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Belarusian side through to CL group phase

Jonathan Roorda - 28 August 2008 01:02

Champions League

MINSK (SW) - Belarusian side BATE Borisov has secured a spot in the Champions League group phase following a 2-1 aggregate win over Levski Sofia.

The first leg in Bulgaria had a 1-0 win to BATE as result, and Levski were unable to turn this around in the return leg.

Sosnovski put the Belarusians in the lead after just thirteen minutes, and things began looking good for the home side. Gadzhev equalised in the 39th minute however and the hosts went down a man as Bliznyuk was sent off three minutes later.

But much to the home crowd's delight, BATE held on to their aggregate lead to advance to the group phase.

BATE Borisov had to survive all three preliminary rounds to get to this far, a unique performance in its own right. Valur Reykjavik and RSC Anderlecht were eliminated in the two previous rounds.

Info

Half-time
1 - 1
Full-time
1 - 1
On aggregate
2 - 1

Goals

1 - 0
1 - 1

Lineups

Comments (4)

Crusader1987

28 August 2008 01:45

Congratulations BATE-Borisov. You now are one of 32 teams who have a chance to be called the Champions of Europe. Good luck.

Seriously, though, if you had said when this all began a few months ago that a Belarusian club would make it to the group stage of Champions League, you'd be considered insane. But it has happened.

DaJohnner

28 August 2008 05:17

Yet another underdog qualify...this is great to see.

sefa_yesildal

28 August 2008 18:55

Well done Bate, great achievement.

RGPII1

29 August 2008 16:22

What's the guy's name? Hleb? The Belarus national team drew Germany who were fortunate and just tied Argentina in the last friendlies. Belarus is no one to look down one's nose at.

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