Scores
Niort 0 – 0 Grenoble [M]
Despite Grenoble dominating the possession, the shots, the passing, and all the attempts, Grenoble couldn’t find a way through. To be fair, it was a second string side (Bennet, Diallo and Djite, came on with about 30 minutes left) and they still did quite well to dominate a top half of the table team and pick up a point on the road.
Javor 3 – 1 FK Vozdovac
A third minute penalty was a pretty clear signal that it would be a rough day for the Vozdovac defence. Despite Marko Putincanin’s late first half equalizer, two more cases of sloppy defense undid the Dragons and saw them slip to 9th place. (4 points from their past 18 possible is a sign of the struggles)
Schalke 04 0 – 2 Freiburg [M]
There’s a whole book to be written about Schalke’s fall. Flush with Russian oil money, they’ve slowly collapsed like a bridge made out of flan. But that’s someone else’s job, our job is just to say: BRAVO ROLLAND SALLAI! Two quality goals in the second half gave the Griffins a much needed second win in a row, so things are trending up just when they are most needed.
Livingston 2 – 0 Ross County
Welp. There goes the plan to focus on the cups.
Deportiva Cuenca 2 – 1 Emelec [M]
This was a hard one. Despite being a man up for almost an hour, Emelec could not find a way through Cuenca’s defense. Diego Dorregaray managed to get two goals against the run of play including a 90th minute winner to undo Jose Cevallos’ late equalizer. The result, plus rival Barcelona’s win at the same time makes for a very challenging final match on Sunday. Emelec would need to win against Olmedo and Barcelona would have to lose to Universidad Catholica, PLUS they would need a 6 goal swing to take it (so Emelec winning 3-0 while Barcelona loses 0-3).
Sochaux 1 – 1 Grenoble [M]
Jessy Bennet again ran the show for Grenoble and set up another Moussa Djitte goal. Unfortunately, Grenoble couldn’t capitalize on a Souchaux red card and ended up ceding an equalizer before half time.
Legon Cities FC 1 – 2 Cape Coast *Mystic* Dwarfs
An early Benjamin Acquah brace was enough for Cape Coast and their Dungeons & Dragons avatar/team name. Good news: the Royals scored for the first time in 450 minutes. Bad news: it was another penalty, so in addition to Asamoah Gyan staying goalless, the team has yet to score in regular play all season.
Ross County 0 – 2 Hamilton Academical
Welp. So much for being able to focus on the league.
Bayer Leverkusen 2 – 1 SC Freiburg [W]
Despite Stefanie Sanders’ second half equalizer, Freiburg couldn’t snatch a point in Bavaria.
Freiburg 4 – 1 Hertha Berlin [M]
Meanwhile the gentlemen Griffins continued their winning ways with Vincenzo Grifo notching a goal and another assist. The result came at the expense of former Freiburg stopper Alexander Schwolow who’s done about as well as frequently fallible Florian Muller.
CS Emelec 4 – 1 Olmedo [M]
Los bombillos did their best to inject some drama in the final match of Ecuador’s season. Jose Cevallos 40 minute hat trick gave them a great start towards closing the gap against Barcelona. But as their rivals played out a goalless draw, Emelec settled in to a strong second place.
Sandefjord 0 – 0 Rosenborg [M]
In the final match of the season, Rosenborg was…uh….there? Goalless draws are never terribly noteworthy, and this one, away from home, without retiring captain Tor Reginusen, to seal a respectable but not shattering fourth place finish, was particularly inert.
Grenoble 2 – 0 Troyes [M]
When Troyes lost a man to a red card in the second half, Owen was crying bloody murder and Alex was doing anything but resting. 30 minutes later, Mamadou Dialo and Jessy Benet had both delivered goals for a great win over their top of the table rivals. At the break, Grenoble sits atop of the league on goal difference.
News & Notes
Buh-Bye Hot Boy
Kevin Molino, Minnesota United’s first big name signing announced his plan to leave the team. This might be the biggest surprise of the Loons’ Off-Season so far. Molino was a long-standing favorite of coach Adrian Heath, and he earned the fans respect too for working hard in any role he landed in. With cuts in cost across the board and a sizable offer from Minnesota, a lot of folks are wondering where he could be heading. (I know he’d be a savior in Oaxaca, but think he’d have more fun along side Yoric Ravet and Jessy Bennet in Grenoble)
Tusen Takk Tor
Rosenborg captain Tor Reginusen has retired before the end of the season walking out on his own terms and with gratitude for the club. The veteran defender was still earning caps with Norway’s national team in November,but its nice to see him exit with grace.
Slainte Stuart and Hullo Hughes
Two decisive defeats in a week was two too many for Stuart Kettlewell. After six months as solo coach, and three years as at least co-manager, the long standing Staggies man stepped aside after the loss to Aberdeen. Clearly the club wanted him to succeed (he’d done wonders with the youth team before joining the first team), but to stay afloat in Scotland it’ll take something more than he’s mustered.
County will hope that something can be unlocked by John Hughes former manager of their highland rivals, Inverdonian Caley Thistle. Hughes has led a few rescue missions for teams facing the axe, and a few cup triumphs. But he has also led some botched rescues. Here’s hoping for the best.
Player of the Week
It’s a close call between two very strong midfield mavens. With a pair of big wins and more big goals I will tip the cap to Vincenzo Grifo with his goal and assists, but note again that Jessy Benet may have been the biggest difference between Grenoble being top of League 2 or top of League 3 right now. Of course, Grifo is the difference between a comfortable Freiburg season
What’s Next
Wednesday, December 23rd
12:00 Celtic v. Ross County
1:45 VfB Stuttgart v. Freiburg [M]
Thursday, December 24th
Friday, December 25th
Saturday, December 26th
9:00 Ross County v. St. Mirren
Elves v. Reindeer [North Pole Classico]
MacKenzie's Boot Room 