Dons UEFA Dream Alive

Last updated : 06 December 2007 By Stand Free Ed
INCREDIBLY, without winning a game in Europe this season, Aberdeen are only 90 minutes away from qualifying from UEFA Cup Group B.

A win against the group's fourth seeds FC Copenhagen will see the Dons reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup for the first time.

This unbelievable set of events would surpass any predictions made by even the most optimistic Dandy before the season began.

The amazing opportunity arose after Aberdeen's "Brothers in Football" Atletico Madrid beat the Danes 2-0 at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen.

Simao and Aguero scored for the Spanish side as they clinically dismissed FCK on the counter-attack.

Meanwhile Panathinaikos, who crushed the Dons 3-0 in the opening group game, gave the Reds a helping hand by defeating Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 at home - Salpiggidis netting both of the second-half goals.

That result ensures that the Russian side cannot now qualify, having completed their four fixtures with two points.

Although Aberdeen currently sit bottom of Group B with one point, a win over Copenhagen in the final round of matches would see the Dons clinch third place with four points.

Atletico and Panathinaikos are both now assured a passage through to the knockout stages, where the UEFA Group qualifiers will join Champions League failures in tha final 32.

With so much riding on it, the visit of FC Copenhagen to Pittodrie on December 20th is now guaranteed to be a sell-out.

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood travelled to Denmark to watch the crucial game, and didn't hide his delight that the Reds were still in with a chance of qualifying.

He said: "We've got a chance and we couldn't have asked for any more than that.

"We've got to win our home game against Copenhagen and we would have accepted this before we started our qualifying games - so it's a wonderful chance for us.

"When we beat Dnipro we thought it's fantastic just to be taking part, but you start getting hungrier and we've got a chance to go further."