Details of European title races (Albania-Belarus)

Reuters
Friday April 16, 2004 1:51 AM

LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) – Following are details of the current
situations in the domestic league and cup competitions of European
countries (Albania-Belarus):

ALBANIA

League: Seven rounds left to play. Reigning champions SK Tirana look
likely to retain the title.

They play second placed Dinamo Tirana at home on May 15, but unless
they suffer a spectacular collapse they should have won their 21st
championship long before then.

Final round of matches: May 22

Top of table P W D L F A Pts 1. SK Tirana 29 21 5 3 75 24 68 2. Dinamo
Tirana 29 18 5 6 53 32 59 3. Partizani Tirana 29 16 5 8 51 28 53

Cup: At semi-final stage. Dinamo Tirana lead SK Tirana 3-1 and
Partizani Tirana lead Vllaznia 2-0 after the first leg matches. Second
leg matches to be played on April 21.

SK Tirana could still win their third double, having previously
acheived the feat in 1996 and 1999.

European places (3): Champions qualify for first qualifying round of
Champions League. League runners-up and Albanian Cup winners qualify
for first qualifying round of UEFA Cup.

ANDORRA

League: Season ended on April 4. Santa Coloma retained the Andorran
championship. The victory, Coloma’s third, equals Principat’s three
championships won between 1997 and 1999.

Top of table P W D L F A Pts 1. Santa Coloma 20 14 3 3 44 21 45
2. Sant Julia 20 13 4 3 57 18 43 3. Ranger’s 20 10 4 6 34 17 34

Cup: At second elimination round, matches to be played on April
18. Four match winners joined by Santa Coloma, Sant Julia, Ranger’s
and Encamp in quarter-finals.

European places (1): Champions Santa Coloma qualify for first
qualifying round of UEFA Cup. Andorran Cup winners do not receive a
European place.

ARMENIA

League: Season only one round old. Pyunik Yerevan are looking to win
their fourth consecutive championship.

Final round of matches: November 7

Top of table P W D L F A Pts 1. Pyunik Yerevan 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 2. MIKA
Ashtarak 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 3. Banants 1 0 1 0 1 1 1

Cup: At semi-final stage. Pyunik Yerevan drew 0-0 with MIKA Ashtarak
and Shirak Giumri beat Banants 2-0 in the first leg matches. Second
leg matches to be played on April 21. Final to be played on May 9.

European places (3): 2003 Champions Pyunik Yerevan qualify for first
qualifying round of Champions League. League runners-up Banants and
Armenian Cup winners qualify for first qualifying round of UEFA Cup.

AUSTRIA

League: Seven rounds left to play. Reigning champions, and leaders,
Austria Vienna play host to second placed Graz AK on April 25in what
is shaping up to be the title decider.

Austria Vienna are chasing their 23rdampionship, Graz AK their first.

Final round of matches: May 20

Top of table P W D L F A Pts 1. Austria Vienna 29 17 7 5 49 21 58
2. Graz AK 29 17 7 5 51 28 58 3. SV Pasching 29 13 9 7 46 36 48

Cup: At quarter-final stage. Sturm Graz and holders Austria Vienna
have reached the semi-finals and will face each other. SV Ried and
Kaernten meet on April 20 and Rapid Vienna play Graz AK on April 21
for the remaining places. Semi-finals to be played on May 4.

Austria Vienna could record their tenth double.

European places (4): Champions qualify for second qualifying round of
Champions League. League runners-up, third placed team and Austrian
Cup winners qualify for second qualifying round of UEFA Cup.

AZERBAIJAN

League: Two rounds left to play. Shamkir and Neftchi are level at the
top as they battle it out to become the first champions since 2000-01,
although Neftchi have a game in hand.

Shamkir won the last two championships before the league was abandoned
and a third would equal the three won by Neftchi since the
championship began in 1992.

Third placed Karabach are also still in contention.

Final round of matches: May 5

P W D L F A Pts 1. Shamkir 25 20 3 2 67 11 63 2. Neftchi 24 20 3 1 58
15 63 3. Karabakh 24 18 3 3 60 16 57

Cup: At semi-final stage. Neftchi play Bakili and Shamkir play
Karabakh. Neftchi could record their second double, having previously
acheived the feat in 1996. Shamkir could win their first double.

European places (3): Champions qualify for first qualifying round of
Champions League. League runners-up and Azerbaijan Cup winners qualify
for first qualifying round of UEFA Cup.

BELARUS

League: Season not yet started. Season begins on April 15. Reigning
champions Gomel begin their defence away to Zvezda Minsk.

Cup: At semi-final stage. BATE Borisov play Gomel and Shakhtsyor
Salihorsk play Naftan Nacapolatsk.

European places (3): 2003 champions Gomel qualify for first qualifying
round of Champions League. League runners-up BATE Borisov and Belarus
Cup winners qualify for first qualifying round of UEFA Cup.