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"The intellectualisation
of football has
always foundered
on a simple problem-
-the players. Doing
all your most
rewarding thinking
with your feet seems
to dull the philo-
sophical impulse.
Unless, of course,
you are Dutch.
According to legend,
Europeans played
a moronic, muscular
version of the world's
game, until Holland
proclaimed its vision
of total football in the
1974 World Cup,
and enlightenment
dawned."

From:
Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football
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Dramatic ending for FC Twente

Thursday 26 February 2009

What should have become a historic climax, turned out to be a dramatic end to FC Twente's UEFA Cup adventure.

After a heartwarming football battle and long series of spot kicks Twente had to bow their heads for Olympique Marseilles.

In a packed Grolsch Veste a dramatic series of spot kicks determined the fate of brave FC Twente, with Slobodan Rajkovic in the role of anti-hero.

The 20-year-old defender shot the decisive penalty over the bar and ended a tie that had begun so well for Twente with the 0-1 victory in Marseilles a week ago.

But the 0-1 lead was neutralized early on in the second leg when Hatem Ben Arfa scored for the French.

Unlike in the first leg Twente were unable to punch above their weight again.

Passing was sloppy and the forwards - dearly missing Eljero Elia - were unable to worry the French defense much.

The home team played better in the second half, but Arnautovic missed their best chance when he was denied by the French goal keeper Steve Mandanda.

The 0-1 result meant added time was needed to determine the winner, but after 210 minutes of football nothing separated the two teams and so penalties were needed.

During that series Marseilles took the lead instantly as captain Blaise N’Kufo missed the first one for Twente.

But as Karim Ziani did the same for Marseilles Twente got a second chance.

Then came the 16th penalty, Rajkovic stepped up and the rest is history...

FC Twente Enschede-Olympique Marseilles 0-1 (Aggr. 1-1)
25' Ben Afra 0-1.
Referee: Yefet (Isr)
Att.: 24.000.
Yellow cards: Arnautovic, Tioté (FC Twente), Zubar, Samassa, Ziani, Civelli, Ben Afra, Koné (Olympique Marseilles)

FC Twente: Boschker; Stam (115. Wellenberg), Douglas, Rajkovic and Braafheid; Brama (79. Janssen), Perez and Tioté; Denneboom (110. Hersi), N’Kufo and Arnautovic
Olympique Marseilles: Mandanda; Bonnart, Civelli, Vittorino (28. Zubar) and Taiwo; Cheyrou, Samassa (103. Koné) and Ziani; Cana (94. MBami), Ben Afra and Niang

Penalties (6-7):
Taiwo (Olympique) score, N'Kufo (FC Twente) fail
Niang (Olympique) score, Perez (FC Twente) score
Ben Arfa (Olympique) score, Jansen (FC Twente) score
Koné (Olympique) score, Hersi (FC Twente) score
Ziani (Olympique) fail, Arnautovic (FC Twente) score
Sheyrou (Olympique) score, Braafheid (FC Twente) score
Bonard (Olympique) score, Douglas (FC Twente) score
M'Bami (Olympique) score, Rajkovic (FC Twente) fail

 

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