Rennes prevail in epic shoot-out
Saturday 26 July 2008
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Vasil Gigiadze scored Tavriya's goal in Ukraine (©Oleksandr Zadiraka)
Illia Galiuza's penalty miss gifted Stade Rennais FC a place in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round, but SC Tavriya Simferopol bowed out of the final UEFA Intertoto Cup with their heads held high.
Mammoth shoot-out
Galiuza's miss proved to be the final act for the Ukrainian side, after they clawed back a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in France. Playing in an aggressive 3-4-3 formation against more defensive-minded visitors, Tavriya did not carve out many chances, but Georgian striker Vasil Gigiadze converted one to ensure extra time and then penalties.
Superb chip
In the first half, midfielder Galiuza shot wide with just Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez to beat, and Volodymyr Homenyuk was similalry unlucky on the hour as his attempted lob drifted just over. However, Tavriya did not give up hope and were eventually rewarded as Lucky Idahor chipped a loose ball into the path of the on-rushing Gigiadze, who headed home on 70 minutes.
Goalkeepers star
Rennes responded, with the towering Olivier Thomert proving a real menace but Galiuza almost killed the game off in the last moments of normal time, missing the target from seven metres. Extra time proved uneventful, unlike the shoot-out which saw both Tavriya goalkeeper Andrii Dykan and Douchez save two efforts as well as scoring one each before Galiuza failed to convert his second spot-kick of the evening.
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