Bordeaux find extra gear

Two goals in barely two minutes assured FC Girondins de Bordeaux's place in the UEFA Cup fourth round and ended Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski's superb European debut. Leading by a last-gasp Marouane Chamakh goal from the first leg in Poland, Bordeaux stretched away late in the opening period tonight.

Visitors' ambition
Bordeaux began the game cautiously, and encouraged the visitors forward as they sought to level the tie and add the French side to a list of scalps that already included Hertha BSC Berlin and Manchester City FC. Groclin coach Dusan Radolský had said his side were aiming for victory and Polish international
Sebastian Mila was moved from his usual midfield role into attack.

Groclin chances
Mila proved his worth in that position 32 minutes in as he sent striking partner Grzegorz Rasiak through on goal, but he was unable find the target. Three minutes later Mila himself put the ball just wide after Marcin Zajac's cross.

Birthday present
However, it was Bordeaux who scored first on the night four minutes before the break when defender Marc Planus, four days away from his 22nd birthday, rose unmarked to head in Albert Riera's cross. Almost immediately, Chamakh was in on the act as he also scored with his head to increase the lead.

Solo run
Now comfortably in front, Bordeaux were able to play more expansive football and 20 minutes into the second half Juan Pablo Francia found Chamakh to set up the goal of the game. The Moroccan international set off on a solo run which ended with his second goal of the night and his third of the tie.

Late consolation
Nine minutes later, Mariusz Pawlak conceded a penalty and Riera converted to make it 5-0 to Bordeaux on aggregate. Groclin's campaign was over, but they played against ten men for the last seven minutes when Kodjo Afanou received a straight red card and in added time and Tomasz Wieszczycki claimed a consolation goal with a clever header.

Coach's delight
Bordeaux coach Michel Pavon paid tribute to his side's performance. "We have qualified and I am very proud of my team," he said. "My players have started badly because they were thinking about the 1-0 advantage from the away game last week. But the first goal helped us to liberate our play and the rest was magnificent."

'I am disappointed'
A more downbeat Radolský said: "I congratulate Bordeaux who have played two excellent matches. I am disappointed because we wanted to qualify and that is why we came to France. But after two goals in two minutes I understood it was finished for us."