Let's Hang On

Wigan secure historic first ever win in Europe – Wigan Athletic 3 NK Maribor 1

Posted on October 2, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Athletic v NK Maribor

Wigan Athletic secured their maiden victory in a European competition when they defeated Slovenian Champions NK Maribor 3-1 in an entertaining Europa League Group D match.

Powell gave Latics the lead when he headed in following a mistake by keeper Jasmin Handanovic.

FA Cup hero Ben Watson added a second with a diving header from Jean Beausejour’s cross.

Maribor pulled one back after the interval through Morales Tavares, before Powell fired home his second goal in stoppage time.

Wigan were without several key players for the first ever European tie at the DW Stadium. Defenders Gary Caldwell, Ivan Ramis and Stephen Crainey, goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, midfielder Shaun Maloney and strikers Grant Holt and Marc-Antoine Fortune were all unavailable.

Maribor’s new coach Ante Šimundža was looking to make an instant impact having only been appointed last Sunday following the sacking of Ante Čačić.

Wigan started the game in confident manner and quickly established control of the midfield. Ben Watson, Jean Beausejour and Jordi Gomez were all prominent in the opening exchanges.

Maribor’s goalkeeper Handanovic was soon called upon to make an important save to deny on-loan Manchester United midfielder Powell from giving Latics the lead.

However, in the 22nd minute the Slovenian keeper made a hash of an attempted clearance. Beausejour crossed the ball and Handanovic came out to punch the ball clear, but instead it spun off his fist and towards the net, allowing Powell to nod in from close range.

Wigan were now well on top and they doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Beausejour was once again the provider. The Chilean midfielder’s pinpoint cross found Watson whose diving header beat Handanovic.

Wigan should have been out of sight by half-time, but some bad luck and poor finishing meant that they only went into the break with a two goal lead.

The second half continued in similar fashion with Latics on top and they should have increased their advantage when Beausejour was allowed space down the left before driving a low cross which Powell could only deflect onto the far post.

Just as the home team was not fully capitalising on their dominance Maribor struck. French forward Jean Philippe Mendy out-muscled Ryan Shotton before pulling the ball back for Tavares to score from just inside the penalty area.

Owen Coyle surprisingly withdrew the excellent Watson and brought on Chris McCann and Callum McManaman limped off and was replaced by James McClean. Maribor sensed that they might get something from the game after all.

With a minute of normal time remaining, the Slovenian side must have thought they were about equalise when Tavares launched a vicious strike which was destined for the top corner of the net but Scott Carson produced a world-class save and tipped the ball over the cross-bar.

Powell then settled the outcome in stoppage time when he avoided a couple of desperate challenges before firing a low shot past Handanovic.

It was a historic and important first Europa League victory for Wigan, who are now handily placed to qualify in second position in Group D behind leaders Rubin Kazan.

Posted in Ben Watson, Europa League, Morales Tavares, Nick Powell, NK Maribor, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Ben Watson, Europa League, Morales Tavares, Nick Powell, NK Maribor, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Europa League comes to Wigan – Wigan Athletic v NK Maribor preview

Posted on September 30, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Europa League Group D Banner

A historic first ever Europa League game will take place on Thursday night as Slovenian league leaders NK Maribor visit the DW Stadium. Latics take on Maribor in strange circumstances as they have recently sacked their coach Ante Čačić less than four months into his tenure following a run of just one win from their last six matches.

Maribor have hired Ante Šimundža as their new coach, with the 42-year-old leaving NK Aluminij to return to the club he played over 200 games for as a striker. The new manager will be hoping to make an instant impact in his first game in charge.

Maribor have reached the group stage of a major UEFA competition for the fourth time but have yet to make it to the knockout stages. They lost 5-2 at home to Rubin Kazan in their first group game but were regarded as a little unlucky to lose so heavily.

Although they have not won in five European games, they made it through to this season’s Champions League third qualifying round on away goals following two draws with APOEL FC (Cyprus), before losing home and away to FC Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) in the play-offs.

Maribor do not have a good record against English sides having W0 D1 L3. Birmingham City narrowly defeated Maribor 1-0 & 2-1 in the 2011/12 Europa Cup and Wigan’s Jean Beausejour played in both matches.

Maribor’s most recent league game was a 2-1 defeat away to Koper who are third in the Slovene First League. But Latics also go into the game with indifferent form after losing 1-0 at Watford in the Championship on Saturday.

Owen Coyle is likely to change his line up from Saturday, but his attacking options are limited due to injuries to Grant Holt, Shaun Maloney and Marc-Antoine Fortune. The goal threat will therefore have to come from loanee Nick Powell and wide men Callum McManaman and James McClean

Despite the recent inconsistent performances I am going to stick my neck out and go for a narrow Latics win, but it will not be easy against a team who have European experience and will want to impress their new coach Ante Šimundža.

Posted in Ante Šimundža, Europa League, NK Maribor, Owen Coyle, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Ante Šimundža, Europa League, NK Maribor, Owen Coyle, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Controversial decisions deny Wigan – Watford 1 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 28, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Nick Powell on the end of two controversial decisions

A late strike from substitute Cristian Battocchio ensured Watford denied Wigan at least a point at Vicarage Road.

Clear cut opportunities were at a premium, but Wigan can regard themselves unlucky to have a Nick Powell goal disallowed for offside and to be denied a penalty when Powell was brought down by Lloyd Doyley.

Watford will be relieved to take all three points and move up to fourth in the Championship table.

Owen Coyle decided to make two changes from the victory over Ipswich, with wide men McManaman and Beausejour replaced by McArthur and Gomez. Gianfranco Zola made two changes from the side which had thumped Barnsley 5-1 last weekend.

Watford started strongly and had the first good chance in the 10th minute when Lewis McGugan put Troy Deeney through the Latics defence and he pulled the ball back for Daniel Pudil, but his shot was saved by Scott Carson.

Latics looked to have taken the lead eight minutes later when Manuel Almunia could only push James McClean’s low cross from the left-back into centre of the penalty area and Nick Powell converted the rebound, but the goal was ruled out for what looked to be a very marginal offside decision.

Wigan were once again without strikers Grant Holt and Shaun Maloney and lone striker Marc Antoine Fortune lasted only 24 minutes before having to be replaced by Callum McManaman.

The first half ended goalless, but Wigan started the second half strongly and Almunia made a couple of excellent saves first from Powell and then McClean.

Wigan then looked to have won a penalty when Lloyd Doyley fouled Powell in the penalty area. But unfortunately referee Madley refused appeals for a spot kick.

Latics looked to be heading for a hard-earned point, until the 82nd minute when Watford substitute Battacchio fired home from the edge of the area after a Davide Faraoni shot had been blocked.

A draw would probably have been a fair result but all three points went to the Hornets.

After the game the Watford manager Zola admitted to Skysports about Nick Powell’s first half strike “it wasn’t offside” and Latics boss Owen Coyle was justifiably aggrieved that the referee did not award a penalty when Powell had been fouled by Lloyd Doyley in the 18-yard box.

“There’s no debate,” Coyle said. “James McClean’s a yard-and-a-half onside. We knew at the time. Bizarre doesn’t cover it”.

Posted in Cristian Battocchio, Nick Powell, Watford, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Cristian Battocchio, Nick Powell, Watford, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Wigan slip tamely out of Capital One Cup – Manchester City 5 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 24, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Lee Nicholls made a promising debut despite the result

Latics unsurprisingly slipped out of the League Cup at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City hit five goals to secure a place in the fourth round.

City only led 1-0 at half time after good work by Fernandinho set up Edin Dzeko to score but four second half goals emphasized City’s dominance.

Stevan Jovetic tapped the ball in for the second after Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls had initially saved and Yaya Toure curled in a superb free kick for the third.

Jovetic added a fourth after a mistake by substitute Ryan Shotton and Jesus Navas hit a powerful low shot inside the near post for the fifth.

There have been many changes at both clubs since Wigan’s historic FA Cup win in May but the seismic changes that have taken place at the DW Stadium are far greater than anything happening at the Etihad.

Wigan’s new manager Owen Coyle made nine changes from the team which defeated Ipswich on Sunday and gave debuts to goalkeeper Lee Nicholls and wing back Juan Carlos Garcia. Wigan were once again without a regular centre forward and young french winger Nuoho Dicko was given the role as the lone front-runner. With Holt, Fortune, Maloney and McManaman all injured the options for the manager were extremely limited.

Manuel Pellegrini also shuffled his pack making ten changes following City’s recent derby win against Manchester United, but in reality it made little difference as he has an embarrassment of riches compared to Latics.

City started the game strongly and if it was not for rooky Latics goalkeeper Nicholls they could have taken an early lead.

Latics offered little going forward and it was perhaps surprising that City did not score sooner than the 32nd minute. Fernandinho played a delicate chip over a static Wigan back line and Edin Dzeko slide in to poke the ball past Nicholls.

The second half continued in a similar vein with City dominating possession and creating numerous goalscoring opportunities.

Wigan’s debutant keeper Nicholls was having an outstanding game, he was called upon to make an excellent double save first from a Dzeko shot and then an effort by Navas was deflected by Stephen Crainey and the young keeper made a brilliant reflex save.

There was a suggestion of offside about City’s second goal, Nicholls initially denied Jovetic but the £22m striker followed up to score and referee Kevin Friend allowed the goal to stand.

In the 74th minute Fraser Fyvie committed a reckless and unnecessary foul about 25 yards from goal. Substitute Yaya Toure stepped up to curl a superb free kick over the wall and past the despairing dive of Nicholls.

In the 83rd minute the tiring Emmerson Boyce was outrun by James Milner who crossed the ball in to the six yard box and Ryan Shotton made a hash of the clearance and presented an easy opportunity for Jovetic to poke the ball home.

The rout was completed when Jesus Navas was allowed far too much room on the right hand side and the tricky Spaniard cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot past the Wigan keeper.

The difference in class was evident throughout but it was also apparent that Wigan didn’t show any real desire to go further in a competition which cannot be a priority for a team seeking a quick return to the Premier League and competing in the group stages of the Europa League.

Posted in Edin Dzeko, Jesus Navas, Manchester City, Manchester United, Stevan Jovetic, Wigan Athletic, Yaya Toure | Tagged Edin Dzeko, Jesus Navas, Manchester City, Owen Coyle, Stevan Jovetic, Wigan Athletic, Yaya Toure | 1 Comment

Wigan Athletic’s European Adventure part 1 – Slideshow

Posted on September 24, 2013 by ianhaspinall

From non-league to Europa League it’s been quite an adventure for the fans of Wigan Athletic. Most long-standing Latics fans could never have dreamt that they would one day play in a European competition, so this was a night to be savoured.

There were an amazing 2,500 Wigan fans in Bruges on Thursday night for the club’s first ever game in the Europa League against SV Zulte Waregem. A Lancastrian invasion of the picturesque Belgian city was a sight to behold as the blue and white army thronged the Market Square for a special night to remember.

Last season’s FA Cup winners started the European campaign with a satisfactory 0-0 draw at a rain-soaked Jan Breydel Stadium. To celebrate this historic event here’s a selection of images taken by me and some other fans during our trip to Belgium.

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Posted in Europa League, SV Zulte Waregem, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Europa League, SV Zulte Waregem, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Wigan ride their luck to survive Ipswich onslaught – Wigan Athletic 2 Ipswich Town 0

Posted on September 22, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Manchester United loanee Nick Powell sealed the points for Latics

An early headed goal by Ryan Shotton and a late finish by Nick Powell secured an unlikely three points for Wigan at home to Ipswich Town.

The Stoke loanee Shotton rose unchallenged at the back post to head home following a corner by Nick Powell.

Powell sealed the game for Latics in the 90th minute following a mistake by Town keeper Dean Gerken.

But it was the away side who had looked the more dangerous over the 90 minutes. Wigan keeper Scott Carson produced a man of the match performance to deny Mick McCarthy’s team.

Wigan manager Owen Coyle once again shuffled his pack following Thursday night’s draw at Zulte Waregem in the Europa League. Captain Emmerson Boyce was rested and Shaun Maloney and Marc Antoine Fortune were notably absent from a line up which did not include a recognised centre forward. Callum McManaman, James McClean and Powell were expected to provide the attacking threat.

The opening minutes demonstrated that Ipswich would be no pushovers as they set about unsettling the unfamiliar Latics formation. Luke Chambers had his header deflected onto the cross-bar as the away side forced a succession of corners.

But Latics took the lead in the 12 minute and Mick McCarthy will no doubt be disappointed that his side went behind from a set piece. Shotton was allowed too much space at the back post and he headed his first goal for Wigan in only his second appearance.

But, despite the early set back, Ipswich were the better side for much of the first half. Wigan Captain Ben Watson produced a great block to deny Daryl Murphy from scoring and then David McGoldrick headed just wide.

Scott Carson was in fine form first producing a fine reaction save to keep out Murphy’s close-range effort and then tipping Cole Skuse’s scorching drive around the post.

Latics were very fortunate to go in at half time a goal to the good but the second half continued in similar fashion to the first with Tunnicliffe driving a shot at Carson.

Wigan looked threatening on the break however, and the unmarked Thomas Rogne somehow contrived to head wide from close range when it looked easier to score.

Powell nearly grabbed a second following a Watson free kick but his header went wide and James McArthur should have done better when presented with an open goal but he also fired wide.

Ipswich put pressure on the Wigan goal and continued to win free kicks around the penalty box but Wigan ‘s defence held firm. McGoldrick and Tunnicliffe were both thwarted by blocks, while Carson tipped a long-range effort by Berra around the post for a corner.

It was to prove a crucial save as Wigan wrapped up the points in the 90th minute when Powell robbed Ipswich keeper Gerken of the ball and tapped home the winner.

Ipswich will rue their missed opportunities after they had dominated possession, and had 25 shots compared to Wigan’s 16 and 10 corners compared to Latics 3.

On another occasion Latics could easily have lost the game. Their deficiencies were all too evident as they gave the ball away far too easily and often resorted to a hopeful long ball. Their opponents controlled much of the play and if it was not for some excellent saves by Carson the points would have gone to Suffolk.

On the plus side there were some good performances by Carson and Watson and first goals for loanees Shotton and Powell. But there is still much that requires improvement if Wigan are to make a serious challenge for promotion.

Posted in Ipswich Town, Mick McCarthy, Nick Powell, Owen Coyle, Ryan Shotton, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Ipswich Town, Mick McCarthy, Nick Powell, Owen Coyle, Ryan Shotton, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

Latics outfought by Foxes – Leicester City 2 Wigan Athletic 0

Posted on September 14, 2013 by ianhaspinall

David Nugent penalty seals Foxes win

Wigan slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium with
Liam Moore scoring his first goal for the Foxes and David Nugent scoring a late penalty.

Moore put City ahead when he headed home unmarked from a corner after only 15 minutes.

Jean Beausejour brought down Jamie Vardy on 81 minutes and Nugent stepped up to score from the spot despite a valiant effort by Wigan keeper Scott Carson.

Latics lined up with James Perch in midfield following the departure of James McCarthy, but they struggled to cope with Leicester’s physical presence throughout.

The Foxes won most of the major battles and Wigan’s defence always looked vulnerable to quick counter attacks.

Early on Nugent shot just wide while Vardy just failed to put Andy King clear with a neat pass on the edge of the penalty area.

But Leicester’s early pressure told when Moore was allowed to rise unchallenged at the far post to power a header past Carson.

Wigan responded when Ben Watson’s 25 yard free kick was narrowly wide but Leicester continued in the ascendancy with Anthony Knockaert and Nugent both missing good chances and Vardy having a shot saved by Carson.

Marc Antoine Fortune had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Webb when he looked to have been brought down in the box.

Just before half time Leon Barnett brought Kasper Schmeichel to his first real save with a crisp shot on the turn.

Early in the second half Dyer’s pace troubled Wigan and it needed a great tackle by Roger Espinoza on Vardy to prevent the City striker from converting a pass from Nugent.

Wigan manager Owen Coyle made some perplexing substitutions, withdrawing the hardworking Roger Espinoza, the creative Jordi Gomez and Wigan’s best player Shaun Maloney. New loan signing Nick Powell, James McClean and Callum McManaman were thrown into the action but the Foxes continued to command the centre of the park and Wigan only threatened sporadically.

Leicester should have scored a second goal in the 70th minute. Vardy set up Nugent in the penalty area, but the striker’s first-time volley flew wide.

But Wigan’s fate was sealed on 81 minutes when Vardy was tripped by Jean Beausejour and Nugent scored the spot-kick despite Carson getting a hand to the ball.

Latics had been second best all afternoon and it will be worrying for Coyle that his team could not cope with a strong and physical Leicester team.

There have been many changes at the club since Roberto Martinez’s departure and it is evident to most fans that the club is going through a transformation period. However it is important that the new manager quickly establishes a system of play and a starting line up that can cope with the physical demands of the Championship.

All Wigan fans will be looking forward to their Europa Cup adventure but they also know the Championship and the push for a return to the Premier league has to be Wigan’s top priority.

Posted in David Nugent, Leicester City, Liam Moore, Owen Coyle, Wigan Athletic | Tagged David Nugent, Leicester City, Liam Moore, Owen Coyle, Wigan Athletic | 3 Comments

Transfer deadline day round up – Wigan Athletic

Posted on September 2, 2013 by ianhaspinall

James McCarthy leaves for Everton

The main news of the night was the transfer of James McCarthy to Everton for a fee reported to be £13m. Maroune Fellaini’s late move from Everton to Manchester United for £27.5m looked to have triggered McCarthy’s move to Goodison Park.

McCarthy’s deal was only confirmed with nine minutes of the transfer deadline remaining. Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan told the BBC,

They’ve been realistic and have matched our valuation. They are going to pay us much, much quicker than they said they would earlier.

Wigan fans will be disappointed to see the 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international leaving the club, but it was perhaps inevitable that the player would want to move to a Premier League club and in the process improve his salary.

On the positive side, Latics have now received over £20m from Everton for McCarthy and Arouna Kone and this should be regarded as good business for the club.

Earlier in the day Latics made a reported £8m bid for prolific Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes, but Rovers turned down the offer stating that Rhodes will be staying at Ewood Park.

There was also some speculation about moves for Callum McManaman and Shaun Maloney but neither player looked likely to be leaving the club in this window.

Transfer deadline day did end on a positive note with the season-long loan signing of highly rated central midfielder Nick Powell from Manchester United.

Nick Powell joins on loan

The Under 19-year-old England international is a likely replacement for McCarthy, and is a product of the respected Crewe youth system.

Owen Coyle has already publicly said he’s a fan of the youngster. He told the Daily Mail,

I am always loathe to talk about everybody else’s players. Everyone knows that me and David [Moyes] have a very good relationship. He [Powell] is a hugely talented player. If and when he becomes available, I would certainly love to bring a player of that calibre to the football club if it is possible. He goes away with England under-21s I’m led to believe this week – somebody told me that.

Powell scored against Wigan on his debut in a 4-0 win at Old Trafford last season. He made two appearances in the Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson, but has been allowed to move on a temporary basis to a club which will allow him to remain settled in the north-west.

The loan deal should benefit both clubs as Powell looks to regain match fitness in the competitive environment of the Championship.

Posted in Everton, James McCarthy, Manchester United, Nick Powell, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Everton, James McCarthy, Manchester United, Maroune Fellaini, Nick Powell, Wigan Athletic | 4 Comments

Wigan extinguish Forest fire – Wigan Athletic 2 Nottingham Forest 1

Posted on August 31, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Wigan Kick Off at the DW Stadium

Wigan secured their first home win of the season and inflicted Nottingham Forest’s first defeat of the Championship campaign.

Forest had taken the lead early in the first half through a superb Andy Reid free kick. But Latics equalised quickly through a Shaun Maloney penalty after Marc-Antoine Fortune was brought down by Jack Hobbs.

The home team took the lead on 35 minutes when Fortune’s strike came back off the cross-bar and Jordi Gomez was on hand to score.

Latics were the dominant force in the first half and Forest had the better of the second 45 minutes, but Owen Coyle’s team held on to take the important three points as they attempt to make a quick return to the Premier League.

Coyle is not afraid to shuffle his pack and made numerous changes from the starting line up from the last game against Middlesbrough. Thomas Rogne made his Championship debut in central defence with Ben Watson, Roger Espinoza, and Jordi Gomez starting in midfield and Shaun Maloney returning from injury upfront.

The visitors came into the game in good form and looking to extend their unbeaten run having secured ten points from their previous four games.

Latics started the brighter of the teams but it was Forest who took the lead on eight minutes. Henri Lansbury was brought down by Leon Barnett on the edge of the penalty area and Reid stepped up to curl his free kick beyond Scott Carson and in off the post.

Despite the set back Latics continued to play their football with Espinoza, Gomez and Maloney at the centre of their best moves.

The equaliser came on 14 minutes when Fortune was brought down in the penalty area by Hobbs and Maloney converted despite Forest keeper Karl Darlow getting a hand to the ball.

On 35 minutes Latics deservedly took the lead when Fortune unleashed a looping volley which crashed against the cross-bar and Gomez followed up the rebound to score his second goal in two games.

The first half ended with Wigan on top but Forest always looking dangerous on the break.

The second half was a different story as Forest piled on the pressure, Reid headed over from Eric Lichaj’s cross before Jamie Mackie had a better chance with a header that just cleared the Latics bar.

The last thirty minutes were played out in the Wigan half, but the home team were looking much more solid in defence than in previous games with the young Norwegian Rogne having an excellent game at centre back.

Despite Forest’s dominance, they nearly conceded a third in the dying minutes when James McCarthy broke down the left, but his pass was behind substitute James McClean and the chance had gone.

Forest manager Billy Davies may feel aggrieved that Forest were unable to secure a point as despite all their second half pressure they were unable to seriously test Scott Carson in the Wigan goal.

Owen Coyle will be pleased with the improved defensive performance and the three points which moves Wigan up to eighth in the Championship table after five games played.

Posted in Andy Reid, Jordi Gomez, Nottingham Forest, Owen Coyle, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Andy Reid, Jordi Gomez, Nottingham Forest, Owen Coyle, Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment

No glamour ties for Wigan in Europa League draw

Posted on August 30, 2013 by ianhaspinall

Europa League Trophy

For those of us who have followed Wigan Athletic from their non-league days seeing the club in today’s Europa League draw in Monaco was quite a surreal experience. Little Latics in a draw with famous names such as Lazio, Valencia, Bordeaux, PSV Eindhoven, Dynamo Kiev and Eintracht Frankfurt was something to savour. Unfortunately, the draw made by Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho and former Italian defender Ciro Ferrara was not kind to Wigan.

The draw for the group stages of the competition paired Latics in a group with Russians Rubin Kazan, Slovenians NK Maribor and SV Zulte Waregem from Belgium.

Latics fans will be disappointed that their travel costs will be substantial if they are to take in all three away fixtures. The distances and costs of travelling to Russia and Slovenia are likely to be prohibitive, so SV Zulte Waregem in Flanders is likely to be the preferred destination for fans hoping to take in an away Europa League fixture.

Despite the less than glamorous draw Latics will be hoping they can progress to the knock-out stages of the competition, but playing Thursday nights in the Europa League and Sundays in the Championship will not be an easy task.

European Destinations

Rubin Kazan have experience in European competitions including the Champions League and won the Russian Premier League championship in 2008 and 2009. They won the 2011–12 Russian Cup and have recently moved into the 500 million euros Kazan Stadium below.

The new Kazan Stadium

They qualified for the group stage of the Europa Cup after three previous rounds; 4-2 aggregate win in the second qualifying round against Jagodina (Serbia); 4-1 aggregate win in the third qualifying round against Randers (Denmark) and a 5-0 aggregate play-off victory over Molde (Norway).

NK Maribor is the most successful club in Slovenia, having won eleven League titles, eight Slovenian Cups and three Slovenian Supercups. The club’s most successful period was in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when they overwhelmingly dominated domestic football, winning seven successive league titles and three national cups.

Ljudski vrt stadium

Following the 2008–09 season they became the dominant force in Slovenian football for the second time, having won three out of four championships since then. They are the only Slovenian club and one of only four clubs from the former Yugoslavia to have participated in the group stages of the Champions League and the Europa League.

The Slovenian First League winners enter the group stage following elimination from the Champions League with a 4-1 aggregate defeat against Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic).

Sportvereniging Zulte Waregem play in the West Flanders region of Belgium. Their highest ever finish was a 2nd place in the Belgian First Division last season. They have won one Belgian Cup and subsequently qualified for the 2006-07 UEFA Cup, only to lose in the round of 32 to Newcastle United.

SV Zulte Waregem Stadium not up to UEFA Standard.

This season they were in the Champions League at the third qualifying round but were eliminated 5-0 on aggregate by Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

The Belgian League runners-up then entered the Europa League play-off round, beating APOEL (Cyprus) 3-2 on aggregate.

The home fixture against Latics will be played at the FC Bruges’ Jan Breydel Stadium because the home stadium is not up to UEFA standard.

FC Bruges Stadium where Latics will play SV Zulte Waregem

Group stage fixtures will take place on the following dates:

Sept 19 SV Zulte Waregem (a) Game to be played at FC Bruges’ Jan Breydel Stadium

Oct 3 Maribor (h)

Oct 24 Rubin Kazan (h)

Nov 7 Rubin Kazan (a)

Nov 28 SV Zulte Waregem (h)

Dec 12 Maribor (a)

Posted in Europa League, NK Maribor, Rubin Kazan, SV Zulte Waregem, Wigan Athletic | Tagged Europa League, NK Maribor, Rubin Kazan, SV Zulte Waregem, Wigan Athletic | 1 Comment