Galatasaray swept into the UEFA Cup semi-finals in style beating Mallorca 2-1 in Istanbul after trouncing them 4-1 in Spain. It was only the second time the Turkish champions had progressed so far in a European cup competition and thousands of fans poured on to the streets in celebration.
Brazilian striker Capone put the Istanbul side ahead, scoring from a cross from Romanian midfielder Gheorghe Hagi. The Mallorcan defence watched as the ball bounced off one post, skidded along the line and went in at the far corner.
Driven on by characteristically raucous supporters, prolific scorer Hakan Sukur put Galatasaray in the driving seat with a second goal just after halftime. But the Spaniards were spurred into action in the second half with striker Carlos Dominguez lobbing an overhead goal from an Ariel Ibagaza cross into the net.
The entry of Yugoslav winger Jovan Stankovic in the 70th minute did little to help Mallorca and the final straw for them came when Italian referee Stefano Braschi sent their coach Fernando Vasquez into the stands for arguing with an offside decision.
Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim put the win down to hard work.
"The secret of our success is a good team which believes, struggles and works together," he said. "We don't believe in magic or luck, we work with facts."
Terim said he now had his sights set on lifting the cup and would not be intimidated by any of the likely opponents.
"We set our goal a long time ago. We said we want the highest prize - the cup," he said. French club Racing Lens also qualified for their first UEFA Cup semi-final place when they beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in Lens in the quarter-final second leg. Celta striker Michael Revivo scored from a 20-metre free kick in the 57th minute to put his side in front after the two sides had finished the first leg 0-0.
Lens equalised in the 63rd thanks to a penalty by defender Valerian Ismael for a foul by defender Juanfran on striker Lamine Sakho.
Striker Pascal Nouma sent Lens into the last four when he netted from close range after collecting a fine cross by Philippe Brunel in the 73rd.
Lens goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz saved a second free kick by Revivo 10 minutes from time.
