WC : Ronaldo IN, Ibra Out

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the batle of titans ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Ibrakadabra netted twice, but the Real magician was CR7 who manage to score hattrick and lead the portugese to Brasil. 4-2 for Portugal on agg.

 

France contraversualy eliminated Ukraina with 3-2 on agg. Benzema second goal was clear offside. Sakho and own goal from Gusev sent “les blues”in Rio.

Croatians Mandjukic and Srna ended Island`s hope of reaching WC 2014 (2-0 agg). In high tempered match Mandjukic sees red and will miss the start of WC campaign. Greece held Romania to 1-1 draw (4-2 agg), that was enough to book ticket to Rio.

  

World Cup finals draw: 6 December (17.00CET), Bahia
 

„Wiener Derby“ more than 100 years more that just a match

More than one hundert years (first match was played at 8 septemvri 1911) matches between Rapid and Austria Vienna are in the fokus in capital of Austria. Wiener derby the one of the oldest one, only “Old Firm” derby between Celtic and Glasgow had more games played.

 

Stadiums for the games between city rivals are always sold aut, that was case for 307. Derby that was played in “Favoriten”(10 th Bezirk in Wien) in front of 11.500 spectators at ”Generali Arena”.

-          Derby matches are always somethnig special. People are talking about it, mediums write all about it, the pressure is growing. The players knows that this match is important for the club and the fans, is not only three points but also lots of pride – said Michael Orthlechner, the Austria Vienna kapitan.

Rapid beat Austria 1-0 and after two and half years celebrated the victory in “Wiener Derby”. The only goal that seal the 124 victory in 307 match for “green-white”came in 88 minute from US international Terrence Boyd. For “Rapidler” trainer Zoran Barisic this was first victory at Rapids bench. Als player he netted the “violeten, and now celebrate als coach.

 

-          This matches are something special. Victory in “Favoriten that is something realy special. This triumph we share with our supporters, who are always with us. The players work realy hard, and this win was reward for all that – said Barisic.

 

Lose against Rapid came in worst moment for Austria. Coach Nenad Bjelica, Croatian born was disappointed after the schokk result.

-          We show so little for defending champion and CL club. We must work hardar to get back to winnig tracks – said Bjelica, who take over this summer and qualifaid in Champinos League.

 

We are No 1 in Wien

We are no 1 in Wien is the light moto for army of suporters from both teams. The fans are “crying”for old days when “Derby”was more then a single match.

-          Win in “Derby”is very important, until next match we are No 1 in Wien. “Derby” in past days was more pationate, and red cards war normal thing. Now everything is all about fans. The player look like every other match, but for us is not at all – said Andreas Hoffer, the Rapid fan.

In the last derby match, Austria came after ten matches strike without deffet.

-          After such long strike victories over Rapid is something normal. Of course that win over “greens” is important moment in the season. – said Stefan Agg, Austria Vienna fan.

For both them “meistertitel“ is more important that a place in Chamions League.

This year teams from Vienna had various experience in European matches. Austria have one point from three matches, while Rapid in Euro League waits for the first win (two draws against Dinamo Kiew and Thun.

Ronaldo vs Ibrahimovic for WC ticket

One of the biggest names in football today Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will face each other in WC play-off matches. 

Portugal will host Sweden in top match in last round for World Cup place next year in Brasil. In Balkan derby Greece meet Romania, while Croatians travel to Iceland. 

Last year European co-host Ukraine got France as the last barrier for trip to Rio.

European play-off draw (15 & 19 November)

Portugal v Sweden

Ukraine v France

Greece v Romania

Iceland v Croatia

The four victors of the two-legged ties will join the nine UEFA group winners – Belgium, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, England and holders Spain – in the 32-team finals in Brazil running from 12 June to 13 July 2014.
 

Europen line-up for Brasil 2014

WC holders Spain are leading the list of European national teams torwards Brasil 2014. Former champions Italia,Germany, Netherlands und England, then Belgium, Switzerland, Russia und new commers Bosnia and Herzogvina are the first nine who book their ticket for WC next year.

In additional play-off matches will be decided another four sides that will travel to Rio.

Group winners: Belgium, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, England, Spain (holders)

Play-offs: Croatia, Sweden, Romania, Iceland, Portugal, Greece, Ukraine, France.

Play-offs draw will take place at 14.00CET next Monday in Zurich. The four highest-placed nations in the October FIFA world rankings will be seeded for the play-off ties on 15 and 19 November.


World Cup finals draw: 6 December (17.00CET), Bahia

Salzburg “Fix”, Rapid “Knapp”

Two out of three victorys for Austrian Eureprezentatives in Uefa Euro League play-off. 

“Five” star team from Mozzart`s city destroyed Zalgiris with 5-0 end booked place in Uefa Euroleague.  Soriano was the man of the moment, bagging hat trick and securing European football in Salzburg Arena.

“Rekordmeister” Rapid had a narrow 1-0 win over Dila Gori. Once again “joker” was Luis Shaub who finised super counterattack three minutes from the first period.

“Cupsieger” Pasching lose 2-0 in Portugal from Estroil. Both goals came in first half from Goebel Evandro and Carlitos.

 Estroil - Pasching 2-0

The reverese fixtures are scheduled for 29 August.

Webb didn`t makes the same mistake twice

Englishman in Zagreb. English referee Howard Webb sent off Ante Rukavina in 71 minute after dangerous tackle on Kaja Rogulj. 

Webb sents off Rukavina 

Many said that Webb should only book the Croatian forward who come only minute before. But, Webb didn’t make the same mistake that make in WC 2010 finale in Johannesburg.De Jong`s horrible tackle on Xabi Alonso was only yellow for the London “policeman”.

For the same tackle last year Manchester United`s Nani see red from Turkish referee Canaj on reverse leg vs Real Madrid.

M.P.

Seven minutes that put Austria step closer to Champions League

Austrian champions Austria Vienna move step closer to Champions league after astonishing 2-0 win against Dinamo in Zagreb in CL play-off match. After goaless first half , came the 7 minutes that ‘violeten” have so long espected.

68` "Meisters" broke the dead lock. Play superbly started on right then with simple passes ball came to offensive left full back Martin Leovac who unleash the “torp” that ended in Zelenika`s back.

 

71` Things got worst for the host team when Rukavina was sent off for dangerous tackle on Austrian defender Rogulj.

75` With man more the visitors continues the puss for second goal. Reward came when Marko Stankovic hammered the ball in Dinamo`s net. Thousand Austria’s traveler supporters were out of joy.

  -         This win is very important for us, but there’s 90 minutes more to play – said Nenad Bjelica, Austria’s trainer.

After 8 years this is the biggest chance one Austrian team to play in Champions League. For Austria Vienna this is the life time opportunity to play wit big guns.

Second leg will be played on Tuesday 27 August in Generali arena in Wien. 

M.P.