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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