Lech freeze out Juve

4th December 2010

Lech Poznan secured advance from the group stages of the Europa League this Wednesday evening, eliminating Italian giants Juventus in a match which was in every possible way extraordinary. There was massive doubt whether the match would even go ahead, with air temperatures of -15 and a wind-chill factor of -31! Chuck blizzard conditions into the mix and you have every reason to abandon the game. But UEFA were adamant they play, so play they did.

When the match began, the players were all wearing extra layers. By half time, the pitch markings had to be repainted in a fetching pink and the white ball changed for an orange one. By the hour mark the pitch had disappeared, after 70 minutes Man ...