Algerians in Europe 2007-2008

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October 20, 2007 -- .....Auxerre rallied past Lorient 5-3 with three goals from Poland forward Ireneusz Jelen and two from Romania international Daniel Niculae.

Algeria international Rafik Saifi put Lorient ahead in the fifth with a header. Auxerre leveled in the 53rd with a lob from Niculae.

Lorient took the lead again in the 57th after Saifi headed in a cross from Jeremy Morel. But Jelen headed in a corner in the 72nd before scoring again three minutes later to give Auxerre a 3-2 lead.

Niculae, set up by Benoit Pedretti, sealed the win in the 80th, and Jelen dribbled around the goalkeeper to put the ball into the unguarded net in injury time.

Two minutes later, Kemal Bourhani pulled a goal back for Lorient.

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ATHENS, October 28, 2007 -- .....Panionios kept in touch with the leaders, coming from a goal down to beat Larissa 3-1.

Ibrahima Bakayoko put Larissa ahead on the stroke of half-time but two goals from in-form Algerian striker Rafik Djebbour and one from Dimitris Sialmas gave Panionios their third win of the season.....

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October 30, 2007 -- FC Lorient's Algerian forward Rafik Saïfi is having talks with Riyadh giants Al-Hilal, according to Al-Jazeerah.

The Saudi club are looking to strengthen their forward line.

“Mohamed Kallon’s negotiations ended in failure, after his financial request of $8m over one year and a half,” a Al-Hilal spokesman told Al-Jazeerah on Monday.

“Rafik Saïfi is most surely a better option, in terms of discipline and overall approach to the game.

Saïfi, 32, moved to French club Lorient from AC Ajaccio in the summer of 2006.

He has started the 2007-2008 campaign brightly with four goals in as many games.

"We have just started talks with the Algerian striker and hope things will end on a positive note,” the club added.

Reports: Algerian star talking to Saudi giants

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October 31, 2007 -- Lincoln have extended the loan signing of Nottingham Forest central defender Hamza Bencherif for a second month.

The 19-year-old has played four times for the Sincil Bank club.

Forest and Lincoln have agreed that Bencherif will not play for the Imps in the FA Cup first round tie between the clubs on 11 November.

The Algerian Under-20 player, who was previously with EA Guingamp in France, is a regular in Forest's reserves but has not played for the senior side.

Lincoln extend Bencherif's loan

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November 19, 2007 -- Algeria international Karim Ziani says he does not want to leave Marseille next January and will fight for his place despite having disappointed fans since his summer move.

Ziani impressed in Ligue 2 with Lorient and was voted best player in the league before moving to Sochaux, where he helped Les Lionceaux to win the Coupe de France last season.

The playmaker was offered a dream move to Marseille, a team he supported as a youth, but has failed to make an impression in his 12 appearances so far.

The 25-year-old, born in France, has pledged his future to L’OM and revealed that he will not leave in January.

“An eventual departure during the winter break has never been discussed,” he told La Provence.

“I have never been scared of difficulties. And I absolutely wanted to join L’OM.

“I have not signed here to leave after six months.”

Ziani: I want to stay

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Reports: Algerian star talking to Saudi giants

November 28, 2007 -- Algerian international midfielder Rafik Saifi, currently plying his trade at French side FC Lorient, in presently being tipped to move to Saudi Arabia giants Al-Hilal.

"We are expecting to receive an official fax from Lorient on Wednesday confirming the deal now that everything has been finalized,” an Al-Hilal spokesman confirmed on Tuesday.

“The player will be here within the next 36 hours, and will be hopefully ready to play for Al-Hilal in Sunday’s home league clash against Al-Ittihad,” he added.

Saifi, 32, made it clear in the summer he didn't plan to complete his contract with Lorient.

“In December, I have to sit down with the club directors in order to see what to do," the player told French daily Ouest-France.

“I really want to extend my contract to one or two added years, but with all the offers coming from the Gulf region, it would be very difficult to honour my term here," Saifi added.

Algerian star Saifi set for Saudi move

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December 3, 2007:

Greece

Algerian striker Rafik Djebbour returned to his scoring form to give Panionios the lead after 4 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Iraklis Saloniki.

The Desert Fox has now scored four goals so far this season...

France

Algeria midfielder Rafik Saifi scored his seventh after his 75th minute equaliser for Lorient in the 1-1 draw with St Etienne...