ESPANYOL v ZULTE WAREGEM TICKETS, Thursday, November 23, 2006:

Without being too presumptuous, not many non-Belgian readers will have heard of Eerste Klasse outfit Zulte Waregem before reading this magazine.
That though may not be such a surprise given that the club, in its current guise has only been around since 2001. when Zulte W merged with KSV Waregem.
While Zulte had never before played in the top flight Waregem were regulars, but under their new name the team started in the lower tiers and only won promotion to the Belgian first division in 2004-05. This season their form in Europe has belied their inconsistent start on the domestic
front as they lead the way in Group F of the UEFA Cup, but are back in 14th place in the league with three wins, four draws and five defeats from their opening 12 matches.
Against continental opposition it is a different story as Franck Dury’s team started off with a 4-1 away thrashing of Austria Vienna before Sparta Prague were defeated 3-1 in the Regenboogstadion. Espanyol are also looking to maintain a 100 per cent record in the UEFA Cup ahead of this encounter, although they have only played one match to-date, having won 2-0 in Prague against Sparta.
Elsewhere in the tournament on the same night, Newcastle United could book their place in the elimination rounds if they can beat Celta Vigo at St. James’ Park. Tottenham may well already be safe, but they will be looking to take something from an attractive away tie against Bayer Leverkusen and Rangers can continue Scotland’s ever-improving record in Europe by also clinching a spot in the draw as they take on Auxerre at Ibrox.
While Osasuna have a week off, Sevilla play their second game of the group stage when they entertain Portuguese neighbours Braga, having drawn their opening match away against Slovan Liberec.
Blackburn Rovers are another familiar name that are on the verge of qualification after two wins on the bounce, but they will be truly tested to make it a hat-trick when they visit Holland to take on Feyenoord. Despite the bad rap that the UEFA Cup is given because of the ludicrous amount of games to whittle 40 teams down to 32, thanks to the entrance of the Champions League drop-outs in the next stage, there are still some attractive ties.
Thanks to the competition being played on a Thursday evening, most bars will be more than willing to screen a game for you.