Squarefootball Diary; Zenit Zenith; Tigers Triumph

Squarefootball Diary - Wednesday May 14 2008

Rangers’ bid to win their first European trophy in 36 years comes a cropper in Manchester. Instead it is Zenit St.Petersburg who pull off a second of their own, becoming the second Russian club ever to win the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 win over Walter Smith’s side.

After a goalless first half the Russians hit the front when a slick passing movement is finished off by Igor Denisov on 72 minutes. With Rangers thinking about thinking about a retaliatory onslaught they are caught out the back, as Konstantin Zyryanov taps home in the final minute;

“Over the tournament, we've worked very hard to get to the final - there was not that much in it overall and we had a few chances ourselves.” says Smith, before admitting;

“Zenit looked the more offensive team, but obviously at this stage I'm disappointed to have lost.”

Former Rangers manager and now Zenit boss Dick Advocaat is in no doubt about who the best team is;

“I think the way that we have played in this tournament, I think we deserved this victory.” he insists;

“I have won many championships but never the Uefa Cup before, so now it's almost everything.” he boasts, planning an assault on Holland’s Got Talent.

Hull City will meet Bristol City in the Championship play-off final. The two cities will face off at Wembley for the right to make up the numbers in next season’s Premier League after Hull complete a 6-1 aggregate victory over Watford.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Vicarage Road Hull are behind on the night through Darius Henderson. Yet it proves to be a minor blip as goals from Nick Barmby, Caleb Folan, Richard Garcia and Nathan Doyle give the Tigers an emphatic victory;

“There was a lot of nervous tension about and we knew that third goal was going to play a big part. Barmby's goal settled us down.” explains Hull boss Phil Brown, while Hornets supremo Aidy Boothroyd hints at a move away from kick and rush pub football;

“We have got to change in the way we do things, but we will be back.” he warns;

“I'm desperately disappointed, especially for our supporters.”

Joining Watford in the Championship again for next season will be Iain Dowie, who becomes ’first team coach’ of Queens Park Rangers for a second time. The former Oldham, Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry boss pitches up in west London on a two-year deal;

“I'm privileged to have been given the opportunity under the new ownership to return to the club where I served my managerial apprenticeship.” he comments, before popping off to put the kettle on for an extra tenner.

By Stephen Orford

15 May 2008