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Trivia
- Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round
- Season begins with first competitive game.
- Celtic need to win two sets of ko matches for champions league group stages.
- Motherwell out of European Cup last night.
- Morten Rasmussen sold today.
- Sevco played their first competitive game past Sunday. Olympics running in London at moment.
- Celtic fan Michael Jamieson was in Olympic swimming finals just before kick off and won silver. Race was shown on screens.
- Rumours increasing of bids for Ki and Wanyama.
- League begins on Saturday coming.
Review
(waldo789 of KDS forum)
Thought we looked pretty good for the opening 20mins last night and then for some reason we started changing formations at a ridiculous rate which enabled them to get back in the game. Forrest looked like he had the beating of there left back and within minutes hes playing on the opposite wing, Commons shunted right, Hooper in the hole and Samaras up top, that idea was quickly put to bed, but the forward 4 didnt seem to know exactly where they should be playing.
Emilio had a horror show the first 50 mins or so, havent reseen there goal but can't believe how far away from the play he ended up. Mulgrew was also beaten far to easily when dragged out to the full back position, should have brought the guy down and took the booking.
All in all though that was a poor team last night, no better than a Dundee Utd/Hearts team. We should score over there and it should be enough. One thing though, if fit, Kayal must play, if it means shunting Brown wide right so be it but imo he should be in our first 11 every week.
Teams
Celtic
01 Forster
02 Matthews
03 Izaguirre
21 Mulgrew
08 Brown
15 Commons (Stokes – 65' )
16 Ledley
49 Forrest
67 Wanyama
09 Samaras Booked (Lustig – 87' )
88 Hooper (McCourt – 87' )
Substitutes
24 Zaluska
23 Lustig
25 Rogne
20 McCourt
33 Kayal
56 Twardzik
10 Stokes
Goals:
- Hooper 53,
- Mulgrew 60
HJK Helsinki
01 Wallen
06 Lahti
11 Lindstrom
07 Mannstrom
16 Vayrynen Booked (Okkonen – 74' )
21 Sumusalo
22 Perovuo
26 Savage
27 Sorsa
28 Schuller (Pohjanpalo – 84' )
18 Makela (Sadik – 60' Booked )
Substitutes
35 Sahlgren
02 Kansikas
04 Okkonen
05 Hakanpaa
09 Sadik
15 Pelvas
20 Pohjanpalo
Goal:
- Schuller 47
Ref: Miroslav Zelinka
Attendance: 53,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Audio Report: Paradise Report
Pictures
Forum
MOTM
- Voting Thread
- Result Thread
- Winner –
- 2012-13 Winners
Stats
Possession
37% v 63% 95mins
Shots
19 v 3
On target
8 v 3
Corners
12 v 3
Fouls
6 v 12
Articles
Celtic take narrow lead in Champions League qualifier against Helsinki
• Celtic 2-1 Helsinki
Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 1 August 2012 23.11 BST
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Gary Hooper celebrates his goal with Kris Commons in Celtic's Champions League qualifier v Helsinki
Gary Hooper celebrates his goal with Kris Commons in Celtic's Champions League third-round qualifier against Helsinki. Photograph: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
Neil Lennon's dreams of managing Celtic in the group phase of the Champions League for the first time remain alive. However, it took a recovery from a goal down to HJK Helsinki to hand the Scottish champions an advantage for the visit to Finland. That lead is a valuable one, notwithstanding Celtic's notoriously bad recent European away record.
Celtic undoubtedly merited their victory from this entertaining, at times breathless contest. Lennon will now hope some glaring early profligacy does not come back to haunt Celtic by the end of the second leg of this qualifying tie.
"I am not disappointed at all, I'm delighted," Lennon insisted of the narrow Celtic lead. "It was a huge improvement from where we were at this stage last year. Helsinki can count themselves fortunate it was only 2-1.
"We went a goal behind, then showed brilliant character. For our first competitive game, it was an excellent performance."
European football has always been important to Celtic. With no Rangers in Scotland's top flight, Celtic are virtually certain to enjoy a smooth passage towards a second league title in succession; the opportunity to compete in the Champions League proper would generate fresh excitement in Glasgow's east end.
Celtic duly started as if the pursuit of a group stage place was of serious significance to them. Charlie Mulgrew, James Forrest and Gary Hooper all spurned excellent opportunities for the hosts within the first 15 minutes. In his defence, Forrest may well have been pushed in the back before failing to divert a close-range header on target.
Such wastefulness can routinely be punished by foreign opponents. Helsinki duly closed the first half in a more impressive fashion than they had started it, with Fraser Forster diving smartly to turn away a Joel Perovuo drive. Earlier, Adam Matthews had provided a crucial last-ditch block on the Finns' Demba Savage.
The visitors' hints at away goal intent were realised just 120 seconds after the restart. An initial shot from Rasmus Schuller was blocked but the ball ricocheted back to the Helsinki midfielder. With Forster stranded, Schuller stroked home to shock an earlier vociferous home support.
Celtic are due credit for their swift response. Kris Commons rattled a post from 25 yards, before Hooper levelled. Georgios Samaras, who had endured a troubled night until that point, created the goal with a terrific low pass which Hooper cleanly converted.
Mulgrew headed a Commons corner past Ville Wallen to edge Celtic in front. At that juncture, the home side were in complete control.
Scott Brown came the closest to securing a Celtic cushion, but watched his angled drive deflected narrowly wide. Attention now turns to Celtic's ability to withstand inevitable pressure in the Finnish capital.
BBC
By Andy Campbell BBC Sport Scotland
Cetlic recovered from the loss of an away goal to take a first-leg lead against HJK Helsinki in Champions League qualifying round three.
Gary Hooper, James Forrest and Joe Ledley all had chances as the hosts started brightly.
But it was HJK's Rasmus Schuller who broke the deadlock with a close range volley just after half-time.
Hooper equalised with a tap-in before Charlie Mulgrew headed Celtic ahead in the tie.
Neil Lennon's men take on the Finns in next Wednesday's second leg at the Sonera Stadium.
The home crowd were buoyed by Celtic fan Michael Jamieson's Olympic silver medal success at London 2012, with the swimmer's 200m breaststroke final shown on large screens in the run-up to kick-off.
Rasmus Schuller celebrates after scoring for HJK Helsinki against Celtic
Schuller's goal stunned the home crowd
The Scottish Premier League champions threatened from the off with Georgios Samaras heading a long ball onto Hooper only for the angle to get the better of the striker.
Samaras was prominent again with a cross towards James Forrest, who headed wide before indicating his displeasure at Mikko Sumusalo's aerial challenge in the six-yard box.
Hooper and Kris Commons failed to connect properly with Forrest's cutback and Ledley flashed a shot wide from the loose ball before testing goalkeeper Ville Wallen with a controlled volley moments later.
HJK weathered the storm and Joel Perovuo forced Celtic keeper Fraser Forster into a save with a low 25-yard drive.
And the Finns dealt a blow to Celtic's hopes when a neat passing move put Schuller through on goal shortly after the break.
Play media
The midfielder's first effort was blocked by Forster but ricocheted back to Schuller off Victor Wanyama and the resulting left-foot volley found the net.
Celtic responded with Commons' powerful drive striking the post and rebounding out for a corner off the head of Wallen.
But the leveller did come when Samaras' low centre set up Hooper to finish.
The hosts were galvanised and Mulgrew's downward header from Commons' corner edged them ahead.
The two players involved in that second goal came close with shots as HJK came under continued pressure and Forrest collided with team-mate Hooper as he tried to get into a scoring position off substitute Anthony Stokes' pass.
Scott Brown was then denied by Wallen and Lennon introduced skilful winger Paddy McCourt in an attempt to force a third.
But HJK held firm against the late rally and the Finnish champions know a 1-0 next week in Helsinki will take them through to the play-off round.
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +4:05 Full time
Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00 +3:15
Inswinging corner taken by Patrick McCourt, save by Ville Wallen.
90:00 +3:11
The ball is sent over by Patrick McCourt, Mathias Lindstrom makes a clearance.
90:00 +0:22
The official flags Patrick McCourt offside. Ville Wallen restarts play with the free kick.
88:19
James Forrest takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Joel Pohjanpalo manages to make a clearance.
87:59
Inswinging corner taken by Patrick McCourt from the left by-line played to the near post.
87:18
The ball is swung over by Emilio Izaguirre.
86:53
Corner taken short by James Forrest.
86:21 Substitution
Substitution Georgios Samaras goes off and Mikael Lustig comes on.
86:21 Substitution
Substitution Gary Hooper goes off and Patrick McCourt comes on.
85:57
Shot from 25 yards by Scott Brown. Save by Ville Wallen.
84:28
Antti Okkonen concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Ledley. Direct free kick taken by Joe Ledley.
83:56
Victor Wanyama takes the chance to get an effort at goal and missed to the right of the goal.
83:17 Substitution
Substitution (HJK Helsinki) makes a substitution, with Joel Pohjanpalo coming on for Rasmus Schuller.
82:22
The ball is delivered by James Forrest, Ville Wallen makes a save.
80:42
Corner taken right-footed by James Forrest to the near post, clearance made by Antti Okkonen.
80:33
Charlie Mulgrew crosses the ball, Sebastian Mannstrom gets a block in.
79:30
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Hooper by Timi Lahti. Scott Brown restarts play with the free kick.
78:59
Berat Sadik is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
78:18
Effort from outside the penalty area by Charlie Mulgrew goes wide left of the goal.
Celtic fight back to earn Euro win
By: Laura Brannan on 01 Aug, 2012 21:52 August 1, 2012
UEFA Champions League
Third round qualifier, first leg
Celtic Park, Glasgow
CELTIC 2
(Hooper 53, Mulgrew 60)
HJK Helsinki 1
(Schuller 47)
CELTIC came from behind to earn a well-deserved 2-1victory against HJK Helsinki in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying roundfirst leg, and the Hoops will now travel to Finland looking to complete the task next week.
Despite enjoying overwhelming possession and dominating the play, Celtic went behind just after the break when Ramus Schuller pounced on a loose ball to fire home.
But refusing to let their heads drop, Celtic worked hard to get back into the game and Gary Hooper equalised five minutes later. Charlie Mulgrew then headed the winning goal into the net on the hour mark to give Celtic the advantage going into the return tie.
Neil Lennon had made just two changes to the side who performed so well against Inter Milan at the weekend, welcoming back James Forrest and the captain, Scott Brown. And clearly fired up and ready to go in their first competitive tie of the season, Celtic got off to a greatstart, with Hooper hitting the side-netting after just 14 seconds.
It was an electric opening spell and the packed crowd were responding to every attack Celtic made at the Helsinki defence. Forrest was looking particularly sharp and had an opportunity to make the breakthrough on 14 minutes when his header went just past the post.
He looked to have been pushed as he went for the ball, but the referee ignored the claim, as he had done a similarly strong one from Helsinki minutes earlier.
A minute later Joe Ledley pounced on the ball butfired just wide. And the Welshman had another chance seven minutes later when he forced Helsinki keeper, Ville Wallen, into a great save at his left-hand post.
After a good spell of pressure by the home side, Helsinki began to settle into the match and Adam Matthews was forced into action at the opposite end when he slid in to clear the ball just as Demba Savage was about to unleash an effort.
It was a dangerous moment for Celtic but they responded by reshuffling their formation, shifting Forrest to the left wing, Kris Commons to the right and Georgios Samaras up front with Hooper. And it was Samaras who then created Celtic´s next effort, playing Ledley in with a beautifully-timed pass, but the Welshman´s low drive was blocked.
Just secondsinto the second-half,Helsinki took the lead. Despite Fraser Forster blocking the initial shot with his foot, it rebounded off Victor Wanyama and fell to Schuller, whovolleyed the ball home with his left foot.
Celtic didn’t let their heads drop, and almost responded immediately when Commons cracked an effort off the post.
But they didn’t have long to wait, as the Hooper found the equaliser on 53 minutes. Samaras sent a beautiful cross from the left flank to the back post where Hooper was waiting tofire it into the net.
And just seven minutes later, Mulgrew headed home from a corner to give the Hoops the lead, despite Helsinki protests that their substitute, Berat Sadik, hadn't been given enough time to come on for the set-piece.
Anthony Stokes was then introduced to proceedingsfor Commons, but it was Mulgrew who had the next chance,hitting aright-foot shot just wide.
Celtic continued to maintain the pressure, with Brown having the last good effort before the end, but his low drivefrom the edge ofthe box was saved by Wallen.
The Hoops will now travel to Finland next week for the second-leg, looking to complete the job.
CELTIC (4-4-1-1): Forster; Matthews, Wanyama, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Forrest, Brown, Ledley, Samaras (Lustig 87); Commons (Stokes 63); Hooper (McCourt 87)
Subs not used: Zaluska, Kayal, Rogne, F. Twardzik
HJK HELSINKI (4-1-3-2): Wallen; Sorsa, Lindstrom, Lahti, Sumusalo; Perovuo; Mannstrom, Vayryen (Okkonen 74), Savage; Schuller (Pohjanpalo 84), Makela (Sadik 59)
Subs not used: Sahlgren, Kansikas, Hakanpaa, Pelvas
BBC
Jamieson wins silver for Britain in 200m breaststroke
By Tom Fordyce Chief sports writer, BBC Sport, at the Olympic Aquatics Centre
Michael Jamieson produced the swim of his life to take Olympic 200m breaststroke silver and smash his own British record.
Only a new world record from Hungary's Daniel Gyurta could deny the 23-year-old gold, while Japan's Ryo Tateishi took bronze.
Jamieson , in his debut Olympics, came charging down the final 50m to deafening noise in the Aquatics Centre and closed right up on Gyurta.
But the 2011 world champion held on to touch in 2 mins 07.28 secs, just 15 hundredths of a second ahead of the fast-finishing Glaswegian and clear of Tateishi's 2:08.29.
Britain's breaststroke pedigree
David Wilkie – silver in 200m 1972, gold in 200m 1976
Duncan Goodhew – gold in 100m 1980
Adrian Moorhouse – gold in 100m 1988
Nick Gillingham – silver in 200m 1988, bronze in 200m 1992
Jamieson's compatriot and training partner Andrew Willis was in the medal mix at 150m but paid for his efforts late on to finish down in eighth.
Double Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima of Japan, aiming to be the first man in Olympic swimming history to win the same event at three consecutive Games, could only finish fourth.
But Jamieson's surprise medal – he was only fifth at last year's World Championships, and second at the British Championships earlier this year – brought the best noise of the Games so far from the packed stands.
Britain's swimmers have under-performed at these Olympics so far, with just Rebecca Adlington's 400m freestyle bronze to show from the first five days of competition.
Jamieson, who came to London as far more of a medal outsider than some of his more illustrious team-mates and set a new British record in his heat, could never be accused of the same crime.
The Jamieson sporting pedigree
His mother was also a competitive swimmer and his father played professional football for Hearts amongst other clubs.
He said afterwards: "I loved it. I had a little more to give after last night. It's so much easier to swim with a bit of confidence behind you.
"I cannot believe I have got 2:07, but I forgot about the time tonight – it was more tactical. I tried to stay on Gyurta's shoulder for the first hundred. I wanted to have everything on the line.
"I was desperate to get on the podium tonight to repay the faith and support we've had. After last night I thought I could win it but he was too strong in the end.
"I had planned for this night and that helped with the nerves beforehand. For so many years I have gone over this in my head.
Analysis
Image of Steve Parry Steve Parry Olympic bronze medallist and BBC pundit
"Unbelievable swim. Jamieson did everything he could possibly do, he almost ran Gyurta down. That's one of the best swimming races we've seen all week, and it involved a Brit. Well done Michael Jamieson. He has not lost the gold there, but earned the silver. He was just outside the world record. He knocked two seconds off the British record to get the silver – a great swim."
"I couldn't have done any more. It was everything I hoped it would be – the crowd bringing me down the final 50m was the greatest experience of my life."
Jamieson's medal was the first by a British male in the pool at an Olympics since Steve Parry took 200m butterfly bronze in Athens in 2004.
And when he stood on the podium in front of his home crowd, which included Prince Harry and comedian turned charity swimmer David Walliams, the 17,000-strong support roared their appreciation.
With Adlington's preferred event, the 800m freestyle, still to come in the pool, Great Britain could yet match the three medals they won indoors in Beijing four years ago. The team's other three medals at the last Olympics came in the open-water events.