OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME | 2021/22 | VICTORIA STADIUM, GIBRALTAR
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND FIRST LEG TUESDAY JULY 20TH 2021 | KICK-OFF 6.00PM
V CFR 1907 CLUJ
PROUD SPONSOR OF LINCOLN RED IMPS FC
WISHING THE TEAM EVERY SUCCESS THROUGHOUT 2021/22 WE’LL BE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY…
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WELCOME
THEPRESIDENT DEAR FRIENDS, LET ME WELCOME YOU ALL BACK TO VICTORIA STADIUM FOR THE FIRST LEG OF THE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AGAINST CFR 1907 CLUJ FROM ROMANIA.
I am sure CFR 1907 Cluj needs very little introduction; they are a very strong team who has played in the group stages of this competition and in doing so have faced many top clubs in Europe.
overwhelming. Of course, I cannot forget to give a special mention to our young academy players in their Red and Black who with their chants throughout the evening made the day extra special.
They have pitted their wits against likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Man United and Roma in recent history and for a humble club like Lincoln Red Imps, it’s always an honour and a pleasure to be able to host clubs of this magnitude.
It was a very special occasion in which the Lincoln Family spirit flourished.
Last week’s game against CS Fola Esch was probably one of the most enjoyable and emotional evenings I have lived at the stadium in all my years being the President of this club. We can talk about the result as a massive achievement and a record-breaking statistic and we can talk about a disciplined and high level performance by the team, but what will remain in my memory forever is the overall atmosphere within the stadium. It is something that I will never forget. To see the West Stand full of our faithful supporters plus all of the families and friends of our players and technical team, all giving the lads great backing was
After last week’s result it means that the club is guaranteed to play UEFA competitions until the end of August. At this stage I am obliged to thank the family of all the players and technical team for their patience and support during the season and in these demanding times ahead for the club. I am aware this causes a lot of disruption to your daily lives and for your patience and understanding, you have my most sincere appreciation. Finally, to our sponsors, volunteers and all those involved in one way or another who have opted to join us in this journey, on behalf of the club I thank you all for your continuous collaboration and support. DYLAN VIAGAS President
Head Coach: Michael McElwee Team Delegate: Christian Fortuna Fitness Coaches: Liam Mesilio & Sergio Garcia Physios: Keith Ramirez & Adam Oria Goalkeeper Coach: Miguel Angel Bazan Kitman: Jose Manuel Corrales Team Doctor: Francisco Moya CLUB HONOURS Gibraltar Football League: 25 wins 1984–85, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990– 91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004– 05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011– 12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017-18, 2018-19,2020-21 Rock Cup: 19 wins 1985–86, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1992– 93, 1993–94, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007– 08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2020-21 Gibraltar League Senior Cup: 18 wins 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989– 90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003– 04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14 MATCH PROGRAMME Today’s special souvenir Matchday Programme has been produced on behalf of Lincoln Red Imps FC by our Official Match Programme and Website Partner:
Gibraltar’s Match Programme Specialists Twitter: @APEPublications |Web: apepublications.wixsite.com/home Email: apepublications@aol.co.uk All images courtesy of:
MARK RODRIGUEZ
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THE MANAGER
MICKMcELWEE
WELCOME BACK TO VICTORIA STADIUM FOR THIS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND FIRST LEG ENCOUNTER WITH CFR CLUJ.
May I take this opportunity to welcome everyone connected to our opponents before wishing them a safe journey home afterwards.
We have taken the plaudits over the past week and now we must focus on what stands before us today.
Looking back at last Tuesday’s tremendous 5-0 victory here over CS Fola Esch, it was an excellent team performance. Everyone did their job and we also have to recognise the important role played by the home crowd. You lifted the team with your unwavering support and it showed in the final scoreline.
You can be sure that this will be a step up in quality and I am under no illusions that we go into the tie as big underdogs.
To be honest, we never expected such a margin of victory because CS Fola Esch are a good side, but they struggled to cope with the conditions and the fact that we had several players at the top of their game. A massive credit to my players for the performance and the technical team for the first-class preparation.
We need all the support that we can get, so please get behind us from the very first whistle. Hopefully we will have a positive result to take with us to Romania next week.
That said, we will prepare correctly and hope to maintain our high standards and see where this takes us.
Enjoy the game… MICK
. . . We have taken the plaudits over the past week and now we must focus on what stands before us today. We will prepare correctly and hope to maintain our high standards and see where this takes us…”
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KIAN RONAN
IT WAS a special night for everyone involved in our emphatic 5-0 victory over CS Fola Esch in the second leg of our UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie on Tuesday, but getting his name on the scoresheet was the icing on the cake for Kian Ronan. “Over the two legs we thoroughly deserved to get through to the next round,” he said. “After the positive result that we secured in Luxembourg, we knew a lot more about our opponents and how to exploit their weaknesses going into Tuesday’s game.
KIAN RONAN
SWEET SUCCESS
“We were full of confidence and it showed. Having supporters back inside Victoria Stadium only made us even more determined to put in a good performance. “We executed our game plan perfectly and never took our foot off the gas for the entire 90 minutes.
“We were full of confidence and it showed. Having supporters back inside Victoria Stadium only made us even more determined to put in a good performance…” “Defensively we were solid and from Chino right through the whole team we were determined and focused on the job in hand. “It was a real pleasure to be involved in such a big game and big occasion. It was a team effort from everyone, but it was also extra special to get my name on the scoresheet. “Now we look ahead to the next challenge and it’s another tough opponent for us. We will assess their strengths and weaknesses and prepare accordingly. “There is a lot of belief within this group and the hope is that we can perform to the levels that we know we are capable of. It we can do that, then who knows what we ca achieve over the two legs? “We’re all buzzing and raring to go again. Let’s hope that we can give the supporters something to cheer about once again.”
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HISTORYMAKERS
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Malmö (SWE) vs HJK Helsinki (FIN) Ferencváros (HUN) vs Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU) Mura (SVN) vs Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) League path Rapid Wien (AUT) vs Sparta Praha (CZE) Celtic (SCO) vs Midtjylland (DEN) PSV Eindhoven (NED) vs Galatasaray (TUR)
UEFACHAMPIONS LEAGUE
THIS is the 67th season of Europe’s elite club competition and the 30th since it was renamed the UEFA Champions League. • How does qualifying work? In 2020/21, qualifying was truncated following the late finish to the previous campaign, with all ties prior to the playoffs single-leg matches. 2021/22 will see a return to the home and away format from the first qualifying round. • When will matches take place? 22 June 2021: Preliminary round semi-finals 25 June 2021: Preliminary round final 6/7 & 13/14 July 2021: First qualifying round 20/21 & 27/28 July 2021: Second qualifying round 3/4 & 10 August 2021: Third qualifying round 17/18 & 24/25 August 2021: Play-offs Group stage 14/15 September 2021: Matchday 1 28/29 September 2021: Matchday 2 19/20 October 2021: Matchday 3 2/3 November 2021: Matchday 4 23/24 November 2021: Matchday 5 7/8 December 2021: Matchday 6 Knockout phase 15/16/22/23 February & 8/9/15/16 March 2022: Round of 16 5/6 & 12/13 April 2022: Quarter-finals 26/27 & 3/4 May 2022: Semi-finals 28 May 2022: Final • When will the Draws take place? 8 June 2021: Preliminary round 15 June 2021: First qualifying round 16 June 2021: Second qualifying round 19 July 2021: Third qualifying round
2 August 2021: Play-off round 26 August 2021: Group stage 13 December 2021: Round of 16 18 March 2022: Quarter-finals & Semi-finals
• Where will the final take place? The final will take place at the Saint Petersburg Stadium. The distinct venue on Krestovsky Island was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, whose vision was for a spaceship that had landed on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. It has been home to Zenit since 2017. 2021 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW Entering in this round are the likes of Celtic, PSV Eindhoven, Galatasaray, Olympiacos and Crvena zvezda. The 26 clubs are split into two sections: Champions Path (20 teams) and League Path (six teams). Some ties will be only be fully set after the first qualifying round ends on 13/14 July. Champions path Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) vs Omonoia (CYP) Slovan Bratislava (SVK) vs Young Boys (SUI) Legia Warszawa (POL) vs Flora Tallinn (EST) Alashkert FC (ARM) vs Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA) Olympiacos (GRE) vs Neftçi (AZE) Kairat Almaty (KAZ) vs Crvena zvezda (SRB) Lincoln Red Imps (GIB) vs CFR Cluj (ROU)
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• What happens next? Winners advance to the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round (draw on 19 July), and will be assured of a group stage place in either the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League. hampions path losing sides progress to the UEFA Europa League champions path third qualifying round, while league path losing sides go into the UEFA Europa League main path third qualifying round. 2021 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW Champions path Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) / Omonoia FC (CYP) vs Legia Warszawa (POL) / Flora Tallinn (EST) Lincoln Red Imps (GIB) / CFR Cluj (ROU) vs Slovan Bratislava (SVK) / Young Boys (SUI) Olympiacos (GRE) / Neftçi PFK (AZE) vs Mura (SVN) / Ludogorets (BUL) Kairat Almaty (KAZ) / Crvena zvezda (SRB) vs Alashkert (ARM) / Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA) Malmö (SWE) / HJK Helsinki (FIN) vs Rangers (SCO) Ferencváros (HUN) / Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU) vs SK Slavia Praha (CZE) League path PSV Eindhoven (NED) / Galatasaray (TUR) vs Celtic FC (SCO) / Midtjylland (DEN) Spartak Moskva (RUS) vs Benfica (POR) Genk (BEL) vs Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) Monaco (FRA) vs Rapid Wien (AUT) / Sparta Praha (CZE) When are the games? Ties take place on 3/4 and 10 August, with extra time and a penalty shoot-out if required after the second leg. Winners advance to the UEFA Champions League play-offs (draw scheduled for 2 August).
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MATCH REPORT
HISTORYMAKERS
LINCOLN RED IMPS 5 CS FOLA ESCH 0 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND SECOND LEG – WON 7-2 ON AGGREGATE | 13.07.2021
History was made at Victoria Stadium last week as we ran up the biggest victory in European competition by a team from Gibraltar.
Things were to get even better with just over 15 minutes to go when Kike linked up well with the lively De Barr who was rewarded with his second goal of the game to increase our lead.
We set the tone early on with a positive start to the game and after Roy Chipolina had seen an effort saved, we took the lead on 19 minutes when Chipolina turned provider for Tjay De Barr. It was a deserved goal and we went on to create further chances through Liam Walker and Kian Ronan. With five minutes to go until the break, a foul on De Barr by the opposition goalkeeper gave us a penalty which Walker coolly dispatched to make it 2-0. The opening period ended with the visitors attempting to get back into the game but we managed to repel them with some stubborn defending. Into the second half and we were always in control of proceedings, however, the
third goal from Kian Ronan, following more good work in the build-up from De Barr, knocked the stuffing out of our opponents. After Walker was denied by a save from Hym, the ‘keeper was to turn villain shortly afterwards as he received a second yellow card whilst conceding a second penalty for a foul on Rosa. Once again, Walker held his nerve to fire the ball home and make it 4-0, much to the delight of the supporters inside the stadium.
Credit to our visitors as they continued to search for a consolation goal, but we remained in control to complete the job and comprehensively secure our passage into the next round of this fantastic competition, whilst also creating a little bit of history in the process. LINCOLN RED IMPS Goldwin, Wiseman, Lopes, R. Chipolina (Sargeant 80), Toscano, Walker (L. Casciaro 80), Rosa (Torrilla 72), Yahaya, Ronan, De Barr (Gomez 80), Britto (Kike 68). Subs not used: Soler, Paulino, Kovalonoks, Valarino, Carraiero, Cabrera. Booking(s): Walker Goal(s): De Barr, Walker (2), Ronan IMAGES: Mark Rodriguez
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FIRST LEG
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MAKING AN IMPRESSION
ROSABLANCO
MAKING AN IMPRESSION MARCOS ONE OF the historymaking team of heroes from last Tuesday’s excellent victory over CS Fola Esch was recent arrival, Marcos Rosa Blanco. Having played most of his football career in the Spanish Segunda “B” Division, he arrived at the end of May to reinforce the engine room of the side and has impressed with his outings so far. “I am very happy to now form part of this great club and very thankful to the club for the confidence they have put on me,"
he said. "My aim is to work as hard as possible to help the club achieve all the objectives that they set out and, most importantly, I want to enjoy my time here." Assistant coach, Raul Castillo, added: “We have been following Marcos for a few seasons and he is a player who fits perfectly to our team and style of play. "He will strengthen and provide different options in our midfield. We are confident he will settle down quickly in the team and have a big role to play in the challenges that lie ahead.”
"My aim is to work as hard as possible to help the club achieve all the objectives that they set out and, most importantly, I want to enjoy my time here…”
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SCOTT WISEMAN
SCOTT WISEMAN
FULL OF PRIDE
ACCOMPLISHED defender, Scott Wiseman, has been there and seen it all in his long career in the English game, but walking off the pitch last Tuesday having helped us progress in to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League following a commanding victory over CS Fola Esch, gave him plenty of satisfaction. “The first leg in Luxembourg was very much a step into the unknown for us,” he admitted. “The staff did great homework but even so it was difficult to gauge how we stacked up against them. “Whilst with the way the game panned out, we were slightly disappointed with the 2-2 draw having been two goals up, it gave us a platform to go on and finish the job at home. “We were able to learn a lot about them and how we could exploit their weaknesses with what we have.
“The performance and energy levels were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Everyone played their part and we were always in control of the game…” “It meant that we went into the second leg full of confidence and with the crowd behind us, we had the mental beating of them. “The performance and energy levels were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Everyone played their part and we were always in control of the game. “It was a memorable night for us, but that has gone now and it’s a quick turnaround to today’s game where we know that we face opponents who will be a step up from what CS Fola Esch offered. “We will have to be at our best again, but it’s a challenge that we are looking forward to a face with great relish and determination. “This team has proved what it is capable of and hopefully we can give another good account of ourselves on the European stage.”
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SNAP SHOT
IN PREPARATION
The players have been working hard in the summer heat over the past week to be ready for our latest UEFA Champions League challenge.
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OUR VISITORS
THEOPPOSITION
THE CLUB has been in existence since 1907, but it is fair to say that the past 20 years have seen many ups and downs.
It started at the turn of 2002 when the club was taken over by new owners as they returned to the second-tier of Romanian football. With a big investment in new signings, things were going well until main sponsor, Árpád Pászkány, became involved in a public scandal during which Pászkány accused several referees of corruption. The affair plagued the team for a time, but they were able to regroup and ended the season with promotion into the top division for the first time in 28 years. Finishing 11th at the end of their first campaign back at that level, consolidating their position before the following season, 2005/06, saw them enter the UEFA Intertoto Cup and finish fifth with progress being made.
In 2007/08 they became the first team from outside Bucharest to win the League title in two decades and what’s more, they also claimed the Romanian Cup to cap a memorable season. Winning the League meant UEFA Champions League qualification and in the group stages they faced Chelsea, AS Roma and Bordeaux. They started with a fantastic 2-1 away win in Rome and then held Chelsea, who won the competition at the end of the previous season, to a goalless draw. They had to be content with a fourth place finish in the League but retained the Romanian Cup, however, they were champions again in 2009-10 and 2011-12. Financial difficulties hit them in 2014-15 and resulted in them not only losing talented players, but also being deducted 24 points, but this was overturned on appeal.
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It was a tough time for a few years until 2017 when they were taken over by businessman Marian Băgăcean and finally came out of insolvency, allowing them to compete in European competitions once more. Clinching their fourth title in 2017-18, a host of changes in the managerial hotseat did them few favours but in May 2019, under the management of former English Premier League player, Dan Petrescu, they won the League title. In the UEFA Champions League they beat Celtic (something in common with us!) but just missed out on making it into the group stages. They have won four consecutive League titles to really establish themselves as one of the most successful clubs in the recent history of Romanian football and as such they will be a tough obstacle for us to overcome.
OUR VISITORS
CFR1907CLUJ IT WAS a tough passage through to this stage of the competition for tonight’s opponents against Bosnia & Herzegovina outfit, FK Borac Banja Luka. Leading 3-1 from the first leg at home, they found themselves 2-0 down at the end of 90 minutes in the second leg and so the game went into extra-time. With time running out, substitute, Alexandru Chipciu, popped up with a crucial goal to take them through by the skin of their teeth, 4-3 on aggregate. Here is the team that started last Tuesday’s game…We extend a warm welcome to everyone connected to the club before wishing them a safe journey home afterwards.
ARLAUSKIS
CAMORA
BOUHENNA
CESTOR
COSTACHE
MANEA
SIGURJONSSON
RODRIGUEZ
PAUN
DEAC
OMRANI
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MATCH PROGRAMME PRODUCED BY
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2020/2021 SEASON
THE ROADTO GLORY A look back at our League and Cup double-winning season of 2020/21…
OCTOBER Mon 19 Mon 26 Sat 31
College 1975 League FC BRUNO'S MAGPIESLeague Europa League
8-0 3-0 2-2
NOVEMBER Sun 22 BOCA JUNIORS Sat 28 Mons Calpe SC
League League
0-0 2-0
DECEMBER Wed 2 Sun 6 Fri 11 Sat 19
League League League League
6-1 3-0 0-2 2-0
FEBRUARY Thurs 25 Glacis United
League
3-0
MARCH Thurs 4
League
4-2
Europa Point LIONS GIBRALTAR Lynx MANCHESTER 62
ST. JOSEPH'S
Wed 10
Europa
Champ Group
3-0
APRIL Wed 7 Sat 10 Wed 14 Sat 17 Tues 20 Sat 24 Tues 27
LIONS GIBRALTAR Lynx LYNX MONS CALPE SC EUROPA ST. JOSEPH'S Lions Gibraltar
Rock Cup Champ Group Rock Cup Champ Group Rock Cup Champ Group Champ Group
6-0 7-0 2-1 5-1 3-0 0-1 1-1
MAY Sat 1 Wed 5 Sun 9 Thurs 13 Sun 16 Wed 19
EUROPA LYNX Mons Calpe SC St. Joseph's LIONS GIBRALTAR Glacis United
Champ Group Champ Group Champ Group Champ Group Champ Group Rock Cup
3-1 1-0 4-0 2-2 3-0 2-0
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LINCOLN RED IMPS
CFR 1907 CLUJ
HEAD COACH: MARIUS UMUDICĂ
HEAD COACH: MICK MCELWEE
MANUEL SOLER
PLD SUB
FIGUEIEDO CRISTIANO PEREIRA
KYLE GOLDWIN
CRISTIAN BALGADEAN
FRANCISCO PAULINO
GIEDRIUS ARLAUSKIS
SCOTT WISEMAN
OTTO HINDRICH
ROY CHIPOLINA
CRISTIAN MANEA
BERNARDO LOPES
DANIJEL GRAOVAC
ETHAN BRITTO
ALEXANDRU CHIPCIU
JACK SERGEANT
LASMIN LATOVLEVICI
BRIAN GOMEZ
RACHID BOUHENNA
JULIAN VALARINO
MIKE CESTOR
JESUS TOSCANO
DENIS CIOBORTARIU
GRAEME TORRILLA
MATEO SUSIC
MUSTAPHA YAHAYA
CAMORA
MARCOS ROSA
RAUL BOGDAN HAIDUC
KIAN RONAN
RUNAR MAR SIGURJONSSON
GEORGE CABRERA
CIPRIAN DEAC
LIAM WALKER
JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ
TJAY DE BARR
ANAS TAHIRI
KIKE GOMEZ
CLAUDIU PETRILLA
NIKITA KOVALONOKS
OVIDIU HOBAN
ALIN FICA
LEE CASCIARO
CATALIN ITU
FERNANDO CARRALERO
CONSTANTIN PAUN BILLEL OMRANI
IONUT COSTACHE
GABRIEL DEBELJUH
MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE:
DELAJOD WILLY (FRA)
ASSISTANT REFEREES:
MEHDI RAHMOUNI (FRA)
ERWAN CHRISTOPHE FINJEAN (FRA)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: THOMAS LEONARD (FRA)
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PLD SUB