Lech win leaves Rengifo in festive mood

KKS Lech Poznań striker Hernan Rengifo likened his team's 1-0 win at Feyenoord on Wednesday to "a Christmas gift" as the Polish Ekstraklasa leaders squeezed into the UEFA Cup Round of 32.

'Wonderful period'
Ivan Djurdjević struck the only goal of the game with 27 minutes gone in Rotterdam to lift Lech from fourth in Group H to third. "We weren't just playing for Poznan, we were playing for the whole of Poland as we were the only Polish club still involved in European competition," Rengifo told uefa.com. "I dreamt about two gifts for Christmas. The first was for me and all Polish fans and we managed to get it – I mean the win in Rotterdam, of course. The second is very special for me as my wife is pregnant. I think that in the future I will remember December 2008 as one of the most wonderful periods of my life."

Big step
The Peruvian forward never doubted his team's chances either. "We knew we were better than Feyenoord, but before the game you can't say you will win easily, especially when your opponents have a player like Roy Makaay in their squad," he added. "Now I can say we were simply better and fully deserved to go through. We have made two very big steps in European football. The first was to enter the group stage and now we've been able to qualify for the next round. By February, we'll be even stronger, so I wouldn't be surprised if we create another surprise for Polish and European fans."

Interested spectator
Lech coach Franciszek Smuda was also in festive mood after the landmark result, the first time a Polish side have triumphed at Feyenoord in six attempts. "I know we've made history and I like it," he said. "Let's treat it as our Christmas present for Polish fans." The 60-year-old will now be an interested spectator as the draw for the Round of 32 takes place in Nyon on Friday, though he has no preference in terms of who his charges take on next: "It doesn't matter which team we play, but we will have to speed up our winter preparations. That's for sure." As far as Colombian defender Manuel Arboleda is concerned, Lech ought to fear no one in the knockout stages. "Why can't we say our goal is the UEFA Cup final?" he asked. "Life without dreams is meaningless. I believe in this team and I think we are capable of beating anyone on our day."