Weekend Watch Recap: Just Excellent

By: chris | November 26th, 2007

Some of the games were so fantastic this weekend that they needed to be recapped. So we’re doing just that from here on out.

Saturday

Bayern Munich – VfL Wolfsburg

That big “whoosh” coming from Germany this weekend was Ottmar Hitzfeld’s massive sigh of relief after Franck “I Heart Italy” Ribery and his one-man show saved his bacon by scoring one and creating the other in a 2-1 win over not-so-long-ago-ex-gaffer Felix Magath and Wolfsburg. First Ribery took the ball off a Wolfsburg defender’s foot like it was candy from a baby before finding an open Miroslav Klose past the spot who put it in the back of the net. The Ribery played some more (typical) defense and started up a two-man counter, passing the ball back and forth with Hamit Altıntop before getting open on the right pulled out the old nutmeg for a 2-0 lead. Wolfsburg got one back via Ashkan Dejagah and mounted a solid challenge as time was ticking down, but they were no match for The Franck Show.

FC Kobenhavn v Odense BK

A solid 2-1 victory for leaders FCK, who got a nice little boost heading into next week’s derby against Brondby IF. Swedish stalwart Marcus Allback opened up the scoring 10 minutes after the restart, then American-born Norwegian international, and mountainous superstud of a CB, Brede Hangeland sent in the second 8 minutes before time, effectively sealing the deal while making a couple of those Prem teams salivate just a little bit more. Odense got one back but it just wasn’t to be.

Derby – Chelsea

Derby showed up and played a valiant, hard-fought game. Unfortunately, they’re just not good. Chelsea won easy, thanks to goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Salomon “I Heart The Ivory Coast (But Not As Much As The Netherlands)” Kalou. CSKA London remains in 4th, still one point of Liverpool, who if the season were to end today, would be UEFA Cup bound, yet still haven’t lost. (Blasted draws.)

Energie Cottbuss – Werder Bremen

See this post.

Kaiser Chiefs – Orlando Pirates

Apparently a few of Europe’s big wigs read this here site, because Franz Beckenbauer and That Platini Guy decided to show up to the festivities, and a South African Premier League match was broadcast in Europe for the first time ever (who knew?). Nobody was disappointed, as the two teams fought to a 2-2 draw. The highlight of the match? The two Pirates goal were score by a guy named Excellent Walaza. And voila, my unborn child has a name.

Serbia – Kazakhstan

Not only was this game completely pointless and unnecessary, it was decided by a Kazakh own goal. You think UEFA might reevaluate the whole “playing meaningless qualifiers when regular qualifiers are already over” thing next time? Yeah?

Sunday

Austria Vienna v Rapid Vienna

The T-Mobile Bundesliga top two fought to a goalless stalemate in the Vienna derby. The best action of the day said to be the stadium cheering between the upper class Austria fans and working class Rapid version. Nothing like a little Austrian action between classes.

Lanus v Argentinos Juniors

Another nil-nil draw was in the cards, and though a win would’ve been favorable for leaders Lanus, it turned out just as well. Closest competitor Boca actually dropped their game, pushing Tigre up to 2nd, allowing Lanus to keep their surprising 3 point lead with just two fixtures left in the Apertura. Exciting times ahead.

Woodcroft vs Spruce Grove

Nobody knows. Not sure anybody cares.