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Spurs make into the knockout stage; Anderlecht 1-1 Tottenham
An entertaining match at the Constant Vanden Stock between Anderlecht and Spurs ended in a 1-1 draw, which means that Spurs after their four matches are certain of making it through to the knockout games after Christmas although their position within the group is still uncertain as the rest of the group are still due to play. Whilst the first half yielded chances it was the second half that really ignited when Anderlecht profited from a defensive slip in the Spurs defence to open the scoring halfway through but moments later Spurs hit back through a Berbatov penalty to level the scores.by Walter Townsend on Friday, 7th December 2007
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Everton ease into top spot; Everton 1-0 Zenit St. Petersburg
Everton profited from an unlucky red card for Zenit on 30 minutes to grab a late win against a technically excellent Russian side. The Everton win combined with other results mean that not only have they qualified for the knock out stages they have already sealed first place in the group with a game to spare. The 10 men of Zenit held out until the 85th minute when a scrappy Tim Cahill goal gave Everton the crucial winner.by Walter Townsend on Thursday, 6th December 2007
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About a Ball Guide to Zenit St. Petersburg; Russian Champions looking for fitting ending
Zenit St. Petersburg, newly crowned Russian Champions, are the visitors to Goodison Park on Wednesday evening and they could be prove the hardest opposition that Everton face in the group. Brimming with confidence the Russian side, managed by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat, know that one more point should probably be enough to ensure progress, especially if AZ beat 1. FC Nurnberg in the other Group A game tonight. This Zenit side is brimming full of internationals including several who helped Russia overcome England in the recent European Qualifiers.by Walter Townsend on Wednesday, 5th December 2007
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About a Ball Guide to Anderlecht; Struggling Anderlecht out to impress
Belgian giants Anderlecht are the next opponents for Tottenham, who play their final match tonight in the UEFA Cup group stage. For Spurs a point will suffice to assure them of qualification but knowing that a win should guarantee them top spot and hopefully an easier draw in the New Year, whilst Anderlecht, previously group leaders, will be hoping to secure their qualification before they visit Getafe on the 19th December. However, given that both teams are under new management both sets of players will be desperate to impress and both teams come off disappointing results at the weekend. Spurs lost 3-2 against Birmingham City whilst Anderlecht were held by Standard Liege to a 0-0 draw.by Walter Townsend on Wednesday, 5th December 2007
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Celtic celebrate Cardozo; Shakhtar 1-2 Benfica
Celtic had Oscar Cardozo of Benfica to thank for the progression into the knock-out stages of the Champions League after loosing in Milan, but going through despite the defeat as Benfica beat Shakhtar in the other group game in a surprise result. Benfica knew that although the win wouldn’t be enough for continued participation in the Champions League the win against Shakhtar would see them into the UEFA Cup at the expense of their hosts. Cardozo grabbed two early goals in Donetsk to give the away side the perfect start and despite conceding a penalty on 30 minutes they held firm to send Celtic through and Shakhtar out.by Walter Townsend on Wednesday, 5th December 2007
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Preview of Group D; Celtic with Champions League destiny in their own hands
Celtic travel to the San Siro tonight knowing that regardless of the other result in the group tonight they can qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the second season in a row, potentially grabbing the top spot in the group in the process. Although Celtic have never won in Italy in 7 attempts or even kept a clean sheet, they travel to Milan having already beaten their opponents in Glasgow 2-1 thanks to a last gasp goal from Scott McDonald.by Walter Townsend on Tuesday, 4th December 2007
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Porto take control of Superliga; Benfica 0-1 Porto
A fiercely competitive derby between Benfica and Porto was decided just before half-time when Ricardo Quaresma turned on the style with a classy finish to decide a tight game between Portugal’s perennial rivals. The win leaves Porto 7 points clear of Benfica and still unbeaten, with one hand firmly on the title with less than half the season already gone. The game was a tight affair and after Porto had the better of the first half they had to weather a Benfica storm in the second half with Helton in the Porto goal, pulling off several fine saves.by Walter Townsend on Monday, 3rd December 2007
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Euro 2008 Draw
The draw for the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland has taken place at the Culture and Convention Centre in Lucerne. The opening match will be between Switzerland and the Czech Republic in Basel on the 7th June. Group C will inevitably be dubbed the group of death, with World Cup finalists France and Italy competing against Holland and Romania for two places in the quarter finals.by Paul on Sunday, 2nd December 2007
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Massive weekend in prospect in Italy; AC Milan-Juventus Preview
After a season's absence the Milan-Juventus fixture is back on the calendar after Juventus' year away in Serie B. It is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the season often deciding the outcome of the Championship but this season with AC Milan languishing mid-table and Juventus performing above expectations in second place it could be the visitors who stand to gain the most from the game.by Walter Townsend on Friday, 30th November 2007
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Barca under-dogs for trip to Espanyol? Espanyol-Barcelona Preview
The first Barcelona derby of the season takes places at the Montjuic on Saturday night with Barcelona potentially under pressure to get a result as they make the trip cross city to play the second team of Barcelona; Espanyol. Los ‘Perroquittos’ have traditionally had to play the underdog to Barcelona but this season they have been flying along and currently sit in fourth place only 2 points and one place behind Rijkaard's men. With the wave of injuries that has engulfed Barcelona meaning that Ronaldinho and Henry could both be missing, the traditional favourites could find themselves on the back foot going into the clash.by Walter Townsend on Friday, 30th November 2007
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Fierce Hansa derby expected as HSV and Werder fight to go top; Werder Bremen-HSV Hamburg Preview
With the prospect of going top of the Bundesliga for the victor of the Hansa derby on Saturday it will be a no holds barred clash between Werder and HSV. However, if they draw with each other then Bayern still have the chance to finish the weekend top of the league if they can overcome lowly Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday afternoon.by Walter Townsend on Friday, 30th November 2007
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Second half surge sees Spurs past Aalborg; Spurs 3-2 AaB Aalborg
Tottenham's new boss showed his mettle last night when he rang the changes at half-time during his sides UEFA Cup match against Danish side AaB Aalborg. Going into the break trailing 0-2 he made sweeping changes at half-time including switching to a back three and introducing two new players to give his side the attacking momentum they required to get back into the game.by Walter Townsend on Friday, 30th November 2007
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Last gasp Celtic stun Shakhtar; Celtic 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Celtic surprised Shakhtar by grabbing a winner courtesy of Massimo Donati's strike with virtually the last kick of the game to give Gordon Strachan's men every chance of qualifying for the next stage. It was a brave performance by Celtic who battled back from the early blows of loosing two defenders and an early goal hauling themselves back into contention just before half-time and then leaving it late to grab the winner after Shakhtar had settled for the point.by Walter Townsend on Thursday, 29th November 2007
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Late goals give lacklustre Liverpool lifeline; Liverpool 4-1 Porto
Liverpool left it late to overcome FC Porto in a tight Champions League clash that looked destined to be heading for a draw until goals in the final quarter of an hour broke the Porto spirit and ensured a tense game finished comfortably on Wednesday night. The first half finished even after Liverpool had dominated the early proceedings when Torres scored before the 20th minute but Porto recovered and grabbed an unlikely equaliser before finishing the half strongly spurring a number of presentable chances. Liverpool gained control of the match in the second half but it took late goals to finally overcome Porto thanks to Torres' second, a Gerrard penalty and a late Crouch header. Thanks to the win Liverpool have qualification in their own hands if they can beat Marseille in their final group game.by Walter Townsend on Thursday, 29th November 2007
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About a Ball Guide to AaB Aalborg; A winding road that leads to Tottenham
AaB can be forgiven for feeling a little weary having already played their way through two rounds of the Intertoto Cup and two qualifying rounds of the competition proper before making it through to the Group Stages of the tournament, where Spurs await as well as already being half way through their league season. The Danish side currently sit second in the league but only on goal difference to current league leaders FC Copenhagen. Whilst the side may not contain too many familiar names to followers of the Premiership there are several current and ex- Danish U21 players in the squad.by Walter Townsend on Wednesday, 28th November 2007
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The About a Ball Guide to Porto; Stability the key for Liverpool’s opponents
Current Portuguese league leaders Porto travel to Anfield on Wednesday night with the intention of upsetting the odds and winning for the first time ever on English soil. Both sides can take a major step towards qualification in what is shaping up to be one of the closer groups of the Champions League group stage with a tight three way battle at the top for the two places between Liverpool, Porto and Marseille.by Walter Townsend on Wednesday, 28th November 2007
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Ex-Spurs striker ends Arsenal's unbeaten run; Sevilla 3-1 Arsenal
Arsenal's fine 28 unbeaten streak stretching back to the end of last season was ended on Tuesday evening at the Sanchez Pizjuan, Sevilla with former Spurs striker Fredi Kanoute delivering the telling strike just moments from the end from the penalty spot to consign Arsenal to a disappointing defeat in the Champions League. Arsenal grabbed the lead and had controlled the first 20 minutes but the Spanish recovered their composure and two goals before the break were added to after half-time by Kanoute, who despite never quite hitting the heights whilst at White Hart Lane will at least be feted in his part for ending Arsenal's unbeaten run.by Walter Townsend on Wednesday, 28th November 2007
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Lacklustre CSKA knocked out of Europe; CSKA Moscow 0-1 PSV Eindhoven
On a freezing November night in Moscow CSKA were knocked out of Europe after they went down to 0-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven leaving them bottom of the group on only 1 point after 5 Champions League group matches and with no chance of lifting themselves off the bottom with only one group match remaining. The Russians turned in a generally poor performance especially in the first half but were hampered by the loss of two key players; Jo and Wagner Love both of whom were not included in the squad.by Walter Townsend on Tuesday, 27th November 2007
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About a Ball Guide to Sevilla 2007 2; Sevilla continue to blow hot and cold
Inconsistent Sevilla entertain Arsenal in a top of the table clash in Group E this evening in the Champions League with the Spanish side so inconsistent this season predicting a result from the meeting is almost impossible.by Walter Townsend on Tuesday, 27th November 2007
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About a Ball Guide to VfB Stuttgart; Down and out Stuttgart picking up
German Champions Stuttgart await Rangers in their fifth group stage match at the Gottlied-Daimler Stadion on Tuesday evening and despite not containing the big name players such as Bayern Munich or Werder Bremen, Stuttgart coach Armin Veh has nevertheless created an excellent team thanks to a combination of talented youngsters and canny purchases from the foreign market.by Walter Townsend on Tuesday, 27th November 2007
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