sports news
Dons celebrate European Glory Night
24th December 2007
What a performance from Aberdeen on Thursday night against FC Copenhagen. Those who braved the icy-cold weather to attend a packed Pittodrie witnessed one of the finest nights in Aberdeen?s history. The 22,000 sell-out capacity crowd celebrated a famous victory thanks to a stunning brace from Jamie Smith, an Antonsson own goal and a Ricky Foster strike.
The four-nil triumph was even more impressive because of the calibre of the opposition. In last season?s Champions League, FC Copenhagen defeated Manchester United and Celtic and boast a squad sprinkled with international talent. However on Thursday night they played poorly and the Dons took full advantage.
The win guaranteed the Reds a place in the last 32 of the competition and German giants Bayern Munich now await them in the next round. The European run has been a great experience so far for Aberdeen. Qualifying against Dnipro, valiant displays against Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow, and the thrashing of Copenhagen will have given Jimmy Calderwood?s men a huge amount of confidence. Who knows, the best may be yet to come.
When Bayern Munich travel to Pittodrie in February, it will be just weeks short of the 25th anniversary of their 3-2 defeat there in the 1983 Cup Winners? Cup. The Bundesliga league leaders have a wealth of talent at their disposal, including Oliver Khan, Franck Ribery and Miroslav Klose. They will be formidable opposition for Aberdeen but that won?t stop the Red Army from dreaming of another epic European win.
Although Aberdeen?s league form has been somewhat sluggish this season, they now find themselves one match away from the CIS Cup Final and in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup. Much of the praise for these achievements must go to Jimmy Calderwood whose contract expires at the end of the season. With his reputation at an all-time high the Dons manager may seek a new challenge if he believes he has taken Aberdeen as far as he can manage on such limited resources. However Calderwood has said that if the board can prove that they match his ambition then he would love to stay at the club. There is no doubt that the Red Army would be delighted if Stewart Milne manages to persuade Jimmy to stay.
SHOCK AT COLLINS EXIT
It was extremely surprising to hear that John Collins had resigned from Hibernian on Thursday. Collins had guided the club to their first trophy in 15 years and had the team playing some of the best football in Scotland. He cited lack of finances as his reason for leaving and when you consider that Hibs received £8.8 million of transfer fees but only spent £360,000 with him at the helm the young manager seems to have a point.
It is unlikely that the 39-year-old will be out of a job for long with his old club Fulham currently looking for a manager. It would not be surprising to see Collins unveiled as the new boss at Craven Cottage sometime over the festive period.
TALKING A GOOD GAME
?No matter how many times I look at my bench there is just no Thierry Henry sitting there.?
Craig Levein reveals the problems of being the Dundee United manager.
?Marseille needed to score first, and that never looked likely once Liverpool had taken the lead.?
David Pleat commentating during the Marseille-Liverpool match.
?The most important word the manger said was cup final.?
Steven Gerrard speaking after the Marseille-Liverpool match.
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