Trabzonspor topple Polish rivals, defend group lead in Europa League

Trabzonspor, Turkey's representatives in UEFA Europa League, upset Polish rivals Legia Warszawa Thursday with two goals in a Group J game, defending group title with seven points, two points ahead of their closest opponents, Lazio. Following a 3-3 draw against Lazio two weeks ago, Trabzonspor were unbeaten in regular and extra time in ten European games in a row, including victories in five of their six matches in qualifying this season. The Black Sea Storm started the game very fast that it was just 7th minute when Austrian striker Marc Janko saw his first close-range effort saved by Wojciech Skaba, but the rebound falled his way and amidst a scramble, the big forward stabs Trabzonspor into the lead. The home team was mostly attacking side with pressure when the opponents had the ball. Legia Warszawa could not stop Trabzonspor's short passes and flaring the midfield very quickly resulting in dangerous positions at opposition field. Although missing so many chances, Trabzonspor were determined to guarantee three points and not to let another nightmare like Lazio's coming back from 3-1 to 3-3 by finding two goals in 10 minutes. It was the 83th min. that Legia goalkeeper Skaba misjudged Olcan Adin's deliciously whipped free-kick from the right flank which conceded a goal in his net which made the score 2-0. In final minutes, Trabzonspor goalkeeper Onur Kivrak made a wall in front of his goal and did not let Legia to find the chance of closing the gap. Thanks to Lazio's goalless draw against Greek Cypriot rivals Apollo Limassol, Trabzonspor kept their lead increasing their point to seven, while Lazio stayed at 5 pts.