Galatasaray scored a last-minute winner to knock out
Girondins Bordeaux in a seven-goal thriller to reach the last 16
and stay on course for a UEFA Cup final in their home city of
Istanbul.
Turkey defender Sabri Sarioglu struck from the edge of the
penalty area to give the 2000 UEFA Cup winners a 4-3 first knockout
round victory at the Ali Sami Yen stadium as Bordeaux's fine
fightback from 3-1 down ended in heartbreak.
The May 20 final will be staged at the home of Galatasaray's
arch-rivals Fenerbahce.
Bordeaux had threatened to spoil coach Bulent Korkmaz's first
game in charge of last season's Turkish champions by taking a
first-minute lead, the opening goal of the tie after a goalless
first leg in France.
Korkmaz, a former Turkish international and Gala captain who was
appointed on Monday after Michael Skibbe was sacked, had barely
taken his seat before David Bellion ran on to Diego Placente's long
ball and fired home.
The hosts then took control with two quick goals just before
halftime from Arda Turan and substitute Harry Kewell followed by
another midway through the second half from midfielder Turan.
Bordeaux stormed back to level at 3-3 through Marouane Chamakh and
Fernando Cavenaghi with 15 minutes remaining and were heading
through on away goals until Sarioglu's winner.