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Post by Bismarck on Feb 22, 2008 2:00:51 GMT
PSV Eindhoven cruised into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup with a convincing 4-1 aggregate win over Helsingborgs after a 2-1 win in Sweden. Second-half strikes from Mike Zonneveld and Danko Lazovic added to last week's 2-0 win and were enough to secure PSV's victory in Sweden, rendering Leandro Castan's 81st-minute goal purely consolatory.
It was the home side who had the first chance when Christoffer Andersson sent three consecutive corners into the box after just eight minutes, but none found a Helsingborgs attacker.
PSV responded two minutes later when Lazovic struck a rising shot just over the bar but Helsingborgs continued to squander chances with veteran striker Henrik Larsson particularly guilty.
He shot just wide after PSV keeper Heurelho Gomes parried Rene Makondele's shot in the 21st minute, and then did the same three minutes later from the rebound of Andreas Jakobsson's effort.
It was end-to-end action shortly before half-time and a Martin Kolar free kick was parried by Gomes resulting in a PSV counter-attack which was cleared long to Kolar, whose shot flew over the bar.
After a half of missed chances PSV made no mistake after the break and took the lead while many fans were still taking their seats. Otman Bakkal's shot from the edge of the box was blocked and fell to Zonneveld on the right, who fired a low shot into the far corner.
A string of teasing crosses into the box failed to create an opening for Helsingborgs and they were punished again in the 64th minute by a low strike from Lazovic.
Bakkal was again the provider and his clever pass from the right allowed Lazovic to pick his shot from the centre of the penalty area.
To their credit, the hosts they did not give up and their persistence paid off when Castan finally converted one of Andersson's many corners to give them the goal their play deserved.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 22, 2008 2:02:05 GMT
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Schalke 04 played like veterans in their first appearance in the knockout rounds of the Champions League to beat Porto 1-0 on Tuesday and celebrate their 100th European match with a 50th victory. Kevin Kuranyi blasted in the only goal in the fourth minute, after the Porto keeper Helton had failed to hold a shot from Rafinha.
Porto, who won the European Cup for the second time on their last visit to the Arena AufSchalke in 2004, created little before Lisandro Lopez almost grabbed an equaliser from nowhere with a close-range effort that flew wide 10 minutes from time.
Most of the Porto squad that beat Monaco in that final has long since dispersed, along with coach Jose Mourinho, of course.
Lucho Gonzalez and Ricardo Quaresma are the team's biggest attacking threats these days but neither man was given an opportunity to shine until Schalke tired a little at the end.
It was no surprise that the German side lost a little of their intensity, after starting at a furious pace in front of a 54,000 full house.
That tactic in the home leg often plays into the hands of the more experienced side but in this case it worked perfectly.
Right-back Rafinha cut inside to catch the defence unawares and hammered in a shot towards the near post. Helton could only punch it away and it dropped nicely for Kuranyi to finish from 10 metres.
'We got the result we wanted,' Schalke coach Mirko Slomka said at a news conference. 'We had better chances than Porto and could have made it 2-0 but we are very satisfied.'
For a while Porto were simply overwhelmed, as Schalke, blessed with a perfect target man in Gerald Asamoah, broke quickly whenever the visitors did go forward.
In the 18th minute Ivan Rakitic came in from the left, after the referee had played a good advantage, and cracked a shot that Helton did well to turn round the post.
Later in the half Kuranyi tried to surprise the keeper in similar fashion, coming in from the right and again shooting low to the near post, bringing another good save.
Porto had created just one moment of menace when Ernesto Farias made it to the line and cut back to Lisandro. An equaliser looked on the cards before a desperate boot from a Schalke defender cut out the danger.
Porto were more aggressive in the second half but were still confined to long shots before they so nearly pinched an equaliser as Quaresma crossed from the right and the unmarked Lisandro somehow put the ball wide.
'Obviously it's not a result to give us great confidence for the return,' said Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira. 'But we've come through more difficult situations than this. There's still an opportunity for us to play a great game.'
The second leg, with a quarter-final place at stake, will be played in Porto on March 5.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 22, 2008 2:16:46 GMT
PARIS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Olympique Lyon will be hoping to carry their European form into domestic action when they face Metz at the weekend after putting on an impressive display against Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The leaders are embroiled in an intriguing battle for this season's title with second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who stand just one point behind the six-times French champions after winning six of their last seven matches.
Bordeaux, who play Lille on Sunday, can leapfrog Lyon at the top of the standings if they win and leaders fail to beat Metz.
However, the Aquitaine side must first concentrate on a UEFA Cup tie against Anderlecht on Thursday.
Lyon shook of the disappointment of last week's 1-0 loss to Le Mans with an assured performance against the English champions, drawing the last 16 first-leg encounter 1-1 after Carlos Tevez bagged a late equaliser for the visitors.
'The way we've played was very interesting,' midfielder Kim Kallstrom told reporters.
'That is what we have to show against Metz on Saturday in a must-win game.'
'We needed a big game to get back on track. I hope it will also reinvigorate our league challenge,' fullback Anthony Reveillere added.
Cast adrift at the bottom of the standings, Metz can take heart from the fact that they snatched their second win of the season last weekend by beating Valenciennes.
Third-placed Nancy, who have fallen eight points behind Lyon after winning just one of their last 11 league games, take on an in-form Lens side on Saturday.
The northeners have not lost a game in the past five weeks and beat Nancy 3-0 in a League Cup quarter-final match last month.
Fourth-placed Olympique Marseille will be hoping to build on a three-match winning streak when they take on Toulouse on Sunday while Monaco need to put last week's 6-0 mauling by Bordeaux out of their minds if they want to overcome Paris St Germain.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 24, 2008 12:28:07 GMT
February 23, 2008
Lyon 2-0 Metz Strasbourg 0-2 Sochaux PSG 1-1 Monaco Rennes 2-0 Lorient Valenciennes 1-2 Le Mans Nice 1-2 Auxerre Caen 1-3 St Etienne
PARIS, Feb 23 (Reuters) - A Fred double earned Olympique Lyon a 2-0 home win over bottom club Metz as the six-times champions opened a four-point gap at the top of Ligue 1 on Saturday.
Fred, who had started only three league matches this season, opened the scoring on nine minutes after being set up by France striker Karim Benzema.
He made it two 23 minutes into the second half by chipping the ball past Metz keeper Christophe Marichez.
Lyon, who were back to their best in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday, have 52 points from 26 matches.
Second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who host Lille on Sunday (1955 GMT), have 48 points from 25 games.
Third-placed Nancy came from behind to post a 2-1 victory against RC Lens, who had not lost in their last five league outings.
Kader Mangane put the visitors ahead just before the interval but Pascal Berenguer and Youssouf Hadji netted within five minutes midway through the second half to give the Lorraine side all three points.
Goals by Marco Basa and Anthony Le Tallec gave Le Mans a 2-1 win at Valenciennes in an ill-tempered game at Nungesser stadium and moved them up to fourth in the table on 40 points.
Le Tallec and Valenciennes defender Williams Martinez fought at halftime and were both shown a straight red card.
Troubled Paris St Germain remained four points above the danger zone after a 1-1 home draw against Monaco.
Earlier on Saturday, Geoffrey Dernis scored twice to help St Etienne pull away from the relegation zone with a 3-1 win at Caen.
On Sunday (1800 GMT), in-form Olympique Marseille travel to Toulouse.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 29, 2008 13:28:29 GMT
He hasn’t scored in the French Ligue 1 since December 8, and in the African Cup of Nations, his performance was average at best. What on Earth seems to be the problem for Ivorian striker Aruna Dindane?
Dark magic, that’s what. At least according to some people back in Africa…
Straight from the headlines of L’Équipe (France’s official sports newspaper), there’s a story that appeared earlier this week concerning the lack of scoring proficiency of the RC Lens player. Citing the weekly Ivorian newspaper FlashAfrik, the article explains Dindane may have been put under a spell cast by a malevolent marabout.
For those who don’t know what a marabout is, I’ll refer to you the variety of knowledge a simple Google search has to offer, but suffice to say that it’s an Islamic spiritual leader whose activity sometimes extends to clairvoyance, healing and witchcraft. Marabouts are often an integral part of national team staff in Africa, often under the job description of ‘psychological advisor’, and for Cameroon for example, this role is given to Yannick Noah (a French ex-tennis player of Cameroonian descent, who has also had quite a succesful music career). I guess it wasn’t enough for Cameroon to win the ACN final, but I digress.
Going back to the topic at hand, fortunately a woman seems to be ‘keeping guard’ on Dindane: a certain Awa Coulibaly claims to be regularly having dreams involving the Ivorian player, often in situations which would put any ‘Man vs. Wild’ show to shame. “One night, an ox wanted to harm Dindane but I prevented him”. Another time, “he was fighting a bull“. The woman goes as far as to claim she wakes up with cuts and bruises in the morning, as if she was indeed confronted to animals of the bovine family during her sleep. “When that happens“, she says, “I sacrifice an animal and ask the player’s parents to do the same. When they don’t, I wake up with swollen limbs as if I was beaten during the night“. No, I don’t know if the lady’s married and whether child services have visited the Coulibaly house yet.
So far, Ms. Coulibaly has sacrificed two sheep and a turkey in the fight against ‘evil’, but there’s no telling how many more animals will have to die on the altar before Dindane’s ‘curse’ is lifted. As for the player himself, he says he’s not paying much attention to the whole thing: “It’s true, there are plenty of stories like this in Africa” declared Dindane. “But I prefer not getting involved. As far as I’m concerned, I can explain my current lack of form with the difficulty of adapting to the French Winter“.
Dindane’s mother agrees: “There are many people who call me telling me they have ‘revelations’ to make about my son. I always tell them that Aruna is not only my son, he is the son of Ivory Coast and the son of Africa. I have put his fate in the hands of Allah, only he will decide what happens to him“. In other words, no chicken, sheep, or goat blood is being shed in the Dindane house. Animal rights societies will be glad…
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 2, 2008 3:56:57 GMT
AMSTERDAM, March 1 (Reuters) - Anthony Lurling struck twice after the break to hand NAC Breda a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch league on Saturday.
Lurling set up Hungarian Csaba Feher after eight minutes to open the scoring and settled the match with his two goals after keeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar had saved a penalty from Charles Dissels three minutes into the second half.
With eight matches remaining, PSV Eindhoven, travelling to Utrecht on Sunday, are top with 59 points.
Ajax, at home to Excelsior Rotterdam on Sunday, are second with 50 points, level with third-placed NAC, while Feyenoord, at home to NEC Nijmegen, slipped to fourth with 48.
Youssouf Hersi headed home the winner 12 minutes from time for Twente Enschede, who climbed to seventh with a 1-0 home win over sixth-placed Heerenveen.
Simon Cziommer hammered home a 20-metre free kick 10 minutes from time to salvage a point for AZ Alkmaar in a 1-1 draw at Roda JC Kerkrade, who had gone ahead after three minutes when Willem Janssen was on target.
Willem II Tilburg came from behind to beat 10-man Graafschap Doetinchem 2-1 and climb off the bottom.
Niklas Tarvajarvi opened the scoring for Graafschap after three minutes but Rydell Poepon equalised before the interval and Frank Demouge scored just inside the hour to seal Tilburg's first away win this season.
Graafschap's Stephan Keller was sent off six minutes from time for a professional foul.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 2, 2008 3:57:48 GMT
PARIS, March 1 (Reuters) - Olympique Lyon opened a six-point lead in Ligue 1 when a first-half Fred goal earned a 1-0 win over Lille at the Stade de France on Saturday.
The six times champions now have 55 points from 27 matches with second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who host Paris St Germain on Sunday (1955 GMT), on 49 from 26.
The game broke the Ligue 1 attendance record with 77,850 fans showing up to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the stadium where France won the 1998 World Cup.
The previous record was set at the Stade Velodrome when 57,609 watched Olympique Marseille play Lyon on Aug. 15, 2005.
Lyon went ahead after 32 minutes when Brazilian striker Fred netted with a low cross shot after being set up by right back Francois Clerc.
It was the third goal in two matches for Fred, who had played only nine league games this season before scoring a double against Metz last weekend.
Lille almost equalised when Pierre-Alain Frau's effort struck Gregory Coupet's bar on the hour.
With Lyon facing Manchester United in a last-16 Champions League tie at Old Trafford on Tuesday, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, coach Alain Perrin made changes after an hour.
He replaced France striker Karim Benzema with Hatem Ben Arfa and 14 minutes later Abdulkader Keita came on for winger Sidney Govou.
Goals by Lorick Cana and Djibril Cisse gave Marseille a 2-1 home win over AJ Auxerre.
The Provence side moved up one spot to fourth on 42 points, three adrift of Nancy, who were held to a goalless draw at Lorient.
Le Mans dropped one place to fifth when they went down to a 1-0 home defeat against Racing Strasbourg.
RC Lens, who beat Le Mans 5-4 after extra time in a League Cup semi-final earlier this week, were held to a 1-1 draw by fellow strugglers Toulouse.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 10, 2008 15:10:50 GMT
MARSEILLE, March 9 (Reuters) - Olympique Lyon moved closer to a seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title by beating Girondins Bordeaux 4-2 with two Mathieu Bodmer goals in a pulsating top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.
Lyon gained a measure of consolation for their Champions League elimination by Manchester United, moving six points clear of second-placed Bordeaux.
Midfielder Bodmer showed the home side the way by tapping home a Fabio Grosso cross on 12 minutes before doubling the advantage with a classic effort 12 minutes later.
Bodmer controlled the ball with his chest once to flick the ball over Bordeaux midfielder Alou Diarra, then twice before firing into the top right corner with a magnificent volley.
Visitors Bordeaux kept fighting and reduced the arrears before the break with a free kick from 25 metres by Brazilian midfielder Wendel.
Lyon were soon back in control, however, France striker Karim Benzema scoring with an angled shot from the edge of the box for his 17th league goal this season five minutes into the second half.
Argentine striker Fernando Cavenaghi kept the match alive with a penalty for Bordeaux 10 minutes later but Lyon held tight before completing the scoring in added time through Ivory Coast forward Kader Keita.
"It was a very good match, very intense with a lot of emotions," Lyon coach Alain Perrin said after a spectacular but tense contest featuring eight yellow cards.
"Credit to Bordeaux, who never gave up and made us fight very hard for this," Perrin told French television channel Canal Plus.
Olympique Marseille extended their home winning streak to eight games with a 2-0 win over St Etienne earlier on Sunday.
Second-half goals by midfielder Mathieu Valbuena and Nigeria defender Taye Taiwo kept fourth-placed Marseille in the hunt for a Champions League berth, three points behind third-placed Nancy, who defeated Monaco 2-0 on Saturday.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 10, 2008 15:11:51 GMT
March 8, 2008
Ligue 1: Rampant Lyon edge Bordeaux thriller Olympique Lyon moved closer to a seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title by beating Girondins Bordeaux 4-2 with two Mathieu Bodmer goals in a pulsating top-of-the-table clash on Sunday. Strasbourg 2-3 Metz Valenciennes 0-0 Lille Caen 0-0 Lorient Nice 0-0 Le Mans Auxerre 0-0 Lens Toulouse 1-2 Sochaux Rennes 2-0 PSG
March 9, 2008
Lyon 4-2 Bordeaux Marseille 2-0 St Etienne
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 10, 2008 15:13:54 GMT
2007/2008 Turkish Super Lig Overall Home Away GP W D L G GA W D L G GA W D L G GA GD P 1 Besiktas 25 17 4 4 39 24 8 3 1 21 11 9 1 3 18 13 15 55 2 Galatasaray 25 16 6 3 48 19 9 2 1 29 9 7 4 2 19 10 29 54 3 Fenerbahce 25 16 6 3 52 26 10 2 1 30 14 6 4 2 22 12 26 54 4 Sivasspor 25 17 3 5 38 19 11 1 1 24 9 6 2 4 14 10 19 54 5 Kayserispor 25 12 9 4 39 21 9 3 0 26 8 3 6 4 13 13 18 45 6 Trabzonspor 25 10 5 10 35 31 7 2 4 22 18 3 3 6 13 13 4 35 7 Denizlispor 25 9 6 10 31 31 6 2 4 15 11 3 4 6 16 20 0 33 8 Genclerbirligi OFTAS 25 7 9 9 26 27 3 5 5 12 14 4 4 4 14 13 -1 30 9 Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK 25 7 8 10 35 33 7 2 4 20 11 0 6 6 15 22 2 29 10 Ankaragucu 25 7 8 10 25 34 5 6 2 15 16 2 2 8 10 18 -9 29 11 Genclerbirligi 25 7 7 11 35 35 5 1 6 22 18 2 6 5 13 17 0 28 12 Bursaspor 25 6 10 9 26 29 3 7 3 12 12 3 3 6 14 17 -3 28 13 Gaziantepspor 25 7 7 11 28 38 4 5 3 15 17 3 2 8 13 21 -10 28 14 Konyaspor 25 8 4 13 27 49 7 3 3 21 17 1 1 10 6 32 -22 28 15 Ankaraspor 25 5 9 11 24 31 4 5 3 12 10 1 4 8 12 21 -7 24 16 Caykur Rizespor 25 6 6 13 25 47 5 2 6 16 23 1 4 7 9 24 -22 24 17 Manisaspor 25 5 7 13 34 48 3 5 4 14 16 2 2 9 20 32 -14 22 18 Kasimpasa 25 4 4 17 18 43 2 3 7 9 16 2 1 10 9 27 -25 16
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Post by yorkie19 on Mar 11, 2008 10:13:16 GMT
2007 / 2008 Czech Gambrinus League
Round 20 of the Gambrinus League saw it's fair share of draws. Reigning champions Sparta Praha closed the gap on current league leader Slavia Praha from 4 points to 2 by winning at home to FK Teplice 1-0 in the Monday night game, while Slavia where held 2-2 away at FC Banik Ostrava. That result kept Banik in 3rd place on goal difference from FC Brno who leap-frog Teplice into 4th.
At the bottom of the table, MUS Most moved level on points with Bohemians 1905 after they beat Mlada Boleslav 2-1 at home.
With 10 rounds to go, the Champions League spots are held by the big two - Slavia Praha and Sparta Praha, with FC Banik Ostrava in the UEFA Cup spot.
Results Slovan Liberec 2 – 2 FK Viktoria Zizkov Zlin 3 – 1 Plzen FC Brno 1 – 0 Sigma Olomeouc Bohemians 1905 1 – 1 Jablonec MUS Most 2 – 1Mlada Boleslav Budejovice 0 – 0 Kladno FC Banik Ostrava 2 – SK Slavia Praha Sparta Praha 1 – 0 FK Teplice
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 11, 2008 11:54:08 GMT
Footnote....Gambrinus is a wonderful Czech Lager I drink with a passion when I am in Prague....
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Post by yorkie19 on Mar 11, 2008 12:02:43 GMT
It's ok. Stare Brno and Radegast Cerny are my two personal favourites.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 16, 2008 22:59:00 GMT
PARIS, March 16 (Reuters) - Girondins Bordeaux kept alive their title hopes when an Henrique double helped them to a 3-0 victory over lowly Racing Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
The Aquitaine side remain second in the standings, with nine matches left, on 55 points, six behind leaders Olympique Lyon who won 3-0 at Monaco on Saturday.
Olympique Marseille missed the chance to move within a point of third-placed Nancy when they wasted a two-goal lead in a 3-3 draw at struggling RC Lens.
France midfielder Samir Nasri opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a 16-metre shot and Benoit Cheyrou doubled the tally three minutes later after benefiting from a poor clearance from Lens centre back Vitorino Hilton.
However, Lens hit back after the break with Toifilou Maoulida reducing the arrears on 56 minutes and Kader Mangane equalising in the 66th after being set up by Nenad Kovacevic.
Striker Loic Remy, who has been loaned by Lyon during January's transfer window, gave the home side the edge with 17 minutes left with a slick shot from inside the box.
Djibril Cisse salvaged a point for the visitors when he latched onto a Kanga Akale cross one minute from time.
Marseille now have 46 points to Nancy's 49 after the Lorraine side drew 1-1 at Sochaux on Saturday. Lens stay 16th on 34 points, two above the relegation zone.
At Bordeaux's stade Chaban-Delmas, defender Henrique headed home from an Alejandro Alonso corner kick on 28 minutes and the Brazilian's second goal three minutes from the interval was a carbon copy of the opener.
Argentine striker Fernando Cavenaghi made it three 15 minutes from time by firing home from a bad clearance for his 10th goal in his last 10 league matches.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 23, 2008 12:22:14 GMT
Girondins Bordeaux's title ambitions suffered a setback when Ligue 1's second-placed team lost 3-1 at Valenciennes on Saturday.
Bordeaux's defeat left them on 55 points from 30 games. Leaders Olympique Lyon, chasing a seventh successive title, can move nine points clear with a home win over strugglers Paris St Germain on Sunday.
Midfielder Sebastien Roudet raced into the box and struck from a tight angle to put Valenciennes in front on 10 minutes.
The visitors equalised three minutes later with a superb free kick from 25 metres by Brazilian midfielder Wendel.
Slovakian Filip Sebo put the home side back in front from close range on 63 and fellow forward Steve Savidan wrapped it up for Valenciennes with an acrobatic volley in the 77th.
Surprise packages Nancy held on to third position with a 2-1 home win over bottom club Metz thanks to a late header from Morocco forward Moncef Zerka.
Nancy are nine points off the pace and three points behind Bordeaux.
Fourth-placed Olympique Marseille did their chances of reaching the Champions League no good by losing 1-0 at home to Sochaux, Senegal defender Guirane N'daw scoring with an astute lob after two minutes.
Marseille are six points off third spot and the ticket to the Champions League qualifying round it offers.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 26, 2008 4:49:58 GMT
London March 25th (Peckham Echo)-Olympique Lyon moved a step closer to a seventh successive Ligue 1 title with a 4-2 home win over Paris St Germain on Sunday that sent the leaders nine points clear.
The down side to a precious win was the fact that Lyon striker Karim Benzema was substituted in the first half with an ankle injury that makes him a doubftul starter for France's friendly international against England on Wednesday in Paris.
Lyon were 2-0 up after 36 minutes courtesy of two goals by Brazilian forward Fred but strugglers PSG fought back with a goal from defender Zoumana Camara just before halftime and a penalty by midfielder Jerome Rothen on 52 minutes.
France forward Sidney Govou collected a fine pass from midfielder Mathieu Bodmer to race into the box and put Lyon back in front on 65 minutes.
Brazil midfielder Juninho, the Lyon captain, sealed his side's win with a volley from inside the box seven minutes later.
Lyon move on 64 points from 30 games, nine more than second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who lost 3-1 at Valenciennes on Saturday and face a struggle to catch up the leaders with just eight matches left.
PSG, who have never been relegated since being promoted in 1974, are third from bottom.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 29, 2008 16:28:12 GMT
No doubts that this is an amazing season for Wisla Krakow. Today, after an exciting game they won with Lech Poznan on Bulgarska St and gain three points in Poznan for the first time since 2003! Kudos for Marek Zienczuk - one of the best Wisla’s player in this season does not let us to forget about himself. Thanks to his goal and an assist Wisla made another perky step towards the silverware and remains invincible after 21 games in this season with 13 points of advantage to the second Groclin! Keep up the good work.
Lech Poznan 1:2 Wisla Krakow Goals: 0:1 Zienczuk 14′ 1:1 Piotr Brozek 40′ (OG) 1:2 Pawel Brożek 70′
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 29, 2008 16:30:35 GMT
I must say I look forward to seeing Micheal Bradley take the pitch. As an Ajacied this week, I am dreading it. His scoring record is ridiculous for a guy who should be standing around the center circle, right? I mean, and he is an American, too. So scoring touch in European competition must be too much to ask, right? Forgive me if I might be hoping he manages a goal. A goal. As in one and only one. No hattricks, OK?
Because this is a big game for Ajax. So, the title is out of reach. But the (stupid/ridiculous/outrageous/nevertheless exciting) playoffs for European places are still ahead. In the second year of (ignoring the importance of the league table) these playoffs, Ajax has a decent history in this little competition-after-a-competition. Of course, last year we finished second in the league and so had the advantages of seeding and home field for these two-legged beauties. So, with the league table looking like this:
PSV - 64 Ajax - 57 Heerenveen - 54 Feyenoord - 54 NAC Breda - 54 FC Twente - 52
… a loss would put us even with Bradley & Co, and potentially even with a winner of Feyenoord at NAC Breda on Sunday. A draw would not be a complete disaster, but it would make us sweat it out. For those of you wishing for another photo-finish end of the season (last year, PSV won on goal differential over Ajax after a win and an AZ loss on the last day of the season), it looks possible. At least, it looks possible for the playoff spots (2-5). An Ajax win distances us from that pack, so let’s keep this race from getting too exciting.
If there are any youngsters to be blooded, this is not the time. I would love to catch a glimpse of Javier Martina, or Jan Arie van der Heijden. But this match is kind of a big deal. Then again, I don’t really want to see Kennedy or Rommedahl running down the wings either. Leonardo has been interesting, and may play an ongoing role. But I dunno what to say about the lineup. Koster has admitted the title race is over, and the playoffs are now priority. Does that mean experimentation against a potential playoff opponent, or does that mean grind out a positive result at all cost? What would you do?
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 29, 2008 16:32:06 GMT
Everyone knows that every year there¡¯s that one lower-division club that makes a mockery of a few bigger names in the domestic cup, wherever it may be. French fans usually name Calais or Lyon-La-Duch¨¨re, or Monceau-Les-Mines as we saw last year. But hey, hey, what do you say- We¡¯ve got a new David on the scene these days, and he just took down one hell of a Goliath in the Round of 16 of the Coupe de France, which took place Tuesday and Wednesday. I give you: L¡¯Union Sportive Jeanne d¡¯Arc Carquefou.
Carquefou 0-1 Marseille 0-1 N¡¯Doye 7¡ä
After disposing of a handful of amateurs, this bunch of fifth-tier rabble-rousers from just outside Nantes took the pitch against the mighty Marseillais at la Beaujoire, home of FCNA, in what was, of course, to be the end of their Cinderella story. Not! They beat Ligue 2 cellar-dwellers Geugnon 1-0 in January, then raised more than a few eyebrows by offing third-place Nancy 2-1 in extra-time last month, and what do you know, they repeated the feat against possibly the most in-form team in the country at the moment. Idrissa N¡¯Doye took a long ball and scooted past OM second-string keeper Cedric Carrasso, who had wandered off into no man¡¯s land and netted the only goal of the match before it was ten minutes old. OM then proceeded to miss a host of chances and went out of the competition in the most humiliating way possible. Hats off to les Carquefoliens.
Lyon 2-1 Sochaux 1-0 Benzema 56¡ä 1-1 Traor¨¦ 90¡ä 1-2 Benzema 90¡ä+1
What a finish at Gerland on Tuesday. In what was potentially an explosive match, with Alain Perrin facing his former side (with whom he had won the Cup last year, no less), who else but Karim Benzema was the star once again. Beating the offside trap oh-so-nicely ten minutes into the second half, he beat Richert for the first goal. All seemed wrapped up before Kandia Traor¨¦ cracked a quick shot on net that Gregory Coupet absolutely poo himself on, basically punching the ball into the back of the net. Lucky for him, his younger compatriot took advantage of some shoddy defensive work on the other side of the pitch and tapped in the winner from an inch away no more than a minute later. The holders are out, the favourites are still in.
PSG 2-1 Bastia 1-0 Arnaud 18¡ä 1-1 Andr¨¦ 23¡ä 2-1 Arnaud 68¡ä
If you can¡¯t win in the league, you might as well do it in the cup. Fielding a very young eleven featuring Arnaud, Sakho and N¡¯Gog among others, Paul Le Guen¡¯s ass was this close to the electrical fence going into this encounter with one of Ligue 2¡¯s best. Thankfully, a very decent display from his men saw them through to the quarters. Loris Arnaud was on the end of a great team goal on eighteen minutes, but everyone forgot about that one five minutes later, when Pierre-Yves Andr¨¦ scored with a stunning volley from twenty-five yards out to level the score. Arnaud got a brace with twenty minutes later though by deftly poking the ball past Ejid¨¦. It¡¯s okay to breathe, PSG fans.
Bordeaux 2-0 Lille a.e.t. 1-0 Menegazzo 95¡ä 2-0 Bellion 114¡ä
Bitter defeat once again for Lille, who were hoping to pull something off with Rio Mavuba against his former employer. It took a while, granted, but Fernando Menegazzo picked up the pieces in the penalty area a few minutes into extra time and David Bellion finished the job a few minutes before the final whistle.
Lorient 0-1 Metz 0-1 Bessat 62¡ä
In a battle of not-that-great-at-all Ligue 1 sides, it was the least-great one that emerged victorious, thanks to a Vincent Bessat strike on the hour mark. Could this be the sole bright spot in what is one of Metz¡¯s worst seasons of all time?
Sedan 2-0 Angers 1-0 Abdoun 32¡ä 2-0 Sow 90¡ä
Last year¡¯s top-flight big losers continued their unlikely cup run by offing Ligue 2 misfits SCO Angers thanks to goals by former Ajaccio midfielder Djamel Abdoun and former Rennes man Moussa Sow.
Dijon 3-1 Tours 1-0 Boateng 53¡ä 2-0 Schumacher 62¡ä 2-1 Atik 84¡ä 3-1 Schumacher 90¡ä
In a cracking second half, Dijon booked their ticket to the last eight by fending off third-tier Tours thanks in part to a brace by Brazilian Schumacher (yeah I know) and one from Charles Boateng. Former Montpellier midfielder Fatih Atik bagged one from the spot for Tours.
Amiens 1-1 Arles (4-2 p.s.o.) 0-1 Poirier 23¡ä 1-1 Buengo 90¡ä Struggling in Ligue 2, Amiens had to rely on a bit of luck to see amateurs Arles off, needing a last-minute equalizer from Buengo to cancel out Poirier¡¯s first-half opener. They proceeded to claim the victory on penalties.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 30, 2008 14:42:00 GMT
Ajax still have a glimmer of hope they can win the Eredivisie after triumphing 4-2 at Heerenveen.
Luis Suarez put the visitors in front a minute before half-time before Kenneth Perez doubled Ajax's lead from the spot in the 55th minute.
Miralem Sulejmani gave Heerenveen hope on the hour mark but Klaas Jan Huntelaar restored Ajax's two-goal advantage seconds later and added a second on 89 minutes before Danijel Pranjic made the scoreline more respectable for the hosts.
All the talk before the game was that PSV Eindhoven could win the title if Ajax lost, but in the end it was the Eredivisie leaders who dropped points as they were held to a goaless draw at NEC Nijmegen.
PSV still remain firm favourites to win their fourth successive Eredivisie crown as they are five points clear of Ajax with three games left in the campaign.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 30, 2008 14:43:58 GMT
Striker Fernando Cavenaghi's double helped Girondins Bordeaux move towards an automatic Champions League spot with a 2-1 win over Ligue 1 rivals AS Nancy who finished with nine men on Saturday.
The victory puts second-placed Bordeaux six points clear of Nancy on 58 points with seven games remaining as they chase a berth in the group stage of Europe's premier competition.
Leaders Olympique Lyon, who have a six-point advantage over Bordeaux, visit Valenciennes on Sunday when Olympique Marseille, who are fourth six points adrift of Nancy, go to FC Lorient.
Nancy went ahead through midfielder Moncef Zerka in the 29th minute but had to play most of the second half with 10 men after Jonathan Brison was sent off. Fellow midfielder Frederic Biancalani was dismissed in the 89th to complete their misery.
Bordeaux, who were booed by their supporters at halftime, stepped up a gear after the break and equalised in the 53rd through Cavenaghi, who made his debut for Argentina in a friendly against Egypt on Wednesday.
The striker sealed the points with a penalty seven minutes form time in the day's only league game, although Paris St Germain face Racing Lens in the League Cup final at the Stade de France later on Saturday.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 1, 2008 13:32:41 GMT
French football chief Frederic Thiriez has promised swift and strong action against the 'imbeciles' among the Paris St Germain supporters who unfurled a controversial banner during the Coupe de la Ligue final.
PSG's last-gasp 2-1 win over Lens at the Stade de France on Saturday has been overshadowed by the banner, which was on display for around five minutes during the second half of the match.
It read: 'Paedophiles, unemployed, inbreeding, welcome to the North.'
The message hijacked the name of a film which is currently out in France, called 'Welcome to the North.'
The banner was aimed at the people of Lens, a small industrial city in the Pas-de-Calais region.
Both Lens and PSG have condemned the banner, while the Ligue de Professional Football (LFP) have opened an investigation into the incident.
The LFP have worked hard recently in an attempt to stamp racism out of French football, following an incident last month which saw Valenciennes captain Abdeslam Ouaddou racially abused by a Metz supporter.
Metz were on Thursday docked one league point and ordered to play a home match behind closed doors. A similar sanction could now be slapped on PSG.
Thiriez, the president of the LFP, said in a statement: 'What should have been a great celebration of football, of the brotherhood and union against racism and all forms of discrimination, has been in part ruined by a handful of imbeciles filled with hate - and that despite the security measures taken and the speed of our intervention immediately afterwards.
'The firmness of the league's reaction will be equal to the suffering it has brought to the image of our football.
'As far as disciplinary measures are concerned, the disciplinary commission has been overcome by the report of the match delegate of which I am aware and, believe me, the severity of which showed the seriousness it will be looked into by the league.
'As for judicial measures, the league is going to lodge a complaint with the civil constitution for the incitement of hatred and violence.
'Paris St Germain and Lens will join forces in this complaint.
'I hope that with the video surveillance on one hand and the list of names on the tickets on the other, the police will be in a position to identify those involved, arrest them and deliver justice to them.'
PSG released a statement on Sunday, in which they condemned 'this hurtful, coarse and clearly intolerable message'.
'The club offers its sympathy and deep respect to Lens Football Club, its president and all the Lens supporters,' the statement added.
'It is regrettable once again that a minority of so-called supporters darken the image of the true supporters and PSG sympathisers in particular, and all lovers of football in general.'
PSG's fans have earned a bad reputation as a result of a number of shameful incidents over the past few years.
A section of supporters dubbed 'The Boulogne Boys', who dominate the Boulogne Kop at one end of the Parc des Princes, have generally been at the forefront of any violent or racist acts.
In November 2006, a PSG supporter was killed accidentally by a policemen who had come to the aid of a Hapoel Tel Aviv fan being hounded by a band of PSG followers, following a UEFA Cup match between the two teams.
This season, a section of PSG fans have caused trouble before and after Ligue 1 games at Nice and Marseille.
A points deduction would plunge PSG even closer to relegation from the top flight.
After the weekend's games, the capital club are second from bottom, two points from safety.
They do have a game in hand over most of their bottom-of-the-table rivals, however.
• Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for tough sanctions after a racist banner was unfolded by Paris St Germain supporters.
'The president wishes that this intolerable behaviour will have the follow-up it deserves and will follow with great attention how the investigation progresses,' read a statement issued by Sarkozy's office on Monday.
The banner referred to a film about the life of the Ch'tis, a nickname for the people of northern France, which is breaking box office records in France. It read: 'Paedophiles, unemployed, inbred: welcome chez les Ch'tis.' The banner was unfolded briefly at the start of the second half of the game between PSG and northern club Racing Lens at the Stade de France.
Sarkozy, who was at the match and asked for the banner to be removed, will meet Lens mayor Guy Delcourt and Racing Lens officials on Tuesday.
Delcourt has asked for the final, won 2-1 by PSG after a controversial late penalty, to be replayed.
French prosecutors have asked police to try to identify the supporters involved, who could face jail sentences of up to a year.
The French football league (LFP) launched its own inquiry on Sunday. Its disciplinary committee will meet on Thursday to study the incident.
A replay is unlikely but PSG, second from bottom in the Ligue 1 standings and threatened by relegation, could be docked points.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 5, 2008 11:32:49 GMT
Paris St Germain lifted themselves out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone thanks to substitute Amara Diane's 73rd-minute winner against Strasbourg on Wednesday.
The pacy forward slotted home Bernard Mendy's excellent cut-back to earn PSG a deserved victory, their first in the league since January 23.
It puts the capital club fourth from bottom, level on points and goal difference with their vanquished opponents, who remain 16th.
And it provided them with another shot in their arm after their 2-1 win over Lens in the Coupe de la Ligue final on Saturday.
There was plenty of urgency in PSG's play but up until Diane's goal, they lacked a cutting edge.
Pedro Pauleta had a goal disallowed in the 16th minute for offside, while both he and Zoumana Camara had headers cleared off the line in the opening 45 minutes.
France winger Jerome Rothen set both those chances up and he was also the provider when Clement Chantome glanced a header just wide in the 36th minute.
At the other end, PSG goalkeeper Mickael Landreau had to be alert to tip first-half efforts by Kevin Gameiro and Pascal Johansen wide.
The temperature rose inside the Parc des Princes after the break as PSG became more desperate, and most of the 22 players on show were involved in some push and shove after a late challenge by Pauleta on Strasbourg goalkeeper Stephane Cassard on the hour.
But the hosts held the whip hand and they deservedly went in front with 17 minutes left when two substitutes combined.
Mendy's incisive run down the right flank ended with him cutting in and delivering a perfect lay-off to Diane, who swept the ball home from eight yards.
PSG endured a few nervy moments towards the end, especially when Landreau was forced to save Eric Mouloungui's drive with his feet, but they held on.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 8, 2008 14:04:31 GMT
Two goals in two minutes from Djibril Cisse and Mamadou Niang helped Olympique Marseille defeat Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyon 3-1 on Sunday.
It was Marseille's first victory at the Stade Velodrome over the six times French champions since September 1997.
Marseille, who won 2-1 at Lyon earlier this season, also became the first side in this campaign to pick up six points against Lyon.
Cisse and Niang scored in the 26th and 28th minute shooting home backpasses which caught Lyon's keeper Gregory Coupet off balance.
Lyon, who were on a run of six wins, got back into the game through an own goal from Marseille captain Lorik Cana, who misheaded Juninho's long-range free kick in the dying seconds of the first half.
Despite having to replace injured defensive midfielder Jeremy Toulalan and striker Fred by Kim Kallstrom and Hatem Ben Arfa in the 11th and 31st minute, the French champions stepped up a gear in the second half.
Niang sealed his team's victory when he headed home a Benoit Cheyrou centre in the 54th minute.
With six matches left, the result cut Lyon's lead to six points over Girondins Bordeaux, who won 2-0 at Stade Rennes on Saturday.
Marseille stay fourth three points adrift of AS Nancy who kept the ticket to the Champions League qualifying round with a 1-0 home win over relegation-threatened Paris St Germain earlier on Sunday.
Nancy's winning goal was scored by Marc-Antoine Fortune who headed home in the 69th minute shortly after PSG had an effort controversially disallowed for offside after a one-two between Pedro Pauleta and Amana Diane.
The defeat puts PSG back into the drop zone. They are 18th, level on 35 points with Racing Lens, Toulouse and Strasbourg, although above the latter on goal difference. Bottom club Metz have just 18 points and are certain to be relegated.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 11, 2008 0:47:39 GMT
PSV Eindhoven defender Jan Kromkamp knows his team are facing four days which could make or break their season.
Sef Vergoossen's men take on Fiorentina in the second leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final on Thursday night and can then wrap up the league title against FC Twente on Sunday.
The Dutch giants are in pole position to make the last four of Europe's second competition after drawing 1-1 in Florence last week, while a win at the weekend would guarantee them their fourth successive Eredivisie crown.
Kromkamp told AD Sportwereld: 'This can become a fantastic week for us, with the chance to claim a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and to become Dutch champions. We have both things in our own hands.'
PSV lead the Eredivisie table by five points from Ajax with just two games remaining, so will even be crowned champions with a defeat if the Amsterdammers fail to win at FC Groningen.
But a slip-up may see the race go down to the final day of the season and, having only snatched the title on goal difference from Ajax and AZ Alkmaar at the death last term, PSV will be keen for it to be decided in a rather less nail-biting fashion this time around.
Former Liverpool man Kromkamp will not settle for just one trophy though; he has set his sights on both.
He added: 'I really do not want to choose (between the UEFA Cup and the league). It is an impossible choice to make, like choosing between my child and my friend.
'We want to take both prizes. But we will not hold back on Thursday for the game on Sunday against FC Twente, certainly not.'
At the other end of the table, Excelsior and VVV Venlo would be all but guaranteed a place in the relegation play-offs if they lose to AZ Alkmaar and Roda JC respectively on Sunday.
Third-bottom Willem II could though climb out of the bottom three with a win at home to Feyenoord.
Excelsior and VVV are both on 26 points, third-bottom Willem II on 28 and De Graafschap, who take on UEFA Cup play-off hopefuls FC Utrecht this weekend, on 29.
Elsewhere, third-placed NAC Breda can confirm their place in the Champions League play-off spots with victory at Heracles.
Only goal difference separates NEC and Vitesse Arnhem as they go head to head looking to boost their UEFA Cup hopes, while Sparta Rotterdam host Heerenveen.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 11, 2008 0:50:30 GMT
St Germain, third from bottom in Ligue 1 with six games left, are strong enough to avoid being relegated for the first time, said midfielder Bernard Mendy.
PSG, who dropped back into the danger zone with a 1-0 defeat at Nancy last weekend, welcome Nice on Sunday knowing that only three points will help.
'We need our fans to be behind us, especially at home,' Mendy told his club' website. 'If we want to stay up, we need three victories. I believe we can do it.'
PSG, who have won two league titles, lifted the French Cup seven times and won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1996, have never left the top flight since being first promoted in 1974.
The capital club made unwanted headlines for a racist banner held by their fans in last month's League Cup final against Racing Lens, which they won 2-1.
The Parisians face disciplinary sanctions and could even be docked points, the last thing they need.
'A lot of people would like to see PSG in Ligue 2 but not me nor any of my team mates,' Mendy said.
At the other end of the table, Olympique Lyon are six points clear at the top despite losing 3-1 at Olympique Marseille last weekend.
Lyon, chasing a seventh consecutive title, hope to welcome back Karim Benzema when they entertain Stade Rennes on Saturday.
Ligue 1's top scorer with 17 goals, France striker Benzema missed Lyon's last two outings because of an ankle injury.
Second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, the only side with a reasonable chance of stopping Lyon from claiming the title, will host Caen on Sunday.
Bordeaux could be without playmaker Johan Micoud, who faces suspension by the league's disciplinary committee after being accused of cheating to obtain a penalty in a 2-1 win over third-placed Nancy last month.
Fourth-placed Marseille are three points from third place and a ticket to the Champions League's qualifying round before visiting bottom club Metz on Saturday. Metz are on the brink of going down, trailing the teams above them by 17 points.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 17, 2008 10:55:17 GMT
Argentine forward Fernando Cavenaghi struck twice to give Girondins Bordeaux a 2-1 win over Caen 2-1 on Sunday that closed the gap on Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyon to four points.
Cavenaghi deflected in a free kick by Brazilian midfielder Wendel to give Bordeaux a 52nd minute lead before converting a 77th minute penalty after Caen defender Nicolas Seube handled the ball in the area.
Defender Jeremy Sorbon reduced the arrears for the visitors with a volley from close range a minute from time.
Second-placed Bordeaux, who were thrashed 5-0 at Caen earlier this season, moved on to 64 points from 33 games, four behind Lyon, with five matches left.
Lyon, chasing a seventh consecutive title, were held to a 1-1 home draw by Stade Rennes on Saturday.
In Sunday's late game Nice staged a dramatic comeback to beat PSG in the Parc des Princes.
Bakari Koné gave the visitors a 36th minute lead before Pegguy Luyindula and Pauleta put PSG in front - a lead they held until seven minutes from time.
Koné grabbed his second to level things up before Honorato Ederson struck just three minutes later to seal the points for Nice.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 19, 2008 4:21:18 GMT
PSV Eindhoven need a point on the final day of the Dutch season to clinch a fourth successive league title at Vitesse Arnhem on Sunday.
PSV are top with 69 points, three above Ajax Amsterdam who host Heracles Almelo. Ajax would claim their first title since 2004 if they won at home and Vitesse were to beat PSV.
It will be the second year in a row that the Dutch championship race has gone down to a nerve-racking final day.
A year ago, AZ Alkmaar needed a win for their first title since 1981 but lost at Excelsior Rotterdam. PSV, 5-1 winners over Vitesse, climbed from third place to the top - pipping Ajax to the title on goal difference of a single goal.
Though they are in a better position in the table this time, PSV's recent form has been shaky. They have won only two of their last nine matches, including the double header against Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
With four matches remaining, PSV had a commanding seven-point lead at the top, only to let Ajax back in the race by drawing against NEC Nijmegen and Twente Enschede.
'The pressure is on PSV now and the only thing we can do is beat Heracles on Sunday, and that will happen,' Ajax coach Adrie Koster told reporters after a 2-1 midweek win at Groningen.
Dutch international John Heitinga added: 'In our team, the belief that we can win the title has increased, so it will be difficult for PSV.'
Aside from the title, there is plenty at stake further down the table on Sunday.
Twente Enschede (59 points), Heerenveen (57) and Feyenoord (57), currently lie fourth to sixth in the standings.
The two sides who finish fourth and fifth on Sunday will go into the playoffs with the second and third-placed teams, currently Ajax and NAC Breda, for a single place in the Champions League qualifiers.
Down in the relegation zone, Excelsior are a point ahead of bottom club VVV Venlo.
Only the bottom club will be relegated automatically, with the two clubs above them going into the relegation playoffs with six sides from the second division.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 20, 2008 17:41:07 GMT
Olympique Lyon edged closer to a record seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title by fighting back from a goal down to win 2-1 at 10-man Racing Strasbourg on Saturday.
Lyon have 71 points with four matches left, seven ahead of second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who play their game in hand at Toulouse on Sunday.
Colombia striker Wason Renteria put Strasbourg ahead on 20 minutes before the home side had Gabon forward Eric Mouloungui sent off for a second booking on the stroke of halftime.
Lyon stepped up a gear in the second period with headed goals from midfielder Mathieu Bodmer and Italy defender Fabio Grosso.
The win was marred by a knee injury sustained by Lyon and France striker Karim Benzema, who had to go off after 36 minutes.
At the other end of the table, two goals from Aruna Dindane led struggling Racing Lens to a 3-2 home win over Sochaux.
Lens stayed fourth from bottom but moved three points clear of the relegation zone.
Paris St Germain, one place below Lens, are in danger of going down for the first time after losing 3-0 at Caen.
The atmosphere was tense at Caen and a PSG supporter invaded the pitch and started running towards visiting goalkeeper Mickael Landreau before heading back.
Police then moved in and stood on the pitch in front of the stands occupied by PSG fans.
Surprise packages Nancy are third after a 1-1 home draw with Le Mans.
Nancy are a point ahead of Olympique Marseille, who host Lille on Sunday.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 21, 2008 18:34:16 GMT
Olympique Lyon edged closer to a record seventh consecutive Ligue 1 title by fighting back from a goal down to win 2-1 at 10-man Racing Strasbourg on Saturday.
Lyon have 71 points with four matches left, seven ahead of second-placed Girondins Bordeaux, who play their game in hand at Toulouse on Sunday.
Colombia striker Wason Renteria put Strasbourg ahead on 20 minutes before the home side had Gabon forward Eric Mouloungui sent off for a second booking on the stroke of halftime.
Lyon stepped up a gear in the second period with headed goals from midfielder Mathieu Bodmer and Italy defender Fabio Grosso.
The win was marred by a knee injury sustained by Lyon and France striker Karim Benzema, who had to go off after 36 minutes.
At the other end of the table, two goals from Aruna Dindane led struggling Racing Lens to a 3-2 home win over Sochaux.
Lens stayed fourth from bottom but moved three points clear of the relegation zone.
Paris St Germain, one place below Lens, are in danger of going down for the first time after losing 3-0 at Caen.
The atmosphere was tense at Caen and a PSG supporter invaded the pitch and started running towards visiting goalkeeper Mickael Landreau before heading back.
Police then moved in and stood on the pitch in front of the stands occupied by PSG fans.
Surprise packages Nancy are third after a 1-1 home draw with Le Mans.
Nancy are a point ahead of Olympique Marseille, who host Lille on Sunday.
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