals prepare for Tuesday's vital showdown in Athens.
Play to win
The Greek champions need a point from their final group match to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time since the 1998/99 season when they were eliminated by Juventus in the quarter-finals. But Lemonis, whose team are in fine goalscoring form having beaten Levadiakos FC 4-0 in the Greek Super League on Saturday, says it would be foolhardy to play for a draw.
Same again
"We should not change anything from what our team have shown so far in this campaign," said the 47-year-old. "We should go for the win. We need to approach the game in this way. It is very dangerous if you start to think about playing for a draw. We are building a whole team philosophy here and it would be a mistake to change tactics."
'Fight like madmen'
Olympiacos are second in the section, level on eight points with leaders Real Madrid CF, with Bremen two points behind in third. Expectations are sky-high among the club's fanatical supporters, and Lemonis assures them the Red and Whites will be going all out to reach the knockout rounds. "I do not know what the result will be, but I am sure we will fight and battle like madmen," said Lemonis. "This game is logically considered a final, with the prize at stake being a place in the next phase of the UEFA Champions League." Lemonis will be without captain Predrag Djordjević, who is suspended, and is sweating on the fitness of utility man Christos Patsatzoglou. While refusing to specify about his team selection, he has hinted that defender Michał Żewłakow could be fit to start.
Point to prove
Bremen, meanwhile, have to win to qualify and coach Thomas Schaaf says he expects his players to atone for the 3-1 home defeat they suffered at the hands of Olympiacos on Matchday 2. "It's not about revenge," said Schaaf. "I want to see my players play good football and get a good result. We played very well [against Olympiacos] but luck was not on our side that night. Now we have an opportunity to put that right and to get the right result. There is no extra pressure because every game in the UEFA Champions League is tough."
Diego back
The Bundesliga outfit were unbeaten in ten league matches before Saturday's 4-3 reverse at Hannover 96, and Schaaf admits they must learn from that loss. "The basic thing for us is to cut out the simple mistakes," he said. "We made too many of those [against Hannover] and we must be fully concentrated from the first minute and have a tight defensive line. The players are feeling better, we know what we have to do and we are well prepared." Schaaf has no major injury worries with only full-back Petri Pasanen struggling with a virus. Playmaker Diego is available after serving a one-match suspension against Madrid on Matchday 5.
Play to win
The Greek champions need a point from their final group match to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time since the 1998/99 season when they were eliminated by Juventus in the quarter-finals. But Lemonis, whose team are in fine goalscoring form having beaten Levadiakos FC 4-0 in the Greek Super League on Saturday, says it would be foolhardy to play for a draw.
Same again
"We should not change anything from what our team have shown so far in this campaign," said the 47-year-old. "We should go for the win. We need to approach the game in this way. It is very dangerous if you start to think about playing for a draw. We are building a whole team philosophy here and it would be a mistake to change tactics."
'Fight like madmen'
Olympiacos are second in the section, level on eight points with leaders Real Madrid CF, with Bremen two points behind in third. Expectations are sky-high among the club's fanatical supporters, and Lemonis assures them the Red and Whites will be going all out to reach the knockout rounds. "I do not know what the result will be, but I am sure we will fight and battle like madmen," said Lemonis. "This game is logically considered a final, with the prize at stake being a place in the next phase of the UEFA Champions League." Lemonis will be without captain Predrag Djordjević, who is suspended, and is sweating on the fitness of utility man Christos Patsatzoglou. While refusing to specify about his team selection, he has hinted that defender Michał Żewłakow could be fit to start.
Point to prove
Bremen, meanwhile, have to win to qualify and coach Thomas Schaaf says he expects his players to atone for the 3-1 home defeat they suffered at the hands of Olympiacos on Matchday 2. "It's not about revenge," said Schaaf. "I want to see my players play good football and get a good result. We played very well [against Olympiacos] but luck was not on our side that night. Now we have an opportunity to put that right and to get the right result. There is no extra pressure because every game in the UEFA Champions League is tough."
Diego back
The Bundesliga outfit were unbeaten in ten league matches before Saturday's 4-3 reverse at Hannover 96, and Schaaf admits they must learn from that loss. "The basic thing for us is to cut out the simple mistakes," he said. "We made too many of those [against Hannover] and we must be fully concentrated from the first minute and have a tight defensive line. The players are feeling better, we know what we have to do and we are well prepared." Schaaf has no major injury worries with only full-back Petri Pasanen struggling with a virus. Playmaker Diego is available after serving a one-match suspension against Madrid on Matchday 5.
Monday, December 10, 2007
DAILY FOOTBALL HEADLINES
ENGLAND
Chelsea's Shevchenko: I can cover Drogba loss
Amauri agent hints at Chelsea interest
Chelsea to send Modric to PSV
Arsenal rival Man Utd for America star Ochoa
Giggs: Crucial Man Utd get Liverpool result
Villa boss O'Neill aware of Juventus link for Mellberg
Birmingham's Muamba has no Arsenal regrets
Sunderland boss: No QPR fee agreed for Murphy
Whitehead: Sunderland pushed Chelsea all the way
Arsenal ahead of Chelsea, Man Utd for Gillingham superkid
Newcastle's Krul targets Falkirk stay
Muamba keen for Arsenal's Djourou to stay with Birmingham
Derby to use Howard fee to land Wigan's Roberts
Villa boss O'Neill confirms Laursen talks
Birmingham go for Rangers striker Boyd
Torino to trump Premiership interest for Wolves winger Kightly
Megson: Bolton players deserve credit
Metz's Djiba wanted at Blackburn
Ronaldinho prefers Man Utd over Chelsea
Liverpool owners favour Klinsmann
Arsenal's Adebayor: I owe it all to Thierry
Spurs to offer £7M for Middlesbrough's Johnson
West Ham boss Curbs: No Ashton rift
Newcastle's Allardyce explains hat mystery
Newcastle boss Allardyce fed-up with long ball label
Portsmouth's Muntari determined to outshine Essien
Distin: All of Portsmouth backing Redknapp
Stoke to bid for Man Utd's Shawcross
Man Utd move for Leicester kid Sappleton
Defoe hopes for Spurs stay
Portsmouth's Distin angry over attack on foreigners
Jerome: Gaffer will have Birmingham playing good football
Newcastle boss Allardyce wants to buy big
Portsmouth boss Redknapp to hit back at cops
Villa ready to back Portsmouth's Redknapp in fans row
Arsenal bus took wrong turn on way to Middlesbrough
Hargreaves wants more Man Utd minutes
Spurs to bid £5M for Cardiff kid Gunter
Liverpool's Crouch: Reading result won't affect Marseille form
Sunderland boss Keane: Jones will benefit from Cole experience
Cisse: I've nothing against Liverpool
Arsenal's Adebayor: I get hammered from first minute
Norwegian pair enjoy Blackburn trials
SPAIN
Mijatovic: AC Milan made it difficult for Real Madrid in Kaka pursuit
Guti: Ronaldinho signing welcome at Real Madrid
Barcelona ready to bring forward Ronaldinho contract talks
Capello reveals how he saved Raul's Real Madrid career
Eto'o pleased with winning Barcelona comeback
Rijkaard fields Barcelona big guns: It could've been better
Real Madrid's Guti plays down Robben row
Barcelona president Laporta: Ronaldinho not for sale
Van Nistelrooy confident Real Madrid contract Christmas present
Guti: Real Madrid will be champions
Hildebrand closer to Valencia exit
Atletico Madrid's Raul: Aguero sad after red card
Deportivo La Coruna face winter market ban
Chaparro: Betis must put points ahead of style
Athletic Bilbao set to open new Ustaritz contract talks
ITALY
AC Milan striker Ronaldo restricted to shopping excursions
AC Milan to throw bank at Palermo star Amauri
Branca: Inter Milan fully supportive of Adriano
Oriali confirms Inter Milan interest for Menez
Roma's De Rossi admits frustration with Inter consistency
Chelsea's Shevchenko: I can cover Drogba loss
Amauri agent hints at Chelsea interest
Chelsea to send Modric to PSV
Arsenal rival Man Utd for America star Ochoa
Giggs: Crucial Man Utd get Liverpool result
Villa boss O'Neill aware of Juventus link for Mellberg
Birmingham's Muamba has no Arsenal regrets
Sunderland boss: No QPR fee agreed for Murphy
Whitehead: Sunderland pushed Chelsea all the way
Arsenal ahead of Chelsea, Man Utd for Gillingham superkid
Newcastle's Krul targets Falkirk stay
Muamba keen for Arsenal's Djourou to stay with Birmingham
Derby to use Howard fee to land Wigan's Roberts
Villa boss O'Neill confirms Laursen talks
Birmingham go for Rangers striker Boyd
Torino to trump Premiership interest for Wolves winger Kightly
Megson: Bolton players deserve credit
Metz's Djiba wanted at Blackburn
Ronaldinho prefers Man Utd over Chelsea
Liverpool owners favour Klinsmann
Arsenal's Adebayor: I owe it all to Thierry
Spurs to offer £7M for Middlesbrough's Johnson
West Ham boss Curbs: No Ashton rift
Newcastle's Allardyce explains hat mystery
Newcastle boss Allardyce fed-up with long ball label
Portsmouth's Muntari determined to outshine Essien
Distin: All of Portsmouth backing Redknapp
Stoke to bid for Man Utd's Shawcross
Man Utd move for Leicester kid Sappleton
Defoe hopes for Spurs stay
Portsmouth's Distin angry over attack on foreigners
Jerome: Gaffer will have Birmingham playing good football
Newcastle boss Allardyce wants to buy big
Portsmouth boss Redknapp to hit back at cops
Villa ready to back Portsmouth's Redknapp in fans row
Arsenal bus took wrong turn on way to Middlesbrough
Hargreaves wants more Man Utd minutes
Spurs to bid £5M for Cardiff kid Gunter
Liverpool's Crouch: Reading result won't affect Marseille form
Sunderland boss Keane: Jones will benefit from Cole experience
Cisse: I've nothing against Liverpool
Arsenal's Adebayor: I get hammered from first minute
Norwegian pair enjoy Blackburn trials
SPAIN
Mijatovic: AC Milan made it difficult for Real Madrid in Kaka pursuit
Guti: Ronaldinho signing welcome at Real Madrid
Barcelona ready to bring forward Ronaldinho contract talks
Capello reveals how he saved Raul's Real Madrid career
Eto'o pleased with winning Barcelona comeback
Rijkaard fields Barcelona big guns: It could've been better
Real Madrid's Guti plays down Robben row
Barcelona president Laporta: Ronaldinho not for sale
Van Nistelrooy confident Real Madrid contract Christmas present
Guti: Real Madrid will be champions
Hildebrand closer to Valencia exit
Atletico Madrid's Raul: Aguero sad after red card
Deportivo La Coruna face winter market ban
Chaparro: Betis must put points ahead of style
Athletic Bilbao set to open new Ustaritz contract talks
ITALY
AC Milan striker Ronaldo restricted to shopping excursions
AC Milan to throw bank at Palermo star Amauri
Branca: Inter Milan fully supportive of Adriano
Oriali confirms Inter Milan interest for Menez
Roma's De Rossi admits frustration with Inter consistency
Friday, December 7, 2007
UEFA CUP VIDEO GOALS
FK CRVENA ZVEZDA - BOLTON FC 0:1
ANDERLECHT - TOTENHAM 1:1
AALBORG - GETAFE 1:2
LEVERKUSEN - SPARTA PRAGHA 1:0
ANDERLECHT - TOTENHAM 1:1
AALBORG - GETAFE 1:2
LEVERKUSEN - SPARTA PRAGHA 1:0
Thursday, December 6, 2007
UEFA MATCH PREVIEW
Spartak Moskva - Zürich
FC Spartak Moskva and FC Zürich can book their place in the last 32 with a game to spare as they meet in their third Group E game in the Russian capital.
• Spartak won their opener at home against Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 and then earned a 0-0 draw at AC Sparta Praha to take second place in the section. Three points against Swiss champions Zürich would ensure them a top-three finish.
• Zürich won 2-1 at Sparta in their opening game and then beat Toulouse FC 2-0 at home. One more point would leave them certain of a place in the next phase of the competition.
• Zürich are at home against Leverkusen in their final Group E game on 19 December while Spartak travel to Toulouse.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.
• Spartak have played nine games against Swiss sides in UEFA club competition, including a match at home against FC Sion which had to be replayed after it was discovered that the goalposts were 8cm short of regulation height.
• That match took place in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup first round. Spartak had won the first leg in Switzerland 1-0 and then drew 2-2 at home, only to be told to replay the game because of the miscalculation. They won the replay 5-1.
• In total they have won four games against Swiss sides, drawing two and losing three. At home they have won two, drawn two and lost one. Those stats include the abandoned game against Sion.
• Zürich are playing their first game against Russian opposition.
• Zürich coach Bernard Challandes has been to Russia twice before as coach of the Swiss Under-21 side, drawing 3-3 in a 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier and winning 2-1 in the 2004 qualifying campaign.
• Spartak coach Stanislav Cherchesov played in a 2-0 defeat against Zürich's main Swiss league rivals FC Basel 1893 in one of his last games at European level in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League group stage. The goalkeeper was 39 years and 15 days old.
• Challandes was suspended for the game against Toulouse, while striker Eric Hassli still has two more matches of a three-game ban to serve with both men being punished for their parts in incidents in the 2-1 win at Sparta.
• Spartak midfielder Renat Sabitov will miss the remainder of their 2007 games after breaking his leg in a friendly game against Spanish side Elche CF.
• Leverkusen are at home against Sparta in Thursday's other Group E game.
Bayer Leverkusen - Sparta Pragha
AC Sparta Praha coach Michal Bílek can avenge an old defeat as his side face Michael Skibbe's Bayer 04 Leverkusen in UEFA Cup Group E.
• Leverkusen coach Skibbe came up against Czech opposition in his first UEFA club competition games, leading BV Borussia Dortmund to back-to-back 1-0 wins against FK Teplice in the third qualifying round of the 1999/00 UEFA Champions League.
• Sparta coach Bílek, then nearing the end of his career as a defender and midfielder, was on the losing side in both legs of that game.
• Skibbe never had a significant playing career, being forced to retire in his early 20s after tearing cruciate ligaments three times during a spell at FC Schalke 04. He played just 14 Bundesliga games for the club between 1984 and 1986.
• He moved into coaching at the age of just 22, with the youth teams at Schalke and then Dortmund. Appointed as Dortmund's head coach in 1998 at 32, he became the youngest coach of all time in the Bundesliga.
• Bílek, by contrast, had an excellent playing career, representing Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic at international level, and playing with the former at the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals. He spent much of his club career with Sparta, playing abroad with Real Betis Balompié between 1990 and 1992.
• Leverkusen beat Toulouse FC 1-0 at home in their opening game but lost 2-1 at FC Spartak Moskva in their second. A win against Sparta would put them in the last 32 of the competition regardless of the outcome of their final game at FC Zürich.
• Sparta are third in the section with four points, but need a win in their final Group E outing at the BayArena to be certain of progress.
• Leverkusen's young Czech striker Michal Papadopulos may play against two former team-mates, having played with Sparta pair Zdenĕk Pospĕch and Miroslav Matušovič at FC Baník Ostrava.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.
• Leverkusen have played six games against Czech opposition in the past, winning three, drawing two and losing one. At home, they have drawn once and won their last two games against Czech oppositions 2-0 and 5-0.
• Sparta have played ten games against German sides over the years, winning four, drawing two and losing four. In Germany itself, they have won once, drawn twice and lost twice.
Aris - Braga
A win at home against SC Braga will send FC Aris Thessaloniki through to the Round of 32 but their Portuguese guests will not give in easily.
• After two Group F games, Aris are second having drawn 1-1 at Bolton Wanderers FC before overwhelming FK Crvena Zvezda – Aris coach Dušan Bajević's previous club – 3-0 on Matchday 2. Another win would see them through to the last 32 regardless of the result from their final game at FC Bayern München.
• Braga have come from behind to draw both of their Group F games to date, 1-1 at Bolton and 1-1 at home against Bayern.
• Aris boast an awesome home record in UEFA club competition, and are still unbeaten in 17 games in Salonika since making UEFA club competition debut in 1970. They did, however, lose home games in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup – the non-UEFA affiliated precursor to the UEFA Cup.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.
• Aris have played two games against Portuguese opposition, having been drawn against SL Benfica in the first round of the 1979/80 UEFA Cup. They won 3-1 at home and lost 2-1 in Lisbon to progress, and going on to reach the third round.
• Braga have played two games against Greek opposition too, meeting AEK Athens FC in the first round of the 1966/67 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They won the away leg 1-0 and then triumphed 3-2 at home. They were then knocked out in the second round.
• Aris defender Ronaldo Guiaro and Braga forward João Tomás were team-mates at Benfica up until the end of the 2001/02 season.
• Aris coach Dušan Bajević has been involved in eight games against Portuguese sides, or to be more specific, eight games against FC Porto.
• As a player, he scored twice as his AEK Athens FC side thrashed Porto 6-1 at home and lost 4-1 away in the 1978/79 European Champion Clubs' Cup.
• During his time as Olympiacos CFP coach, he was then paired with Porto in three successive UEFA Champions League group stage campaigns - 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/00.
• His side won all three home matches against Porto, drawing one away and losing the other two.
• He thus goes into the game against Braga having won all four of his previous home games against Portuguese opposition.
• Bajević celebrates his 59th birthday on 10 December, four days after the game against Braga.
Crvena Zvezda - Bolton
FK Crvena Zvezda are looking to salvage their UEFA Cup campaign as they seek their first Group F points against draw specialists Bolton Wanderers FC.
• Two games have brought Crvena Zvezda no points. They lost 3-2 at home against FC Bayern München in their opening fixture and then 3-0 away against an FC Aris Thessaloniki side coached by their former boss Dušan Bajević.
• However, wins in their final games against both Bolton and SC Braga would guarantee the Serbian side a place in the last 32.
• Bolton have drawn their home games against Braga and Aris 1-1 either side of a 2-2 draw against Bayern in Munich. A fourth draw might see them reach the next phase of the tournament, but they will be looking for a win. However, they have not won away in their last five European games.
• Both clubs have parted company with coaches since the start of the season. Milorad Kosanović resigned in the wake of the 3-0 defeat at Aris while Sammy Lee was replaced at Bolton following a poor start in the Premier League.
• Aleksandar Janković is the new man in charge at Crvena Zvezda. The 35-year-old spent much of his coaching career as assistant to Slavoljub Muslin at Crvena Zvezda, PFC Levski Sofia, FC Metalurh Donetsk, KSC Lokeren OV and FC Lokomotiv Moskva.
• The game against Bolton will be his first in Europe since taking over from Kosanović.
• New Bolton manager Gary Megson has led Bolton to draws in both of his UEFA Cup games since taking charge but made a major breakthrough in the Premier League on 24 November, leading his side to a 1-0 win against champions Manchester United FC.
• Bolton's Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson celebrates his 27th birthday on 8 December, two days after the game.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.
• Crvena Zvezda have played 15 games against English sides over the years, winning six, drawing five and losing four. Those defeats include a 1-0 loss against Manchester United FC in the 1991 UEFA Super Cup.
• Crvena Zvezda are yet to lose a European home match against an English side, recording five wins and two draws in their seven home games – including a 3-1 win against Leicester City FC which was played on neutral territory at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium in Vienna due to concerns over the political climate in Belgrade.
• In only their second UEFA club competition campaign, Bolton have never played against a side from Serbia.
AaB - Getafe
Getafe CF coach Michael Laudrup will return to his native Denmark on Matchday 4 with hosts Aalborg BK eager to lift themselves off the foot of Group G.
• European debutants Getafe are third in the section after winning their opening tie 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur FC, but losing at home to Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC by the same score on Matchday 3.
• They face RSC Anderlecht at home in their final group stage fixture on 19 December.
• AaB drew 1-1 at home against Anderlecht in their first game, then let a 2-0 half-time lead slip at Tottenham to lose 3-2 on Matchday 3.
• AaB are bottom of the group and are the only side in the section yet to win a game. Wins in both of their remaining fixtures, against Getafe and at Hapoel on 19 December, would guarantee them a place in the last 32.
• Laudrup has spent much of his career flitting between Denmark and Spain.
• Now 43, he scored 37 goals in 104 games for Denmark and also won five straight league titles in Spain with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF.
• Born in Copenhagen, he started his career with Kjobenhavns BK – one of the predecessors of the current FC København – before joining Brøndby IF in 1982. He moved to Juventus in 1983, and spent two seasons on loan with S.S. Lazio before joining Barça in 1989.
• He switched to Madrid in 1994, and then played for Vissel Kobe and AFC Ajax before hanging up his boots in 1998.
• Since then, he has been assistant national team coach with Denmark between 2000 and 2002 and coach of Brøndby between 2002 and 2006. He replaced Bernd Schuster at the Getafe helm in July.
• AaB and Getafe have never met in UEFA club competition, though AaB were drawn against a Spanish side once before, meeting RC Deportivo La Coruña in the first round of the 1993/94 UEFA Cup. They won 1-0 at home but lost 5-0 in the return.
• AaB's Swedish coach Erik Hamrén came up against Spanish opposition during his time in charge of AIK Solna. His side were drawn against Barça in the 1996/97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals, losing 3-1 at Camp Nou and then drawing 1-1 in Sweden. Ronaldo scored against them in both legs.
• AaB's Brazilian forward Chrys celebrates his 21st birthday on 6 December, the day of the game against Getafe.
Anderlecht - Tottenham
RSC Anderlecht are preparing to meet Tottenham Hotspur FC for the first time since 1984, when the two sides played each other in the UEFA Cup final over two legs.
• The English side prevailed 4-3 on penalties after 1-1 draws in both legs of the tie, to deny Anderlecht as they attempted to become the first side to defend the UEFA Cup. They beat SL Benfica in the 1982/83 final, but Paul van Himst's side came up short following the second leg at White Hart Lane.
• Paul Miller put Tottenham ahead in the first leg in Brussels but Morten Olsen – now Denmark coach – equalised five minutes from time.
• Alexandre Czerniatynski then put Anderlecht ahead in the second leg, only for Graham Roberts to level late on, taking the game into extra time and then penalties. Roberts, Marc Falco, Gary Stevens and Steve Archibald converted from the spot for Tottenham, with Daniel Thomas missing their final effort. Olsen missed Anderlecht's first, and while Kenneth Brylle Larsen, Enzo Scifo and recently-dismissed coach Frank Vercauteren converted the next three, Arnór Gudjohnsen's miss handed Tottenham victory.
• Arnór Gudjohnsen is the father of FC Barcelona star Eidur Gudjohnsen.
• Also lining up for Anderlecht in that tie were current Belgium coach René Vandereycken and former Tottenham sporting director Frank Arnesen, now at Chelsea FC.
• Tottenham are top of Group G having played three games. Coach Martin Jol was dismissed after their 2-1 defeat at home by Getafe CF, and they have since won 2-0 at Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC and 3-2 at home against Aalborg BK under Juande Ramos.
• A point at Anderlecht would put them in the last 32 and leave former Sevilla FC coach Ramos on course for an unprecedented third successive UEFA Cup triumph.
• Anderlecht, playing in their first European game since Ariël Jacobs replaced Vercauteren as coach, have four points after a 2-0 home win against Hapoel and a 1-1 draw at AaB. Victory would take them through to the last 32 regardless of their Matchday 5 result at Getafe.
• Anderlecht have played 27 games against English sides, winning six, drawing three and losing 18. At home, they have won five, drawn two and lost six.
• They have lost their last six games, home and away, against English sides.
• Tottenham have played five games against Belgian sides, winning two, drawing two and losing one. They have not won in two games on Belgian soil - drawing one and losing one - but beat Club Brugge KV 3-1 at home in last season's UEFA Cup group stage.
• Anderlecht forward Mbo Mpenza celebrates his 31st birthday on 4 December, two days before the Tottenham game.
• Anderlecht midfielder Bart Goor and Tottenham's Hossam Ghaly were team-mates at Feyenoord in 2004/05.
• Anderlecht goalkeeper Davy Schollen and Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora played together at KRC Genk between 2002 and 2004.
Austria Wien - Panionios
successive UEFA Cup group stage defeat as they hope to revive their Group H fortunes against Panionios GSS.
• Appearing in their third group stage campaign, Austria lost their opener 2-1 against FC Girondins de Bordeaux and then 3-0 at Helsingborgs IF on Matchday 3 to spark fears that they might end the group stage with no points for the second season in succession, having lost all of their games in the 2006/07 competition.
• Another defeat would end their chances of progressing, and leave them with a joyless trip to Galatasaray AS for their final game on 19 December.
• One of five Greek sides in the group stage, Panionios drew their opener 1-1 at Helsingborg before losing 3-0 at home to Galatasaray on Matchday 3. Wins against Austria and Bordeaux, in their final group outing, represent their only guaranteed route to qualification.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition but Austria have met Greek opposition in one previous tie, taking on Panathinaikos FC in the first round of the 1982/83 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They won 2-0 at home but lost 2-1 in Athens.
• Panionios have never played against an Austrian side.
• Panionios coach Ewald Lienen played four games against Austrian sides as a player with VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach in the late 1970s, with his team winning three games and losing one. His trips to Austria netted his side a win and a defeat.
• A midfielder with Mönchengladbach in their 1970s prime, Lienen played in two UEFA Cup finals. He was a winner in 1978/79, beating FK Crvena Zvezda 2-1 on aggregate, but lost the following season's final on away goals to Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bordeaux - Helsingborg
Henrik Larsson and Andreas Jakobsson may be making their final professional appearances as Helsingborgs IF round of their successful Group H campaign at FC Girondins de Bordeaux.
• After his side secured qualification with a 3-0 win against FK Austria Wien on Matchday 3, the 36-year-old Larsson said: "It feels great to go through, but I've been here before and I'm happier for many of my team-mates. I've not yet decided what will happen after this season. I'm going to make my decision in the coming days and I'll let everyone know about it as soon as possible."
• The 35-year-old defensive midfielder Jakobsson has agreed to take up a coaching post at lower league side Svalövs BK next year. However, he may yet be persuaded to stay on for a little while longer. "There's one game to go and that's all that I'm thinking about at the moment," he said. "I'm focused on Svalöv after this season, but who knows?"
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition but Bordeaux have played three games against Swedish sides, winning them all.
• Helsingborg's only previous trip to France saw them lose 4-1 at Paris Saint-Germain FC in a 2000/01 UEFA Champions League first group stage game. They drew the home fixture 1-1.
• Larsson has played against Bordeaux before with Celtic FC in a 2000/01 UEFA Cup first round tie. His side lost 2-1 at home and then the striker scored in a 1-1 draw in France as Celtic bowed out.
• Legendary former France defender Laurent Blanc, now coach of Bordeaux, came up against Larsson in two international friendlies, a 0-0 draw in 1997 and a 1-0 win for France a year later.
• Bordeaux will qualify for the Round of 32 with a point against Helsingborg, having won their opening two games against Galatasaray AS and Austria, both 2-1.
• Helsingborg's season is already over, but a disappointing eighth-placed finish in the Allsvenskan has inspired them to do better in Europe.
• The Swedish side boast two of the competition’s three top scorers since the first round – five-goal Larsson and six-goal Razak Omotoyossi.
• The match in Bordeaux is Helsingborg’s 50th in UEFA club competition since making their continental debut in the 1996/97 UEFA Cup.
FC Spartak Moskva and FC Zürich can book their place in the last 32 with a game to spare as they meet in their third Group E game in the Russian capital.
• Spartak won their opener at home against Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 and then earned a 0-0 draw at AC Sparta Praha to take second place in the section. Three points against Swiss champions Zürich would ensure them a top-three finish.
• Zürich won 2-1 at Sparta in their opening game and then beat Toulouse FC 2-0 at home. One more point would leave them certain of a place in the next phase of the competition.
• Zürich are at home against Leverkusen in their final Group E game on 19 December while Spartak travel to Toulouse.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.
• Spartak have played nine games against Swiss sides in UEFA club competition, including a match at home against FC Sion which had to be replayed after it was discovered that the goalposts were 8cm short of regulation height.
• That match took place in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup first round. Spartak had won the first leg in Switzerland 1-0 and then drew 2-2 at home, only to be told to replay the game because of the miscalculation. They won the replay 5-1.
• In total they have won four games against Swiss sides, drawing two and losing three. At home they have won two, drawn two and lost one. Those stats include the abandoned game against Sion.
• Zürich are playing their first game against Russian opposition.
• Zürich coach Bernard Challandes has been to Russia twice before as coach of the Swiss Under-21 side, drawing 3-3 in a 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier and winning 2-1 in the 2004 qualifying campaign.
• Spartak coach Stanislav Cherchesov played in a 2-0 defeat against Zürich's main Swiss league rivals FC Basel 1893 in one of his last games at European level in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League group stage. The goalkeeper was 39 years and 15 days old.
• Challandes was suspended for the game against Toulouse, while striker Eric Hassli still has two more matches of a three-game ban to serve with both men being punished for their parts in incidents in the 2-1 win at Sparta.
• Spartak midfielder Renat Sabitov will miss the remainder of their 2007 games after breaking his leg in a friendly game against Spanish side Elche CF.
• Leverkusen are at home against Sparta in Thursday's other Group E game.
Bayer Leverkusen - Sparta Pragha
AC Sparta Praha coach Michal Bílek can avenge an old defeat as his side face Michael Skibbe's Bayer 04 Leverkusen in UEFA Cup Group E.
• Leverkusen coach Skibbe came up against Czech opposition in his first UEFA club competition games, leading BV Borussia Dortmund to back-to-back 1-0 wins against FK Teplice in the third qualifying round of the 1999/00 UEFA Champions League.
• Sparta coach Bílek, then nearing the end of his career as a defender and midfielder, was on the losing side in both legs of that game.
• Skibbe never had a significant playing career, being forced to retire in his early 20s after tearing cruciate ligaments three times during a spell at FC Schalke 04. He played just 14 Bundesliga games for the club between 1984 and 1986.
• He moved into coaching at the age of just 22, with the youth teams at Schalke and then Dortmund. Appointed as Dortmund's head coach in 1998 at 32, he became the youngest coach of all time in the Bundesliga.
• Bílek, by contrast, had an excellent playing career, representing Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic at international level, and playing with the former at the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals. He spent much of his club career with Sparta, playing abroad with Real Betis Balompié between 1990 and 1992.
• Leverkusen beat Toulouse FC 1-0 at home in their opening game but lost 2-1 at FC Spartak Moskva in their second. A win against Sparta would put them in the last 32 of the competition regardless of the outcome of their final game at FC Zürich.
• Sparta are third in the section with four points, but need a win in their final Group E outing at the BayArena to be certain of progress.
• Leverkusen's young Czech striker Michal Papadopulos may play against two former team-mates, having played with Sparta pair Zdenĕk Pospĕch and Miroslav Matušovič at FC Baník Ostrava.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.
• Leverkusen have played six games against Czech opposition in the past, winning three, drawing two and losing one. At home, they have drawn once and won their last two games against Czech oppositions 2-0 and 5-0.
• Sparta have played ten games against German sides over the years, winning four, drawing two and losing four. In Germany itself, they have won once, drawn twice and lost twice.
Aris - Braga
A win at home against SC Braga will send FC Aris Thessaloniki through to the Round of 32 but their Portuguese guests will not give in easily.
• After two Group F games, Aris are second having drawn 1-1 at Bolton Wanderers FC before overwhelming FK Crvena Zvezda – Aris coach Dušan Bajević's previous club – 3-0 on Matchday 2. Another win would see them through to the last 32 regardless of the result from their final game at FC Bayern München.
• Braga have come from behind to draw both of their Group F games to date, 1-1 at Bolton and 1-1 at home against Bayern.
• Aris boast an awesome home record in UEFA club competition, and are still unbeaten in 17 games in Salonika since making UEFA club competition debut in 1970. They did, however, lose home games in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup – the non-UEFA affiliated precursor to the UEFA Cup.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.
• Aris have played two games against Portuguese opposition, having been drawn against SL Benfica in the first round of the 1979/80 UEFA Cup. They won 3-1 at home and lost 2-1 in Lisbon to progress, and going on to reach the third round.
• Braga have played two games against Greek opposition too, meeting AEK Athens FC in the first round of the 1966/67 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They won the away leg 1-0 and then triumphed 3-2 at home. They were then knocked out in the second round.
• Aris defender Ronaldo Guiaro and Braga forward João Tomás were team-mates at Benfica up until the end of the 2001/02 season.
• Aris coach Dušan Bajević has been involved in eight games against Portuguese sides, or to be more specific, eight games against FC Porto.
• As a player, he scored twice as his AEK Athens FC side thrashed Porto 6-1 at home and lost 4-1 away in the 1978/79 European Champion Clubs' Cup.
• During his time as Olympiacos CFP coach, he was then paired with Porto in three successive UEFA Champions League group stage campaigns - 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/00.
• His side won all three home matches against Porto, drawing one away and losing the other two.
• He thus goes into the game against Braga having won all four of his previous home games against Portuguese opposition.
• Bajević celebrates his 59th birthday on 10 December, four days after the game against Braga.
Crvena Zvezda - Bolton
FK Crvena Zvezda are looking to salvage their UEFA Cup campaign as they seek their first Group F points against draw specialists Bolton Wanderers FC.
• Two games have brought Crvena Zvezda no points. They lost 3-2 at home against FC Bayern München in their opening fixture and then 3-0 away against an FC Aris Thessaloniki side coached by their former boss Dušan Bajević.
• However, wins in their final games against both Bolton and SC Braga would guarantee the Serbian side a place in the last 32.
• Bolton have drawn their home games against Braga and Aris 1-1 either side of a 2-2 draw against Bayern in Munich. A fourth draw might see them reach the next phase of the tournament, but they will be looking for a win. However, they have not won away in their last five European games.
• Both clubs have parted company with coaches since the start of the season. Milorad Kosanović resigned in the wake of the 3-0 defeat at Aris while Sammy Lee was replaced at Bolton following a poor start in the Premier League.
• Aleksandar Janković is the new man in charge at Crvena Zvezda. The 35-year-old spent much of his coaching career as assistant to Slavoljub Muslin at Crvena Zvezda, PFC Levski Sofia, FC Metalurh Donetsk, KSC Lokeren OV and FC Lokomotiv Moskva.
• The game against Bolton will be his first in Europe since taking over from Kosanović.
• New Bolton manager Gary Megson has led Bolton to draws in both of his UEFA Cup games since taking charge but made a major breakthrough in the Premier League on 24 November, leading his side to a 1-0 win against champions Manchester United FC.
• Bolton's Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson celebrates his 27th birthday on 8 December, two days after the game.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition.
• Crvena Zvezda have played 15 games against English sides over the years, winning six, drawing five and losing four. Those defeats include a 1-0 loss against Manchester United FC in the 1991 UEFA Super Cup.
• Crvena Zvezda are yet to lose a European home match against an English side, recording five wins and two draws in their seven home games – including a 3-1 win against Leicester City FC which was played on neutral territory at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium in Vienna due to concerns over the political climate in Belgrade.
• In only their second UEFA club competition campaign, Bolton have never played against a side from Serbia.
AaB - Getafe
Getafe CF coach Michael Laudrup will return to his native Denmark on Matchday 4 with hosts Aalborg BK eager to lift themselves off the foot of Group G.
• European debutants Getafe are third in the section after winning their opening tie 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur FC, but losing at home to Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC by the same score on Matchday 3.
• They face RSC Anderlecht at home in their final group stage fixture on 19 December.
• AaB drew 1-1 at home against Anderlecht in their first game, then let a 2-0 half-time lead slip at Tottenham to lose 3-2 on Matchday 3.
• AaB are bottom of the group and are the only side in the section yet to win a game. Wins in both of their remaining fixtures, against Getafe and at Hapoel on 19 December, would guarantee them a place in the last 32.
• Laudrup has spent much of his career flitting between Denmark and Spain.
• Now 43, he scored 37 goals in 104 games for Denmark and also won five straight league titles in Spain with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF.
• Born in Copenhagen, he started his career with Kjobenhavns BK – one of the predecessors of the current FC København – before joining Brøndby IF in 1982. He moved to Juventus in 1983, and spent two seasons on loan with S.S. Lazio before joining Barça in 1989.
• He switched to Madrid in 1994, and then played for Vissel Kobe and AFC Ajax before hanging up his boots in 1998.
• Since then, he has been assistant national team coach with Denmark between 2000 and 2002 and coach of Brøndby between 2002 and 2006. He replaced Bernd Schuster at the Getafe helm in July.
• AaB and Getafe have never met in UEFA club competition, though AaB were drawn against a Spanish side once before, meeting RC Deportivo La Coruña in the first round of the 1993/94 UEFA Cup. They won 1-0 at home but lost 5-0 in the return.
• AaB's Swedish coach Erik Hamrén came up against Spanish opposition during his time in charge of AIK Solna. His side were drawn against Barça in the 1996/97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals, losing 3-1 at Camp Nou and then drawing 1-1 in Sweden. Ronaldo scored against them in both legs.
• AaB's Brazilian forward Chrys celebrates his 21st birthday on 6 December, the day of the game against Getafe.
Anderlecht - Tottenham
RSC Anderlecht are preparing to meet Tottenham Hotspur FC for the first time since 1984, when the two sides played each other in the UEFA Cup final over two legs.
• The English side prevailed 4-3 on penalties after 1-1 draws in both legs of the tie, to deny Anderlecht as they attempted to become the first side to defend the UEFA Cup. They beat SL Benfica in the 1982/83 final, but Paul van Himst's side came up short following the second leg at White Hart Lane.
• Paul Miller put Tottenham ahead in the first leg in Brussels but Morten Olsen – now Denmark coach – equalised five minutes from time.
• Alexandre Czerniatynski then put Anderlecht ahead in the second leg, only for Graham Roberts to level late on, taking the game into extra time and then penalties. Roberts, Marc Falco, Gary Stevens and Steve Archibald converted from the spot for Tottenham, with Daniel Thomas missing their final effort. Olsen missed Anderlecht's first, and while Kenneth Brylle Larsen, Enzo Scifo and recently-dismissed coach Frank Vercauteren converted the next three, Arnór Gudjohnsen's miss handed Tottenham victory.
• Arnór Gudjohnsen is the father of FC Barcelona star Eidur Gudjohnsen.
• Also lining up for Anderlecht in that tie were current Belgium coach René Vandereycken and former Tottenham sporting director Frank Arnesen, now at Chelsea FC.
• Tottenham are top of Group G having played three games. Coach Martin Jol was dismissed after their 2-1 defeat at home by Getafe CF, and they have since won 2-0 at Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC and 3-2 at home against Aalborg BK under Juande Ramos.
• A point at Anderlecht would put them in the last 32 and leave former Sevilla FC coach Ramos on course for an unprecedented third successive UEFA Cup triumph.
• Anderlecht, playing in their first European game since Ariël Jacobs replaced Vercauteren as coach, have four points after a 2-0 home win against Hapoel and a 1-1 draw at AaB. Victory would take them through to the last 32 regardless of their Matchday 5 result at Getafe.
• Anderlecht have played 27 games against English sides, winning six, drawing three and losing 18. At home, they have won five, drawn two and lost six.
• They have lost their last six games, home and away, against English sides.
• Tottenham have played five games against Belgian sides, winning two, drawing two and losing one. They have not won in two games on Belgian soil - drawing one and losing one - but beat Club Brugge KV 3-1 at home in last season's UEFA Cup group stage.
• Anderlecht forward Mbo Mpenza celebrates his 31st birthday on 4 December, two days before the Tottenham game.
• Anderlecht midfielder Bart Goor and Tottenham's Hossam Ghaly were team-mates at Feyenoord in 2004/05.
• Anderlecht goalkeeper Davy Schollen and Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora played together at KRC Genk between 2002 and 2004.
Austria Wien - Panionios
successive UEFA Cup group stage defeat as they hope to revive their Group H fortunes against Panionios GSS.
• Appearing in their third group stage campaign, Austria lost their opener 2-1 against FC Girondins de Bordeaux and then 3-0 at Helsingborgs IF on Matchday 3 to spark fears that they might end the group stage with no points for the second season in succession, having lost all of their games in the 2006/07 competition.
• Another defeat would end their chances of progressing, and leave them with a joyless trip to Galatasaray AS for their final game on 19 December.
• One of five Greek sides in the group stage, Panionios drew their opener 1-1 at Helsingborg before losing 3-0 at home to Galatasaray on Matchday 3. Wins against Austria and Bordeaux, in their final group outing, represent their only guaranteed route to qualification.
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition but Austria have met Greek opposition in one previous tie, taking on Panathinaikos FC in the first round of the 1982/83 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They won 2-0 at home but lost 2-1 in Athens.
• Panionios have never played against an Austrian side.
• Panionios coach Ewald Lienen played four games against Austrian sides as a player with VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach in the late 1970s, with his team winning three games and losing one. His trips to Austria netted his side a win and a defeat.
• A midfielder with Mönchengladbach in their 1970s prime, Lienen played in two UEFA Cup finals. He was a winner in 1978/79, beating FK Crvena Zvezda 2-1 on aggregate, but lost the following season's final on away goals to Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bordeaux - Helsingborg
Henrik Larsson and Andreas Jakobsson may be making their final professional appearances as Helsingborgs IF round of their successful Group H campaign at FC Girondins de Bordeaux.
• After his side secured qualification with a 3-0 win against FK Austria Wien on Matchday 3, the 36-year-old Larsson said: "It feels great to go through, but I've been here before and I'm happier for many of my team-mates. I've not yet decided what will happen after this season. I'm going to make my decision in the coming days and I'll let everyone know about it as soon as possible."
• The 35-year-old defensive midfielder Jakobsson has agreed to take up a coaching post at lower league side Svalövs BK next year. However, he may yet be persuaded to stay on for a little while longer. "There's one game to go and that's all that I'm thinking about at the moment," he said. "I'm focused on Svalöv after this season, but who knows?"
• The two sides have never met in UEFA club competition but Bordeaux have played three games against Swedish sides, winning them all.
• Helsingborg's only previous trip to France saw them lose 4-1 at Paris Saint-Germain FC in a 2000/01 UEFA Champions League first group stage game. They drew the home fixture 1-1.
• Larsson has played against Bordeaux before with Celtic FC in a 2000/01 UEFA Cup first round tie. His side lost 2-1 at home and then the striker scored in a 1-1 draw in France as Celtic bowed out.
• Legendary former France defender Laurent Blanc, now coach of Bordeaux, came up against Larsson in two international friendlies, a 0-0 draw in 1997 and a 1-0 win for France a year later.
• Bordeaux will qualify for the Round of 32 with a point against Helsingborg, having won their opening two games against Galatasaray AS and Austria, both 2-1.
• Helsingborg's season is already over, but a disappointing eighth-placed finish in the Allsvenskan has inspired them to do better in Europe.
• The Swedish side boast two of the competition’s three top scorers since the first round – five-goal Larsson and six-goal Razak Omotoyossi.
• The match in Bordeaux is Helsingborg’s 50th in UEFA club competition since making their continental debut in the 1996/97 UEFA Cup.
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