Translated material
Lyon got another trophy
This match took place at Lyon's home stadium, Stade Gerland, although it could have taken place in China, where both clubs were conducting pre-season training. However, the parties were unable to agree on the official status of the match.
All three goals were scored in the first half of the match. Moreover, Sochaux opened the scoring - Slovenian Walter Birsa beat Gregory Coupe, who never left Lyon in the off-season. The champions bounced back almost immediately through the efforts of Sydney Govou. And two minutes before the whistle for the break, the Brazilian Chris, joining in for a corner, set the final score - 2:1.
Competitions in the French top division start on August 4. And for the first time in the last 44 years, Nantes will not play there. To bring the record holder for appearances in the elite division back, the club was acquired by Polish businessman Waldemar Kita. On Saturday, Kita agreed to pay about 10 million to acquire the eight-time French champions, who were relegated to the second division last season.
In Germany, the season started with the League Cup, in the final of which Schalke and Bayern met. The Munich club, which failed in the last championship and finished only in fourth place, immediately made it clear that all the spending on the transfer market in the off-season was not in vain. Bayern won the League Cup by defeating Schalke 1:0, and the only goal was scored by Miroslav Klose, for whose transfer Werder were paid 12 million euros. In total, this summer Bayern spent 69 million euros on the purchase of football players - almost half of the total 150 million that all Bundesliga clubs spent on strengthening. Andrey VDOVIN
Atlético made it to the UEFA Cup
The return matches of the third round of the Intertoto Cup took place on Saturday. In one of them, Atletico Madrid beat the Romanian Gloria on their field - 1:0. One single goal, which ended up in the account of Diego Forlán, acquired this summer from Villarreal for 21 million euros, was enough to break into the main draw of the UEFA Cup.
Meanwhile, Atlético, having spent 60 million euros on transfers this summer, risked being left without European cups altogether. The first match of the Madrid team ended with a score of 2:1 in favor of the Romanians. But the goal scored by Atlético away turned out to be decisive in this confrontation.
The Italian Sampdoria, which played in the same third round of the Intertoto Cup, cost less nerves. Even in the first match against the Bulgarian club Cherno More, the Italians won 1:0. Having achieved a minimal victory and the return match, Sampdoria can also calmly await the results of the UEFA Cup draw.
But the Ukrainian “Chernomorets” did not take advantage of the chance presented to him. Having defended a goalless draw at home with Lens, the Ukrainian team lost in France - 1:3. At the same time, the guests were the first to open the scoring - in the 11th minute. Venglinsky distinguished himself, but were unable to maintain the gained advantage.
Intertoto Cup. Third round. Return matches . "Blackburn" (England) - "Vetra" (Lithuania) - 4:0 (first match - 2:0), "Trabzonspor" (Turkey) - "Ocelul" (Romania) - 1:2 (1 :2), “Lance” (France) – “Chernomorets” (Ukraine) – 3:1 (0:0), “Sampdoria” (Italy) – “Cherno Morets” (Bulgaria) – 1:0 ( 1:0), “Atletico” (Spain) – “Gloria” (Romania) – 1:0 (1:2). Andrey VDOVIN
Australia remained first
The International Motor Sports Federation has decided on the dates for the Formula 1 Grand Prix for next year. The World Championship in this class starts on March 16, traditionally in Australia, and not in Bahrain, as Bernie Ecclestone previously stated. As a result, the Australians, refusing to move their Grand Prix to the night, without succumbing to pressure from the owner of the racing, made the right decision.
In total, the World Championship consists of 18 stages. But, for example, the tracks in Singapore and Valencia, where the European Grand Prix is to take place, still need to be certified. The presence of the French Grand Prix on the Magny-Cours circuit on the calendar also raises questions, while Ecclestone categorically said goodbye to this circuit this year. But there is no US Grand Prix in Indianapolis - the Formula 1 boss did not deceive here.
Formula 1 calendar for 2008: March 16 - Australia (Melbourne), March 23 - Malaysia (Sepang), April 6 - Bahrain (Sakhir), April 27 - Spain (Barcelona), May 11 -- Turkey (Istanbul), May 25 -- Monaco (Monte Carlo), June 8 -- Canada (Montreal), June 22 -- France (Magny-Cours), July 6 -- Britain (Silverstone), July 20 - - Germany (Hockenheim), August 3 - Hungary (Hungaroring), August 24 - Europe (Valencia), September 7 - Italy (Monza), September 14 - Belgium (Spa Francochamps), September 28 - Singapore, 12 October - China (Shanghai), October 19 - Japan (Fuji), November 2 - Brazil (Interlagos). Andrey VDOVIN