UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

What else is happening in European football?

Snow in Spain, Rod Stewart on the rampage, some soccer salads and a five-second post-match press conference are among our off-grid highlights this week.

Bayern mascot Baerli kitted out for snowy weather
Bayern mascot Baerli kitted out for snowy weather ©Getty Images

The snow in Spain falls mainly on CSKA
Before we get going properly, let's check in with CSKA Moskva, who escaped wintry Russia for some warm-weather training on the Costa Blanca ...

... also the England women's team in La Manga.

Bolasie repays Boro for burgers
A phone call from Everton winger Yannick Bolasie helped Hillingdon Borough rediscover their reason to live after the club, whose first incarnation was founded in 1872, announced they were to withdraw from the tenth-tier Spartan South Midlands League Division One with immediate effect.

Within hours, that decision was reversed, Premier League star Bolasie – whose career began with Boro – having got in touch. "They are in need of support at the moment so I just wanted to chip in," Bolasie told Everton's website, adding that the club "used to pay me in burgers" during his early days.

Federico Chiesa celebrates his first Serie A goal
Federico Chiesa celebrates his first Serie A goal©Getty Images

Fathers, brothers and sons
"If I had a guarantee that we would win the title, I would carry on as coach until the end of the year," said Jordi Cruyff, who is (somewhat reluctantly) living up to his father Johan in a way he never quite managed as a player. The Maccabi Tel-Aviv sporting director has won all four of his games since he was drafted in as stand-in coach following Shota Arveladze's departure.

Elsewhere, Enrico Chiesa – who registered 138 Serie A goals in his time – was present to watch his son Federico score his first in Fiorentina's 3-0 defeat of Chievo ("I just hope it was the first of many," the proud dad said), while Mathias Pogba – twin of St-Étienne's Florentin – emulated his younger brother, Manchester United's Paul Pogba, by celebrating a goal for Sparta Rotterdam with a dance.

In the Czech Republic, meanwhile, 17-year-old Christian Frýdek is determined to make his family not proud but jealous. After signing his first contract with Sparta Praha, the club his father Martin played for, and for whom his brother – another Martin – is currently on the books, he said: "I always wanted to prove that I am better than my father and my brother."

Emre reaches 300 in Turkey
Turkish Super League leaders İstanbul Başakşehir lost 1-0 at Fenerbahçe on Sunday, yet their midfielder Emre Belözoğlu still felt blessed – the ex-Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Atlético Madrid, Internazionale Milano and Newcastle man, now 36, making his 300th Turkish top-division appearance.

"I am very happy that my 300th match was against Fenerbahçe," he said, having won two titles and two cups with the Yellow Canaries. "These might be among my final games. I have really enjoyed my time in football. God allowed me to win titles and trophies."

Rod Stewart's Scottish Cup draw
Honorary Scotsman Rod Stewart's star turn at the Scottish Cup fifth round draw amazed and horrified, the singer's bizarre enthusiasm and slightly overfriendly treatment of Scottish Football Association president Alan McRea making for a riveting performance. Sample fan comment from the internet: "Is Rod Stewart drunk or just really weird?" Google it.

Dinamo love brings Sammir home
Lucrative moves to China are increasingly common, but attacking midfielder Sammir has bucked the trend, Dinamo Zagreb's most successful player (he won 15 trophies from 2007–14) taking a cut in wages to return to Croatia following a spell in Asia. "I am not here for the money," said the Brazilian-born Croatian international, 29. "I am here to help Dinamo."

The New Saints' latest miracle
Not disheartened by their 22-game domestic winning streak ending a few days back, The New Saints performed a new wonder in the Welsh League Cup final at the weekend. Barry Town held them for 78 minutes before substitute Chris Sergeant hit a 12-minute hat-trick, his team finishing up 4-0 victors. "Hopefully that's me back in the side," said Sergeant.

Mustafa Akçay: a man of few words
Mustafa Akçay: a man of few words©Getty Images

Press conference of the week
Donald Trump, yadda yadda yadda. In Turkey, Osmanlıspor coach Mustafa Akçay faced the press for just five seconds after his side's 2-1 home defeat by Antalyaspor on Sunday. His comments in full: "I will speak briefly and to the point. Ready? Dear friends, we played and we lost. We were beaten. Wish you a good evening."

Come on you greens
Bulgarian fireman Yordan Petrov has been celebrating his love of his team, Beroe Stara Zagora, with a series of commemorative salads, and the 41-year-old is now branching out into Europe – see his New Year tribute to Beroe and his preview salad for Chelsea's 3-0 defeat of Leicester below.

©Yordan Petrov
©Yordan Petrov

Selected for you