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THE SEMI-FINAL, MINUTE BY MINUTE
By Chris Hammer Betting Zone
How We Beat The Draculas
FT Middlesbrough 4 Steaua 2 (Agg: 4-3)
90+5 mins: It's all over and Middlesbrough are in the UEFA Cup final following another staggering night at the Riverside. Despite falling 3-0 behind, Boro fought back to win 4-3 on aggregate and their jubilant fans will now head to Eindhoven for the greatest event in the club's history. All hail Steve McClaren!
90+4 mins: The crowd want the final whistle but Steaua have one last chance to punt the ball forward...but it's cleared away...
90+3 mins: After a long build up, the strike at goal is tame and it takes a deflection of Steaua man before trickling out for a goal kick.
90+2 mins: Steaua now charge forward and win a corner after Boro's defensive mix-up. Although the cross into the box is cleared, the Romanians regain possession and win a free kick on the edge of the area.
90+1 mins: There will be four minutes of stoppage time to be played and Ugo Ehiogu has come on to replace Hasselbaink.
90 mins: Words can't describe this. This night is quite simply beyond belief. How Middlesbrough have turned this round is miraculous and McClaren, at the moment, is the best manager in England!
89 mins: GOAL MACCARONE - Downing's fabulous cross from the left wing is met by the head of Maccarone and the ball flies past Carlos into the net to sent the crowd into pandemonium.
88 mins: Boro keep pressing forward and Hasselbaink is able to shoot from the edge of the area but the Dutchman's effort rolls wide of the post.
87 mins: The visitors run down the clock by making another substitution, this time Mihai Nesu replacing Bostina, who walks off very slowly.
86 mins: The Nigerian cuts inside but his pass towards Viduka is cut out and Steaua can clear the danger.
85 mins: Middlesbrough are struggling to create any more chances as Steaua pack their defense, but here comes Yakubu on the left...
84 mins: A cross into the area is knocked out of Carlos' hands by his own defenders but the goalkeeper is able to gather at the second attempt before Yakubu gets there.
83 mins: Olaroiu, the 36-year-old manager of Steaua, stands on the touchline instructing his side to defend, but they are not doing a great job of it...
82 mins: Maccarone swings in a devilish cross from the right which Hasselbaink attacks but he's unable to make contact.
81 mins: Steaua make a defensive substitution with Daniel Oprita coming off for Eugen Baciu while the rest of the side look so nervous in these closing stages.
80 mins: The hosts hurl a long throw into the area but Steaua are able to clear the ball away. The Romanians are under siege at the moment and it would be a miracle if they survive this.
79 mins: Middlesbrough win a free kick in their own half but they have nearly all their players in forward positions.
78 mins: If McClaren can inspire these sorts of nights, he's obviously much better than 'Big Phil' Scolari! The FA should change their minds quickly! Imagine England fighting back like this in future World Cups!
77 mins: The Riverside is probably the loudest it has ever been as the fans cheer their side on towards a final in Eindhoven. But they still need one more goal.
76 mins: When Boro were 3-0 down on aggregate nobody could have predicted they would fight back in the same vain as they did against Basle. That was a once in a lifetime game - but here we are on the brink of a dramatic repeat performance!
75 mins: The delivery into the box however causes few problems and the referee blows for a foul against the hosts.
74 mins: This is like some strange replay of the Basle game! Middlesbrough win a free kick on the left following Balan's foul and the substitute is booked.
73 mins: GOAL RIGGOTT - A high ball into the box is flicked on to Downing on the left side of the area and his low shot is parried into the path of Riggott who makes no mistake from close range.
72 mins: Carlos' time wasting before a goal kick means the referee sees it fit to book him.
71 mins: Rochemback works an opening for himself outside the area but the Brazilian's thunderous strike whistle about a yard over the bar.
70 mins: The home fans are roaring their side on but they still need two more goals to reach the final.
69 mins: Steaua make a change with Iacob coming off for Daniel Balan. But surely Dica should have been hauled off - he's looks in pieces now and will be of no use to the team in the rest of this match.
68 mins: Dica foolishly handles the ball in the opposition half and the resulting booking means he will miss the final should they get there.
67 mins: Viduka runs down the right of midfield but the man who can do no wrong hammers an an extremely hopeful shot well wide.
66 mins: Yet another dramatic European night has descended on the Riverside and you wouldn't bet against Middlesbrough reaching the final if this pattern of play continues.
65 mins: GOAL VIDUKA - Downing receives the ball way out the left and the winger's cross into the box and Viduka heads it over the advancing Carlos and into the goal.
64 mins: McClaren's side keep pressing forward and Maccarone's skidding cross from the right falls to Hasselbaink but his first time effort goes inches wide.
63 mins: Replays show the referee was quite right and Hasselbaink has a yellow card for his efforts.
62 mins: Penalty for Middlesbrough as Hasselbaink is fouled by Goian inside the area as the Dutchman was poised to shoot...but no, wait, the referee thinks Jimmy dived and Steaua have the free kick!
61 mins: Boateng is booked after a late challenge on Radoi in midfield. But Steaua merely use the free kick to keep possession in midfield.
60 mins: The hosts are really taking the game to Steaua and Maccarone's cross from the right is dropped by Carlos but Yakubu can't get to the ball in time to turn it into the goal.
59 mins: Middlesbrough launch another raid down the right and although the cross into the area falls for Viduka, his overhead kick is blocked.
58 mins: Lovin advances down the left with options to his right but Riggott does really well to make the challenge in the area.
57 mins: Hasselbaink powers down the left wing but the Dutchman is dispossessed and Steaua can break on the counter...
56 mins: Middlesbrough make an attacking change with leading scorer Yakubu coming on for Taylor.
55 mins: Viduka dribbles round two men on the edge of the area but his clever pass into the area can't be reached by Boateng.
54 mins: Boateng now tries his luck from distance but the midfielder drags his shot well wide of the mark.
53 mins: Taylor chips the ball forward for Viduka on the edge of the area and after a swift swivel, the striker forces Carlos into a fine save down to his left.
52 mins: Rochemback swings the ball high into the area but Steaua are able to clear their lines.
51 mins: The hosts are struggling to regain the authority their held at the end of the first half but they have won a free kick on the left of midfield.
50 mins: The home fans have found their voice again but they are annoyed with Maccarone's flick on the edge of the area which gives the ball away. It's not a place for fancy tricks now.
49 mins: Middlesbrough eventually launch the free kick into the area but Steaua have no problem clearing the ball away. Meanwhile Boateng comes back onto the field of play.
48 mins: The game has to be stopped as the Dutch midfielder receives treatment and this could take some time.
47 mins: Boateng goes down in agony after his head was caught by the boot of Mirel Radoi but the captain escapes punishment.
46 mins: Steaua get this semi-final re-started aiming to hold onto their lead and reach the UEFA Cup final.
45+4 mins: The referee blows his whistle to bring a disappointing first-half for Middlesbrough fans to a close with their side now standing on the brink of another semi-final defeat in the space of a week.
45+3 mins: Marin wastes a few more seconds after winning a free kick following Parnaby's foul.
45+2 mins: The resulting corner is cleared away but only as far as Franck Queudrue but the defender's strike from distance is driven past the far post.
45+1 mins: A long ball forward reaches Viduka on the edge of the area but the striker's turn and shot is just about kept out by some unorthodox goalkeeping from Carlos.
45 mins: There will be four minutes of stoppage time at the end of this compelling half of football. Will this be enough for Boro to claw another goal back.
44 mins: Boro win another dangerous free kick on the left but Downing's delivery is hacked away by Iacob.
43 mins: Marin goes to ground easily after a challenge from Boateng and Steaua win a free kick which they use to run the clock down.
42 mins: The visitors are edging closer to the break with a two goal cushion but they need to improve in the second period if they are to hold onto this.
41 mins: Steaua are looking uneasy at the back and Ghionea commits a poor challenge on Hasselbaink on the left. Fortunately for him the free kick into the area goes behind for a goal kick.
40 mins: Middlesbrough win a free kick on the left wing but after the ball is chipped into the box, it breaks for Taylor but his stinging volley is just too high.
39 mins: Chances are coming Boro's way now and Viduka has a golden opportunity inside the area after bustling past his defender but the Australian shoots straight at Carlos.
38 mins: There is a spring in Boro's step every time they go forward and this time Hasselbaink's low cross from the left is deflected into the path of George Boateng but the midfielder's shot from outside the area is blocked.
37 mins: The hosts break forward down the right but Viduka is flagged offside and Steaua are able to slow the game down.
36 mins: If Boro can grab one more goal before the break then all of a sudden their fans can plan one last European trip this season.
35 mins: News from the dug-out is that Southgate was substituted due to a hamstring injury but after Maccarone's impact, maybe this is a blessing in disguise.
34 mins: Middlesbrough's belief is slowly beginning to come back as they chase this improbable comeback.
33 mins: GOAL MACCARONE - Unbelievable scenes at the Riverside as a long ball forward ends up with Viduka around 20-yards from goal and the Australian then passes to Maccarone inside the area and the little Italian fires home.
32 mins: In tonight's other semi-final Sevilla and Schalke are still locked 0-0 but here at the Riverside it looks as though Steaua are heading for Eindhoven.
31 mins: Steaua win a free kick on the right and a dangerous ball into the area finds Iacob but the striker's header is too high.
30 mins: The hostsaregathering some momentum and this time Rochemback's fierce drive from distance is diverted just wide of the post by Hasselbaink.
29 mins: The corner kick causes few problems as Steaua are able to clear the ball away.
28 mins: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink charges forward into the area but his shot from a tight angle is deflected behind by Sorin Ghionea.
27 mins: Middlesbrough try and get forward down the right but Parnaby's hopeful drive from distance flies into Row Z.
26 mins: McClaren makes an early substitution with Gareth Southgate coming off for Massimo Maccarone.
25 mins: This is exactly the same scenario Middlesbrough faced in the last round but Basle capitulated that night and the Romanians are much better than them.
24 mins: GOAL GOIAN - It's surely all over now as Middlesbrough's defensive shambles from another corner allows Dorin Goian to fire home from close range after his initial header was saved.
23 mins: Steaua attack down the left with Dica and his cross into the area finds Lovin who wins a corner. The deliver into the area causes problem's and Riggott's defensive header behind nearly finds the net.
22 mins: The hosts decide to patiently pass the ball around in midfield but they really need to start pushing on in search of an equaliser on the night. They need three goals if they want to reach the final.
21 mins: Middlesbrough win a free kick after Viduka is fouled in midfield but they seem in no urgency and the supporters are growing a little frustrated.
20 mins: The sold out Riverside has gone silent apart from the traveling Steaua fans and you have to feel for McClaren at a time like this.
19 mins: Taylor needs attention after going to ground in midfield but he should be OK to continue.
18 mins: McClaren's side did come back from 3-0 down against Basle but tonight's opponents are in a different league.
17 mins: There will be no extra-time now as Steaua have the vital away goal and it now appears that Middlesbrough have a mountain to climb.
16 mins: GOAL DICA - The danger man has scored and the Romanian fans have gone crazy. Marin picked up the ball out on the left before cutting inside and delivering a powerful shot which Jones parried into the path of Dica and the striker made no mistake from close range.
14 mins: Rochemback attacks down the right for Boro but the move comes to nothing and the Romanians don't look troubled.
13 mins: Steaua are looking to time waste even at these early stages with Iacob going down after a foul from Taylor.
12 mins: McClaren's side don't look as pumped up as they did during their incredible triumph over Basle but there is plenty of time yet to turn this one around.
11 mins: The visitors regain possession on the left but a second ball into the area leads to Iacob fouling Jones.
10 mins: Steaua attack down the left but Gabriel Bostina's cross is cleared away.
9 mins: Fabio Rochemback releases Andrew Taylor down the left wing but the youngster's cross is poor and drifts behind for a goal kick.
8 mins: Stewart Downing whips the ball into the area but Carlos again makes the claim.
7 mins: Boro are seeing most of the ball in these early exchanges as Stuart Parnaby advances down the right but his cross is deflected behind by Petre Marin.
6 mins: A long ball forward from Chris Riggott looks to find Viduka but Steaua's goalkeeper Carlos leaps high to make a comfortable catch.
5 mins: The hosts come into this tie on the back of poor recent form having succumbed to a Premiership defeat athands of Portsmouth a fortnight ago before suffering FA Cup semi-final heartache against West Ham on Sunday, but they must overcome these disappointments tonight.
4 mins: Middlesbrough reached the semi-final stage of this competition having cruised through the groups before overcoming the challenge of Stuttgart, the might of Roma and the staggering 3-0 deficit against Basle in the last round.
Steaua also topped their group with ease before dispatching Heerenveen, Real Betis and local rivals Rapid Bucharest in the knock-out stage.
3 mins: Boro start well, putting Steaua under early pressure but the Romanians come forward on the counter attack and win a corner. The ball is delivered into the box but Nicolae Dica's header goes over the bar.
2 mins: McClaren has already suffered a personal blow today with the news that 'Big Phil' Scolari has been offered the England managers' job but his mind will be focused purely on the task in hand.
1 mins: Middlesbrough get this UEFA Cup semi-final clash with Steaua Bucharest underway inside a packed and passionate Riverside. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest games in the Teesiders' history as they trail by just one goal in their pursuit to reach a European final in Eindhoven.
Pre-match: Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren gambles on the fitness of striker Mark Viduka for tonight's must-win UEFA Cup semi-final decider against Steaua Bucharest.
The Australian, who missed the 1-0 first leg defeat in Romania and Sunday's FA Cup final exit at the hands of West Ham with a thigh injury, returns at the expense of leading scorer Aiyegbeni Yakubu.
In only other change to the side which started at Villa Park Brad Jones replaces keeper Mark Schwarzer, who is out for the rest of the season with a fractured cheekbone.
Like McClaren, Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu decides to throw his star striker Victoras Iacob back into the firing line a month after he broke his collarbone with he and Florin Lovin replacing the suspended Banel Nicolita and Sorin Paraschiv.
Teams:
Middlesbrough: Jones, Riggott, Southgate, Queudrue, Parnaby, Rochemback, Boateng, Downing, Taylor, Hasselbaink, Viduka.
Subs: Knight, Bates, Ehiogu, Cattermole, Parlour, Maccarone, Yakubu.
Steaua Bucuresti: Carlos, Ogararu, Ghionea, Goian, Marin, Oprita, Radoi, Lovin, Bostina, Dica, Iacob.
Subs: Cernea, Balan, Simion, Cristocea, Nesu, Baciu, Cristea.
Referee: Vladimir Hrinak (Slovakia) - Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia) - Referee: Martin Balko (Slovakia) - Referee: Roman Slysko (Slovakia)
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