Europe's élite down to eight

Monday, 2 April 2007
AC Milan of Italy and FC Bayern München of Germany will go head to head in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final lineup that also boasts three other former winners.
Exciting encountersMilan and Bayern, who have ten continental crowns between them, met most recently in the first knockout round last season when the Serie A side won 5-2 on aggregate. The other matches see PSV Eindhoven, the 1988 champions, and five-time winners Liverpool FC pitted together once more following their group-stage games in the autumn, while AS Roma face a Manchester United FC side looking for a hat-trick of titles. Chelsea FC take on Valencia CF in the other tie. Only Chelsea, bidding for a third semi-final in four seasons, have never reached a final, with Roma (1984) and Valencia (2000 and 2001) having each fallen at the last hurdle.
Final routeThe 9 March draw at the Megaron International Conference Centre in the Greek capital Athens featured a straight draw involving all eight clubs without seedings or country protection. As well as the quarter-finals, the draw was also made for the semi-finals, meaning teams know who they will meet over two legs on 24/25 April and 1/2 May should they progress. The winners of Milan-Bayern will take on the Roma-United victors while one of Chelsea-Valencia will meet the triumphant team from the PSV-Liverpool tie.
Trophy handoverThe final will be staged at the Olympic Stadium on 23 May and Athens is already looking forward to the event. The city's mayor, Nikitas Kaklamanis, has received the European Champion Clubs' Cup from UEFA President Michel Platini after FC Barcelona's Ludovic Giuly had symbolically handed the trophy back to UEFA.
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Last eight set sights on Glasgow

Monday, 2 April 2007
Holders Sevilla FC will have to overcome Tottenham Hotspur FC in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals if they are to keep alive their dream of becoming the first team since Real Madrid CF in 1986 to successfully defend the trophy.
Big namesThe tie is the only one to feature two former winners, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen - who lifted the trophy in 1988 and are the only other club left in this season's competition to have tasted UEFA Cup glory - will take on CA Osasuna, in the quarter-finals of a UEFA club competition for the first time. The remaining two ties pit AZ Alkmaar, runners-up in 1981, against Werder Bremen, as Leverkusen's victims in that 1988 final, RCD Espanyol, play 1983 finalists SL Benfica.
Final route The quarter-final lineup was unveiled in Glasgow on 16 March after a straight draw featuring all eight clubs without seedings or country protection. As well as the quarter-finals, the draw was also made for the semi-finals, meaning teams now know whom they will face over two legs on 26 April and 3 May should they progress. Espanyol or Benfica will play Alkmaar or Bremen in the last four with the winners of the Leverkusen-Osasuna tie taking on Sevilla or Tottenham. The final will take place at Hampden Park on 16 May.
HandoverPrior to the draw in the Old Fruitmarket at the City Halls, UEFA's ad interim CEO Gianni Infantino presided over the ceremonial UEFA Cup handover in which Sevilla representatives, including coach Juande Ramos and Enzo Maresca, who scored twice in last year's 4-0 final victory against Middlesbrough FC, handed the trophy won in Eindhoven back to Mr Infantino, who accepted it on UEFA's behalf. Mr Infantino subsequently presented the trophy to the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Liz Cameron, after the draw.
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Full steam ahead for Steaua

Sunday, 1 April 2007
by Paul-Daniel Zahariafrom Bucharest
FC Steaua Bucuresti have kept alive their UEFA Champions League ambitions in Romania with a 3-2 derby victory against AFC Rapid Bucuresti today.
Ochirosii winnerIn an entertaining contest, Steaua made the most of their chances while Rapid proved profligate after creating a number of openings. Cyril Thereau (21) opened the scoring for the visitors but Rapid equalised through Ioan Viorel Ganea seven minutes before half-time. Steaua restored their advantage through Valentin Badea 12 minutes into the second period after a mistake by Rapid goalkeeper Danut Coman. Yet again Rapid came back, this time through Ianis Zicu (65) but Steaua were not done and, on a counterattack, substitute Razvan Ochirosii sealed all three points six minutes from time.
Big nameThe match, which featured eight yellow cards, was officiated by top-level Slovakian referee Ľuboš Micheľ, who also took charge of Steaua's UEFA Cup semi-final second-leg defeat by Middlesbrough FC last season. Steaua enjoyed a better time under his experienced stewardship tonight with their first away league win in eight months while Rapid lost at home for the first time since April 2005, when they suffered a 3-0 defeat against an FCU Politehnica Timisoara side who were then led by current Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu.
Cluj victorySteaua remain two points behind second-placed CFR Ecomax Cluj-Napoca, who won 2-1 at home against Poli Timisoara, and have 49 points, ten fewer than leaders FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti, who drew 0-0 at home to SC Vaslui on Saturday. With two UEFA Champions League qualifying places up for grabs this season, all three of the leading trio in Romania will fancy their chances of a crack at Europe's élite next season. Steaua, champions for the last two seasons, may still even harbour title hopes as they get the chance to close the gap on Dinamo when they welcome their rivals next Saturday.
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Hamburg hit new heights

Sunday, 1 April 2007
Hamburger SV's recent revival continued as they overcame VfL Wolfsburg to move into tenth in the Bundesliga while VfL Bochum 1848 enhanced their own hopes of survival with victory against Hannover 96.
Unbeaten streakMedhi Mahdavikia scored the only goal of the game as Hamburg defeated visitors Wolfsburg. The Iranian pounced on a loose ball to score his second league goal of the season and give Huub Stevens' side their fifth win in an unbeaten run of seven matches and push them three points clear of the relegation places.
Gekas on targetMeanwhile, Bochum moved out of the drop zone following a 2-0 home success against Hannover. Theofanis Gekas continued his recent fine form to score his seventh goal in six games on 35 minutes before Joël Epalle added a second seven minutes later to give Bochum a victory that leaves them a point above DSC Arminia Bielefeld in the last of the relegation positions.
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WOMEN'S EURO race begins

Sunday, 1 April 2007
by Paul Safferfrom London
The UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifying round began on Sunday with the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 win at home to Hungary at Dublin's Tolka Park, with 30 sides hoping to join hosts Finland in the 12-team finals the following summer. The winners of all six groups will earn an automatic place in Finland, while the runners-up and best four third-place teams will play off in October 2008 for the remaining five berths. uefa.com marks your cards ahead of the kick-off in each pool.
Group 1England, spared qualifying as UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ hosts, last year earned a place in their own right as one of Europe's five FIFA Women's World Cup representatives, and with their young team based around Arsenal LFC's UEFA Women’s Cup finalists are the team to beat. They begin the group on 13 May at home to Northern Ireland, but their main rivals look to be the Czech Republic, who took Sweden to the final day in World Cup qualifying, and Spain, who challenged Denmark and Finland hard in the same competition. Belarus took a point off the Czechs in their World Cup group, while Northern Ireland - one of five survivors from November's preliminary round - are back in top-level competitive women’s football after a long absence.
Group 2Sweden finished four points clear of Italy in 2005 qualifying, while the Azzurre came through the play-offs, and these two are the likely contenders in this group. The retirements of the experienced Malin Moström and Anna Sjöström ahead of September’s World Cup are a blow to Sweden, but they can still field the likes of new captain Victoria Svensson and Hanna Ljungberg. Italy, meanwhile, would have been cheered by the recent Algarve Cup where they beat Iceland, Ireland, Portugal and, impressively, Germany. Ireland and Hungary kicked off the group and are both improving as shown by the narrow Irish win, while Romania had a perfect preliminary round record.
Group 3The one group without a World Cup contender after France were pipped by England begins on 11 April with Les Bleues taking on Greece. Bruno Bini recently succeeded long-time France coach Elisabeth Loisel and can call on several players from his victorious 2003 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship squad as they come to terms with life without striker Marinette Pichon, but Sandrine Soubeyrand and Hoda Lattaf still provide experience. Iceland stage the U19 finals this year and reached the 2005 play-offs, when only eight finals berths were available, but Serbia and Greece finished a long way back in World Cup qualifying while Slovenia have been in the now abolished second level in recent years.
Group 4The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Wales all heard the name everyone was wanting to avoid in the qualifying draw -Germany. The world champions' bid for a fifth straight European title begins on 12 April at home to the Dutch, but their 2007 form has been unusually poor, and stalwart defender Steffi Jones has retired while goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg is out until autumn with a knee injury. Vera Pauw's improving Dutch began their World Cup campaign with a win in France and recently gained revenge for two qualifying defeats against England with a friendly win in Swindon. Switzerland and Belgium have had useful results at youth level in the last few years, while preliminary round qualifiers Wales boast Arsenal midfielder Jayne Ludlow in an otherwise young team.
Group 5Denmark have been consistent qualifiers in recent times and reached the Algarve Cup final this month after defeating Norway and France, but do not start their campaign until after the World Cup. Ukraine may fancy their chances of a breakthrough after beating Italy to second place behind Norway in World Cup qualifying, a big improvement from their 2005 fortunes. Then they finished behind Scotland, who will rely on the goals of Julie Fleeting who is approaching 100 international caps. Portugal won in Ukraine in 2005 qualifying but otherwise lost all their games, including two defeats against Scotland, while Slovakia will hope to continue their preliminary round form when they scored 15 goals without reply in three games.
Group 6Norway, runners-up in England, have perhaps their strongest team since winning this tournament in 1993 and the World Cup two years later. Russia, surprised in the 2005 play-offs by Finland, will hope to make the most of young talents Elena Danilova and Elena Terekhova, newly arrived at ambitious American club FC Indiana. Poland secured a useful win against Spain in World Cup quallifying, and begin the group on 5 May in Austria, who will also be aware that fifth seeds Israel showed good form in the preliminary round.
Opening games team-by-team
Group 1England: v Northern Ireland (h) 13 MayCzech Republic: v Northern Ireland (a) 26 MaySpain: v Belarus (a) 30 MayBelarus: v Spain (h) 30 MayNorthern Ireland: v England (a) 13 May
Group 2Sweden: v Italy (a) 5 MayItaly: v Sweden (h) 5 MayHungary: v Republic of Ireland (a) 1 AprilRepublic of Ireland: v Hungary (h) 1 AprilRomania: v Hungary (a) 5 May
Group 3France: v Greece (h) 11 AprilIceland: v Greece (a) 31 MaySerbia: v Slovenia (a) 5 MayGreece: v France (a) 11 AprilSlovenia: v Serbia (h) 5 May
Group 4Germany: v Netherlands (h) 12 AprilNetherlands: v Germany (a) 12 AprilSwitzerland: v Belgium (h) 5 MayBelgium: v Switzerland (a) 5 MayWales: v Germany (h) 10 May
Group 5Denmark: v Portugal (h) 27 OctoberUkraine: v Scotland (h) 30 MayScotland: v Portugal (h) 6 MayPortugal: v Slovakia (a) 14 AprilSlovakia: v Portugal (h) 14 April
Group 6Norway: v Israel (a) 17 JuneRussia: v Israel (a) 30 MayPoland: v Austria (a) 5 MayAustria: v Poland (h) 5 MayIsrael: v Poland (h) 10 May
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Ireland off to a EURO flier

Sunday, 1 April 2007
The Republic of Ireland have got the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifying round under way with a 2-1 home win against Hungary at Tolka Park.
Byrne winnerThe visitors took the lead in this Group 2 contest through Anita Pádár just before the half-hour but Ireland battled back to equalise through Katie Taylor as half-time approached. Susan Byrne then struck in the second half to send the home crowd home happy. Sweden, Italy and Romania are the other teams involved in this section with a total of 30 countries all bidding to join Finland in the 12-team finals next year. The winners of all six groups will earn an automatic place, while the runners-up and best four third-place teams will play off in October 2008 for the remaining five berths.
©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.

Strong lineup for Under-17 finals

Sunday, 1 April 2007
by Paul Saffer
France and Spain completed the lineup for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament yesterday to join hosts Belgium, England, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands and Ukraine in the competition from 2 to 13 May.
Last qualifiersLes Mini-Bleus, who will be the only former U17 champions in the Belgium having taken the title in 2004, sealed their place in Wednesday's final tournament draw at 12.45 CET in Brussels's Best Western Hotel as they drew 0-0 against Hungary to win Elite round Group 5 in La Rochelle. Spain, third last year in Luxembourg, also tasted success on home soil, 1-0 against Poland to wrap up Group 7.
Germany returnSpain beat Germany in the third-place match a year ago, and both beaten semi-finalists are back again. Germany won all their Elite round Group 1 matches by three-goal margins against Greece, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland to achieve the best record in the second qualifying stage since it was introduced in 2002/03. The Netherlands ensured that three nations with Belgian borders would be in the tournament after winning Group 4 in 2008 finals venue Antalya, Turkey without conceding a point or a goal.
England pip SerbiaLast year England missed out on the U17 finals for the first time since the switch from U16 status in 2001/02; they are back this time around thanks to defeats of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Azerbaijan and Serbia in Group 3, pipping the latter to Belgium with a late Daniel Welbeck winner on Wednesday. Ukraine made it the next day, beating Group 2 hosts Italy to add to victories against Slovakia and 2006 runners-up the Czech Republic.
Iceland impressIndeed, both of last season's finalists will not be back this time after holders Russia were eliminated in an extraordinary game against Iceland. Russia had the advantage in Group 6 with one game to go, but fell 5-0 down to Iceland at half-time and the island nation soon added a sixth. The reigning champions then fought back to 6-5 but could not equalise and Iceland finished above home side Portugal on goals scored to reach their first UEFA finals since the 1998 U16 Championship.
Tournament scheduleIn the finals themselves, the group games will be played on 2, 4 and 7 May; one pool will be in the west of Belgium in Ronse, Tournai and Tubize and the other to the east in Eupen, Vise and Verviers. The top two from each group go into the semi-finals on 10 May in Tournai and Tubize, and that quartet will also qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year in Korea Republic along with the winners of a play-off between the third-place teams in each pool the same day. The final will be held in Tournai on Sunday 13 May and is among a number of games which will be televised live on Eurosport.
QualifiersHosts: BelgiumGroup 1: GermanyGroup 2: UkraineGroup 3: EnglandGroup 4: NetherlandsGroup 5: FranceGroup 6: IcelandGroup 7: Spain
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Bordeaux stun Lyon to claim cup

Saturday, 31 March 2007
FC Girondins de Bordeaux won the French League Cup against Olympique Lyonnais thanks to a last-gasp goal from their Brazilian defender Henrique at the Stade de France.
Unlikely heroLyon had the better of the first half with Sidney Govou and Juninho Pernambucano, who went off with a hamstring injury in the second half, dictating the play. But in a game of few chances, it was Henrique who became the unlikely hero when he rose above Cris to head past Rémy Vercoutre from a Johan Micoud corner. The win ensures Bordeaux will return to European competition next season in the UEFA Cup at least, although with the club third in Ligue 1 another crack at the UEFA Champions League will still be their aim.
Marseille defeatedIn the day's only Ligue 1 encounter, Olympique de Marseille's hopes of moving level on points with Bordeaux in the standings were dented when they were defeated 2-1 at FC Lorient. Rafik Saïfi's sixth goal of the season gave the hosts the lead on the hour and Ulrich Le Pen doubled their advantage 14 minutes later. Djibril Cissé struck a late penalty for Marseille, but the victory moved 12th-placed Lorient to within two points of their opponents, who sit in eighth position.
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Barça and Valencia both victorious

Saturday, 31 March 2007
FC Barcelona opened up a three-point gap at the top of the Primera División in Spain after a 2-1 win at home to RC Deportivo La Coruña, while Valencia CF kept their title hopes alive by defeating RCD Espanyol 3-2.
Rivals watchingWith their nearest challengers, Sevilla FC, not in action until tomorrow when they travel to CA Osasuna, Frank Rijkaard's side took full advantage with their star trio in fine form. Lionel Messi opened the scoring just before the interval with a powerful finish after Ronaldinho's sublime chip had split the Deportivo defence. Six minutes after the restart, the Brazilian's deflected pass found Samuel Eto'o who slid in his eighth league goal of the season although the visitors’ responded with Adrián finishing after bursting through the Barça defence.
Valencia thirdIn Valencia, David Villa's early goal for the hosts was quickly cancelled out by Albert Riera. Vicente Rodríguez (25) restored the lead and Miguel Ángel Angulo (58) looked to have made the game safe only for Luis García (62) to set up a tense finish. The win lifted Valencia up to third, although Real Madrid CF can reclaim the spot with victory at RC Celta de Vigo tomorrow.
Persistent BetisReal Betis Balompié moved six points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-3 draw against Villarreal CF. Diego Forlán's first-minute strike gave the visitors the lead, but Fernando levelled eight minutes later. Forlán was just as quick off the mark after the break but Edú (71) again pulled Betis level. Robert Pirès thought his goal on 77 minutes would finally secure the points only for Juanito (90) to rescue Betis again.
Real hopeElsewhere, Real Sociedad de Fútbol's hopes of a miraculous escape from relegation were boosted when they made it seven points from nine with a 1-0 win against Levante UD. Defender Jon Ansotegi (37) scored the only goal to move them off the bottom of the table, although they are still six points from safety.
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Rossoneri make a point in Rome

Saturday, 31 March 2007
AC Milan have moved to within three points of a qualification place for the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League after battling back for a 1-1 draw at second-placed AS Roma.
Mexes openerMilan, who receive FC Bayern München in the quarter-final first leg of this season's competition on Tuesday, were behind on three minutes when Philippe Mexes scored but salvaged a point via an Alberto Gilardino equaliser just after the hour, the striker's ninth Serie A goal this season. Milan are within a victory of US Città di Palermo in fourth place, although they play at Torino FC tomorrow. Meanwhile, Roma, who welcome Manchester United FC on Wednesday, are 17 points behind runaway leaders FC Internazionale Milano, also in action on Sunday at home against Parma FC.
Siena thrillerSaturday's other game was an incident-packed 1-0 win for AC Siena at Reggina Calcio. The home side suffered an early blow when Alessandro Lucarelli was sent off on 22 minutes, but three minutes later Francesco Cozza missed a penalty for Siena. Valerio Bertotto struck the only goal on the stroke of half-time, but Siena also ended the game with ten men after Daniele Corvia's late red card. Siena move six points above the relegation places, while Reggina stay just a point above the drop zone.
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United and Chelsea battle for wins

Saturday, 31 March 2007
Manchester United FC stayed six points clear in the Premiership after coming from behind to defeat Blackburn Rovers FC 4-1 while Chelsea FC needed a last-gasp winner to overcome Watford FC 1-0.
United comebackMatt Derbyshire had given Blackburn the lead just before the half-hour at Old Trafford but United proved too strong in the second half as goals from Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Park Ji Sung and Ole Gunnar Solskjær secured their seventh successive league win. Sir Alex Ferguson's side face AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Chelsea responseChelsea, who welcome Valencia CF to Stamford Bridge the same evening, returned to within six points of United in the late game thanks to Salomon Kalou's stoppage-time winner at Vicarage Road. The striker, a half-time substitute for Claude Makelele, headed in Andriy Shevchenko's cross to leave Watford six points adrift at the bottom. The win was also Chelsea's seventh consecutive league success.
Liverpool thirdLiverpool moved up to third thanks to a 4-1 win against Arsenal FC at Anfield. Peter Crouch opened the scoring with a near-post finish from Álvaro Arbeloa's cross after three minutes before doubling the lead with a towering header. Just before the hour Daniel Agger glanced in a third and despite a 72nd-minute William Gallas goal, Crouch completed his hat-trick with a neat finish on the turn ten minutes from time to send Liverpool to the Netherlands for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League game with PSV Eindhoven in good heart.
Vital victoriesThe situation at the bottom is tighter than ever after Charlton Athletic FC and West Ham United FC both gained victories. Charlton defeated Wigan Athletic FC 1-0 to move to within a point of the safety zone while West Ham won 2-0 against Middlesbrough FC to close to within five points of Sheffield United FC in 17th. The Yorkshire club were beaten 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers FC, whilst Fulham FC drew 1-1 against Portsmouth FC and Newcastle United FC were defeated 1-0 at home by Manchester City FC.
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