Mystify Soccer - Scottish clubs miss out in Europe

Scottish clubs miss out in Europe

The European finals for season 15 have recently been played and Scottish clubs were involved for the first time since Airdire United's European Cup success 10 seasons ago. That, in fact, was the only major Mystify honour by a team from Scotland. This season, Brechin City and Berwick Rangers flew the flag with a final appearance in each European Competition.

In the UEFA cup, Berwick Rangers were playing against newly crowned English champions Manchester City. Both had overcome teams from their own respective countries in the semi finals but a large gulf in class was evident in the Final itself as the English side ran out comfortable 3 nil winners. A quick couple of goals half way through the first half set the stage and, in truth, Berwick were hardly in it.

Throughout the UEFA Cup this season, Manchester City have seemed destined to win it. They swept away every team in their path and only one team seemed to come close to them over a 2 legged tie and that was OGC Nice from France. The other rounds saw convincing victories including a 9-2 win against Dumbarton - it seems they really enjoyed playing teams from Scotland.

The main event in mystify - the European Cup - saw a lot closer affair between Brechin City from Scotland and Lazio from Italy. Lazio have won the European Cup twice before and appeared in 3 finals altogether so they are one of the great teams in Mystify. They beat Lleida in season 10's final, lost to Hamburger SV in the final of season 11 but gained revenge in season 12 by beating Hamburger SV. The two seasons in between had them failing to qualify for the 2nd stage 2 seasons running but they have made amends this time by going all the way.

Both teams made hard work of reaching the final. Brechin City defeated Recreativo de Huelva in extra time in their semi-final tie whilst Lazio went to Penalties to overcome RKC Waalwijk. The final itself was a drab affair and neither side did much to win the trophy during the 90 minutes. The game only opened up in extra time once Claudiu Balaci had scored for Lazio. The crowd were then, at least, treated to some attacking football for 15 minutes which should have woken them up from the previous 103 minutes boredom.

In the end, the one solitary goal proved enough to give Lazio their third European Cup victory to match the 3 that Coventry City have in their cabinet.

European Cup winners:

3 Coventry City
3 Lazio
2 Hamburger SV
1 Airdrie United
1 Oxford United
1 TSV München 1860
1 Wycombe Wanderers