Fenerbahce on last way to Amsterdam

Fenerbahce plays Benfica in a historic semifinal second leg game tonight, seeking a ticket to the Europa League final in Amsterdam.

The Turkish team, bidding to become the second Turkish side to win a European trophy after their arch-rivals Galatasaray lifted the UEFA Cup in 2000 will try to defend its one-goal advantage against a solid Benfica side at the Estadio da Luz.

In the other semifinal, English giant Chelsea has the advantage to overcome Basel after winning 2-1 in Switzerland last week.

Last year’s Champions League winner Chelsea is likely to grab the ticket for the May 15 final, but for Benfica and Fenerbahçe, the tie is still open.

“We are carrying a 51 percent advantage to Lisbon,” Fenerbahce coach Aykut Kocaman said after last week’s 1-0 win at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

On April 25, a late goal by defender Egemen Korkmaz gave the edge to Fenerbahce, who could have won by a bigger margin. Midfielder Cristian Baroni had a penalty kick coming off the side bar, while forwards Moussa Sow and Dirk Kuyt also had efforts denied by the post.

Fenerbahce is still competing for three trophies, the Europa League, the Turkish Cup and Super League, but the prospect of winning a maiden continental title looks as the biggest target for the club. The Yellow Canaries are seven points behind Galatasaray in the league and are almost certain to lose the championship to their archrivals, who will retain their title with a win in the last three weeks.


/HurriyetDailynews.Com/