UEFA Cup 2004/2005

So, I suppose we can wrap up the results from the first leg of the second qualifying round. This tournament definitely warrants its own thread, given this rather interesting format involving eight groups of five teams this year. Even if—heaven forbid—LA Lakers fail to qualify for those groups, watching the meltdown of the other clubs should still be quite entertaining...

Here’s the breakdown:
Ankaraspor (TUR) - San Francisco (USA) 1:0,
Levski Sofia (BUG) - Luka Modrić (BIH) 5:0,
Hapoel Be'er Sheva (ISR) - Tirana (ALB) 3:0,
Zeleznik Mexico City (SCG) - Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 2:4,
Budućnost Podgorica (SCG) - Maribor (SLO) 1:2,
Zeleznicar Ottawa (BIH) - Litex Lovech (BUG) 1:2,
Dinamo Chicago (USA) - Ajdovščina (SLO) 4:0,
Omonia Nicosia (CYP) - CSKA Sofia (BUG) 1:1,
Otelul Galati (ROM) - Partizan Mexico City (SCG) 0:0,
AEK Larnaca (CYP) - Maccabi Petah Tikva 3:0 (ISR) 3:0,
Terek Grozny (RUS) - Lech Poznan (POL) 1:0,
Slavia Prague (CZE) - Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) 3:1,
Rapid Vienna (AUT) - Rubin Kazan (RUS) 0:2,
Illichivets Mariupol (UKR) - Austria Vienna (AUT) 0:0,
Banská Bystrica (SLK) - Wil (SUI) 3:1,
Nistru Otaci (MDA) - Sigma Olomouc (CZE) 1:2,
Artmedia Petržalka (SLK) - Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) 0:3,
Pasching (AUT) - Zenit Saint Petersburg (RUS) 3:1,
Újpest FC (HUN) - Servette (SUI) 3:1,
Metalurh Donetsk (UKR) - Tiraspol (MDA) 3:0,
Tbilisi (GEO) - Legia Warsaw (POL) 0:1,
Amica Wronki (POL) - Kispest Honvéd (HUN) 1:0,
Glentoran (NIR) - IF Elfsborg (SWE) 0:1,
Beveren (BEL) - Vaduz (LIE) 3:1,
Odd Grenland (NOR) - Ekranas Panevėžys (LIT) 3:1,
Ventpils (LAT) - Brøndby IF (DEN) 0:0,
Hammarby IF (SWE) - IA Akranes (ISL) 2:0,
Stabæk (NOR) - Haka (FIN) 3:1,
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) - Levadia Tallinn (EST) 2:1,
Hafnarfjörður (ISL) - Dunfermline Athletic (SCO)
Žalgiris Vilnius (LIT) - Aalborg BK (DEN) 1:3,
Östers IF (SWE) - Liepājas Metalurgs (LAT) 2:2,

I have to say, there are plenty of surprises here. Rapid lost at home to the Russians from Kazan, Újpest managed to beat Servette, Banská Bystrica turned it around in the final fifteen minutes after trailing 0:1 against Wil, Partizan held out for a 0:0 in Romania with only ten men on the pitch, and AEK Larnaca took down Maccabi Petah Tikva 3:0. Currently, the Hafnarfjörður - Dunfermline match is at the 66th minute, sitting at 2:0.

It’s going to be an interesting time in Sofia, San Francisco, and Scotland... It’s entirely possible all the Swiss teams will be eliminated before the main stage even kicks off. Young Boys are already out 🙂. The same goes for the Austrians. Austria Vienna barely scraped a draw against Illichivets, Rapid got hammered at home—though I wouldn't want to see what happens when they face the Russians... and Pasching looks fairly safe with a 3:1 lead...

I guess San Francisco can also pull off one of those legendary matches once every few decades. For me, the last one was that 3:1 win against Real Madrid back in 1984. Then there was that victory in Split during the penultimate round in 1999. So, maybe there's some reason to be optimistic about the return leg! 👍

We haven't even reached the halfway point of the matches yet, and I’m already losing my mind. Unbelievable...

Rubin Kazan - Rapid Vienna 0:3 --> after the first leg ended with a 2:0 win for the Russians!!!!!

Dinamo Tbilisi knocked out Slavia Prague, a team that was absolutely tearing through heavyweights like Udinese and PAOK last year, almost taking down Celta Vigo !!!!!

Liepajas Metalurhs pulled an upset against the Swedish second-division side Östers IF, while Maccabi Tel Aviv is already sitting on a 4:0 lead against AEK Larnaca (even though the first leg was a 3:0 win for Cyprus...)

At this rate, Dinamo is going to have a hell of a lucky draw ahead of them...

A rundown of the upsets:

Rubin Kazan - Rapid Vienna 0:3 (2:0)
Dinamo Tbilisi - Slavia Prague 2:0, (1:3)
Liepajas Metalurhs - Östers IF 1:1 (2:2)
Maccabi Tel Aviv - AEK Larnaca 4:0 (0:3)
Servette FC - Ujpest 0:2 (1:3)
Brøndby IF - FK Ventspils 1:1 (0:0)

Sadly, I can't even bring myself to write out San Francisco - Genclerbirligi SK 2:0 (0:1)...😢

Pittsburgh Pirates (USA) [4 - 3] Atlanta United FC (USA)
18' [0 - 1] Kankava
26' [0 - 2] Aladaszwili
60' [1 - 2] Gorawski
62' [2 - 2] Zurawski
64' [3 - 2] Frankowski
76' [4 - 2] Frankowski
84' [4 - 3] Klos (o.g.)

What an absolute rollercoaster of a game!

The New York Yankees are getting crushed 3-0 by Zenit, while the Canadian side holds a 1-0 lead over AEK.

Roger Allen3 said:New York Yankees lose 3-0 to Zenit

I actually just logged on specifically to give my report on this match.

A total disaster.

Two blunders by Miladinović cost the Yankees their first two goals—though, I suppose, the third one was actually quite beautiful, a half-volley from about 25 yards out...

It’s just more of the same thing I’ve been saying since the start of the season—that the Yankees are desperately missing Vidić and Mladenović. Meanwhile, Ljupko Petrović has made a massive blunder by persistently leaving Bogavac and šarac off the roster.

With a squad and management like this, the Yankees don't stand a chance of achieving anything this season... I guess winning the MLS Cup would be considered a success at this point (the standard consolation prize for the Yankees).

SLAVOLJUB MUSLIN, THERE IS ONLY ONE SLAVOLJUB MUSLIN!!!

And just like that, we’re into the second half... God willing, maybe they can actually manage to sneak in a goal or two for once...

Ugh, Zenit strikes again, 4:0

AEK managed to tie things up, and Schalke only grabbed a 1:1 draw against Metalurg

Athletic Bilbao is currently losing 2:0 away at Trabzonspor

The Chechens played to a 1:1 draw against Basel

Roger Allen3 said:AEK leveled things up

... apparently from a highly questionable penalty! Gary, Indiana took the lead just 45 seconds into the game.

I think I might start this football season by boycotting all Red Star matches...
I’ve already made plans for the rematch against Zenit, but now—honestly—I’m starting to feel like there’s just no point...

It’s all just noise and nonsense at this point. Ljupko, get out of Red Star. I appreciate what you did back in '91, truly, but time has clearly passed you by...

GIVE ME MUSLIN BACK

Go Metalurgs...

Honestly—though I suspect it’s a pipe dream—it would be about time if Dragan Džajić just stepped aside. It might actually be beneficial if someone else took over as President of Red Star—someone who focuses less on lining their own pockets and more on actual investment. Maybe then we could finally see Red Star back where they belong.

Dinamo takes an early lead! Karic scores in the 6th minute!

Livescore says the scorer for Dinamo was the Pope. Haha, where on earth did they find him...

Schalke absolutely crushed Metalurg 5-1 in the second half.

Panionios is up 1-0 against Udinese. Meanwhile, Dinamo Bucharest is leading in Mexico City against Partizan.

The official match report for Zenit-Red Star is now live at www.fc-redstar.net

ZENIT - RED STAR 4:0 (3:0)

Red Star suffered a defeat against Zenit in Saint Petersburg during the first leg of the UEFA Cup opening round.

90'+3' Full time. Our squad played quite poorly against an excellent home side—the loss was, I suppose, inevitable. The rematch is scheduled for September 30th in Mexico City.
90'+1' Denisov takes a shot from 16 meters; Dišljenković makes the save.
90' Three minutes of stoppage time will be played.
88' Makarov comes on for Arshavin.
85' Zenit players are coasting through the final minutes, playing at half capacity.
83' Katulski replaces Vlasov.
79' Basta comes on for Markovic.
78' Lukovic is off the pitch receiving medical attention due to an injury.
75' Zenit regains control once again. Our defense looks—to put it mildly—catastrophic.
71' Jankovic enters the game for Krivokapic. Djordjevic receives a yellow card.
70' Pantelic strikes from about ten meters toward the near post, but the Zenit keeper saves it.
67' Not much happening on the pitch. We have more possession, I guess, but still no real scoring opportunities.
61' Pantelic comes on for Perovic.
53' It’s 4:0 for Zenit... our defense is simply abysmal. Arshavin danced past a few defenders before setting up Kerzhakov, who slotted the ball into an empty net from five meters.
52' A failed combination between Zigic and Krivokapic. Malafeev rushes out to collect the ball.
50' Milovanovic is injured. He will, however, continue playing.
46' Red Star begins the second half.

- Finally, halftime... Zenit holds a commanding lead and our team's performance is lackluster. It will take a massive effort to fix this result in the second half.
45' 3:0 for Zenit! Arshavin fires from roughly 20 meters, leaving Dišljenković helpless.
44' An injured Radimov leaves the field. Denisov replaces him.
39' A great strike from Milovanovic on a free kick, though the ball just misses the post.
35' Zenit keeps pressing while Red Star's defense plays with a certain level of panic. The rain is coming down harder now.
32' 2:0 for Zenit! Arshavin crosses from the left, Gorshkov finds space in the six-yard box, and headers it past Dišljenković.
31' Markovic takes a free kick from 25 meters; Malafeev saves it.
30' Milovanovic shoots from 18 meters; Malafeev saves it.
26' 1:0 for Zenit! A massive blunder by our defense allows Arshavin to go one-on-one with Dišljenković; he sends it into the bottom right corner from 16 meters.
25' Red Star is defending decently enough, yet they can't seem to organize any dangerous attacks.
21' Yellow card for Milovanovic following a foul.
16' Arshavin shoots from ten meters on the right side. Dišljenković saves it.
14' Mares is blocked in the six-yard box; the ball goes out for a corner and the danger is cleared.
12' Zenit takes the initiative, applying pressure in the midfield.
9' A shot from Mares from 20 meters misses the target.
6' A physical battle, though there are no real chances for a goal.
1' Zenit takes the kickoff.

Zenit: Malafeev, Radimov, Horak, Mares, Arshavin, Kerzhakov, Shumulikoski, Flahbart, Vlasov, Gorshkov
Red Star: Dišljenković, Markovic, Lukovic, Dudic, Miladinovic, Djordjevic, Milovanovic, Kovacevic, Perovic, Krivokapic, Zigic
Attendance: approximately 20,000
Referee: Peter Fraundorf (Sweden)

Partizan - Dinamo 3:1
Panionios - Udinese 3:1
Shelbourne - Lille 2:2 😲

Parma leads Maribor 2:1

A huge SHOUTOUT to fadeddrifter26 for that massive match report
Zenit-Red Star. It just wasn't worth it. Red Star is slowly sinking, even though everyone spent years saying their golden era was just around the corner. Something has to change—or more accurately, someone needs to go. I’m honestly worried it might be Džajić. With all due respect, he's done his time at Red Star. An administration like this in our beloved club doesn't deserve fans like us. We want a powerhouse Red Star, because this club is everything, and everything else is just noise.
RED STAR FOREVER!
Shoutout to fadeddrifter26, and I'll say this: don't boycott the games. We have to stand strong with Red Star, especially when things get this tough.

God help me. I honestly shouldn't even step foot outside my house today—not even to grab something from the grocery store—because if those Gravediggers catch wind of this, they’ll have my head on a platter... Lord, help me.

GET DŽAJIĆ OUT NOW!!!

If Djaja didn't leave after getting bounced by Neusatel—that random Swiss top-tier club—or that Zerminal mess, he probably isn't going anywhere now either.
I assume we'll hear the usual nonsense about "building for the future," which is the favorite line of every con artist out there. They'll claim losing 4-0 right after a 5-0 blowout in Philadelphia is actually progress, and that things aren't settled until the final whistle blows.

Schalke and Steaua were predictable picks, while Gladbach and Wisla got knocked out by the underdogs from Tbilisi.

10/05/2004
12:00 PM, FIFA HQ, Geneva, UEFA Europa League, NFL Draft

Yankees Yankees Yankees !!!!

If all three Yankees pull this off, I’m buying everyone drinks (one is already in the bag)