Europa-East: football rankings, week 2 and 3

Week 2 (March 7-14, 2011)

It was a mixed week for number 2. ranked Zenit St. Petersburg; a shocking defeat away to FC Twente in the Europa League on Thursday followed by a 1:0 away win over number 22. Terek Groznyi.  The heavy away loss to FC Twente puts a big dent into Zenit's hopes of winning the competition.  The 2010 runners-up CSKA also suffered a defeat in the Europa League, the army men lost 1:0 at home to Portuguese league leaders FC Porto.  In the domestic league CSKA had little trouble with financially troubled Amkar Pern, winning 2:0 on the night.  Spartak Moskva (who wear black kits because their colors clashed with Ajax home jerseys) were victories in their voyage to the Netherlands, grabbing a surprising 1:0 win over Ajax.  The home team (Ajax) dominated the first half but couldn't penetrate Spartak's defense and keeper Dykan.  The second half both teams started evenly, and a well crafted strike by Alex proved to be a winning goal.  On the domestic front Spartak suffered a humiliating away defeat to number 17. Rostov (0:4).  In the central game in the opening weekend of games in Russia, number 9. Locomotive Moskva beat their city rivals number 10. Dinamo Moskva 3:2 at Luzhniki stadium.  Number 5. Rubin got their first win of the year by defeating newly promoted 25. Kuban, and newly promoted FC Volga beat at home number 18. FC Tom 2:0.

In Ukraine after a convincing win over AS Roma at home (3:0), number 1. Shakhtar suffered their first defeat in the league since September, away to number 12. Karpaty, who recorded their first win of the season (1:0).  Dynamo continued their flawless start of the year with two home 2:0 wins over Manchester City in the Europa League round of 16 game, and Vorskla Poltava in UFPL.  Dynamo remains the only club to win all of their games so far.  The central match in the league was between number 7. Metalist and number 11. Dnipro.  The game ended in a 2:2 draw after Metalist rallied after going behind 0:2 in the second half.

In Moldova the game between the top two teams ended in a 1:1 draw.  Both Sheriff and Dachia remain unbeaten in the league this calendar year.  We only have cup games in Belarus since their spring campaign doesn't start until first weekend in April.  Here are the rankings following all games:

1. FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)         3-1 out 4

2. FC Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS) 4-2 out 6

3. PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)         3-2 out 6

4. FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)                 5-0

5. FC Rubin Kazan (RUS)                 1-1 out 3

6. FC Spartak Moskva (RUS)         3-1 out 5

7. FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR)         0-2 out 4

8. FC Bate Borisov (BLR)                 1-0

9. FC Locomotiv Moskava (RUS) 1-0

10. FC Dinamo Moskva (RUS)         0-1

11. FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) 0-0 out 2

12. FC Karpaty Lviv (UKR)                 1-0 out 2

13. FC Spartak Nalchik (RUS)         1-0   

14. FC Sheriff Tiraspol (MLD)         5-0 out 7

15. FC Arsenal Kyiv (UKR)                 0-0 out 2

16. SC Tavriya Simferopol (UKR)         1-0 out 2

17. FC Rostov Rostov-na-Donu (RUS)1-0

18. FC Tom Tomsk (RUS)                 0-1

19. FC Vorskla Poltava (UKR)         0-1 out 2

20. FC Metalurg Donetsk (UKR)         1-1 out 2

21. FC Volyn Lutsk (UKR)                 0-1 out 2

22. FC Obolon Kyiv (UKR)                 1-0 out 2

23. FC Terek Groznyi (RUS)                 0-1

24. FC Zorya Lugansk (UKR)         1-0 out 2

25. FC Volga Nizhniy Novgorod (RUS) 1-0   

With pour starts to the domestic campaign both Anzhi and Kuban loose their spots in the top 25.  The teams that replace them are FC Zoria who were snubbed in the initial rankings and newly promoted Russian side FC Volga.

Week 3 (March 14-21, 2011).

In the second week of the Russian league campaign both number 2. Zenit and number 5. Rubin recorded their second wins.   Both teams won 2:0 at home against Anzhi and 23. Terek respectably.  In the Europa League Zenit won their home game against FC Twente 2:0, but the Dutch side moved on in the competition with 3:2 aggregate score.  CSKA had a uphill battle against FC Porto after suffering a home defeat a week earlier.  The Moscow side lost 2:1 away, their second defeat in the competition and second against Porto.  The Monday away game against Krylia was postponed due to pour pitch conditions in Samara.  On other hand FC Spartak recorded their second win over demoralized Ajax, 3:0 on the night and 4:0 on aggregate.  They also recorded their first win in the league by defeating 25. FC Volga 1:0 at home.   Number 9. Locomotive suffered their first defeat of the season to unranked FC Amkar.  Another Moscow side Dinamo recorded their first win of the season with a convincing win over 17. Rostov 3:1.  FC Krasnodar also produced a strong display in a 2:0 win over Spartak Nalchik.

In Ukraine 1. Shakhtar had an easy outing at home against 21. Volyn (4:0).  The sole representative from Ukraine in the Europa League Dynamo suffered their first defeat of the year to Manchester City.  Although the Ukrainian side suffered 1:0 defeat on the night, it is them who progress to the next round 2:1 on aggregate.  Only three days after their match in Manchester, the side traveled to 11. Dnipro.  The game ended with the same score-line as in Manchester, meaning that Dynamo suffered two defeats in a span on four days.  Watching the game one could see that Dynamo lacked pace and motivations, factors that helped the team in previous five games.  The long flight from Manchester straight to Dnipropetrovsk coupled with only two days of rest affected the team tremendously.  Number 7. Metalist recorded their third successive draw in the league, which means that the side from Kharkiv is yet to taste victory in the spring campaign.  Somewhat unexpectedly 12. Karpaty lost to the second team from the bottom in the league PFC Sevastopol (3:1).  Number 15. FC Arsenal recorded their first win of the season, which moved the side from the capital into the 6th position.  A real drama unveiled in Zaporizhzha, where the local side Metalurg led 2:0 for most of the game against 16. Tavriya, only to concede two goals in extra time that left the bottom side with only a point.  Here are the rankings after week 3:

1. FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)         4-1 out 5

2. FC Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS) 6-2 out 8

3. PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)         3-3 out 7

4. FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)                 5-2 out 7

5. FC Spartak Moskva (RUS)         5-1 out 7

6. FC Rubin Kazan (RUS)                 2-1 out 4

7. FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR)         0-2 out 5

8. FC Bate Borisov (BEL)                1-0

9. FC Locomotiv Moskava (RUS)      1-1 out 2

10. FC Dinamo Moskva (RUS)        1-1 out 2

11. FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) 1-0 out 3

12. FC Karpaty Lviv (UKR)                1-1 out 3

13. FC Sheriff Tiraspol (MLD)        6-0 out 8

14. FC Spartak Nalchik (RUS)        1-1 out 2

15. FC Arsenal Kyiv (UKR)                1-0 out 3

16. SC Tavriya Simferopol (UKR)        1-0 out 3

17. FC Rostov Rostov-na-Donu (RUS)1-1 out 2

18. FC Metalurg Donetsk (UKR)        1-1 out 3

19. FC Vorskla Poltava (UKR)        0-1 out 3

20. FC Obolon Kyiv (UKR)                1-1 out 3

21. FC Zorya Lugansk (UKR)        2-0 out 3

22. FC Tom Tomsk (RUS)                0-2   

23. FC Volyn Lutsk (UKR)                0-2 out 3

24. FC Krasnodar (RUS)               1-0 out 3

25. FC Volga Nizhniy-Novgorod (RUS) 1-1 out 2

Two strong wins for Spartak Moskva moves them into the 5th position above FC Rubin who started the domestic campaign very well.  After suffering their second consecutive defeat in the league, ambitious Terek Groznyi left the top 25 and was replaced by promoted side FC Krasnodar,  who are making their first appearance in the top 25.  Loses for FC Tom Tomsk and FC Volyn Lutsk significantly worsened positions for both clubs.  In the opposite direction, FC Zoria moved up three spots.  FC Sheriff's strong domestic campaign start pushed the Moldovan side one spot up to 13th.

There are no official games next weekend because of the international break.  The first week of April will mark the beginning of the Belorussian league and quarter-final games in both the Champion League and the Europa League.  In meantime many clubs from East Europe will play friendlies to keep in form.

Europa-East: football rankings, week 1

After a long winter break, clubs in Eastern Europe have started their spring campaigns.  This weekend there were cup games in Russia and Belarus, plus round of games in the Ukrainian Premier League.  Here are the rankings after week 1.  As a reminder draws do not count but are reflected in the number og games played by each club.

1. FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)         2-0

2. FC Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS) 3-1 out 4

3. PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)         2-1 out 4

4. FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)                 3-0

5. FC Rubin Kazan (RUS)                 0-1 out 2

6. FC Spartak Moskva (RUS)         2-0 out 3

7. FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR)         0-2 out 3

8. FC Bate Borisov (BEL)                 0-0 out 2

9. FC Locomotiv Moskava (RUS)

10. FC Dinamo Moskva (RUS)

11. FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) 0-0 out 1

12. FC Karpaty Lviv (UKR)                 0-0 out 1

13. FC Spartak Nalchik (RUS)

14. FC Sheriff Tiraspol (MLD)         3-0 out 5

15. FC Arsenal Kyiv (UKR)                 0-0 out 1

16. SC Tavriya Simferopol (UKR)         0-0 out 1

17. FC Rostov Rostov-na-Donu (RUS)

18. FC Tom Tomsk (RUS)

19. FC Vorskla Poltava (UKR)         0-0 out 1

20. FC Metalurg Donetsk (UKR)         0-1   

21. FC Volyn Lutsk (UKR)                 0-1   

22. FC Terek Grozniy (RUS)

23. FC Obolon Kyiv (UKR)                 0-0 out 1

24. FC Anzhi Makhachkala (RUS) 0-1  

25. FC Kuban Krasnodar (RUS)

As we can see no real movement in the rankings since most teams haven't played enough games.  The Sunday's Russian Super Cup game between Zenit and CSKA are reflected in the third column.  Also to note that teams in Moldova start their spring campaign in early February, that's why they already played five games.  Movement in the rankings will be based on the form of teams next to each other, which means that teams won't jump quickly in the table because they won few games in a row.  Next week rankings will reflect the first round of the league campaign in Russia plus mid-week games in the European competitions.

Ukraine: Premier League round 20 preview part 1/2

PFC Sevastopol- FC Shakhtar Donetsk, DATE: March 3, 2011, Venue: Locomotive Stadium, Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine, Kick-off time: 19:00

In order to better prepare for their second leg UCL tie against AS Roma, FC Shakhtar requested that the game be played on Thursday instead of on the weekend.  Shakhtar will probably feature their strongest side in order to get players into full match fitness before the game on Tuesday.  The game against Ukrainian champions comes as an early test for the new PFC Sevastopol coach Angel Chervenkov.  The Crimean side has 11 games to avoid relegation.  There is no doubt who the favorite is for this game; only with strong defending does the Sevastopol side has a chance of positive outcome.  Since Sevastopol's home stadium is going through renovations, the two sides will meet in the Crimean capital Simferopol, a venue where Sevastopol played all of their home matches in the fall half of the season.

FC Metalurg Zaporizhzha- FC Illichivets Mariupol, DATE: March 4, 2011, Venue: Slavutych-Arena, Zaporizhzha, Ukraine, Kick-off time: 17:00

The second game of the spring campaign will feature sides fighting to avoid relegation.  FC Illichivets brought 12 new players and experienced coach in order ensure survival.  On the other hand little has changed in the Metalurg's camp, majority of the squad is the same as in the fall.  This game will shine the light on how serious is Metalurg's owners at avoiding relegation.

Ukraine: Premier League 2011 spring half preview, part 2/4.

FC Zorya Lugansk (12th)

The 2011 winter break marks the one year anniversary since the club was taken over by Donetsk businessman Yevgeniy Geller.  Since then the club has established itself as a strong mid-table team.  At the same time, 2011 marks the first year of FC Zorya football academy.  Unlike the previous year, the side opted to sign a few and yet experienced players.  Most of the training camp, which was in Turkey, the team spent building on existing structure.  The club decided not to prolong contracts with four FC Shakhtar Donetsk players who were on-loan during the fall campaign.  The first major signing in the winter campaign was FC Vorskla and Ukraine international defender Grygoriy Yarmash,  The club also signed Georgian striker Djaba Lipartia from FC WIT Georgia of Tbilisi and a few other less notable players.  Dmytro Homchenovskyy who was on-loan at FC Kryvbas in the fall half,  signed a full contract with Zorya.  The player trained with the club for the majority of February.  When he first came to the club Yevgeniy Geller announced that his aim was to take the club to European competitions, but this season the club would probably settle for finishing in top half of the table.

FC Obolon Kyiv (11th)

This is Obolon’s second season at the top level.  Under Segiy Kovalets, who has been in the club just over a year, they have found it hard to be consistent in the league.  On the one hand, Obolon is the only team in the league who beat both Dynamo and Shakhtar in the fall campaign. On the other hand though, the club found it hard to take points off teams in the middle of the table.  When the team starts producing consisting results, then they can start at aiming at places higher than mid-table.  In the summer period the club has signed a few FC Lviv players, who played for Kovalets in 2009.  The club continued with this theme this winter break when it signed four former FC Lviv players, including brothers Baranets who played at FC Karpaty in the fall.  As most other Ukrainian clubs, Obolon spent pre-season in Turkey.  The club tasted victory only once (11 games) against Rubin Kazan in mid January.  All of the new signings came late in the pre-season training campaign and will take time to adjust to the new environment.

FC Metalurg Donetsk (10th)

The biggest mystery going into the winter break was who will become the new head coach at the club.  No concrete candidates emerged, and the club went into the first week of training without a head man.  In early January the club appointed former FC Saturn head coach Andrey Gordeev, which came as a surprise to many in both Ukraine and Russia.  The only top job on the 36 year old’s resume was his two year spell at FC Saturn, who went bankrupt in January 2011.  Early in the transfer campaign the club signed on a free, talented FC Tavriya midfielder Denys Golaydo.  Former captain Vyacheslav Checher returned from a loan spell at FC Karpaty.  Former Metalurg midfielder Ricardo Fernandes also returned to the club.  The biggest loss for the club in the pre-season was striker Mguni who moved to Russian side FC Terek Grozniy.  The Chechen side became interested in the player after the friendly between the two clubs.  Two Brazilian midfielders Felipe Texeira and Klaiton have also left the team.  In response Metalurg signed Brazilian striker Junior Moraes from Romanian side Gloria Bistriţa.  In the last days of February the club signed Macedonian midfielder Mario Gjurovski from Serbian side FK Vojvodina and Polish defender Marcin Kowalczyk on loan from FC Dinamo Moskva.  As in the previous two seasons the aim for the team is to place in the Europa League.  Most of the pre-season the team spent in Turkey, mainly playing against Russian opponents.  Under the new system the team found it hard to produce quality football, which was evident in their 3:1 defeat to PFC CSKA Moskva in early February.  Goals were hard to come by with only two pure strikers in the squad.  After the arrival of Moraes the team’s game regained balance.  The club is currently 10th but is only 6 points away from the last qulifying place.  The team has young and talented players who are more than capable of placing the club in the top 6.  Gordeev’s first game in charge will be against Dynamo Kyiv, who also feature a Russian coach in Yuri Semin who was in charge of FC Locomotiv Moskva last season.

SC Tavriya Simferopol (9th)

After their trilling victory in the Ukrainian cup in 2010, the team has struggled to perform well on the top level.  The team was quickly knocked out of the Europa League in the play-off round in early August.  The team continued to struggle on the domestic front which led club officials to fire head coach Sergiy Puchkov.  First team coach Valeriy Petrov was appointed as a temporary replacement until the end of the fall campaign.  In December the club decided to keep Petrov on a permanent basis, which angered a few first team players.  In December Tavriya’s two most prominent players Oleksandr Kovpak and Denys Golaydo signed with Arsenal and Metalurg Donetsk respectively.  In the winter break the club didn’t make any grandiose signings limiting themselves to a pair of keepers and a few little know defenders.  On the last day of February the club announced the signings of two 19 year olds (d.o.b 1991) FC Shakhtar academy products Petro Oparin and Stanislav Prychynenko who trained with the team for the majority of pre-season.  The club also signed Croatian defender Ivan Graf from a Slovenian club.  These are testing times for SC Tavriya and it will be interesting to see where the new coach will take them.  The pre-season goal of finishing in the top 6 isn’t out of the question, but the club will have stiff competition from both Arsenal Kyiv and Metalurg Donetsk.  The team trained both at home and abroad in Turkey.