European Competitions

Spain's participation in the UEFA cup is over for the season after both clubs were eliminated. Results were as follows:

UEFA Cup quarter-final, second leg

Galatasaray (4) 2 - Mallorca (1) 1

Mallorca: Leo Franco; Novo (Stankovic 71'), Nadal, Siviero, Armando; Serrizuela, Robles. Romerito, Carreras; Ibagaza (Djokaj 71'); Carlos (Diego Tristán 64'). 4-4-1-1.

It was a step too far for Mallorca, who opted to play a weakened side for the second leg of this tie after losing heavily in the first leg. After a controversial week in which Valencia refused to change the Saturday date for their next league match, Fernando Vázquez brought in youngsters Novo, Romerito and Robles to make up the numbers, with Robles making his debut in the first team. Vázquez couldn't bring himself to put Burgos in goal, so Leo Franco kept his place, with Ibagaza supporting Carlos in attack. Engonga, Lauren and Miguel Soler were left out completely, with Stankovic, Diego Tristán, Chichi Soler and Olaizola on the bench. Taffarel saved from Serrizuela and Armando early on before Capone gave the home side the lead. Sukur missed twice before scoring Galatasaray's second around half time in a possible offside position. Carlos pulled one back for Mallorca on the hour mark. Tristán, Stankovic and Djokaj came on later in the game to give some of their colleagues a rest, but Vázquez's only interest was that nobody got injured. They now have to get their act together before their next game with Valencia in less than 48 hours. They are currently lying ninth in the league, and their only chance of European football next year is to finish in the top six.


Lens (0) 2 - Celta (0) 1

Celta: Pinto; Velasco, Sergio, Cáceres, Juanfran; Makelele, Giovanella; Karpin, Revivo, Gustavo López (Hoogendorp 74'); McCarthy. 4-2-3-1.

Celta got very close to qualifying for the semi finals of the UEFA cup, but in the end it couldn't be. After a scoreless draw in Vigo in the first leg, a scoring draw would have been enough. Only Mostovoi was missing from an otherwise full strength side, with Velasco returning at right back and Revivo taking the Russian's place in midfield. Ten minute into the second half the Israeli star took his opportunity, scoring from a free kick from the edge of the area to put Celta in front. At that stage it looked like they would go through, but disaster struck in the 69th minute when English referee Paul Durkin ruled that Sergio had brought down Nouma in a goal mouth mêlée, and Ismael scored from the spot. Celta were still reeling when Brunel broke away down the left two minutes later, and once again it was Nouma who was waiting in the penalty area to score past Pinto. The big striker, who already put paid to Atlético Madrid in the previous round, was close to signing for Celta three years ago, and missing a quality goalscorer themselves, they must now regret that they didn't take him on. Velasco was close to scoring at the end but his effort was denied, and Lens go through to play Arsenal.

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