Sports
Dinamo Kiev's Ayila Yussuf (top R) and Badr Ei Kaddouri (R) challenge Shakhtar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano ( L) (AFP Photo / FTC)
Shaktar and Werder to clash for UEFA Cup
Published 08 May, 2009, 11:31
Shakhtar Donetsk has reached the final of the UEFA Cup for the first time in the club’s history, and will now face Werder Bremen in the decisive match in Istanbul on May 20.
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Dinamo Kiev
The Donetsk team came into the match having secured an away 1-1 draw in the first leg of the all-Ukrainian semi-final against Dinamo Kiev.
Jadson opened the scoring 17 minutes into the game, to put hosts Shakhtar in front.
Right after half-time Dinamo’s Ismael Bangura equalized to make it 1-1 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.
But with extra time looming, a late goal settled things. At 89 minutes, Ilsinho pounced to score Shakhtar's winner. The Brazilian collected a long ball on the right, went into the box and fired into the far corner.
Shakhtar progress to the final, winning 3-2 on aggregate.
"We have done it, we have made history. We are in the final," Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu told the club's website.
Hamburg 2-3 Werder Bremen
Hamburg came into the match as slight favorites after a 1-0 away win in the first leg.
And they increased their chances when Croatian Ivoica Olich lifted the ball over Werder keeper team Tim Wiese to put Martin Jol 2-0 in front on aggregate.
But Bremen launched an impressive comeback. They leveled the score before the break thanks to the club’s biggest star Diego, and added two more in the second half, with Pizarro and Baumann putting their names on the scoreboard.
Olic’s second goal of the night scored with three minutes to play was not enough to save Hamburg. 3-3 on aggregate, but Werder gets a ticket to Istanbul on away goals.
