From the initial stages of Roman Pavlyuchenko’s possible return to Russia this past winter, the likelihood of any deal has been moderate given the broad difference in Tottenham’s asking price and the going market. After a superb late run, that equally saw the Hotspur’s qualify for the Champions League, the Russian internationals stock as risen considerably and unless other events came into play a move to either Lokomotiv or Spartak seemed unlikely.

This could be changing at a radically face pace as, though only rumoured at this time, a move to bring Edin Džeko from VfL Wolfsburg to the north London club is said to be in the works. Valued at roughly €30 million, the twenty-four year-old has shown interest in the past of moving from the Bundesliga and the added cash will allow new manager Steve McClaren to retool his line-up. The former Twente manager is rumoured to be interested in bringing Wales international Craig Bellamy from Manchester City for just over €9 million. By all accounts, the climate is right for this puzzle to be pieced together and should it, Roman Pavlyuchenko may return to Russia.

For Lokomotiv, who appear to be better positioned for the move, much will be decided with the stock of Peter Odemwingie. The Nigerian international, has lacked a cutting edge this year and the Railwayman are looking for a solid World Cup to bolster his value. If the club can attract and offer near the €10 million range he will be moved, thus setting up the next flurry of activity to bring Roman Pavlyuchenko to Lokomotiv and give Yuriy Semin the proven goal scorer he needs.

Prepared by J. Davies
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Wolfsburg followed up its impressive play against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League this week with a 4-0 slaughter of Borussia Mönchengladbach at Borussia-Park. Lorenz-Günther Köstner’s side, in the midst of their fourth consecutive win domestically, are now eighth in the Bundesliga table, only six points out of a Europa League spot, whilst Borussia Mönchengladbach are twelfth.

With Peter Pekarík restored back in the line-up, Wolfsburg’s stunning attack that claimed the Bundesliga title last year is back on track. Despite having less than forty-eight hours to recover from their match against the Russian champions, Wolfsburg started to control the match by the half-hour after a cautious beginning. After a number of close calls, Bosnia and Herzegovina international Zvjezdan Misimović sent Edin Džeko’s cross from the left past ‘Gladbach goalkeeper Logan Bailly.

After the break, the hosts showed good vision but only four minutes in, Michael Bradley was adjudged a handball following a Makoto Hasebe corner and the spot pointed to. From the ensuing effort Edin Džeko pounded the ball into the back of the net to give Wolfsburg the 2-0 lead. Ten minutes later the match, was sealed as from a slick set-play from the right, Christian Gentner accepted the ball on the left edge of the box with his effort taking a fortuitous bounce off Tobias Levels into the far corner of the net to make it 3-0. Die Wölfe went out in-front 4-0 with ten minutes remaining in regulation time as Edin Džeko broke free on a quick counter and surged into the right side of the box before sending the ball in at the near post.

Wolfsburg return to play on Thursday as they welcome Rubin Kazan in the second-leg of their Europa League tie before entertaining relegation threatened Hertha Berlin on Sunday. On Friday evening, Borussia Mönchengladbach visits Köln at the RheinEnergieStadion.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
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Defending Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg comfortably advanced to the round of sixteen in the Europa League with a 4-1 defeat of Villarreal at Volkswagen Arena. With the result, Wolfsburg now faces Russian champion Rubin Kazan.

After playing the opening leg at El Madrigal to a 2-2 draw, Wolfsburg knew they had a distinct advantage once they returned home. In a fast paced start, Bosnia and Herzegovina international Edin Džeko gave Wolfsburg the 1-0 lead at the ninth minute as he accepted Josué’s deft pass before firing the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area. Five minutes later Wolfsburg doubled the margin as Ángel López
inadvertently turned Grafite’s cross, intended for the goal scorer, into his own net. Lorenz-Günther Köstner’s side was in full control of the proceeding and came close to building upon their lead before Villarreal’s Joan Capdevila powerful headed in Marcos Senna corner at the half hour to make it 2-1. Die Wölfe went on the attack immediately and restored its two goal advantage at the forty second minute as Edin Džeko’s cross from the right was sent in by Christian Gentner. After coming up short on a few quality advances, Villarreal started to slow and four minutes past the hour Grafite made it 4-1 as he turned in Zvjezdan Misimović’s pin-point cross.

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Hannover 96’s woeful fall continued as they lost 2-1 to 1899 Hoffenheim Rhein-Neckar-Arena. The victory edges 1899 to seventh in the Bundesliga table whilst 96 are at the sixteenth spot and trail Freiburg by two points in their fight to avoid relegation.

1899, who were on their heels for much of the early going but after Hannover were unable to convert on a number of fine chances, took the 1-0 lead five minutes past the half-hour. Marvin Compper supplied Andreas Ibertsberger on the left before the Austrian international played a clever one-two with Chinedu Obasi. Easing towards by-line, he pushed the ball back to Carlos Eduardo who finished from the edge of the area. Five minutes later, disaster struck for 96 as Christian Schulz was adjudged a penalty for fouling Carlos Eduardo in the area. From the ensuing effort Bosnia and Herzegovina international Sejad Salihović converted to give 1899 the 2-0 lead at the break.

At the restart, Hannover manager Mirko Slomka called upon Sergio Pinto for Jan Rosenthal as his side looked for a way back into the match. Still 1899 were controlling the run of play until the fifty-first minute when Sofian Chahed played through Arouna Koné on the right channel and the Cote d’Ivoire international in his first match since loaned from Sevilla, finished with perfection. Down by one, 96 was showing little pulse driving forward and with twelve minutes remaining Mike Hanke as added for Leon Andreasen as an extra attacker. However, they were unable to post a single threat and the match concluded 2-1 in favour of 1899 Hoffenheim.

1899 Hoffenheim return to play on Tuesday in the DFB Pokal as they visit Werder Bremen before Saturday’s contest against VfL Bochum at Ruhrstadion. Hannover, who last won against Köln on 31 October and in dire need of points, welcome Werder Bremen to the Niedersachsenstadion on Saturday.

Prepared by J. Davies
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Bosnia and Herzegovina’s superb World Cup effort came an end as they lost the second leg of their playoff tie against Portugal 1-0 in Zenica. Following the opening leg loss in Lisbon, Miroslav Blažević’s side were without the services of Zvjezdan Misimović and his absence was notable as the hosts rarely lacked the attacking pulse that they have shown throughout qualification.

With Porto’s Bruno Alves heading up a curmudgeonly defensive effort, Carlos Queiróz’ side rarely looked out of control with a classy performance. Slowly the attacking front of Simão and Nani, in support of Sporting’s Liédson turned the screw and five minutes shy of the hour Portugal effectively put the match out of reach with the all-important away goal. Following Liédson’s coy dummy, Nani crossed to Raul Meireles and the made no mistake for the 1-0 lead. The hosts came storming back but following a missed opportunity by Zlatan Muslimović they were dealing a killing blow with thirteen minutes left as they were forced to play a man down with Sejad Salihović being sent off. Though Portugal lacked finishing to increase the margin of victory late, it meant little as they returned home with an inspiring 1-0 triumph and a date to World Cup 2010.

©Europa League News, 2009. All rights reserved.

Portugal took advantage of a out of form Bosnia and Herzegovina to win the opening leg of the World Cup playoff tie with a 1-0 victory over at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.

Despite being without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo and José Bosingwa, not to mention leaving Ricardo Quaresma and Nuno Gomes out of the selection, Carlos Queiroz’s side put forth one of their most dominating performances of the qualifying period. A minute past the half-hour the hosts notched the matches lone goal as Deco led a fast counter down the right channel before laying off to Nani who then skipped a cross to the back post that Porto’s Bruno Alves headed-in.

Fortune ruled Portugal’s night as before the break Hajduk Split’s Senijad Ibričić sent a header against the crossbar. That opportunity aside Miroslav Blažević’s visiting Bosnian side were clearly lacking the attacking pulse that has done them well. However as the match began to tick down Bosnia came close to finding the leveler as Edin Džeko nodded Miralem Pjanić’s cross off the bar with Zlatan Muslimović’s volleying the rebound, courtesy of a slight deflection, off the left post.

With further mark, the match concluded with Portugal claiming the narrow 1-0 victory. The tie now heads to decider in Zenica on 18 November.

©Europa League News, 2009. All rights reserved.

One step from the World Cup stage Bosnia and Herzegovina lock horns with heavily favoured Portugual in two match playoff with the opening test scheduled for Saturday evening at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.

Without a doubt few would have expected Portugal to be involved in a death struggle at this stage and after stumbling through the qualifying stages they face a side that are poised for greatness. Under the watchful eye of Miroslav Blažević Bosnia and Herzegovina has come together as formidable side and quietly boast some of the sports most intriguing attacking players including VfL Wolfsburg duo, Zvjezdan Misimović and Edin Džeko, Hoffenheim’s Vedad Ibišević, Hajduk Split’s Senijad Ibričić and young-gun Miralem Pjanić of Lyonnais. After finishing second in the group stage of qualifying behind Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina are moving in the complete opposite direction of Portugal and showing few weaknesses.

Counter to Bosnian side, Portugal has floundered under Carlos Queiroz and far from the side that went to the semi-finals in the 2006 World Cup. While the notched two fine victories over Hungary and Malta most recently, they are far billowing confidence and will miss Cristiano Ronaldo and José Bosingwa. Should Portugal come up short, Carlos Queiroz will be severely questioned about his decision to call-up Fábio Coentrão and Edinho with Ricardo Quaresma or Nuno Gomes turned away.

Tactically Bosnia and Herzegovina know that the best approach for the opening leg is a tightly played defensive minded affair before the return engagement in Zenica on 18 November. Borrowing upon some very classic approaches, Miroslav Blažević will likely pack the midfield with a 3-5-2 formation and leave attacking to countering approaches, while making sure opportunities are at a minimum. Portugal will need to unlock their visitors plan and not be afraid to attack, particularly through flanking assaults. Failure to do so could see Portugal on the verge of disaster and not making its way to World Cup 2010.

©Europa League News, 2009. All rights reserved.

Bosnia and Herzegovina moved closer to a berth in the 2010 World Cup with a hard fought 2-0 victory over Estonia at Lilleküla Stadium in Tallinn. With the victory Miroslav Blažević’s men guarantee second-place in Group Five behind Spain and will enter the playoff round.

The much feared Bosnian line-up once again featured play-maker extraordinaire Zvjezdan Misimović with his Wolfsburg teammate Edin Džeko, Vedad Ibišević of 1899 Hoffenheim and Hajduk Split’s Senijad Ibričić.

After a number of chances teased the traveling supporters looking for a goal, the Wolfsburg duo connected a minute past the half-hour as Zvjezdan Misimović sent a cross from the left side of the box that Edin Džeko headed-in from four metres out for the 1-0 lead. Six minutes past the hour Zvjezdan Misimović was once again was architect of the Bosnian attack as he lead a fast counter, threading the ball past Estonian defender Alo Bärengrub to Vedad Ibišević, who rounded ‘keeper Sergei Pareiko to his right and slotted the ball in for the 2-0 victory.

Already guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes Spain to Bilino Polje in Zenica on Wednesday evening.

©Europa League News, 2009. All rights reserved.

Bosnia and Herzegovina edged closer to earning a spot in the playoff round of World Cup qualifying with a 1-1 draw to Turkey. With the result the Bosnian’s have a firm grip on second-spot of Group 5 with remaining matches against Estonia and high-flying Spain. If the playoff round would begin following today’s round the attack laden Bosnia and Herzegovina side would enter the draw with Russia, France, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Norway and Ireland with the winner of a two-leg tie advancing to the World Cup.

Desperate for the win Emre Belözoğlu gave the visitors the 1-0 lead four minutes into the match however the lead was short lived as the Bosnian’s would find the equalizer five minutes shy of the half-hour. Following a free-kick being awarded on the edge of the area, Sejad Salihović, who plays his club ball for 1899 Hoffenheim of the Bundesliga, curled the ball brilliantly to the top right corner to square the match at one. Maintaining a solid tactical plan, the Bosnia and Herzegovina rarely allowed attacking advances and grabbed the important draw.

The Bosnian’s, who boast a stunning array of attack-minded players including Vedad Ibišević, Edin Džeko, Zvjezdan Misimović, Sejad Salihović and Senijad Ibričić in today’s starting eleven alone, return to play on 10 October against Estonia.

©Europa League News, 2009. All rights reserved

In the long-term development of a national football program patience is virtue that cannot be ignored as the smallest steps lay a foundation for the future. Such is the case of Armenia’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of high-flying Bosnia and Herzegovina. While Armenian supporters are naturally restless for glory, on the world stage against some of the worlds finest players there were a number of very solid points that can be gained from the result.

Though I disagree with calling Bosnia and Herzegovina a “surprise” in World Cup qualifying as the routes of their play are firmly planted and it is only time before they are recognized as a footballing “hot-bed”, for many the possible inclusion of the nation of roughly five million in the World Cup is a shocking accomplishment. Sitting second in Group Five Miroslav Blažević’s may not have the firepower to play with Spain yet but look poised to make their way to the playoff stage and would be a troublesome side if they made it to South Africa. Boasting a lineup that includes Elvir Rahimić of CSKA Moskva as well as Zvjezdan Misimović and Edin Džeko of Bundesliga champion VfL Wolfsburg, the pedigree of the Bosnian side is a cut above. Though they were without the services of play-maker extraordinaire Zvjezdan Misimović for the day, Bosnia is layer with talent and capable of playing with the best.

Attacking quickly the visiting Bosnian’s jumped to the lead five minutes in as Admir Vladavić set up Hajduk Split’s Senijad Ibričić, who after nailing his header off the bar, sent the rebound into the netting. Though pressure was decidedly in the Bosnian’s favour, Armenia’s goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov (Գևորգ Կասպարով) did well at denying their efforts thereafter and continued to frustrate the visitors. Though Edin Džeko did his best impression of David Beckham at the line in the Euro 2004 by sending his effort well over the bar, Bosnia was for the most part hemmed in with fine up-tempo midfield play that left no ball unchallenged. While the hosts advances were greatly limited and rare to say the least, manager Vardan Minasyan (Վարդան Մինասյան) wisely tinkered with his lineup, not afraid to send youthful players into the fire of competition. This alone should provide a strong sense of accomplishment for the Armenian side as they made good use of youngsters Henrik Mkhitaryan (Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան) and Arthur Yedigaryan (Արթուր Եդիգարյան) in the starting eleven along with second half substitutes Hovhannes Goharyan (Հովհաննես Գոհարյան) and Hiraç Yagan (Հրաչ Յագան). It is a bold challenging statement but for players early in their career it is a important seed that will provide a rich harvest for years to come. That withstanding with fifteen minutes left on the clock the Bosnian’s put way the match as Zlatan Muslimović sent Edin Džeko’s cross in from close range to give Bosnia and Herzegovina the 2-0 victory.

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