Sheriff let off Twente
Published 23:01 17/12/09 By Pa Sports
FC Twente advanced to the last 32 of the Europa League despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Steaua Bucharest.
Steve McClaren's side headed to the Romanian capital to face already-eliminated Steaua knowing victory would guarantee their progress, but anything less would not be good enough if FC Sheriff beat Group H winners Fenerbahce.
The Eredivisie outfit managed only a point, secured when Ronnie Stam's deflected equaliser cancelled out Pantelis Kapetanos' opener, but Fener's 1-0 home win ensured the two dropped points did not prove costly.
Fenerbahce's win came courtesy of a 15th-minute strike from Ugur Boral.
In Group G, Salzburg maintained their 100% record with a 1-0 win over second-placed Villarreal thanks to Dusan Svento's goal.
Bottom-placed Levski Sofia closed their campaign on a high after Hristo Yovov scored the only goal of their game with Lazio.
Angel Di Maria bagged a brace as Benfica rubber-stamped their status as winners of Group I with a battling 2-1 win at against AEK Athens.
Di Maria made sure of the points with long-range efforts in either half while Ismael Blanco bagged a late consolation for AEK.
Second-placed Everton put out a young side including five debutants and were beaten 1-0 by visitors BATE Borisov after Alexander Yurevich's 75th-minute goal.
