Marking your card #9

As one door closes, another opens so the old saying goes. That's as true this week in football as it is in life.

The final round of Ligue 1 dominates Sunday and the cheeky upstarts of Montpellier need a point from a trip to Auxerre - already relegated - to seal a first ever championship. They may not even need that should PSG lose to Lorient, and with Lorient desperate for points to avoid relegation that can't be ruled out. Anyone from 12th-placed Valenciennes down are in a spot of bother. Ahead of Auxerre, Dijon are on 36 points, with Brest, Caen and Ajaccio two ahead of them and Sochaux, Lorient and Nice a point further clear. Valenciennes are on 40 and should be OK as it would take an extraordinary set of results to relegate them. The fixtures in this eight-way relegation battle are:
Evian v Brest
Lorient v PSG
Lyon v Nice
Sochaux v Marseille
Toulouse v Ajaccio
Valenciennes v Caen
Of the clubs in trouble, only VA and Caen face off directly. Their futures are in their own hands. Everyone else will have a radio pressed to the ear in the time-honoured fashion.

There were lots of cup finals in midweek - Basel completing a double in Switzerland and Fenerbahce thumping Bursaspor with a superb display in Turkey the picks - and more finals follow this weekend. The last two places in next season's Eredivisie are up for grabs as Willem II and Den Bosch - 0-0 in the first leg - and Helmond Sport and VVV - VVV lead 2-1 after the first - complete their ties. Vitesse, 3-1 up from the first leg, play RKC for the final Europa League place. Sporting CP and Académica contest the final of the Taca de Portugal, there's the Coppa Italia final between Juventus and Napoli - that should be a cracker - and Endinburgh rivals Hibernian and Hearts take part in the Scottish Cup final in Glasgow. There's also the small matter of the Champions League final. Bayern are at home to Chelsea, the game being played at the impressive Allianz Arena in Munich although without the usual number of Bayern fans, but both sides are missing key players through suspension. Bayern are the bookies favourites and by a fair chunk which is probably representative.

While all these competitions come to an end, the Brazilian national championship kicks off this weekend. After months of increasingly tedious and pointless state championships, Serie A gets underway. Two of the promoted clubs kick us off, Portuguesa away to Palmeiras and Sport Recife at home to Flamengo. Champions Corinthians start on Sunday at home to Fluminense, last year's runners-up Vasco da Gama are at home to Grêmio and favourites Santos are away to Bahia.

Elsewhere in South America, Newell's continue to lead in Argentina and take on third-placed Tigre this week. Boca, in third, are away to traditional rivals Racing Club. Universidad de Chile have lost the last two in the Primera División de Chile. They need to get back to winning ways and take on Huachipato, in seventh, this week. O'Higgins are poised to take advantage of any slip as they take on rock-bottom Cobresal.

England sees two particularly massive games at Wembley over the weekend. First up is the clash between West Ham and Blackpool for the chance to play in next season's Premier League. This will be hyped beyond all recognition as a consequence of so much money suddenly being made available to the winners, but no less important is the Conference play-off final for the right to play in the Football League. Former league sides York City and Luton Town are going for this one and while the numbers may be smaller, it's no less important for the two clubs. You lose funding for your youth teams after dropping out of the league and both have been down there a while - eight years in York's case - and getting back up is a big deal. They've played each other four times this season already, York winning three with one draw, but none of that will matter come 3pm on Sunday. That's where we're going. Come on York (impartiality be damned).

We will also have spies in Radom in Poland where Radomiak travel to take on neighbours Bron needing a win to secure promotion from the regional leagues to the national II Liga - the third tier of Polish football.

Campeonato Brasiliero Série A Week 7

Vitória 4-3 Botafogo
Atlético Paranaense 2-2 Palmeiras
Santo André 2-1 Sport Recife
Grêmio 2-2 Goiás
Náutico 0-1 Coritiba
Avaí 3-2 Fluminense
Santos 2-3 Atlético Mineiro
Cruzeiro 2-4 Barueri
Flamengo 4-0 Internacional
Corinthians 3-1 São Paulo

A 7 goal thriller to open the weekend, Vitória were two up inside 20 minutes thanks to Roger's two strikes. Juninho's free kick pulled one back for the visitors before Adriano extended the lead again. Batista pulled another one back before half time before Victor Simões levelled things 18 minutes from time. Vitória though secured the points with a last minute winner through Apodi as he headed home. Even more excitement at the Arena da Baixada as Atlético-PR threw away 2 points against troubled Palmeiras. Rafael Santos put the home side ahead with a header before an horrendous mistake from Atlético keeper Vinícius allowed Obina to equalise. Marcihno looked to have got Atlético all three points before Keirrison's strike deep in injury time back in the city where he made his name saved a point for the Verdão. Sport plunged further into trouble after allowing Santo André a come from behind victory. Hugo put Sport ahead in the 22nd minute but Elvis levelled before half time. It looked like both teams were going to get a point but Marcel snatched the win for Santo André with the last action of the game. Another late goal at the Monumental saw Grêmio snatch a point against Goiás. Felipe put the visitors ahead before Tcheco levelled form the spot. Felipe Menezes put Goiás ahead again before Maxi López levelled. Coritiba continued their improvement with a victory at Náutico. Marcos Aurélio with the only goal of the game with 63 minutes on the clock. And in the last game on Satuday Avaí hauled themselves from the bottom of the table with a valuable victory over Fluminense. The hosts were 2 up inside 15 minutes through Miriqui and Marquinhos. Fred's two in two minutes levelled things up before Leo Gago snatched the points for Avaí with an amazing 30 yarder deep in injury time.

Flamengo bounced back from their stuffing at Coritiba by handing Internacional their first defeat at the season. Adriano showed a return to form by collecting a hat-trick and Emerson finished things off. Atlético Mineiro took over at the top after a 3-2 win at Santos. Despite falling a goal behind 3 goals in 15 minutes from Diego Tardelli, Evandro and Carlos Alberto put them 3-1 ahead. Léo made things interesting by pulling one back 2 minutes from time before he was dismissed in injury time. Cruzeiro again got a Libertadores hangover as Barueri picked up their second win of the season. The teams went in level at 2-2 at half time before Marcio Careca put Barueri ahead and a second from Pedrão sealed things. And it was derby day in São Paulo as the champions fell to their second defeat of the season at Corinthians. Cristian, Chicão and Jucilei put the home side 3-0 up before Richarlyson got scant consolation for São Paulo ten minutes from time.

In the FIFA Confedertaions Cup La Seleção recorded a 3-0 victory over world champions Italy. Two goals from Luis Fabiano put La Seleção 2-0 up before and own goal form Andrea Dossena wrapped things up before half time. This means La Seleção will take on hosts South Africa in the semi-final on Thursday.

And finally a Vasco de Gama update. They were held to a 0-0 draw at home over the weekend and currently lie 5th in Série B, 7 points behind leaders Guarani Campinas.

Campeonato Brasiliero Série A Week 6

Sport Recife 0-1 Atlético Paranaense
São Paulo 1-1 Santo André
Botafogo 2-0 Santos
Goiás 0-0 Corinthians
Coritiba 5-0 Flamengo
Fluminense 0-0 Grêmio
Atlético Mineiro 3-0 Náutico
Barueri 3-1 Avaí
Palmeiras 3-1 Cruzeiro
Internacional 0-0 Vitória

Funny old weekend in the 6th rodanda of the Série A down in Brazil. The bottom two both won and there has also been a change at both the top and bottom of the table of the table.

First of all on Saturday Atlético Paranaense hoisted themselves off the foot of the table with a 1-0 win at Sport. Rafael Santos left completely unmarked to head home with winner with 16 minutes left. São Paulo stay in mid table after a late equaliser from Borges gave the Champions a 1-1 home draw with Santo André. Botafogo picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over inform Santos. They left it late though, Batista with the first goal with 7 minutes to go before Laio made the points safe three minutes later.

On Sunday Goiás and Corinthians finished goalless as they side picked up their fourth and second draws of the season respectively. After being dumped onto the bottom of the table on Saturday, Coritiba responded in style to record an impressive 5-0 win over Flamengo despite finishing the game with 9 players. Nahuelpan and Felipe were dismissed for the home side while Airton saw red for the visitors. Coritiba went in 2-0 up at half time before Bruno Batata led the way in the second half with a brace. Fluminense and Grêmio finished goaless at the Maracanã as Douglas Costa was sent off for the visitors. Atlético Minieiro climbed to the top of the table with a 3-0 victory over Náutico, despite having Thiago Feltri sent off after only 9 minutes Junior put Atlético ahead 4 minutes later. Náutico then had Vágner Silva and Derley sent off within 7 minutes of each other before Diego Tardelli and Marcio Araujo made the game safe. After taking the lead at Barueri through Marquinhos, Avaí fell to a 3-1 defeat and also dropped to the bottom of the table as Barueri picked up their first win of the season. Bernardo put Cruzeiro ahead at the Palestra Italia against Palmeiras but the hosts recovered to win 3-1. Keirrison with a brace for the home side. And finally Internacional lost their place at the top of the table after they were held to a goalless draw at home by Vitória.

The only downside to the weekend, the discipline as 9 red cards were issued.

Campeonato Brasiliero Série A Week 5

Grêmio 3-0 Náutico
Santo André 3-3 Santos
Corinthians 2-0 Coritiba
Atlético Paranaense 0-4 Atlético Mineiro
Sport Recife 4-2 Flamengo
Avaí 0-0 São Paulo
Palmeiras 2-1 Vitória
Goiás 2-2 Barueri
Fluminense 1-0 Botafogo
Cruzeiro 1-1 Internacional

No break for the internationals in Brazil and it was business as usual. And the weekend got underway with two games on Friday night. Grêmio bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Náutico at the Monumental. After Náutico has two good chances to take the lead the hosts went ahead through Souza. Maxi Lopez doubled the lead before a second from Souza sealed the points for Grêmio. Promoted Santo André's promising start to the season continued as they came from behind 3 times to share the points with Santos in a six goal thriller. It was an eventful for Santo André's Nunes, twice a scorer he was also sent off after 68 minutes. Fabão got the goal of the game, a top notch free kick form 35 yards that flew in like a bullet. Kléber Pereira hit the post late on for Santos but the ball was scrambled away.

The only game on Saturday after the national team's 4-0 win in Uruguay saw Corinthians pick up their second win of the season with a goal in each half against a Coritiba side that is still suffering at the wrong end of the table. Souza put the home side ahead with a simple tap in just before half time and Douglas secured the points with a powerful header nine minutes into the second half.

On Sunday there was a clash of the Atlético's and it was the team from Minas Gerias who kept up the pressure on Internacional at the top of the table with a comfortable victory. Éder Luís with 2 second half strikes for Atlético-MG, whilst Atlético-PR were not helped by the 32nd minute dismissal of Marcinho. Sport grabbed their first win of the season after recovering from being 2 down inside 10 minutes to goals from Flamengo's Emerson. Sport were ahead by half time, Durval with the opener on 26 minutes before a hat-trick inside 6 minutes from Weldon capped a remarkable recovery for Sport. Avaí picked up their fourth draw from 5 games after holding champions São Paulo to a goalless draw at the Estádio da Ressacada. Palmeiras recovered from a goal down to pick up their second win of the season, after Apodi had but the visitors ahead Ortigoza equalized on the hour before Mauricio Ramos broke Vitória hearts with a injury time winner. In the first big Rio derby of the season at the Maracanã in front of a disappointing crowd just over the 15,000 mark, Fluminense took the honours against Botafogo thanks to Fred's well taken 89th minute winner. Internacional lost their 100% record at Cruzeiro, having to settle for a share of the spoils. Magrão put Internacional head with just 5 minutes on the clock, the Liverpool target Kléber was sent off after clashing with Lauro in the 18th minute before Wellington Paulista equalised for the home side. And in the late game on Sunday, Barueri also picked up their fourth draw of the season, picking up a point at Goiás. After falling behind Barueri went ahead through Ewerton and André Luís before Éverton salvaged a point for Goiás with a goal two minutes from time.

Campeonato Brasiliero Série A Week 4

Coritiba 1-3 Goiás
Atlético Mineiro 0-0 Santo André
Botafogo 2-2 Sport Recife
Flamengo 2-1 Atlético Paranaense
Vitória 1-0 Grêmio
Santos 3-1 Corinthians
São Paulo 3-0 Cruzeiro
Náutico 1-1 Fluminense
Internacional 2-1 Avaí
Barueri 2-2 Palmeiras

Coritiba's poor start continued as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Goiás. Felipe put the visitors ahead with a retaken penalty after 5 minutes before further goals fom Iarly and a second from Felipe after a well worked free kick move. Captain Marcelinho pulled a goal back just after half time, Rafael Toloi was sent off for Goiás but they held on their first victory of the season. Despite having Marcelinho Carioca sent off Santo André collected a point with a 0-0 draw at Atlético Mineiro. Meanwhile Botafogo are still looking for thier first win of the season after a 2-2 draw with Sport. Botafogo were 2 down within 20 minutes after goals from Wilson and Weldon. Tony pulled on back on the hour mark, then Hamilton was sent off for Sport before a header from Fahel sent both teams home with a point.

Adriano made his second debut for Flamengo at the Maracanã on Sunday and was on target as the hosts picked up win number 2 of the season and left Atlético Paranaense at the bottom alongside Coritiba. Grêmio fell to an injury time defeat to Vitória, Leandro Domingues with a stunning winner. Santos continued their good run of form with a 3-1 victory over rivals Corinthians. São Paulo and Cruzeiro met for the second time in 4 days after a midweek Libertadores clash and it was the champions who picked up their first win of the season with a comfortable 3-0 victory, a win that gives São Paulo some hope of overcoming their defecit in the Libertadores. An injury time penalty from Derley gave Náutico a 1-1 draw with Fluminense as they dropped to 4th in the table. Internacional remain the only side with a 100% record after 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Avaí, Cunha and Barbosa with the goals for the league leaders. And finally Barueri recovered from a 2 goal defecit to draw with Palmeiras. All 4 goals were scored within 16 second half minutes, Obina and Keirrison on target for the visitors before a brace from Pedrão rescused a point for Barueri.

Campeonato Brasiliero Série A Week 2

Flamengo 0-0 Avaí
Atlético Mineiro 2-1 Grêmio
Coritiba 2-4 Santo André
São Paulo 2-2 Atlético Paranaense
Barueri 0-0 Fluminense
Santos 3-3 Goiás
Internacional 2-0 Palmeiras
Botafogo 0-0 Corinthians
Náutico 2-0 Cruzeiro
Vitória 1-0 Sport Recife

Promoted Avaí picked up their second point of the season with a scoreless draw with Flamengo at the Maracanã. Grêmio's Libertadores adventures caught up with them as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Atlético Mineiro. Tardelli with the winner form the spot in stoppage time. Despite having Junior Dutra sent off, promoted Santo André picked up an impressive 4-2 victory at Coritiba.

Champions São Paulo less than impressive start to the season continued at home to Atlético Paranaense as they were held to a 2-2 draw. Andre Lima's strike 3 mintues from time saving a point. Barueri picked up another point in a scoreless draw with Fluminense. Another Libertadores team Palmeiras came unstuck, Internacional picking up a 2-0 win. Goiás were again involved in a 3-3 draw, this time with Santos. Goiás again making a stirring comeback after being 3-1 down, Rafael Toloi with the equaliser 4 minutes from time. Corinthians picked up their first point with a 0-0 draw with Botofogo at the Engenhão. Náutico overcame Cruzeiro 2-0 with goals from Derley and Carlinhos Bala, another team in Libertadores action midweek to be defeated. And finally Sport Recife made it 4 from 4 for Libertadores teams in action midweek to fall to defeat, Neto Baiano with the goal to give Vitória all three points.

Campeonato Brasiliero Série A Week 1

Avaí 2-2 Atlético Mineiro
Sport Recife 1-1 Barueri
Palmeiras 2-1 Coritiba
Cruzeiro 2-0 Flamengo
Corinthians 0-1 Internacional
Fluminense 1-0 São Paulo
Atlético Paranaense 0-2 Vitória
Grêmio 1-1 Santos
Santo André 1-1 Botafogo
Goiás 3-3 Náutico

The Série A season got under way in Brazil at the weekend on Saturday with three games and two of the promoted sides in action. Avaí let a two goal lead slip to draw at home with Atlético Mineiro whilst Barueri picked up a point at Sport with Pedrão getting the equaliser in a 1-1 draw. At the Palestra Itália Palmeiras recovered from going a goal down to beat Coritiba 2-1. Keirrison getting the winner with a minute left on the clock.

New signing Adriano was absent for Flamengo and they went down to 2-0 to Cruzeiro. Corintihans return to the big time started with a 1-0 home defeat to Internacional, Nilmar with the strike on 8 minutes. Champions São Paulo fell to a surprise 1-0 to Fluminense at the Maracanã. Mauricio with the goal after 2 minutes. Vitória were comfortable 2-0 victors at Atlético Paranaense. A late Molina goal salvaged a point for Santos at Grêmio who had gone ahead through Réver. Promoted Santo André almost collected an opening day win but Victor Simões salvaged a 1-1 draw for Botofogo. And finally a goal fest at Goiás where 6 goals were shared with Náutico. The visitors clawing their back from a 3-1 defecit to claim an opening day point.

Coming Soon

With the European Domestic Season coming to an end, Euroballs is going continental for the summer as I'll be bringing you the latest from the Campeonato Brasiliero Serie A and also keeping an eye on Vasco De Gama as they attempt to bounce straight back after their relegation last season. The season in Brazil begins on May 10th with São Paulo attempting to make it 4 in a row. Braueri compete in their first ever Serie A season after promotion last year and they will be joined by Santo André, Avaí and the 2008 Serie B Champions Corinthians.

Also we'll be picking up the story of the 50th Copa Liberadores as the Group Stages come to end with the 5th and 6th Group stage matchdays due to take place this week and next. So far Club Libertad of Paraguay and Grêmio of Brazil are confirmed as winners of Groups 8 and 7 respectively. Brazilian Champions São Paulo have qualified for the next stage alongside Caracas of Venezuela but both teams can be caught at the top of Groups 4 and 6.

Also later in the season the Copa Sudamericana will take place and we'll be following the progress of the holders Sport Club Internacional of Brazil as they attempt to defend their title. There will also be updates of how the big two in Buenos Aires, Boca Juniors and River Plate progress seeing as they are automatically qualified for the last 16 by some ridiculous CONMEBOL ruling.

I'll be back later in the week with a review of Matchday 5 of the Copa Libertadores.