Article

Poulsen eyes European final

14 February 2013 14:37

Ajax midfielder Christian Poulsen said he likes his side's chances of reaching the Europa League final.

The Eredivisie side were drawn in the Champions League's so-called 'group of death' at the start of the season, but an impressive third-placed finish ensured Europa League football.

And ahead of their last-32 first leg with Steaua Bucharest, Poulsen is eyeing off a spot in the final of the second-tier tournament in Europe.

"Everybody thought that we wouldn't stand a chance in a group with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City," he told De Telegraaf.

"But we held our own in a group with the champions from Spain, Germany and England.

"Third place was the maximum result for us. We had three poor games after good outings against Manchester City and away versus Dortmund. We have to take the positives from our Champions League campaign and use them in the Europa League.

"The final? Why not? If you can beat Manchester City, then Steaua Bucharest and potentially Chelsea pose nice challenges as well."

Poulsen was also quick to dispel any talk of his Ajax side being too young to succeed, explaining that they have plenty of experience at the top level.

"It doesn't say anything that we have a young team. Eriksen is only 20, but has already over 30 caps, played a World Cup and won two Eredivisie titles.

"And Kenneth Vermeer, Toby Alderweireld, Niklas Moisander and Siem de Jong are experienced players, too."

Info

Ajax

W W W D W

2 - 0

Steaua Bucureşti

L W W W D

Competition

Half-time: 1 - 0
Full-time: 2 - 0

On aggregate: 2 - 2

Venue: Amsterdam ArenA (Amsterdam)
Attendance: 51493

Goals

T. Alderweireld 28' (assist by C. Eriksen)	1 - 0
R. van Rhijn 48' (assist by S. de Jong)	2 - 0

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	K. Vermeer
4	N. Moisander	79'
17	D. Blind
3	T. Alderweireld	28'
24	R. van Rhijn	48'
20	L. Schöne
10	S. de Jong
8	C. Eriksen
9	K. Sigthórsson
28	Cuenca
39	V. Fischer
Coach: F. de Boer

#	Player	Bookings
12	C. Tătăruşanu
14	I. Latovlevici	34'
21	V. Chiricheş
16	C. Râpă
6	F. Gardoş
7	A. Chipciu
55	A. Bourceanu	35'
5	M. Pintilii	85' 89'
77	Adrian Popa I
24	R. Rusescu
90	S. Nikolić
Coach: L. Reghecampf

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
22	J. Cillessen for K. Vermeer 46'
5	C. Poulsen for Cuenca 73'
21	D. Boerrigter for K. Sigthórsson 82'
27	J. Lukoki
33	J. Veltman
35	M. Dijks
25	T. Serero

#	Player	Bookings
20	Leandro Tatu for S. Nikolić 53'
99	Adi for R. Rusescu 70'
9	M. Costea for Adrian Popa I 82'
1	R. Stanca
4	Ł. Szukala
8	L. Filip
11	A. Prepeliță

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05:07	Kewell unhappy with Australia omission
04:58	Messi: Neymar would be a wonderful addition
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21:05	Galtier signs extension at Saint-Etienne
20:32	Baines explains appearance record
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06:09	Pique, Barca playing for record haul
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03:17	Juan plots Inter redemption
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02:17	Fernandinho still seeking City switch
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18:39	Atletico Madrid ready to sell Falcao
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17:34	Doncaster appoint Dickov as manager
17:07	Hearts avoid SPL points deduction
16:53	Galliani to hold talks with Allegri
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16:36	Lampard: I have not performed at World Cups
16:20	Kacaniklic targets first-team place
16:13	Jardim replaces Ferreira at Sporting Lisbon
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14:32	Harper hails ´incredible´ reception
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14:21	Lambert ´proud´ of top-flight return
14:21	Torres targets improvement
14:06	Fernandinho wants to join Manchester City
13:49	Galliani relieved with Champions League spot
13:33	Stramaccioni bemoans injury-hit season
13:19	Lewandowski focused on Wembley
12:57	Reading owner confirms Pogrebnyak clause
12:51	Owen thanks Stoke for ´great experience´
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12:18	Raheem Sterling case dismissed
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11:24	Williams dismisses Arsenal links
10:52	Scolari: Neymar will be a Barcelona idol
10:45	David Luiz praises ´amazing´ Benitez
10:22	Walcott wants title tilt next term
10:12	Carragher´s final Liverpool appearance full of emotion
10:05	Carrick: United must move on from Ferguson
09:56	Villas-Boas confident Bale with stay at Tottenham
09:13	AFC Champions League Preview: Guangzhou eye last eight
08:26	Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Nahuelpan class buoys Barcelona
07:58	Liga MX Wrap: America, Cruz Azul reach final
07:53	MLS Wrap: Johnson does Dallas, Salt Lake sink Chivas
07:40	Peru Primera Division Wrap: Sporting Cristal shine on top
07:09	Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Melgarejo on a winner
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06:20	Colombia Primera A Wrap: Tolima strike late to go top
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05:24	Cahill in top form in New York
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04:35	Fulham plan Schwarzer solution talks
04:13	Vilanova staying, says Roura
04:05	Merrick joins Phoenix as coach
03:53	Juric signs with A-League´s Wanderers
03:14	Mazzarri leaves second-placed Napoli
03:03	Campeonato Paulista: Santos 1 Corinthians 1 (3-2 agg)
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00:40	Allegri refuses to be drawn on talk of future
00:32	Ibrahimovic, Ancelotti land Ligue 1 honours
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