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Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 17-09-2004, 07:27	How many points Zenit will collect in a group stage? No matter the opponents.

Re: Zenit
Author: JPV Date: 17-09-2004, 08:00	impossible to say, the opponents DO matter. But i guess one or two points

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 17-09-2004, 08:07	would be nice no note from what country opinion is.This is just to know the attitude to Russian Football.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 17-09-2004, 08:08	to note.missprint

Author: Osirius
Date: 17-09-2004, 08:37

The thing of the topic is like this:
You give your prediction of how many points Zenit will collect not knowing it's opponents.
Then after the draw(and I hope Zenit will pass through Red Star)you give again your prediction in a new topic(it'll be called Zenit2 or so).
And then we just watch how it is in reality.
Who will be the clousest.will be calld Master of Russian football)).
I think it will be interesting.
So your nationality is importan as well.please note it.

Re: Zenit
Author: Ricardo Date: 17-09-2004, 09:40	Zenit won quite impressively. I(Dutch) think they will win 1 game and draw 1: 3 points.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 21-09-2004, 10:09	waiting for other predictions

Re: Zenit
Author: Richie Date: 21-09-2004, 18:37	I think, providing they dont get a bad draw, and assuming they come through against Red Star they could pick up 2 wins, 1 draw and a defeat, so 5 points, and look on current form well capable of surviving past the winter break

Re: Zenit
Author: anita Date: 21-09-2004, 23:35	Indeed, richie, I think Zenith will be (one of) the not wanted fifth-seeded teams in Group Stage draw, and Zenith will have realistic ambitions to advance further. Winning on home turf is enough.

Re: Zenit
Author: Richie Date: 22-09-2004, 01:10	Yep, well they seem to have come through a tough first round draw very well (heard Red Star's coach resigned?), and they're in an impressive run of form. Don't really deserve to be in the fifth pot, but with three from 5 progressing, they'll certainly fancy their chances, especially at home, where Russian teams are usually strong. (questionable away? Pashing first leg)

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 22-09-2004, 08:32	About Pashing I may say that Petgzela(couch of Zenit) himself told that it was the worst game of Zenit within 2 years under his charge.And this is even after the last year away lost against Dynamo Moscow 1-7.My opinion that Zenit had a period of 1 month when it played very poor.And certainly Pashing played very good,I liked it very much,didn't expect from it.

Re: Zenit
Author: rhinoc Date: 22-09-2004, 10:03	Don't forget Zenit is a lider of Premier League now, so I guess 9-10 points will be enough for it.

Author: porto-1978
Date: 22-09-2004, 12:16

I can?t predict the amount of points Zenit may have in UEFA Cup group stage without knowing who they play! It?s no sense for me.
Even knowing the group i need to know who they play home and away...
Imagine the groups are done and there?s no another draw; and supose also Zenit is considered automaticly "E team":
Zenit - Auxerre (draw)
Sevilla - Zenit (lose)
Zenit - AEK (win)
Liege - Zenit (draw)
So, 4 points is my predition; that would give them at least the third place, i think.

Author: anita
Date: 22-09-2004, 14:18

porto, I don't think that they can meet Liege, since Liege probably will be fifth seeded as well if they get through (Bochum may be fourth seeded though), but never mind, my estimations is one draw-one win or two wins. We have to expect that from the (maybe) Russian champs. One draw-one win may be enough to advance.

Their problem is that Russian league end 11.11., and depending on draw, they may play two or three matches after finishing Rus PL. But two next UEFA-matches coming up so quick after end of Rus PL, so shouldn't be a major problem to keep fit. Two first matches when Rus PL is to be decided may take a lot of Zeniths attention as well. May be an advantage as well, being focused and concentrated.

Re: Zenit
Author: porto-1978 Date: 22-09-2004, 15:34	i know, anita; i wasn?t sure about UEFA doing another draw (now i am) and i prefered to believe that there wasn?t another draw... i don?t understand why UEFA divide the 80 teams in groups of 10 and then mix again the winners of each 40 matches; as it was not clear since the begining (the making of a new draw) i tend to doubt on the good will... (what a paranoic i am?)

Re: Zenit
Author: anita Date: 22-09-2004, 17:33	Dealing with UEFA matters, paranoia is not only helpful, it's a must, porto. Whenever you have spent hours and days and weeks finally getting it all right, UEFA come stabbing you in your back with new rules, and you have to re-do everything. I take it very personally. So when I visit my psychiatrist, I just whisper UEFA,UEFA, he nods his head and give me extra dosis of medicine.

Re: Zenit
Author: porto-1978 Date: 23-09-2004, 02:01	UEFA should give you back all the money you spend on psychiatrist, anita; send them the bill By the way, sudden curiosity, what?s the meaning of "Zenit"?

Re: Zenit
Author: anita Date: 23-09-2004, 02:14	The meaning of Zenit St. Petersburg is to play football, porto. Zenit come from spanish cenit, wrongly translated from arabic semt = head, now meaning the point on heaven right above your head, used by navigators and astronoms (and probably astrologers as well )

Re: Zenit
Author: Zibir Date: 23-09-2004, 03:24	"Zenit" ("Зенит" - Russian) mean "Zenith" in English.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 30-09-2004, 13:09	so so other predictions?

Re: Zenit
Author: grig Date: 01-10-2004, 05:40	Blind guess: 2 wins(at home), 1 draw, 1 lose: total 7 points, second place in group

Author: ToRn
Date: 01-10-2004, 07:16

It depends ...
if Zenit gets the group like Lazio(or Parma/Newcastle/Stuttgart), Saragosa (or Schalke/Sporting Lisbon), Basel (or Athletic/Sevilla), Steaua (really all teams in that group looks the same to me).. than I doubt they can make it through. But they can get even the first spot in the group like AEK, Lille, Dinamo Zagreb, Alemannia Achen.

It all depends on the draw now and the most important what teams they will play at home.

Zenit's supporters should pray for the luck in the draw. I will pray for Dnipro. Really I don't want to see Zenit in the same group as Dnipro. Zenit and Austria are the most dangerous teams in the last pot.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osiris Date: 01-10-2004, 08:42	Osirius, my congratulations! By the way what is your favorite team?

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 01-10-2004, 08:57	Osiris truely speaking there is no such a team,I'm just very happy that we have such teams as Loko,Zenit,CSKA,Spartak,Samara pretty high quality and level.And I think no matter what opponents Zenit will get it can take up to 1 st place in a group.Truely beleive that will be among 3 best.

Author: Richie
Date: 01-10-2004, 21:16

With a decnt gorup, i'd expect Zenit to pick up 2 wins, a draw and a defeat, and with three qualifying should have every chance to qualify, especially as there being tested with an exciting finish to the league. Look strong this year, and could reach the fourth round?

Russia in the future, can be 6th in UEFA rankings, ok it may take 5+ years, but their teams are certainly strong and not to be underestimated

Hope Zenit draw an English team then I can watch them in the group stage.
Osirius, how are Zenit financially compared to say, CSKA and Spartak, who seem to have a lot of resources? And just how good is Kerzhakov, heard a lot about him

Author: old_jew
Date: 01-10-2004, 22:11

2Richie
Zenit is financially stable and solid club, although they aren't as rich as top Moscow teams. IMHO, in terms of financing, they can be compared with an average German Bundesliga or Dutch Eredivisie teams.
In a play-off Zenit can be dangerous for anyone as they have a good fighting spirit. In Russia there’s always a competition between Moscow and Saint-Petersburg and Zenit would rather lose points to a team from the province than to their arch-rivals Spartak, CSKA or Lokomotiv.
Kerzhakov didn't impress during the last European Championship (he didn't get many chances, though), but in his club he is a real leader.

Re: Zenit
Author: grig Date: 02-10-2004, 00:40	2Richie: on some russian fan forums there are discussions about this season best strikers pair. Choices are between Arshavin/Kerzhakov(Zenit) or Olic/Love(CSKA). Kerzhakov is best striker this season(Russian league): 16 goals so far.

Author: Richie
Date: 03-10-2004, 03:04

Thanks for that, little off Zenit-topic, but hows Cavenaghi started at Spartak? surely next year with Starkovs they should provide a championship challenge, strange to see Scala not do well with both Shakhtar and Spartak now.

Looks like you could have another golden game in the league, what happens if Loko, Zenit and CSKA all finish level, unlikely I know. Hope Dynamo don't get relegated. Hows Sytchev done back in Russia with Loko this season? seemed a good value purchase for Loko

Olic does look classy, especially against Porto, Love has a lot of potential, but a lot to learn, impressive against Rangers, where the CSKA front line were described as like Olympic Sprinters

Good luck to Zenit in the next round, hope they get through, and play a few English teams along the way, its strange to see the Russian league in such a low country ranking

Author: Osirius
Date: 03-10-2004, 05:46

to Richie
As I live in the east of Russia(+10 GMT) not suprising that I'll be the first to answer some of your questions.
I stil hasn't watched Spartak - Torpedo 1-2 last night game where Cavenaghi played 73 m. but he already played 3 or 4 not full games and truely speaking didn't make much impression on me,he has class but I think he will show it only next season cause he needs to get to used to Russia.Spartak surely will be among the challengers.
Sychev came to Loko as he have been played there already several years,I think he found his team,may be it's because of he played abroad and gain some expirience and confidence.Unfortunatly he is still injured(Loko needs him very much,National team as well).
Olice is for sure one of the best forwards in Russian PL,last year he played only several games and scored about 10 goals.This year the situation is quite different,he doesn't score very many.I haven't seen a player of such hard-working,he may run all the game and he does, may be that's why he doesn't score this season so many.
Love is young but he has talent,he scores frequently.Only time will tell.
Thank You about Zenit.
About the situation with 3 teams with level points I don't know for sure.If 2 then GOLDEN MATCH regardless goal difference and h2h games.

Author: Richie
Date: 04-10-2004, 01:18

Big game for Zenit tomorrow against Amkar then, after both CSKA and Lokomotiv both won, although Zenit dropping points would make it incredibly close with 5 to play
Then massive game vs CSKA later this month, could be title deciding? or a draw could be very good for Loko

Are Spartak still in the cup? can imagine they will put a lot of empmhasis on that to get into Europe if they are, awful season by their standards, although it must be nice to have a very competetive league after years of domination by Spartak

Author: Osirius
Date: 04-10-2004, 07:21

to Richie
You are quite right about our league,this year is much better to watch the battles on the fields.
About Spartak I may say that next year even mirracle will not help them to get to EC as they are already out of National Cup against 1st division team Metallurg Lipetsk 0-2 home,1-1 away)) and the gap from leaders is already to big.Only in a year,but it will be not easy to many teames have now much opporunities to be among 5 best.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 05-10-2004, 10:39	Result of prediction for Zenit in group before draw is 1.JPV(Belgium) 2 points 2.Ricardo(Holland) 3 p. 3.Richier(England) 5p. 4.anita(Norway) 4p. 5.rhinoc(unknown) 6-7p.(he wrote 9-10 if to count 2p. for win it is 6-7). 6.porto-1978(Portugal) 4p. 7.grig(unknown) 5p.(again 2p.for win to count) 8.

Re: Zenit
Author: Skyer Date: 05-10-2004, 16:09	About Spartak - there is a miracle, which can help this club to be in Europe next season - Intertoto Cup. And looking to Spartak squad, I see, that they really can be one of the 3 winners of this cup. About Zenit - really tough group. Zenit is not favorite to qualify.

Re: Zenit
Author: Jan Date: 05-10-2004, 17:59	Zenit - AEK 2pt Lille - Zenit 0pt Zenit - Sevilla 1pt Aachen - Zenit 2pt tot: 5 pt

Author: covex
Date: 05-10-2004, 20:19

Hi, first some compliments to ToRn - he has predicted Zenit's group - Dinamo Zagreb is the only mistake - great guess (hope the guess about 1st place is also correct

).
So my predictions are as follow: (hard to be objective as I'm fan of Zenit... since 1984 ... and alwasy want them to win, though in European cups we were not strong...)
Zenit - AEK 2pt
Lille - Zenit 1pt
Zenit - Sevilla 2pt
Aachen - Zenit 2pt

so totally 7 points and first place

.

I also hope that Zenit will help Russia to get to 15th place this year - we are close to it.

Author: Richie
Date: 05-10-2004, 21:15

AEK at home is a vital game for them, win that and they could challenge to finish first with Sevilla. Still expect them to go through, the seeding is not an imdictaion of strength

so maybe:
Zenit - AEK 2pt - Very good top seed to be playing at home, struggled in first round, have severe problems
Lille - Zenit 1pt - A draw is good enough, avoid defeat
Zenit - Sevilla 1pt - Very tough, but timing and weather may be on Zenit's side here, so i wouldnt expect Sevilla to win here
Aachen - Zenit 2pt - German second division team, like Millwall from England, really Zenit should win, but not to be underestimated

Final Table?

Sevilla
Zenit
Lille
AEK
Aachen

Author: anita
Date: 05-10-2004, 21:50

Sober up, Russian friends. You sound like Wisla Krakow-supporters couple of months ago.

Lille is leading French PL, Sevilla on third in Spanish. Zenith as fifth seeded (though under-ranked) will normally fight for third. So,against

AEK, 2 points
Lille, 0
Sevilla, 0 or 1
Aachen, 1 or 2

So, as Richie wrote, vital first game vs. AEK may decide much. Zenith will play Aachen three weeks after end of Russian league. Hmmm.

Re: Zenit
Author: calvon Date: 05-10-2004, 21:58	Zenit - AEK 1pt Lille - Zenit 0 pt - Zenit - Sevilla 1pt - Aachen - Zenit 0pt - Final Table? Lille AEK Sevilla Aachen Zenit

Author: VadimUK
Date: 06-10-2004, 06:16

Knowing the group Zenit got, I would guess Zenit can manage to get 5 points, which should be enough to qualify for the next round.

But I don't think Zenit is so representative to judge on the power of Russian football. Surely, coefficients gave better idea on that than the performance of a particular team.

Speaking on Zenit, we should not forget that Zenit represents President Putin's home town. Not surprisingly, the team is on the rise, while Moskow teams are mainly down.

As for the Russian football, you know, economy is growing like crazy, 5-10% per year. There are more money for soccer, and it will pay you off in the long run. Contrary, it seems that currently Western Europeans are not throwing out additional money for luxury things like soccer, so Russia may get back eventually to the top 10.

Re: Zenit
Author: Rx Date: 06-10-2004, 17:27	VadimUK Dont know about Ukraine, but in Russia president has slightly different job than dealing with football clubs.

Author: Richie
Date: 06-10-2004, 18:15

Sevilla look the likely winners of the section, and could very well end up in the Champions League next year at the expense of Depor, but I would say that Zenit has a very good chance to qualify. Been very impressive thus far in the UEFA cup, still top in the Russian league (just), don't know too much about Aachen, but even after the end of the Russian season, a top three Russian team should, really , be able to win, and those away points may well be enough, as their home form seems very strong.

Since im in Finland (Joensuu) for the next few months, I might be able to catch some of Zenit's home games as its not to far away from here. Saw them play Bradford in the Intertoto a few years ago in England, very impressive. I'd still have to pick Loko to nick the title though, especially since CSKA and Zenit meet, and a draw in that could be enough

Re: Zenit
Author: VadimUK Date: 06-10-2004, 18:45	Hey, Rx: No one said that Putin is dealing with football clubs by himself. Look on all the possibilities. There are many people around him that want to make him happy. Or, now there are much more people in charge from St. Petersburg than it was 5 years ago. Which team do they support?

Re: Zenit
Author: Rx Date: 06-10-2004, 18:57	VadimUK I dont know whats the matter of whom does these people support, in Russia actually more matters whom does the president of russian Premier League Giner support, who is also found to be the president of CSKA at the same time, also in Russia many people including referees know that it does matter whom does the people with Abramovich's money support.

Re: Zenit
Author: Zibir Date: 07-10-2004, 02:54	"but in Russia president has slightly different job than dealing with football clubs."©Rx Hmmm... And what about FC Terek? Putin have unlimited power. More than Emperor or Tzar.

Re: Zenit
Author: Elias Date: 08-10-2004, 01:08	It's a shame that a team like Terek exists. I don't think Putin or any other politician has something to do with them winning the Cup but with the budget this team has they could've built several schools in Chechnya. There is no point of having a team which even doesn't play on Chechnya territory and has no real supporters other than show so called "stability" in Chechnya. Hate those hypocrites!

Re: Zenit
Author: Zibir Date: 08-10-2004, 09:04	Elias, you are absolutely right!

Re: Zenit
Author: Rx Date: 08-10-2004, 13:09	I dont know what the connection between Putin and Terek, the former president of Chechnya was the president of Terek, not Putin. Also i doubt that people that actually live in Chechnya think that existence of Terek is a shame. Looks like chechen people, government of chechnya and actually the owners of those money know better is it shame or not.

Author: Rx
Date: 08-10-2004, 13:31

Such posts about Putin's Terek and hypocrisy really make me sick. It looks like they are supposed to be original inside information from so called human right watchers, but actually are obvious rubbish. Still havnt got how is Terek showing the stability in Checnya? Did they put words on their shirts "We are showing stability in Chechnya"? Or did Putin ever say such thing? It looks like these reporters only showing it, no one else.

Author: anita
Date: 08-10-2004, 15:33

I don't know anything about Tereks PR-profile in the Chechen conflict, and I don't think anyone buy an argument "Look, its peace here, we are playing football".

But, sport generally and football especially (since its cheap and mostly everyone everywhere can participate not depending of height, slimness, ethnisity, religion, age, sex, culture and so on), is an incitation for tolerance. (Well, looking at the hooligans, I am not pretty sure

)

When Jews and Arabs, Palestines and Israelis, Muslims and Christians, Serbs and Croats or Albanians, black and white, rich and poor, Russians and Chechens, Hutus and Tutus can come together on a common ground where they all are equal and fighting (literally) for the same goal(s), something is improving in the area and society.

And the football platform is used by UN, UNESCO, FIFA and so on in conflict areas to encourage co-operation and assimilation and integration.

You all know that wherever you travel in the world, you can find a common topic/ground in sport/football across the language or cultural/religious borders.

And this concludes todays sermon

Re: Zenit
Author: rhinoc Date: 08-10-2004, 15:43	So my prediction (2 pts for win): Zenit - AEK 2pts Lille - Zenit 0pt Zenit - Sevilla 2pts Aachen - Zenit 2pt By the way, I am from Saint-Petersburg.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 09-10-2004, 10:38	to everybody this is Zenit topic no Terek,if the subject about Terek is interesting to anybody ,make it.

Re: Zenit
Author: Zibir Date: 09-10-2004, 12:33	Sometimes, regime and politics allow to use the football for political purposes.

Author: Ase
Date: 09-10-2004, 22:17

Hi! To clear all questions, I'm CSKA fan from Moscow but I support all Russian clubs playing in Europe (including Spartak, Zenit etc.)
My prediction (rather pessimistic but pessimistic deliberately; I'll be hoping that Zenit will knock everyone out in this group!)
Zenit-AEK 1 pt
Lille-Zenit 0 pt
Zenit-Sevilla 1 pt
Alemania-Zenit 2 pts

Also I'd like to correct Osirius concerning the golden match in Russian PL. After the golden match in 2002 season the rules were changed and now golden match can be played only if the challenging teams have equal number of victories in the season and their records of two matches between them are identical (like in the european cups, you know). If there are more than two rivalling teams then round-robin is to be played. So the golden match now is very unlikely.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 10-10-2004, 04:52	to Ase

Re: Zenit
Author: Richie Date: 21-10-2004, 19:27	Aint doing to badly are they, 4-1 so far, Kerzhakov with a hat trick after being one down inside 4 minutes AEK are the weakest top seed, and Zenit should have a great chance of a top 3 finish

Re: Zenit
Author: FR1908 Date: 21-10-2004, 19:31	indeed they doing nice..... still the question is Zenit that good or AEK that bad..... Good fr dutch football a other greece team that loses

Re: Zenit
Author: aydinfatih Date: 21-10-2004, 19:52	The final score is 5-1 wow...

Re: Zenit
Author: rhinoc Date: 21-10-2004, 22:14	So my first prediction was absolutely right. I am just from stadion, and I am full of emotions. It was great.

Re: Zenit
Author: Jan Date: 22-10-2004, 01:52	Great win for Zenit! First or second place in the group very likely. Can I find some pics of the match?? Thanks a lot!

Re: Zenit
Author: maranton Date: 22-10-2004, 03:10	As AEK's coach Santos said the inexperienced of most AEK players played a vital role in todays game. AEK went 1-0 up but it was equalised on last minute of first half, and 2-1 came on 2nd minute of second halh. My opinion watching the game on TV,is that these 2 goals in actually 3 minutes destroyed AEK rhytm and clear thinking,especially the goalkeeper who was unreliable after 2-1.

Re: Zenit
Author: maranton Date: 22-10-2004, 03:14	Jan: You can see a picture of Zenit equalising at: http://sportnews.flash.gr/articles/2004/10/21/55197/ If you cannot find the article go to www.sportnews.gr and follow the link(it is a greek site though so searh for keywords such as AEK, 5-1)

Author: Osirius
Date: 22-10-2004, 07:30

Agree with marathon,these two goals were decidable in the game.AEK started very good they scored on the 4th minute,could even score earlier.Then still in the first half they had one more very good chance to score,if they have had score one more goal it could end quite different.AEK played very clever football,Zeint was just helpless to do anything,I suppose it was because of quick goal of AEK,and Zenit was lucky to score in the end of the first half.Second half began never better for Zenit,they scored the quick goal,and that's it,after it total domination of russian team.Zenit scored 5 goals,it could be even more.
Great start foe our team,but I never say that AEK is weak,I think in Greece it will be very hard to play with them,lucky for us we played at home)).

Author: umang1
Date: 22-10-2004, 11:09

hello guys, sorry but was hoping someone might be able to help me. I have a bet on UEFA Group H, based on prices I saw with bookmakers 2 days ago I bet on either Seville, Lille or AEK to win this group. Now after last nights result I am thinking Zenit have a chnace to win the group as well and I might have to bet on them as well to minimise my loss. Sound like you guys know a lot about Zenit - do u think they can win this group? How do u think they will do away in LIlle and at home to Seville? Thx

Re: Zenit
Author: Zibir Date: 22-10-2004, 11:35	And for me is slightly sad that FC Zenit destroyed Greeks, instead of Germans, Frenches or Spaniards ;( Good luck AEK Athens! 2 umang1 I think that problems will be only against Sevilla. It meen 1 or 2 place.

Re: Zenit
Author: umang1 Date: 22-10-2004, 11:59	hello zibir, u think they are really good? Can u tell me website where i can monitor their performance/match results/injuries for next few weeks. U think they will beat Lille? Thx

Re: Zenit
Author: Zibir Date: 22-10-2004, 17:57	I don't know such website on English, but maybe you know Russian? But I have a many statistic data about FC Zenit and Russian Premier-Liga and you can write me at zibir@email.su with concrete inquiries.

Re: Zenit
Author: Rx Date: 22-10-2004, 21:45	umang1 You can watch full Zenit-AEK match here http://www.russiantvonline.com (pay subscription) or download all goals here http://gol.mkafisha.ru

Re: Zenit
Author: Richie Date: 22-10-2004, 22:50	Isnt it Zenit - CSKA this weekend, with a few games to go, anything other than a CSKA victory could let Lokomotiv steal the title Nice third goal by Kerzhakov by the way

Author: Osirius
Date: 23-10-2004, 03:58

Zenit may take 1st place,espesially after Lille loss,but do they do it if they need only to be among 3 best.Truely speaking Sevillia inpresses right now in Spain.AEK anyway at home wiil be very dangerous,so Lille may lose again and to be out of competition for the 1st place,so Zenit and Seviila more likely to fight for the first place.Let's not forget about Aachen,they have 3 pts who knows what they can do in Spain.
Yes this week is Zenit - CSKA much may be decided in this match.

Re: Zenit
Author: umang1 Date: 23-10-2004, 04:22	thanks for the info guys

Author: Richie
Date: 24-10-2004, 01:24

Osirius: Do you think that kerzhakov can really become the next Shevchenko, as many seem to think he can?

He certainly reminds me of him, with sharp finishing and intelligent, quick runs into the box

As for the group, I still think Sevilla will top it (they will probably end up in the Champions League next year), but Zenit should challenge and definately should finish in the top three - the fifth seed beating the first seed 5-1, whomever it may be is an impressive achievement

Plus having a very competetive championship can only help their match sharpness, although I guess that a draw in Lille would be a very acceptable result

Re: Zenit
Author: grig Date: 24-10-2004, 01:55	IMHO, Kerzhakov is the best when Arshavin is next to him. As pair they're much stronger than individually.

Author: Osirius
Date: 24-10-2004, 03:50

Richier
Shevchenko is Shevchenko he's the Great,he is one of the best players of the present and may be not only the present.Kerzhakov will never be second Shevchenko,he'll be Kerzhakov.They are very different.He is talanted,real goalscorer.Only time will tell us whether he will achive something special and we'll be the Great Kerzhakov.We really beleive that he can become a worldclass star,but this means to be always at the TOP.

Author: zemly
Date: 25-10-2004, 13:00

Hey, guys! Tonight is the Zenit vs CSKA showdown. With Loko loosing points last night in the bout against Rubin (Kazan) (just like Zenit in the previous game week) this game will deside who will win the Title. A tie or a win will put CSKA on top and they will not let go with three games left. Zenit's win makes us (yes, I am from St. Pete and a die-hard Zenit fan from 1980) the leaders of the race.
Our chances in the UEFA group will also depend on this game since I believe that in case we win the Russian Championship everybody (including the team) will be celebrating way too hard

). St.Pete has been waiting for the Championship for the last twenty years since 1984 when Zenit won its only title.
Kerj is in my opinion incredible! I feel very fortunate to be able watch him play live. I think that he is the best player to come from Russia in the last ten years. Then again I am a bit biased...

Re: Zenit
Author: zemly Date: 25-10-2004, 13:03	2 umang1 - here is the link to the American Zenit Fans site. It has the English version and although it does not have a statistics page per se it does contain a lot of news head-lines and articles. I hope it helps. http://afz.zenitspb.org/main_e.shtml

Re: Zenit
Author: Ricardo Date: 25-10-2004, 13:14	zemly, Is it in your eyes positive or negative for the Zenit performance as they will win the championship. Won't it boost their confidence? I don't think it really matters: They will do good anyway!It's still 2 hours till the start of the game. I think I will try to follow it 'live' on internet.

Author: zemly
Date: 25-10-2004, 13:58

Ricardo,
What I was trying to say is that if Zenit manages to win the Russian Championship it will be so emotionally drained that it will give no further effort towards performing in the UEFA Cup group. The team is very young (avg age being about 24) and as I stated before the Championship is way more valuable for the team, the club and the fans than enything else.
We will see though... First of all two more games against Lille and Alemania will be played prior to the end of the Championship. Secondly I might be underestimating the maturity of the players and their desire for European respect.

Author: Osirius
Date: 26-10-2004, 06:47

Yesterday happend what should have happend,CSKA won 3-0 againt Zenit away,very pity that Zenit couldn't show it's best playing.Zenit's players were very tired after AEK game,and suprisanly for me CSKA played very clever football,the score coulb be even worse for Zenit.Anyway I'm very happy with the fact that the level of our Premier League grew up recently.Such team as Loko couldn't win home game vs. Kazan' and Saturn won Dinamo Moscow which fights not to relegate to 1st dv. thoug Saturn doesn't need anything.The result of the game(Zenit - CSKA) gives hopes to the next game in CL.With such a game I truely beleive that CSKA is capable to score 2 goals to Chelsea.As well I hope that Zenit will recover after this defeat as soon as possible.

Author: zemly
Date: 26-10-2004, 08:25

Dinamo Moscow is lowly scum: the management is stealing stockholders' money and when the club is in ruins and is threatened by relegation to the lower league it (management) deserts to bribing the officials (see Dinamo vs Amkar game). I hope that does not help them and they get dumped.
Congradulations to the Red Army fans. They played very well and used their scoring chances unlike Zenit. I guess we will have to win the UEFA group now to sweeten up the pill.
And it is gonna have to be the next season for the Championship.

Re: Zenit
Author: umang1 Date: 26-10-2004, 11:06	hello, do u think Zenit can recover from this game in the UEFA Cup now. Do u think they lost this game because players are very young?

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 28-10-2004, 05:39	They were very tired,CSKA played very clever football.It'll be a lesson for them(Zenit).Think in France it'll be very diificult,hope Zenit will bring some points from there.

Re: Zenit
Author: Ricardo Date: 28-10-2004, 11:01	With Sevilla, Lille and Aachen there are 3 other teams that count on qualifying. Though if Zenit just win their next home game it probably would be enough, against Sevilla this might be a problem. To qualify they will need to get some point in Lile of Aachen.

Author: zemly
Date: 28-10-2004, 11:46

There is a rumor going around the Zenit i-net community that the club management has set a higher priority to the UEFA Cup performance rather than the national championship. The reasoning is this: currently Zenit is not ready to play in the Champions League due to some defenite shortcomings in infrastructure (the new stadium to be built only in 2008) and player personel (defensive line). If that is true than we are to expect Zenit to kick some Lille ans Sevilia ass in the next two games.

Remember that the game against the Spaniards is scheduled for November 25 (!). I can assure you that the temperatures here in St.Petersburg will be around or more likely below zero. So a tie in a game vs Lille and a win against Sevilia at home - will be an acceptable.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 30-10-2004, 11:53	Don't know anything about it,but hardly beleive it's true.CL is much money incoming.About Sevilla the match may take place in Krasnodar,because the temperarure.

Re: Zenit
Author: zemly Date: 01-11-2004, 10:24	2 Osirius. You are right about the possible piles of cash to collect... However, what's the point to play in the League when you can not play the home games in your home town?! A move to Krasnodar for the Sevilla game will be in question if the temperatures fall below -15 c. I hope that they won't, November is not the coldest month around here.

Re: Zenit
Author: umang1 Date: 02-11-2004, 05:49	what do u guys think will happen in game against Lille on Thursday?

Re: Zenit
Author: zemly Date: 02-11-2004, 08:13	umang1, I would bet the "over".

Re: Zenit
Author: Zibir Date: 02-11-2004, 11:05	What will happen? Maybe bush lose? And serious, there are next statistics. Russian clubs have bad balance versus French clubs (w=12, d=8, l=24), but FC Zenit never played against French club. I think that will be difficuilt match, but FC Zenit will win Lille OSC, 1 - 2 or 2 - 3.

Re: Zenit
Author: Osirius Date: 02-11-2004, 14:33	Zenit is for sure the team which can beat any of french teams,but everybody may say the same that Lille can beat any french team,hope Zenit will win Lille,but it'll be very difficult.