Already got mt ticket for the reverse tie so I really need a good result for this game. For once I'm rather confident of at least a draw here but as usual a very nail biting experience....


SK Brann 2 - 2 Everton


Two away goals in the bag and that'll do me to take to the big Goodison Park.






COYB

I will watch this as I've enjoyed watching Everton for most of this season.

I can see Everton nicking a win. Lee Carsley smasher in the last 10mins.

Finally the UEFA Cup starts to get interesting. I guess this match is next Wed/Thu?

Fancy Everton to get through though. Hopefully - let 'em get to the semi's, taste the final and then have it ripped out of their grasp at the last moment.

I'd be gratefull to reach the final so no pain there bud. As long as the opposition didn't cheat and win because of a pen of course.

so is Pienaar playing? or not? (or did he still have injuries)
-x-

Out till late Feb...

From OS

Steven Pienaar hopes to return for the Uefa Cup game in Brann.

Pienaar has been in Ghana with South Africa as they tried to progress from the group stage of the African Cup of Nations.

But the young Bafana Bafana outfit were unable to overcome the likes of Senegal, Angola and Tunisia.

Pienaar also picked up an injury which meant he was unable to play in the third group game.

But he's back at Finch Farm now and focussed on Everton - with a return in time for next week's trip to Norway the first goal.

Pienaar exclusively told EvertonTV: "It's sad to go out early in a tournament and my injury is getting better so by next week I hope to be better.

"It is nice to be back, it’s like I have never been away with all the jokes."

The former Ajax man revealed he had been keeping up to date with events on Merseyside when he was away, as well as checking in with the Nigerian camp in Ghana.

"I watched the Wigan and Manchester City games," he said. "Chelsea was a big disappointment for me as a player and of course for the Club because I really wanted to play in a semi-final – all players want to win cups at some point in their career.

"I spoke to Joe (Yobo) before the game against Ghana and after that I have not spoken to them (Yobo and Yakubu). My money was on Nigeria but they are out now but I will go with Egypt."

I'll go for 1st placed SK Brann 1-1 4th placed Everton.

again

It's not the same, i've put 1st placed to the other team this time.

Ahhh, I see what you did there.

News From OS:

David Moyes has included Yakubu in his travelling party to Norway.
The striker missed the win over Reading at the weekend after returning late from the Africa Cup of Nations.
But he boarded the plane at Liverpool airport on Tuesday ahead of the Uefa Cup last 32 clash with SK Brann on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta has an injury and doesn't travel, but Andy van der Meyde is in the squad. (oh no)

Moyes told Evertonfc.com: "Mikel has a groin injury so hasn't travelled, we don't know how long he'll be out yet, but he has travelled to Spain to see a specialist."

Also on the flight were youngsters Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell but injured Thomas Gravesen (knee) and Steven Pienaar (ankle) remain on Merseyside.

Keeper Tim Howard said the Yakubu incident was now in the past.


Feed the yak and he will score....

for sure i never heard of sk brann or what.. is it a swiss team?.. lol..

and also.. the first time as well as the last time for me to follow the toffess in this league.. since they might be promoted to the Champions League for next season.. and you know why.. lol..

come on english toffees..

unknown brann 1 v 3 english toffees..

I thought that the matchs will be played on Thursday.

This game is on wed mate... Then the Goodison second leg is on Thursday the week after.

0-0 at half time

Interesting game, albeit poor football on a poor pitch with a poor atmosphere.

SK Brann are impressing me the most at the moment though. Other than a couple of Osman efforts, Everton haven't really come close to scoring whilst Brann have created plenty of havoc in the Everton box. Jagielka has been brilliant at the back though.

I think you need to go through Fernandes more. He's the only real creator out there and Osman needs to keep getting wide. Cahill needs to turn up!

Brann have clearly edged the first half i agree J-Axe, although you wouldn't think it by the commentators. They seem to make out that the Norwegian side have had 10 men behind the ball and that's why Everton haven't scored.

It's been sloppy from my blue Merseyside friends, and i'm sure if you asked anyone who didn't know, which team hadn't played a game for over two months, they'd say Everton.

Thought it'd paid off when they scored too! But it was an obvious foul on Howard, he did after all push the 'keeper's arm out of the way of the ball.

Shame. But more of the same will do nicely.

Everton are playing much better as Cahill hits the right post.

Come on Everton...Come on Everton!!!

Nooooo Yessica, "come on Brann".