Besiktas

Part one and two were long gone by, even the epilogue has come to an end; the 2008-09 season of Turkish Turkcell Super League is now over.

As expected nothing changed in a tight and exciting last week. Things looked bound to change—let's give the credit to that—but in the end it all stood still.

The leaders, Besiktas won the league championship five points ahead of its closest rival Sivasspor. Besiktas won 2-1 while Sivasspor lost with the same score to Galatasaray.

Trabzonspor who have not managed to protect their lead against Fenerbahçe which stopped them from qualifying for Champions League. With Sivasspor losing, if they managed to beat Fenerbahçe on their home ground they would have been the second team for the most glorious football competition on earth.

Instead, they lost, ironically, with the same score, 2-1, with Fenerbahçe's huge upset, former La Liga top scorer Daniel Güiza clinching the winner in the fourth minute of the injury time. The critical goal also kept Fenerbahçe above Galatasaray which meant one less elimination round in the next year's UEFA League.

In 1996, they lost with the same score, yet again, which caused them the championship that season.

Even the relegation table stood the same. Konyaspor thought they survived during their win against Ankaraspor, but Antalyaspor's late goal against Ankaragücü saved the Mediterranean side, pushing Konya down.

Besiktas returned from Denizli to Istanbul late same they and were cheerfully greeted. On Sunday they received the trophy in their home stadium, Inonu Stadium where they merged with their fans.

The end of the season saw Aykut Kocaman leave the management in Ankaraspor. One of this year's overachievers for the first half of the season dropped down hard in the second half. They were candidates for European competitions but at some point in the season it turned into relegation candidate. The club is said to merge with Ankaragücü, the older club of the capital city, therefore rumours say it was the financial cuts which caused players' unhappiness.

Kocaman was a legendary goal scorer of Fenerbahçe and his name is mentioned for the new position created in that club, as sportive director.

With him will work Christoph Daum. Fenerbahçe is still looking for a financially less harmful way to terminate their contract with "Grandpa" but the rumours from Germany already confirmed Daum's move to Fenerbahçe.

The name, though not announced officially, already stirred the fans forums and email groups. Some are glad that a once successful familiar name has turned back while some are really upset that the "new era" is beginning with an "old name."

Daum's management of Fenerbahçe football club ended rather dramatically back in 2006, when they lost the title at the last week of the season to their fierce rivals Galatasaray. The defeat and the loss of championship is still said to be the biggest trauma in Fenerbahçe football team's history—and Daum still reminds people of that day.

Galatasaray's Bulent Korkmaz also resigned. Gala are looking for a replacement. Adriaanse, Houllier, Le Guen, and Schuster are the supposed candidates. Co Adriaanse looks the strongest possibility but both sides are implying that the discussions are ongoing and there has not been any agreements yet.

Trabzonspor's Manager Ersun Yanal, who was an ex-manager of Turkish national team, resigned earlier in the season. The team finished the season with the assistant manager in control. They lost only the last game against Fenerbahçe but won six in a row. They have tried to sign Senol Günes but the Korean club that he is contracted to did not let him go. Their search is still in progress.

Transfer window just around the corner the summer is already heating up. Kayserispor's star Mehmet Topuz is the main focus of the rumours. He admitted he thinks his future lays elsewhere, that Fenerbahçe and Besiktas were serious to sign him but no agreements still.

Bursaspor's Mustafa Sarp left on Bosman ruling and agreed to sign with Galatasaray. With Mehmet Topal and Ayhan Akman in front, a strong in team rivalry is awaiting.

Ankaraspor's Özer Hurmaci, Bursaspor's Sercan Yildirim, and Volkan Sen are also drawing some attention.

Besiktas will go to the Champions League. Tough rounds of elimination await Sivasspor to qualify for group stage—almost impossible. Trabzonspor and cup finalist Fenerbahçe qualified for the new UEFA Cup. Galatasaray also will take place in the competition if they qualify through the elimination rounds.

It is the last tango in the Turkish Turkcell Super League and it's the Championship Saturday too.

Turkcell Super League Leader Besiktas could clinch the title with a away win or a draw in Denizli.

Denizlispor who is safe by only goal average, would want to get at least a point from Besiktas to reach 39 points mark.

But, a draw might cost a problem for Besiktas if Sivasspor beats Galatasaray in Istanbul and scores three or more goals they could well capture the league's Championship.

Could this happened?

It could well do!

This is very crucial weekend for Sivasspor. Not only not winning the Championship, they could also lose the second place to Trabzonspor, if they lose against Galatasaray in Istanbul.

That is why, a win is a must for Sivasspor, not only to hope for the championship but also to retain the second place...

If they lose on Saturday it will be disaster for Sivasspor fans. Instead of getting a shot at the Champions League, they will end up in third place and they will end up in the newly formated Euro League qualification matches.

So, Turkcell Super League's top and bottom and the last weekend is very complicated!

The team who is following Sivasspor, Trabzonspor, will host this year's most disappointed team Fenerbahce in Trabzon.


While Trabzonspor is at 65 point, Sivasspor is at 66 points.

The team who sits on top, Besiktas ,at 68 points.


FIRE AT THE BOTTOM STILL GOES ON....

At the bottom, Konyaspor and Antalyaspor will play life and death matches on Saturday. Antalyaspor will be home against Ankaragucu while Konyaspor will hoat another Ankara team Ankaraspor.

Konyaspor has to beat Ankaraspor and look for a little help from Ankaragucu team.

In case of a draw in Antalyaspor v Ankaragucu match even Konyaspor wins at home they will be the team that will be relegated to the Banka Asya Turkish First League next season.

Hacettepe and Kocaelispor already said goodbye to the Turkcell Super League.

So, the long 34 week marathon in the Turkish Turkcell Super league will come to end this Saturday. The winners will be happy and the losers will be sad!

"The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" will be felt in the Turkish Turkcell Super League this Saturday...

Lastly, let's welcome the newcomers Diyarbakirspor, Kasimpasa, and Manisaspor to the Turkcell Super League.


Enjoy your Championship Saturday....

Besiktas is one step closer heading into the final weekend of the Turkish Turkcell Super League season with a two-point lead after they beat Galatasaray 2-1.

Yusuf Simsek scored a valuable winner for his side on the hour mark after Australia international Harry Kewell (49) had canceled out a Deivson Bobo strike four minutes before half-time.

Sivasspor the other top contender, stayed in touch with a 3-2 win at home to Genclerbirligi.

Sivasspor had gone behind when James Troisi netted after 22 minutes and, while Genclerbirligi held that lead until the break, they would concede three times in 21 minutes after half-time.

Half-time substitute Yannick Kamanan got the ball rolling after 49 minutes before further goals from Herve Tum (60) and Murat Erdogan (66).

Jacques Momha (77) pulled a goal back but it was not enough.

Trabzonspor won 5-2 at Eskisehirspor to stay three points behind Besiktas, although a goal difference deficit of eight almost certainly rules out their title hopes.

They went some way to improving their goal difference tonight, however, with Ceyhun Gulselam (18, 63) and Alanzinho (39, 89) both scoring a brace to go with Umut Bulut's (78) solitary effort.

Doga Kaya (66) and Souleymane Youla (74) scored for Eskisehirspor.

Antalyaspor moved two points clear of the drop zone after they drew 0-0 with

Ankaraspor while third-from-bottom Konyaspor lost 4-2 at Fenerbahce.

Daniel Guiza (14, 17), Ugur Boral (38) and Roberto Carlos (40) had put Fener out of sight before consolation goals for Roman Kratochvil (75pen) and Branimir Poljac (90).

After losing to Fenerbahce, Konyaspor will be looking for miracles to stay in the league in the last weekend.

First, they have to beat Ankaraspor at home and than, hope, Ankaragucu beat Antalyaspor in Antalyaspor.

Antalyaspor has 37 points and Konyaspor has 35 points at the end of 33th week.


Ankaragucu recorded a resounding 3-0 win at home to Denizlispor with Silvino Joao Jaba (34), Mehmet Yilmaz (63) and Semavi Ozgur (67) on target.

In the other match, Gaziantepspor twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Bursaspor.

Galatasaray Will Decide Who Will Be The Turkish Champions!

Two weeks to go in the Turkish Turkcell Super League, the team who will have the say in the title race will be Galatasaray .

Galatasaray play this weekend on Sunday against league leaders Besiktas and then in the last weekend of the league they will face another top contender Sivasspor in Istanbul.


So , Galatasaray will decide who will be the champions of Turkey this season, since they can't make it to there.

If Besiktas beat Galatasaray on Sunday Besiktas will be one step closer to the title, in my opinion.

But, in case of crash, this could spell danger for Besiktas.

While Besiktas will be playing an Istanbul derby match, second place Sivasspor will host a team who is desperate for points—Genclerbirlgi. 

This match will be close one too.

If Sivasspor wants to keep the pressure on Besiktas they have to win this home match, there is no if or buts about it.

Most of the matches will be played on Sunday except one match, Kayserispor v. Hacettepe. That match will be on Saturday.

All the sunday matches will start at same time (20:00) Turkish local time.

Can Besiktas do it and clinch the Turkish Turkcell Super League Title? That is up to first Mustafa Denizli's Besiktas team.

If they play as a team and they have a desire to win they will do it, but, like I said, Galatasaray holds the Championship cards in this last two wekends.

It will not be easy.

FIRE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE....

Just think, the team who is in 9th place with 40 points, Ankaraspor, will be listening to the news that will come from Fenerbahce v. Konyasspor match on Sunday.

If Konyaspor goes down in Sukru Saracoglu Stadium against Fenerbahce, they will most likely be the third team will relegate from the Turkcell Super league.

That is why this match is very important to Konyaspor and the other teams too.

Konyaspor have 35 points and there is a lot of team between 35 points and 40 points.

A win for Konyaspor against Fenerbahce will shake and rattle the bottom of the league.

This has to be the match of the week in my opinion!

Early in the week, Konyaspor team sacked Giray Bulak, and re-hired their former coach Unal Karaman.

So, the top and the bottom of the league might just shape up after this Sunday—or, it will go down to the wire in the last weekend of the season....

Lastly, Eskisehirspor is fighting for their life in the league after beating Konyaspor in Konya last weekend. The players from this team were protesting the team officials about not getting paid in the last eight weeks!

They ended their protest on Friday—I wonder if they got paid?

It is absurd and it is stupid to call these teams professionals teams!

This is what happens, when politics gets involved in any sport in Turkey.

Here is the matches for 33th week in the Turkcell Super League:

SATURDAY
Kayseri - Hacettepe

SUNDAY
Ankaraspor - Antalyaspor
Beşiktaş - Galatasaray
Bursaspor - Gaziantepspor
Eskişehirspor - Trabzonspor
Fenerbahçe - Konyaspor
Kocaelispor - İstanbul BB
MKE Ankaragücü - Denizlispor
Sivasspor - Gençlerbirliği


STANDINGS.........



1 Besiktas 32 19 8 5 56-28 65
2 Sivasspor 32 18 9 5 50-24 63
3 Trabzonspor 32 18 8 6 48-30 62
4 Galatasaray 32 17 7 8 54-36 58
5 Fenerbahce 32 16 7 9 54-33 55
6 Bursaspor 32 15 9 8 44-34 54
7 Gaziantepspor 32 12 9 11 43-45 45
8 Kayserispor 32 11 11 10 33-26 44
9 Ankaraspor 32 11 7 14 36-39 40
10 Eskisehirspor 32 10 9 13 42-43 39
11 Buyuksehir 32 11 6 15 34-43 39
12 Genclerbirligi 32 10 8 14 36-43 38
13 Denizlispor 32 11 5 16 38-47 38
14 Antalyaspor 32 9 9 14 33-42 36
15 Ankaragucu 32 10 6 16 33-46 36
16 Konyaspor 32 9 8 15 30-42 35
17 Kocaelispor 32 7 5 20 41-70 26
18 Hacettepe Spor 32 5 7 20 24-58 22

Galatasaray 1 - Ankaragucu 0 (Super Lig, May 9, 2009) Milan Baros scored from the penalty spot to secure the three points.

Fenerbahce 1 - Denizlispor 0 (Super Lig, May 9, 2009) Dani Guiza netted the only goal, a deflected shot from 25-yards, as Fener beat Denizlispor.

Ankaraspor 1 - Besiktas 4 (Super Lig, May 9, 2009) Besitkas moved two points clear at the top of the Super Lig as Filip Holosko, Ibrahim Toraman, Deivson Bobo and Rodrigo Tello netted for Besiktas, who took advantage of former leaders Sivasspor’s 2-1 home defeat by Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK.

Sivasspor 1 - Istanbul Buyuksehir 2 (Super Lig, May 9, 2009) Gokhan Kaba scored in the 8th and 17th minutes to give the away side a comfortable lead, and although Herve Tum got one back on 75 minutes for Sivas, the hosts let their slip their number one position in the table.

Kocaelispor 1 - Trabzonspor 3 (Super Lig, May 9, 2009) Trabzonspor closed to within a point of Sivasspor with Umut Bulut, Gokhan Unal and Alanzinho netting for the visitors.

***

Benfica 2 - Trofense 2 (Superliga, May 9, 2009) Benficafell behind on the half hour when Valdomiro headed home for Trofense. Oscar Cardozo equalised five minutes later from Pablo Aimar’s pass, and the Paraguayan striker doubled his tally in the 38th with a header from Matias Urreta’s cross. Trofense stunned Benfica with Paulinho’s 58th minute header from close range.

Sporting Lisbon 2 - Vitoria Setubal 1 (Superliga, May 9, 2009) Liedson opened the scoring in the 26th minute when he took advantage of uncertainty in Setubal’s defense to take possession and shoot home. Bruno Gama equalised for Setubal, before Liedson fired Sporting’s winner in the last minute to secure its place in next season’s Champions League qualifying round.

***

Standard Liege 2 - Club Brugge 0 (Jupiler League, May 9, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Milan Jovanovic converted a penalty in the 38th minute before American international Oguchi Onyewu popped up to double the hosts’ advantage.

Anderlecht 3 - Roeselare 1 (Jupiler League, May 9, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Mbark Boussoufa scored a wonderful 30-yard free-kick in the 13th minute to give the hosts a first half lead. Jelle van Damme headed in number two in the 49th minute, before Lucas Biglia tucked away the third to kill the contest. Mahamadou Dissa grabbed a consolation for Roeselare.

Charleroi 3 - Genk 0 (Jupiler League, May 9, 2009)

Cercle Brugge 2 - Westerlo 1 (Jupiler League, May 9, 2009)

Lokeren 0 - Dender 2 (Jupiler League, May 9, 2009)

KV Kortrijk 0 - Gent 2 (Jupiler League, May 9, 2009)

***

Beitar Jerusalem 2 - Maccabi Tel Aviv 0 (Ligat ha’Al, May 9, 2009) Spectators were barred from the match because of a penalty imposed by the Israel Football Association against Beitar in response to its fans’ racist chants in a recent match. Amit Ben-Shushan put Beitar ahead early in the second half and Idan Vered wrapped up the victory 11 minutes from time, firing home with his left foot after Jevric had saved his initial effort.

***

Odd Grenland 3 - Brann 1 (Tippeligaen, May 9, 2009)

***

CSKA Sofia 0 - Levski Sofia 2 (Vyscha Liga, May 9, 2009) Georgi Hristov fired Levski into the lead away at CSKA in the Sofia derby. Ze Soares grabbed the visitors’ second on the hour mark after starting and finishing a counter-attack down the right hand side.

***

Honved 0 - Debrecen 1 (Borsodi Liga, May 9, 2009) Peter Szakaly’s winner in the 58th minute secured Debrecen’s place atop the Hugarian league.

***

Cukaricki 0 - Rad 1 (Serbian Super League, May 9, 2009)

What a Saturday it was!

There were eight matches and they all started at same time...

First bad news came from Sivas. Istanbul Buyuksehir scored two goals in 17 minutes and Sivasspor fans were stunned! And Sivasspor lost the match 2-1 at the end of the 90 minutes.

This was the first loss for Sivasspor at home.

The Saturday night fever felt in all the matches that played on Saturday.

It felt it more on the bottom and middle of the league's table! Besiktas, after getting the good news from Sivas, after 17 minutes started to push more and scored the first goal in the 29th minute through Holosko.

This was the third back to back third goal for Holosko!

Then Besiktas, moved up the gears and scored three more goals to finish the match with 1-4.

This was a clutch match for Besiktas and for Mustafa Denizli—and they won it, with four goals and they did it in an away match!

After the match Mustafa Denizli said, "Now we capture the top spot and we won't let go."

I think Besiktas has a better chance finishing the season on top now!

Sivasspor have lost two last matches and draw one in the last three matches. This shows Sivasspor have run out of the gas in the league, again...


Last three weeks will be very difficult in the league.

The last team who will bite the dust in the league will probably won't be decided until last minutes of the league...

Here is the results from Saturday.....

Ankaraspor 1 : 4 Besiktas
Bursaspor 3 : 0 Konyaspor
Eskisehirspor 2 : 0 Antalyaspor
Fenerbahce 1 : 0 Denizlispor
Galatasaray 1 : 0 Ankaragucu
Genclerbirligi 3 : 1 Hacettepe
Kocaelispor 1 : 3 Trabzonspor
Sivasspor 1 : 2 Buyuksehir

STANDINGS...................

1 Besiktas 31 18 8 5 53-27 62
2 Sivasspor 31 17 9 5 48-23 60
3 Trabzonspor 31 17 8 6 47-30 59
4 Galatasaray 31 16 7 8 52-35 55
5 Fenerbahce 31 16 6 9 53-32 54
6 Bursaspor 31 15 9 7 44-33 54
7 Gaziantepspor 30 11 9 10 38-40 42
8 Kayserispor 30 10 11 9 30-25 41
9 Ankaraspor 31 11 7 13 36-37 40
10 Genclerbirligi 31 10 8 13 35-41 38
11 Eskisehirspor 31 9 9 13 40-42 36
12 Buyuksehir 31 10 6 15 33-43 36
13 Ankaragucu 31 10 6 15 32-43 36
14 Antalyaspor 31 9 8 14 32-41 35
15 Denizlispor 31 10 5 16 36-47 35
16 Konyaspor 31 9 8 14 29-40 35
17 Kocaelispor 31 7 5 19 39-65 26
18 Hacettepe Spor 31 5 7 19 23-56 22

Kocaelispor 1 - Besiktas 3 (Super Lig, April 10, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) After falling behind to Akeem Agbetu’s low drive after two minutes, Besiktas rallied after the break to storm to the top of the table. Tomas Zapotocny’s levelled from the spot before Bobo and Yusuf Simsek sealed the win with two goals in the final five minutes.

NAC Breda 0 - AZ Alkmaar 1 (Eredivisie, April 10, 2009) AZ had to wait up the 69th minute to score,  Moussa Dembele adding another fine goal to his collection after cutting in from the right and firing home with his left foot.

Braga 1 - Maritimo 1 (Liga Sagres, April 10, 2009) Both goals came from the penalty spot, Aguiar for the home side and Bruno levelled things up two minutes before the break.

CFR Cluj 2 - Gloria Bitistra 2 (Liga I, April 10, 2009) Diego Ramos put Gloria in front with an acrobatic overhead kick from close range. Goals either side of half-time from Alvaro Perreira and Sixto Peralta looked to have given Cluj the victory but a 90th minute equaliser from Cristian Silvasan squared things up.

Vejle 2 - Midtjylland 3 (SAS Ligaen, April 10, 2009) After being two-down, Danny Olsen, Frank Kristensen and Jonas Borring turn the match in Midtjylland’s favour.

Nordsjaelland 6 - Randers 1 (SAS Ligaen, April 10, 2009) Martin Bernburg was the hero for Nordsjaelland with a first half hat-trick.

Orebro 0 - Elfsborg 1 (Alsvenskan, April 10, 2009) Joel Johansson settled the match six minutes from time.

Halmstad 1 - Trelleborg 1 (Alsvenskan, April 10, 2009) Marcus Pode put the visitors ahead just before the break, Emir Kujovic equalising midway through the second half with a back-post volley.

Brommapojkarna 2 - Hacken 0 (Alsvenskan, April 10, 2009) On a complete bog of a pitch, goals from Olof Guterstam and Joakim Runnemo inside the last 20 minutes earned Brommapojkarna their first win of the new season.

Sporting Lisbon 2 - Maritimo 0 (Superliga, Jan. 10, 2009) Sporting claimed the points with a goal in each half from Vukcevic and Liedson.

Vitoria Guimaraes 0 - Amadora 0 (Superliga, Jan. 10, 2009)

***

Gaziantepspor 0 - Besiktas 1 (Turkish Cup, Jan. 10, 2009) Nobre steered in the winner 15 minutes from time.

***

Olympiakos 2 - Xanthi 1 (Greek Super League, Jan. 10, 2009) Olympiakos took an two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes, Stathakis put through his own net before Galletti broke the offside trap to add the second. Zuela gave Xanthi a lifeline seven minutes later with an overhead volley, but the hosts held on for the victory.

Panthrakikos 1 - Panathinaikos 3 (Greek Super League, Jan. 10, 2009) Ponce put the hosts ahead after just five minutes but Salpingidis leveled midway through the first half for Pana. After the break the visitors claimed the points with further goals from Mantzios and Gilberto Silva.

Panionios 2 - Panserraikos 0 (Greek Super League, Jan. 10, 2009)

***

Anorthosis 2 - AEL Limassol 1 (Cypriot First Division, Jan. 10, 2009)

Apollon 3 - Apop/Kinyras 1 (Cypriot First Division, Jan. 10, 2009)

Galatasaray 4 - Besiktas 2 (Super Lig, December 21, 2008) Cetin put Gala ahead on eight minutes but Delgado equalised five minutes later. Milan Baros then converted a penalty in the 16th minute to restore the hosts lead. The Czech striker went on to net the third in the 53rd minute. Holosko did get one back for Besiktas in the 55th minute but Baros completed his hat-trick, again from the penalty spot, in the 67th.

Genclerbirligi 1 - Sivasspor 2 (Super Lig, December 21, 2008) Musa Aydin fired Sivasspor in front with a 20-yard shot the rocketed into the roof of the net. Djite levelled for the hosts on the stroke of halftime, but the visitors took all three points when Mohammed Ali Kurtulus claimed a wonderful winner with an unstoppable 25-yard effort.

Twente 2 - Willem II 0 (Eredivisie, December 21, 2008) Goals from Douglas Franco and Blaise Nkufo earned Twente their fifth successive Eredivisie victory.

PSV 1 - Feyenoord 0 (Eredivisie, December 21, 2008) Ibrahim Afellay settled the battle between two of the biggest clubs in Holland with a fine strike late on. (First half highlights here, second half highlights here.)

De Graafschap 0 - Ajax 6 (Eredivisie, December 21, 2008) Ajax went ahead in the 10th minute when Cvitanich headed in Sulejmani’s corner and Sulejmani increased the lead two minutes later turning in Eyong Enoh’s cross. Suarez converted a 53rd minute penalty before Suarez bagged his second in the 62nd minute. Urby Emanuelson made it five-nil with a fine volley and Cvitanich completed the win with another header off Sulejmani’s cross.

FC Volendam 3 - Heracles 1 (Eredivisie, December 21, 2008)

NEC 0 - Ado Den Haag 0 (Eredivisie, December 21, 2008)

Excelsior 1 - VVV Venlo 2 (Dutch Jupiler League, December 20, 2008)

Leixoes 1 - Estrela Amadora 1 (Superliga, December 21, 2008) Leixoes took a 58th-minute lead through striker Wesley following Diogo Valente’s corner despite Amadora players arguing that the ball had not crossed the line. The visitors equalised through Celestino’s penalty.

Porto 0 - Maritimo 0 (Superliga, December 21, 2008) The champions struggled against Maritimo’s well-organized defence, which has conceded just one goal away this season and is now unbeaten in nine games.

Belenenses 3 - Trofense 2 (Superliga, December 21, 2008) Edu Sousa opened the scoring in the 22nd and Valdomiro added an injury-time goal for the visitors, only for Marcelo in the 57th and Wender 10 minutes later to level the scores. Gabriel Gomez netted the 78th-minute winner to leave Trofense as the league’s new last-place team.

Standard Liege 2 - Gent 1 (Jupiler League, December 21, 2008) Standard took the lead through Dalmat on 25 minutes and Dante doubled the advantage eight minutes after halftime. Maric got one back for Gent but Standard held on to their lead to stay top of the league.

Cercle Bruges 4 - Roeselare 3 (Jupiler League, December 20, 2008) The hosts took a 3-nil into the break after Sutter, Iachtchouk and Smet all scored. Betremieux pulled a goal back only for Iachtchouk to net his second of the match. Further goals from Ouattara and Hietanen could not help Roeselare avoid defeat.

Mons 2 - Zulte-Waregem 2 (Jupiler League, December 20, 2008) In a ding-dong battle Toubabo put the hosts ahead only for Meert to level with sixty seconds. Dahmane restored Mons’ lead in the second half but once again the visitors drew equalised. this time through Coppin.

Mouscron 5 - Club Brugge 1 (Jupiler League, December 20, 2008) Custovic scored a hat-trick for Mouscron.

Lokeren 2 - KV Mechelen 2 (Jupiler League, December 20, 2008)

OFI Crete 0 - Panathinaikos 3 (Greek Super League, December 21, 2008) Antonis Petropoulos opened the scoring with a header off Giorgos Karagounis’ cross in the 52nd and Salpingidis made it 2-0 four minutes later. Substitute Ante Rukavina scored the third goal in injury time with a header off a cross by Sotiris Ninis.

Olympiakos 2 - Thrasyvoulos 1 (Greek Super League, December 21, 2008) Olympiakos’ Sebastian Leto scored in the 20th minute, but Yiannis Chloros’ header eight minutes later levelled for Thrasivoulos. Luciano Galletti came off the bench to convert an injury time penalty for Olympiakos.

AEK Athens 3 - Ergotelis 2 (Greek Super League, December 21, 2008)