Mystify Soccer - European cup round up

European cup round up

The final matches of the 1st stage of the European cup were played this week with some interesting outcomes.

In Group A, Vitesse Arnhem were 1 goal off qualifying after a 3-0 win against the groups whipping boys, FC Eendracht Hekelgem. 4-0 would have done it for them. Alternatively, had Brechin City lost by more than 1 goal to the group leaders Recreativo de Huelva, then they would still have qualified. As it is, Brechin go though to stage 2 thanks to scoring 1 more goal overall. It's harsh on Vitesse Arnhem but too many draws have been their downfall. Then again, Brechin could be the lucky ones as all the other qualifiers finished with more then 9 points from their 6 games.

Group B was even closer with 3 teams finishing on 11 points. At least this group was separated by goal difference rather than goals scored but it was close and before the final week's matches, any of the three could have qualified. RKC Waalwijk led the group but ended up blowing their lead by losing to Oxford United 3-1. This, in turn, meant that AJ Auxerre couldn't finish ahead of Oxford on points and needed a good win against Unirea 2002 Focsani to enable them to get through on goal difference. Unfortunately for them, they only got 1 goal in a 1-0 win. Another two were needed for them to qualify. Focsani were the group's whipping boys but they only lost their home games 1-0 each time so they weren't far off getting a point!

Airdrie United were the main talking point in Group C. After drawing their first 4 games, they then decided to start taking it seriously and battered KFC Schoten SK 4-1 away from home before also putting 4 past the group leaders to qualify in second place. However, Politechnica Iasi may have rested players for this final match as they were already sure of qualifying. Boavista Futebol Clube did their best by stuffing Schoten 4-0 but it wasn't enough. Their 3-0 defeat away at Politechnica Iasi was probably their main downfall. Airdrie got a draw there.

Coventry had the best chance of qualifying from Group D as they finished their round with a game against OGC Nice – the groups weakest team. They only managed a 1-0 win though which wouldn't have been enough had Ladzio managed to nick a win at home to Hamburger SV. Despite Hamburger already being sure of qualifying, they held Ladzio in Italy and this enabled Coventry to get through.

Commiserations to the 3 teams that picked up a grand total of 0 points from their 6 games. Hopefully they can close the gap over the next few seasons.

In the next stage, the 2 English clubs have been drawn together. Brechin City have also been drawn in the same group meaning that Politchnica Iasi have a lot of Romania to Britain flying to do. I would expect the 2 English clubs to both qualify as Brechin are the weakest qualifier. However Politchnica Iasa are a bit of an unknown quantity and may surprise them.

The other group pits teams from Scotland, Germany, Span and Holland together. I would have said Airdrie were the weakest of these four but the way they ended Stage 1 was good and they may continue their form. This group looks to be the most exciting and quite unpredictable. If I had to predict then I would say that both last season's finalists (Hamburger & Recreativo) will qualify.