With AFC Ajax and FC Twente earning 1-0 wins at ACF Fiorentina and Olympique de Marseille respectively on Thursday night, the Netherlands' UEFA Cup challenge is still on, even though NEC Nijmegen lost 3-0 at home in their Wednesday tie against Hamburger SV.Ruthless Ajax
Ajax showed Italian-style ruthlessness as they earned a first win in that country since 23 November 1994. Coach Marco van Basten said: "In sport it's all about winning, not how you win. Fiorentina had a number of chances, but in the end we took a win home with us. Given the number of absentees we had, we did not really expect that. We fought for each other."
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Bakircioglü reward
Kennedy Bakircioglü had the honour of becoming the first Ajax player to score in Italy since Steven Pienaar on 23 April 2003, registering the winner on the hour mark. On Sunday the Swede played his first match since November, returning to the team for the victory against Feyenoord, and he shone again last night. "For me this goal is special," he said. "I had been told this season I wouldn't get much playing time, but I tried to work harder in every training session and have now played two matches in a row. But the most important thing is that we did well here and beat Fiorentina."
Twente coup
Twente pulled off a similar coup as they returned from Marseille a goal to the good thanks to Marko Arnautovic's 22nd-minute strike. "We have beaten one of the top European sides and that makes me very proud," said coach Steve McClaren. "The team delivered an excellent performance. We took a giant step forward tonight, but it will be a totally different match in Enschede, as Marseille have nothing to lose. It could be a fantastic evening."
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