From the department of good news, sense appears to be prevailing in Division I's attempt to spread its tentacles overseas. Amongst the opponents of the proposed 39th game are FIFA, the Asian Football Conference, and the Football Association from Lancaster Gate. The number of supporters can be counted on the fingers of a sawmill operator's hand.
UEFA Cup, First Round Proper, First Leg
Anderlecht 2 [42] Bordeaux 1 ---------- Aberdeen 2 [18] Bayern M 2 ========== Rangers 0 Panath'kos 0 ---------- Werder B 3 Braga 0 ========== Bolton 1 [43] A. Madrid 0 ---------- Sporting L 2 Basle 0 ========== Galatasary 0 B Leverkus 0 ---------- Zürich 1 Hamburg 3 ========== AEK Athens 1 Getafe 1 ---------- Benfica 1 Nürnburg 0 ========== Rosenborg 0 Fiorentina 1 ---------- Brann 0 Everton 2 ========== Slavia Pr 1 Tottenham 2 ---------- PSV 2 Helsingbgs 0 ========== Marseille 3 Spartak M 0 ---------- Zenit St P 1 [40] Villarreal 0
Surprises in both matches at the top of the draw, with Anderlecht inflicting Bordeaux's first away defeat of the season, and Aberdeen securing a draw against Bayern - the only German side in trouble. Rangers have it all to do in Greece, with Werder surely in wait. Surprise defeats for the two favourites from Spain, Atlético falling at Bolton, and Villarreal at Zenit; both sides are only one down, but it's a loss. Galatasaray had the better of the match against Bayer Leverkusen, and we can't but think they've had their chance. Everton look to have done enough, as do Marseille, but there's just a chink of light that might yet give PSV an almighty scare at Helsingborgs.
In domestic competition, Watford moved clear in Division II, as they won and West Brom drew. Top-flight Motherwell and Dundee Utd left the Scottish Cup, beaten by lower opposition. AC Milan could only draw with Livorno.
41 Motherwell - Dundee 1:2 33 Dundee United - St Mirren 0:1 33 Colchester United - Preston North End 2:1 30 Millwall - Southend United 2:1
The week-end highlights include Manchester Buccaneers -v- Arsenal in the FA Cup Achtelfinalrund (BBC-1, 5.15 Saturday), Bordeaux -v- Monaco in Ligue 1 (Setanta 1, 6pm Sunday), Villarreal -v- Santander in the Primera, Karlsruhe -v- Bayer Leverkusen in 1. Bundesliga, and Juventus -v- Roma in Serie A.
