It never stops.
This is going to be the last season in the current setup before the major overhaul of all three UEFA competitions, so hopefully it's also going to be the
last ever edition of these rather pointless pre-playoffs, as from 2024-25 onwards these four national champions should be back and re-integrated
into the regular qualification process.
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
It never stops.
This is going to be the last season in the current setup before the major overhaul of all three UEFA competitions, so hopefully it's also going to be the
last ever edition of these rather pointless pre-playoffs, as from 2024-25 onwards these four national champions should be back and re-integrated into the regular qualification process.
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Draw for Champions League 1st Qualifying Round (July 11/12 and 18/19)
* = seeded team
Winners go to CLQ2, Losers go to ECLQ2
The two losers of the Red Imps/Qarabağ and Raków/Flora ties will receive a bye to ECLQ3.
BK Häcken (SWE) v The New Saints FC (WAL)*
KF Ballkani (KOS) v PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL)*
Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL)* v Winners of preliminary round (AND/ISL/MNE/SMR) FK Žalgiris (LTU)* v FK Struga (MKD)
KÍ (FAR) v Ferencvárosi TC (HUN)*
NK Olimpija Ljubljana (SLO)* v Valmiera FC (LAT)
HJK (FIN)* v Larne FC (NIR)
Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB) v Qarabağ FK (AZE)*
RKS Raków Czestochowa (POL) v FC Flora (EST)*
ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SLK)* v FC Swift Hesper (LUX)
FCV Farul Constanța (ROM) v FC Sheriff (MDA)*
Ħamrun Spartans F.C. (MLT) v Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR)*
FC Urartu (ARM) v HŠK Zrinjski Mostar (BIH)*
FK Partizani (ALB) v FC BATE Borisov (BLR)*
FC Astana (KAZ)* v FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)
It never stops.
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
It never stops.
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Champions League Preliminary Round Semifinals
* = seeded team
Teams in CAPITALS go through
Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (AND) v FK BUDUĆNOST PODGORICA (MNE)* 0-3 (0-2) (Sekulić 14' (pen), 60', Đuričković 21')
Eleven minutes in Spanish midfielder Javi Morales - no Andorrans in Atlètic's team, mostly
Spaniards and the odd Frenchman and Portuguese - clipped Petar Grbić in the box, and Balša
Sekulić despatched the first goal of the new European season from the spot. Atlètic had more
of the game and plenty of chances to equalise, but an efficient Budućnost side soon doubled
their lead through Miomir Đuričković's deflected header from a free-kick. I was quite surprised to see VAR being used in these matches, but while Grbić's goal was
chalked off for an off-side in the build-up, a couple of minutes later Sekulić made it three by
running onto a long ball and slotting past Atlètic keeper Saúl Gracia.
SP Tre Penne (SMR) v BREIÐABLIK (ISL)* 1-7 (1-3)
(Barretta 31'; Gunnlaugsson 6', 89', Hlynsson 25', 90'+2, Olsen 45'+2, Sigurdarson 67', Einarsson 74')
Four winless matches in a row in the Besta deild have seen Breiðablik slip down to third in their
league behind Víkingur and Valur, but no matter as San Marino sides remain the minnowest of the
minnows. Any small hopes they might have entertained were quashed by Faroese veteran striker
Klæmint Olsen's strike in stoppage time of the first half.
Final (June 30, Kópavogur)
FK Budućnost Podgorica (MNE) v Breiðablik (ISL)
Forecast is about 10 degrees Celsius and pouring rain. Icelandic summer!
Ciao,
Werner
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
It never stops.
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Forecast is about 10 degrees Celsius and pouring rain. Icelandic summer!
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB) v Qarabağ FK (AZE)* 1-2 (1-0)
(Gómez 25'; Xhixha 58', Benzia 90'+4)
For one half the Imps could flirt with the idea of another upset, as their striker
Kike Gómez (who's also holding a Philippine passport and might even be in the mix
for a call-up to their NT at some point)
Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL)* v Breiðablik (ISL) 0-1 (0-1)
(Muminović 39')
Just like for Bosnia, this could become a golden opportunity for an Icelandic team
to reach a first ever European group phase.
On 2023-07-12, Werner Pichler <wpic...@gmail.com> wrote:
Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL)* v Breiðablik (ISL) 0-1 (0-1)
(Muminović 39')
Just like for Bosnia, this could become a golden opportunity for an Icelandic team
to reach a first ever European group phase.
Could be bad for the Vikings' efficiency score.
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
The New Saints FC (WAL)* v BK HCKEN (SWE) 0-2 (0-1), 1-5 on aggregate
(Sadiq 19', Sonko 90'+1)
No problems for the Swedish champions in Oswestry either. Just as in the first >leg Ibrahim Sadiq volleyed in the first goal, and very late on 18-year-old forward
Momodou Sonko likewise volleyed in fellow subsitute Tomas Totland's cross: >https://giphy.com/media/2H9px1gDDaTCoc6piO/giphy.gif
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Champions League Second Qualifying Round, 2nd leghttps://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Teams in CAPITALS (except HJK) through to CLQ3, losers go to ELQ3
* = seeded team
August 1
Champions Path
NK OLIMPIJA LJUBLJANA (SLO) v PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL)* 2-1 (1-1), 3-2 on aggregate
(Elšnik 19', 90'+2; Despodov 15'; Red Card: Son (Lud) 82')
Both sides exchanged early goals as Kiril Despodov, one of the few bright spots
in Bulgarian football currently, scored with a direct free-kick: https://giphy.com/media/MXWYb8rVbpKa8EcfDQ/giphy.gif
and Timi Elšnik volleyed in a free-kick by former Paços de Ferreira right-back
Jorge Silva. Olimpija subsequently had a bit more of the match, but things only
got really spicy beginning about ten minutes from time. Ludogorets's Spanish right-back Son, newly signed from Levante, despite his La Liga experience saw an
idiotic red card for getting suckered into what looked like a headbutt on another
of Olimpija's Portuguese contingent, Rui Pedro, but despite being reduced to ten
Ludogorets could have won it in the 89th minute when Spas Delev on the break got
off a shot from the edge of the box that came off the right post. Instead, in the
92nd minute Elšnik rifled in from a corner kick routine that evidently surprised
the Bulgarian defence: https://giphy.com/media/pkdzIicnHhFM5HJ6j0/giphy.gif but the end to the match wasn't yet dramatic enough as in the 12th minute of stoppage time, and after a lengthy VAR check, Ludo were awarded a fully justified
penalty - and Despodov, of all people, saw his spot kick saved by Olimpija keeper
Vidovšek: https://giphy.com/media/8SCEaFNv1rBcb5Jjgr/giphy.gif
Cue quite insane celebrations on part of the Slovenians and their fans.
The first time in their history that Olimpija reach a European group phase (at
least Conference League is guaranteed now), following the example of Maribor and
Mura.
On the other hand, Bulgarian football still deep in the doldrums.
FC BATE Borisov (BLR)* v ARIS LIMASSOL FC (CYP) 3-5 (1-3), 5-11 on aggregate (Gromyko 25' (pen), Martynov 48', Laptev 90'+3 (pen); Babicka 8', Gomis 26', Caju 35', Bengtsson 56', Stępiński 74')
Now that's not an aggregate score you see every day.
In the usual Belarusian base of Mezőkövesd in Northeastern Hungary, Gabonese
international striker Shavy Babicka punished the simply terrible Belarusian defence already early on, converting one-on-one with BATE keeper Kudravets, and
things only went downhill from there. Yannick Gomis volleyed in a Babicka cross,
Caju tapped in the rebound after Kudravets had parried yet another shot by the
Gabonese, Leo Bengtsson curled one in from the edge of the box, and Jaden Montnor's cross found Mariusz Stępiński for Aris's fifth. Two penalties and a
header from a corner made the end result a little bit more palatable for BATE.
ŠK SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (SLK)* v HŠK Zrinjski Mostar (BIH) 2-2 (1-0), 3-2 on aggregate
(Čavrić 5', Zuberu 66'; Barišić 75', Ivančić 90'+3)
On occasion of an early corner kick Zrinjski's defence completely forgot about
Slovan's target striker Aleksandar Čavrić: https://giphy.com/media/50ccIFJBaYbPlrx3lN/giphy.gif
Amateurish defending. Ghanaian striker Sharani Zuberu made it two following some
deft passing: https://giphy.com/media/S8vc2hoP3WGcJfFujT/giphy.gif
but despite being 3-0 up on aggregate at that point Slovan were surprisingly still
made to suffer a bit as Hrvoje Barišić rose highest to likewise head in a corner
kick, and in stoppage time Dario Čanađija's volley crashed off the left post and
Antonio Ivančić tapped into the empty net: https://giphy.com/media/yL9ilIdIU3hqW0eCqK/giphy.gif
But too little too late, as usual for teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina. After
all, Zrinjski had the chance to secure a first ever group stage right here, and
now they're basically back to square one.
League Path
PANATHINAIKOS FC (GRE) v SC Dnipro-1 (UKR)* 2-2 (1-1), 5-3 on aggregate (Šporar 15', 70'; Dovbyk 24', Sarapiy 54'; Red Card: Tanchyk (Dni) 75')
The tie appeared to be all but decided already early on - Tin Jedvaj, back in
Europe from a stint in Abu Dhabi, sent a speculative long ball towards the Ukrainian net, and Dnipro keeper Volynets hesitated a moment too long to claim it,
allowing Andraž Šporar to push the ball past him and lob into the empty net:
https://giphy.com/media/djrT8QRfoQjz083TeV/giphy.gif
Still, the Ukrainians were much improved compared to the first leg and equalised
when Artem Dovbyk, heavily linked with a move to Girona and the Primera División,
took on the entire Panathinaikos defence by himself and from a tight angle pushed
the ball through the legs of Pana's Italian keeper Brignoli: https://giphy.com/media/WIlRbZf99NrXrifoVk/giphy.gif
Volynets then made amends for his earlier mistake and risked life and limb to deny
Sebastián Palacios from close range (and subsequently had to be carted off the
pitch with a severe concussion), and early in the second half Dnipro-1 were only
one goal away from extra time after centre-back Eduard Sarapiy had headed in a
corner kick. Panathinaikos were seriously on the ropes at that point, but an energetic solo run by Filip Đuričić ended with the former Sampdoria and Sassuolo
winger centring for Šporar to tap in his second: https://giphy.com/media/csiknPQj3fhfVVXEUL/giphy.gif
and Volodymyr Tanchyk's sending off for a leg-breaking tackle against Juancar
settled matters for good.
August 2
FC Astana (KAZ) v GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* 0-2 (0-1), 0-6 on aggregate (Marochkin 24' (og), Marin 89')
Dinamo had no problems in Kazakhstan either. Aleksandr Marochkin when trying to
interfere with Mahir Emreli's solo run instead beat his own keeper Čondrić with a
perfect shot into the bottom corner of the net: https://giphy.com/media/Z1XIHRxykDqr03MLeg/giphy.gif
and late on youngster Antonio Marin (no relation to Marko) tapped in a loose ball
from close range.
Qarabağ FK (AZE)* v RKS RAKÓW CZĘSTOCHOWA (POL) 1-1 (0-0), 3-4 on aggregate
(Xhixha 60'; Tudor 52')
Not as fun and open as the first match between the two, but finally a Polish club
managed to overcome their Azeri nemesis. Croatian winger Fran Tudor, a distant
cousin of Igor's, opened the scoring with a powerful shot into the far corner of
the net: https://giphy.com/media/XlArZNKlfWKev8qf1x/giphy.gif
and even though Redon Xhikha soon equalised by volleying in Cəfərquliyev's cross:
https://giphy.com/media/hUe6mhQ85LrSfFjfOI/giphy.gif
Raków held on to the result until the final whistle, also because fifteen minutes
from time Marko Janković's shot came off the right post.
BK Häcken (SWE) v KÍ (FAR)* 3-3 aet (1-1, 2-2), 3-3 on aggregate, KÍ win 4-3 on penalties
(Sana 24', Layouni 48', Sadiq 105'+1; Frederiksberg 17', 53',
Abrahamson 109' (og))
Amazing part II. Following last year's maiden championship, Häcken are again
fighting for the Swedish title this year.
Árni Frederiksberg eventually became the Faroese hero, and he opened the scoring
already early on by volleying in from close range after Häcken captain Samuel
Gustafson had failed to cut out a cross: https://giphy.com/media/LIt4ZyAObyZMhf2iT1/giphy.gif
Former Ajax prospect Tobias Sana equalised with a sumptuous shot from distance
that left KÍ's Swedish keeper Johansson rooted to the spot: https://giphy.com/media/i6G1VIz1H5RF2mspZu/giphy.gif
After the break Amor Layouni, newly signed from Vålerenga, headed Häcken in front
from close range: https://giphy.com/media/QI5TagmJmVIfwRrJEk/giphy.gif
but right afterwards Frederiksberg's deflected free-kick agonizingly bounced past
Häcken keeper Abrahamsson: https://giphy.com/media/9nhu3mgopbAZ6ySqdt/giphy.gif
KÍ could have ended it right there as in the third minute of stoppage time Luc
Kassi volleyed a free-kick against the crossbar, but instead they fell behind once
more in extra time when Johansson failed to punch away a cross far enough, and
Momodou Sonko sent the loose ball back towards goal where Ibrahim Sadiq tapped in
from close range. But the stubborn Faroese still weren't beaten, and right after
Abrahamsson had pulled off a great save to deny Kassi's point-blank header, Häcken's keeper under pressure from the Norwegian substitute Sivert Gussiås
bungled the following corner kick, delivered by who else but Frederiksberg, over
his own goal line. Soon afterwards Abrahamsson at least made amends and managed to
deny Gussiås one-on-one.
In the shoot-out, the first three players on both sides converted their penalties,
then Mikkel Rygaard sent his spot kick high and Johansson saved against Simon
Sandberg, while on Klaksvík's side Gussiås shot against the crossbar, but KÍ's
Norwegian defensive stalwart Vegard Forren drilled in qthe decisive effort: https://giphy.com/media/EYegBm135wsIf6FuUX/giphy.gif
It's always been their home strength that made them difficult opponents, but KÍ
have now scored three goals away against both the Hungarian and the Swedish champions.
Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag reach a European group phase, the first for a team from
the Faroe Islands. Still waiting: San Marino, Andorra, Iceland, Malta, Montenegro,
Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. One of Iceland and Bosnia- Herzegovina is certain to make it this year because Breiðablik and Zrinjski play
each other in ELQ3.
MOLDE FK (NOR)* v HJK (FIN) 2-0 (0-0), 2-1 on aggregate
(Öst 74' (og), Brynhildsen 89')
The Norwegian champions, who are this year trailing behind Bodø/Glimt once again,
levelled the overall score when Kristian Eriksen's point-blank header came off the
crossbar and unluckily bounced off HJK keeper Öst, and in: https://giphy.com/media/qvn2BwepZHAER18gjP/giphy.gif
Two minutes from time the unfortunate Öst likewise did well to parry Veton Berisha's close-range effort, only for Ola Brynhildsen to slide the rebound into
the empty net for the decisive goal: https://giphy.com/media/tg4LwMgFcnO2cehkLh/giphy.gif
MACCABI HAIFA FC (ISR) v FC Sheriff (MDA)* 4-1 aet (1-1, 2-1), 4-2 on aggregate
(Chery 33', Jaber 85', David 105'+2, Shuranov 107'; Talal 20' (pen);
Red Cards: Luvannor 86' (She, on the bench), Talal 90'+4 (She, on the bench))
Suriname international Tjaronn Chery's penchant for brilliant long-distance goals
should be well-known by now to anyone who reads these write-ups, and he added
another in this one: https://giphy.com/media/Tme24Awb9DIsH0BhGY/giphy.gif and so helped the Israeli champions back on track after they had conceded an early penalty, but they had to wait until five minutes from time to level the
overall score when a shot by the substitute Mahmoud Jaber was deflected in: https://giphy.com/media/piyBMZhOJGQXJ2DJab/giphy.gif
Things got a bit heated after this between two benches, resulting in a second
yellow and a red for Sheriff players who had already been subbed out.
In extra time, Dean David got the decisive goal with a lovely lob over Sheriff's
Ukrainian keeper Koval: https://giphy.com/media/bQ5LuK2dIEtxJLRyG5/giphy.gif and former Nürnberg striker Erik Shuranov added a fourth with a precise low shot
from outside the area: https://giphy.com/media/mQAz2hdVnQ8PuFshcJ/giphy.gif
FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)* v Breiðablik (ISL) 6-3 (4-1), 8-3 on aggregate (Gonçalves 33', Achouri 35', Larsson 37', Óskarsson 45'+1, 47', 56'; Svanþórsson 9', Steindórsson 51', Gunnlaugsson 75')
The Icelandic champions might have entertained a little hope after Jason Daði
Svanþórsson had volleyed them into an early lead, but three goals in four minutes
put that notion quickly to rest, beginning with a great free-kick from FCK's new
Portuguese signing Diogo Gonçalves: https://giphy.com/media/fZIwIE9ppA1Insd1jD/giphy.gif
and ending with Jordan Larsson's lovely chip: https://giphy.com/media/ziwfvcrJJasTZE4n3k/giphy.gif
Speaking of sons, Copenhagen's 18-year-old Icelandic striker talent Orri Óskarsson
evidently was quite fired up to play against the team coached by his dad Óskar
Hrafn Þorvaldsson, and so he went out and scored a hat trick. (BTW this is not the
right place, but on behalf of all Sturm Graz fans I still wanted to thank FCK once
more for selling us Rasmus Højlund at a really very reasonable price. Too bad they
probably won't do the same with Óskarsson.)
Kudos to Breiðablik though who continued to play their somewhat suicidal pressing
style and at least scored two more, one thanks to Kristinn Steindórsson's deflected shot and one through their captain Höskuldur Gunnlaugsson's free-kick:
https://giphy.com/media/kb9WkqYOi1OGuyyC8j/giphy.gif
GALATASARAY SK (TUR)* v FK Žalgiris (LTU) 1-0 (1-0), 3-2 on aggregate (Mertens 31')
Dries Mertens saved a rather minimalist Gala side the blushes with a trademark
volley from outside the box: https://giphy.com/media/zd02WHipkUQKAO7CWl/giphy.gif
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 1:15:24 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote: >> > > On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote: >> > > > On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Draw for Champions League Play-Off (August 22/23 and 29/30)
* = seeded team
Winners go to CL group phase, Losers go to EL group phase
Champions Path
ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SLK)/Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) v BSC Young Boys (SUI)* >Royal Antwerp FC (BEL) v AEK FC (GRE)/GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)*
RKS Raków Czestochowa (POL)/Aris Limassol FC (CYP) v FC København
(DEN)/AC Sparta Praha (CZE)*
KÍ (FAR)/Molde FK (NOR) v NK Olimpija Ljubljana (SLO)/Galatasaray SK (TUR)*
League Path
Rangers FC (SCO)/Servette FC (SUI)* v PSV (NED)/SK Sturm Graz (AUT)
SC Braga (POR)/FK TSC (SRB)* v Panathinaikos FC (GRE)/Olympique de
Marseille (FRA)
Ciao,
Werner
On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
FC København (DEN)* v AC Sparta Praha (CZE) 0-0 (0-0)
Big chances on both sides, but no goals. In the first half, Lukáš Haraslín took a
stumble when alone in on FCK keeper Grabara, and at the other end 17-year-old
Swedish talent Roony Bardghji volleyed against the crossbar from close range.
After the break Bardghji's compatriot Viktor Claesson did the same with his chest:
https://giphy.com/media/sFyAMRUUXQBW4O8YIa/giphy.gif
and Sparta's new Danish keeper Vindahl Jensen pulled off a miraculous save to deny
Orri Óskarsson: https://giphy.com/media/eulG5SOOixFjjBTEfi/giphy.gif
KÍ (FAR) v Molde FK (NOR)* 2-1 (0-0)
(Frederiksberg 64', 86'; Eikrem 49')
But the Árni Frederiksberg show (he has been involved in all but one KÍ goal in
their campaign so far) was just about to begin - he first duped Molde keeper Karlstrøm at his near post: https://giphy.com/media/hAtlSFuXlotzQ0q9WF/giphy.gif
and just before the end raced clear and fired into the top corner for the winner:
https://giphy.com/media/cV3qdqwOUuHq3VZEBW/giphy.gif
On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 3:06:31 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 11:31:09 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 3:06:31 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round, 1st leg
* = seeded team
GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)* v AEK FC (GRE) 1-2 (1-0)
(Bulat 39'; Zuber 59', Galanopoulos 90')
Marko Bulat scored the opener with a smashing free-kick that left AEK's Austrian
keeper Cican Stanković on his knees: https://giphy.com/media/yYnMsd5HImvnGTv3m3/giphy.gif
The Croatian champions appeared to have everything under control, that is until
Josip Mišić needlessly lost the ball in front of his own area, and two quick
passes and one shot by Swiss midfielder Steven Zuber later AEK were level: https://giphy.com/media/Vm74FwVzFsCB1BEb9W/giphy.gif
To make things worse for Dinamo, in the very last minute AEK mainstay Kostas Galanopoulos emphatically volleyed in fellow substitute Petros Mantalos's cross
for the winner: https://giphy.com/media/3hoImRvFCYwYWQAlk3/giphy.gif
The postponed 2nd leg in Athens is going to be played on Saturday, and this time
around hopefully without any fan violence. But the war of words that has in the
meantime developed between AEK and Dinamo officials in particular, and Greek and
Croatian media in general doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 11:31:09 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 3:06:31 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 6:32:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 11:31:09 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 3:06:31 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Champions League Play-Off, 1st leghttps://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
* = seeded team
August 22
Champions Path
Royal Antwerp FC (BEL) v AEK FC (GRE)* 1-0 (1-0)
(Janssen 16'; Red Card: Bataille (Roy) 50')
Mark van Bommel's side scored with one of their first opportunities - a great pass
by Antwerp's 18-year-old midfield talent Arthur Vermeeren beat AEK's offside trap,
and Vincent Janssen expertly slotted the ball past Georgios Athanasiadis (who had
once more taken over goalkeeping duties from former Salzburg keeper Cican Stanković): https://giphy.com/media/Akc9q0jcX1ZnBypMXq/giphy.gif
AEK subsequently had more and better chances, especially after Antwerp right-back
Jelle Bataille had been sent off for a leg-breaking tackle on Mijat Gaćinović,
but the Belgians defended tooth and nail, with their French keeper Jean Butez also
standing tall, and despite a flurry of crosses they managed to keep the Greek
champions at bay until the final whistle.
RKS Raków Czestochowa (POL) v FC København (DEN)* 0-1 (0-1)
(Racoviţan 9' (og))
At this stage Raków are no longer allowed to play this in their rather tiny home
stadium in Częstochowa, and instead moved into the brand-new ArcelorMittal Park
in Sosnowiec, roughly sixty kilometres to the south.
FCK had the perfect start to the game as they scored with their first foray into
the Polish box - Raków's French-Romanian defender Bogdan Racovițan unluckily
deflected a cross by Mohamed Elyounoussi, newly signed from Southampton, past his
own keeper Kovačević: https://giphy.com/media/MUPuu6xClJXi1tGClC/giphy.gif Five minutes before half-time Raków's would-be equaliser through Giannis Papanikolaou's header was disallowed by VAR for a hair's breadth offside, and in
the second half Raków's toothless attack never actually managed to trouble the
Danish defence.
League Path
Rangers FC (SCO)* v PSV (NED) 2-2 (1-0)
(Sima 45', Matondo 76'; Sangaré 61', De Jong 80')
Who knows if the persistent transfer rumours surrounding Ibrahim Sangaré (Bayern?
PSG?) might not have distracted PSV's Ivorian midfielder, because he contrived to
lose the ball in front of his own area, which led to Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima
giving Rangers the lead with a great curler into the top corner: https://giphy.com/media/Ptd7qH8uhU8h0nOJCU/giphy.gif
In the second half Sangaré kind of redeemed himself by sweeping in Johan Bakayoko's cross, also thanks to Ismael Saibari's clever dummy: https://giphy.com/media/zROUIqTNiPh3YQFhhs/giphy.gif
A clinical Rangers side (Sturm Graz should take notes on how to properly set up
against PSV) again took the lead on the break, with Welsh substitute Rabbi Matondo
finishing off the move from Cyriel Desser's assist: https://giphy.com/media/7fxdsDl2cFxoz7mKRB/giphy.gif
VAR took a long hard look at the build-up, and then surprisingly didn't chalk the
goal off - those hair's breadth decisions can also go the attacker's way. Still,
PSV got the somewhat lucky, but overall deserved, equaliser when Luuk De Jong in
typical Luuk De Jong fashion shouldered in Joey Veerman's corner kick: https://giphy.com/media/0N9ZauHiSpSrgscyTt/giphy.gif
The same first-leg result between the two as last season at the same stage. A year
ago Rangers then followed it up by shocking PSV with a 1-0 win in Eindhoven (with
the goal coming from a huge blunder by centre-back Ramalho and keeper Benítez). I
could totally see them repeating that feat, the Scots appear to have a real knack
for getting their best out of these qualifiers.
August 23
Champions Path
Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) v BSC Young Boys (SUI)* 0-0 (0-0)
No efforts on target for YB (and just two for Maccabi), as the Swiss champions
managed to get the result they had come to Israel for. Haifa's biggest chance was
a shot by Tjaronn Chery that YB keeper Racioppi only managed to tame at the second
attempt.
Molde FK (NOR) v Galatasaray SK (TUR)* 2-3 (1-2)
(Ellingsen 8', Haugen 56'; Oliveira 25', Icardi 29', Midtsjø 90'+3)
In a very open match the Norwegian champions took the early lead through Martin
Ellingsen's well-placed header from Emil Breivik's corner kick: https://giphy.com/media/aOYuyzUkbRP4SrVRh6/giphy.gif
but Gala soon hit back with two goals of their own - Sérgio Oliveira's free-kick
was unluckily deflected in by the Molde wall, and Mauro Icardi met Yunus Akgün's
ball over the top with a great volley: https://giphy.com/media/o9F5QCciKaph21o1aJ/giphy.gif
Just before the break another Galatasaray goal by Akgün was chalked off by VAR for
a foul in the build-up,
and Molde got a deserved equaliser when Kristoffer Haugen
stole in at the far post to volley in Erling Knudtzon's cross:
https://giphy.com/media/icgl13WnIEfcUvO8wt/giphy.gif
The Norwegians subsequently had good opportunities to score a third, but a route
one attack in stoppage time still gave the Turkish champions the away win, with
Icardi setting up the Norwegian substitute Fredrik Midtsjø to tap into the empty
net: https://giphy.com/media/6XZNqosHhS9kdwQtXB/giphy.gif
League Path
SC Braga (POR)* v Panathinaikos FC (GRE) 2-1 (0-0)
(Ruiz 51', Djaló 73'; Mancini 90'+5)
The first half was very balanced and quite poor, even though the Greeks were lucky
that VAR surprisingly chalked off a Braga penalty, but in the second the Portuguese were very much improved and took the lead when a hard shot by their
Spanish forward Abel Ruiz went through the legs of two Panathinaikos defenders:
https://giphy.com/media/rgX9PtVDjTiIYoiUsQ/giphy.gif
Andraž Šporar then missed a huge chance for the Greeks when alone in front of the
empty net he failed to connect with a cross, and instead a quickly executed throw-in caught the Greek defence on the wrong foot (I always enjoy it when an
offside trap is beaten that way), and Álvaro Djaló fired in Braga's second:
https://giphy.com/media/eni6BwbCVRKiAzv5Fu/giphy.gif
But just as in the two previous rounds Panathinaikos showed remarkable resilience
in the end, and just after Braga had wasted a huge chance to make it 3-0 on the
counter in stoppage time, with Pana keeper Brignoli saving one-on-one against Rony
Lopes, at the other end Fotis Ioannidis's perfectly timed pass beat Braga's high
line and Argentine winger Daniel Mancini slotted past Braga keeper Matheus at his
near post: https://giphy.com/media/cyhL7KyHgojznCb4Ku/giphy.gif
Everything to play for in Athens, then.
Ciao,
Werner
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 6:32:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 11:31:09 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 3:06:31 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 2:41:00 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 6:32:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote: >> > On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 11:31:09 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote: >> > > On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 3:06:31 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote: >> > > > On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, WernerPichler wrote:
Pichler wrote:On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner
Pichler wrote:On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner >Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner >Pichler wrote:
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Champions League Play-Off, 2nd leg
Teams in CAPITALS (except AEK) through to CL group phase, losers go to
EL group phase
* = seeded team
August 29
Champions Path
BSC YOUNG BOYS (SUI)* v Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) 3-0 (2-0), 3-0 on aggregate >(Itten 23', Seck 28' (og), Ugrinić 46')
YB scored twice from their first two attacks - one cross by Meschak Elia was met
with a bullet header by former Rangers flop Cedric Itten: >https://giphy.com/media/lmnPmgi0QJnSBNtS1y/giphy.gif
and another resulted in a ludicrous own goal by Abdoulaye Seck: >https://giphy.com/media/VcqusRvWNGtNiaunKK/giphy.gif
while at the other end Maccabi hit first the post and then the crossbar. In the
second half Filip Ugrinić immediately made it three with a deflected shot: >https://giphy.com/media/7MJHXz5Ys3kNCR0yEl/giphy.gif
and the supremely unlucky Israeli once more hit the post.
Football is a game of fine margins.
GALATASARAY SK (TUR)* v Molde FK (NOR) 2-1 (1-0), 5-3 on aggregate
(Icardi 7' (pen), Angeliño 90'+3; Hestad 66')
Already early on Galatasaray were awarded a rather soft penalty for Martin >Ellingsen's shoulder grab on Icardi, and the Argentine converted the spot kick >himself. The Turkish champions appeared to have everything under control, and >Molde also had rotten luck when after just twenty-two minutes they had
to sub off
both Markus Kaasa and Erling Knudtzon following a nasty head collision >between the
two, but in the second half a great dribble by Emil Breivik set up Eirik Hestad
(who had come on for Kaasa) for the equaliser: >https://giphy.com/media/cyGGWwyW0NUaJakLo9/giphy.gif
and suddenly it was squeaky bum time. Ten minutes from the end the
Norwegians for
a short moment thought they had equalised the aggregate score, but VAR correctly
determined Veton Berisha's goal to have been a clear offside, and late
on, just as
in the first leg between the two, a deflected free-kick proved crucial for Gala,
this time it was Leipzig loanee Angeliño who saw his strike curve past
a helpless
Karlstrøm: https://giphy.com/media/2OpSHPZ2g7bCnYM6TX/giphy.gif
League Path
Panathinaikos FC (GRE) v SC BRAGA (POR)* 0-1 (0-0), 1-3 on aggregate
(Bruma 83'; Red Card: Juankar (Pan) 90'+1)
Panathinaikos had a couple of opportunities to get the aggregate equaliser, but
Braga's veteran keeper Matheus was on his guard the few times they
actually became
dangerous, and one late counter attack decided the tie for good, with Bruma >finishing off the move from Ricardo Horta's assist: >https://giphy.com/media/mC2hBAhu4we96K9g8P/giphy.gif
In stoppage time Pana's Spanish left-back Juankar got sent off with a second >booking for going through the back of Frenchman Simon Banza in frustration.
August 30
Champions Path
AEK FC (GRE)* v ROYAL ANTWERP FC (BEL) 1-2 (0-0), 1-3 on aggregate
(Araujo 90'; Kerk 73', Balikwisha 90'+5)
The match was mostly one-way football towards the Belgian net, but the Greeks >consistently made the wrong decisions in the attacking third, and Antwerp stood
firm in defence and were themselves dangerous on occasion of their few breaks. >They should have taken the lead when Arbnor Muja completely alone in
front of the
gaping net tried a fancy back-heel and utterly failed to connect with >Michel-Ange
Balikwisha's cross: https://giphy.com/media/Nb21u21YYusg3xIEht/giphy.gif
but not long afterwards Antwerp still managed to score when a quickly executed >long throw-in by US Boy Sam Vines undid the Greek defence, and
Balikwisha centred
for the Dutch substitute Gyrano Kerk to tap in: >https://giphy.com/media/Nfq7YUhFRCgzM7Kusa/giphy.gif
Just like in the previous round against Dinamo Zagreb AEK managed to find a goal
in the last minute, and just like against Dinamo it was their Argentine forward
Sergio Araujo who got on the scoresheet as he chested down Niclas
Eliasson's cross
and slotted in: https://giphy.com/media/YzQxvekZxRwNHzlvLF/giphy.gif
But unlike against Dinamo a second goal eluded them despite eight minutes of >stoppage time, and with all Greek field players pushing up the Belgians picked >them off on the break instead, with Balikwisha making no mistake one-on-one with
AEK's badly positioned Austrian keeper Cican Stanković: >https://giphy.com/media/1feumqdSMmjArdmTpa/giphy.gif
FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)* v RKS Raków Czestochowa (POL) 1-1 (1-0), 2-1 on aggregate
(Vavro 35'; Zwoliński 87')
In a rather cagey affair, a strange goal gave the Danish champions the lead - a
speculative volley by FCK's Slovakian centre-back Denis Vavro from more than >thirty metres out surprised Vladan Kovačević at his near post, as
Raków's Bosnian
keeper had strayed a bit too far off his line: >https://giphy.com/media/cxUz3aLrGN5dDrPYEQ/giphy.gif
Copenhagen a bit later also hit the crossbar, and in the second half
little seemed
to indicate a possible comeback for a toothless Polish side, until three minutes
from time Fran Tudor cushioned down Deian Sorescu's looping cross for the >substitute Łukasz Zwoliński to slot in from close range: >https://giphy.com/media/I1PrTIspSR3OhgPOfu/giphy.gif
But the second goal that would have sent the tie to extra time was too much to >ask for.
League Path
PSV (NED) v Rangers FC (SCO)* 5-1 (1-0), 7-3 on aggregate
(Saibari 35', 53', De Jong 66', Veerman 78', Goldson 81' (og); Tavernier 64')
PSV took a fully deserved lead when Noa Lang played in Joey Veerman on the left
wing, and Ismael Saibari met his cross with a bullet header: >https://giphy.com/media/mLbjYOxJtrFItAg2jn/giphy.gif
Saibari also tapped in PSV's second after Luuk de Jong had volleyed
Jordan Teze's
cross back across goal: https://giphy.com/media/ndPGPjxYRtKbMcqNH8/giphy.gif >Rangers found a little hope again when out of nowhere they pulled one back, with
James Tavernier sliding in at the far post to steer in Sam Lammers's low cross:
https://giphy.com/media/Vjoq2zHgwzm8VzoXdX/giphy.gif
but De Jong immediately replied by heading in Veerman's free-kick: >https://giphy.com/media/SYcIXremF3fMkTeSzu/giphy.gif
Rabbi Matondo then hit the woodwork once more for Rangers, and again PSV replied
in style, with Veerman capping off his great performance by rifling in another >Teze cross: https://giphy.com/media/C7zE5H4O7BZS7vvoEl/giphy.gif
and a broken Rangers side even gifted the Dutch a fifth when Connor
Goldson sent a
back pass straight into his own net: >https://giphy.com/media/DnxS7iukAdEJ4yrdkS/giphy.gif
Very reminiscent of PSV's matches in the previous round against Sturm Graz. They
may have their defensive frailties, as always with Peter Bosz's teams, but if >you're not able to trouble their set-up they can be scary good in
attacking mode.
Pots for CL Group Stage Draw / August 31 18h00 CEST
(taking place once more at the same time as several EL and ECL
qualifiers; and to
repeat myself from last year, and the year before - UEFA could have
easily avoided
that if they cared about anything else but their flagship competition)
Pot 1
Manchester City FC (ENG/CH/TH-CL) 145.000
Sevilla FC (ESP/TH-EL) 91.000
FC Barcelona (ESP/CH) 98.000
SSC Napoli (ITA/CH) 81.000
FC Bayern München (GER/CH) 136.000
Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA/CH) 112.000
SL Benfica (POR/CH) 82.000
Feyenoord (NED/CH) 51.000
Pot 2
Real Madrid CF (ESP) 121.000
Manchester United FC (ENG) 104.000
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) 96.000
BV Borussia 09 Dortmund (GER) 86.000
Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) 85.000
RB Leipzig (GER) 84.000
FC Porto (POR) 81.000
Arsenal FC (ENG) 76.000
Pot 3
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR/CH) 63.000
FC Salzburg (AUT/CH) 59.000
AC Milan (ITA) 50.000
SC Braga (POR) 44.000
PSV (NED) 43.000
SS Lazio (ITA) 42.000
FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB/CH) 42.000
FC København (DEN/CH) 40.500
Pot 4
BSC Young Boys (SUI/CH) 34.500
Real Sociedad (ESP) 33.000
Galatasaray SK (TUR/CH) 31.500
Celtic FC (SCO/CH) 31.000
Newcastle United FC (ENG) 21.914
1. FC Union Berlin (GER) 17.000
Royal Antwerp FC (BEL/CH) 17.000
RC Lens (FRA) 12.232
Ciao,
Werner
On Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 2:41:00 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 6:32:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 11:31:09 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 3:06:31 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 12:47:25 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 4:15:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:17:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 2:38:27 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:56:20 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Champions League Play-Off, 2nd leghttps://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Teams in CAPITALS (except AEK) through to CL group phase, losers go to EL group phase
* = seeded team
August 29
Champions Path
BSC YOUNG BOYS (SUI)* v Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) 3-0 (2-0), 3-0 on aggregate (Itten 23', Seck 28' (og), Ugrinić 46')
YB scored twice from their first two attacks - one cross by Meschak Elia was met
with a bullet header by former Rangers flop Cedric Itten: https://giphy.com/media/lmnPmgi0QJnSBNtS1y/giphy.gif
and another resulted in a ludicrous own goal by Abdoulaye Seck: https://giphy.com/media/VcqusRvWNGtNiaunKK/giphy.gif
while at the other end Maccabi hit first the post and then the crossbar. In the
second half Filip Ugrinić immediately made it three with a deflected shot: https://giphy.com/media/7MJHXz5Ys3kNCR0yEl/giphy.gif
and the supremely unlucky Israeli once more hit the post.
Football is a game of fine margins.
GALATASARAY SK (TUR)* v Molde FK (NOR) 2-1 (1-0), 5-3 on aggregate
(Icardi 7' (pen), Angeliño 90'+3; Hestad 66')
Already early on Galatasaray were awarded a rather soft penalty for Martin Ellingsen's shoulder grab on Icardi, and the Argentine converted the spot kick
himself. The Turkish champions appeared to have everything under control, and
Molde also had rotten luck when after just twenty-two minutes they had to sub off
both Markus Kaasa and Erling Knudtzon following a nasty head collision between the
two, but in the second half a great dribble by Emil Breivik set up Eirik Hestad
(who had come on for Kaasa) for the equaliser: https://giphy.com/media/cyGGWwyW0NUaJakLo9/giphy.gif
and suddenly it was squeaky bum time. Ten minutes from the end the Norwegians for
a short moment thought they had equalised the aggregate score, but VAR correctly
determined Veton Berisha's goal to have been a clear offside, and late on, just as
in the first leg between the two, a deflected free-kick proved crucial for Gala,
this time it was Leipzig loanee Angeliño who saw his strike curve past a helpless
Karlstrøm: https://giphy.com/media/2OpSHPZ2g7bCnYM6TX/giphy.gif
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