Should any of you be looking for Europa League play today, you're out of luck. Instead of back-ending the Champions League week as it has done all year, UEFA's second club championship tournament gets own full spotlight for the final two match days. There will be full schedules next Dec. 2-3 and Dec, 16-17 to complete the opening stage.
    The Champions League returns for the final group games on Dec 9-10. And speaking of:
    Chelsea joined Arsenal as a group winner but Manchester United surprisingly fell at Old Trafford to a Besiktas already eliminated in the Champions League chase. United still needs a point in its final match to be certain to top Group B while the Turks can climb into the Europa League if they get the right combination of final night results.
    Nothing resolved in Group C and hardly an impressive night for Real Madrid. Although the Galacticos defeated FC Zurich there was nothing to suggest a level of play that will make this latest bunch of Madrid millionaires into European champions. Cristiano Ronaldo did return, however, and that might change things.
    Meanwhile, AC Milan and Marseille slugged it out in a terrific 1-1 draw at San Siro. Marseille was unlucky and now must beat Real Madrid by three goals in the final match to be sure to progress; Milan will advance with a win in Switzerland, but they lost the first meeting to FC Zurich. And the Swiss did compete hard in Madrid on Wednesday.
     Group A's champion, Bordeaux was completely on top of Juventus and looks like a side of real character and pedigree. Perhaps the biggest question about their chances next spring will be whether they can refuse the big money in January when Marouane Chamakh will again be a major transfer target. If he stays in Bordeaux through the spring this is a team that will not fear anyone; if the money is too good to refuse at least Laurent Blanc's team will be able to say they left an indelible memory in the group play.
    No surprise in Group D where the only question was whether Chelsea would clinch first place with a win at FC Porto. They did.
    Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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