With the big European leagues kicking off in a matter of weeks – in some cases, mere days – the anticipation is heavy around the world. But for a few Canadians, there was no need to wait as they got back into league action this past week.
Midfielder Nik Ledgerwood (above) debuted for his new club, Energie Cottbus, in their season opener in the German third division. Ledgerwood went the full 90 as his side notched a 3-1 win over Osnabruck.
Elsewhere in the 3. Liga on the weekend, Randy Edwini-Bonsu featured for Stuttgarter Kickers in their season opener, coming on as a sub in a 2-1 loss to Wehen Weisbaden.
While the Premier League season has yet to get rolling in England, many clubs have been playing preseason friendlies. David “Junior” Hoilett got on the score sheet for Queens Park Rangers in a 2-2 exhibition draw with Leyton Orient, surely a good sign for the Canadian-born winger hoping to secure his spot with the newly-promoted club.
For those playing in the Nordic countries, though, it’s been business as usual as their seasons have rolled along during the summer months.
David Monsalve backstopped his club, AC Oulu, to a 1-0 win over Ilves on Sunday, while teammate Dominic Oppong went the full 90 and picked up a yellow card.
Elsewhere in Finland that day, Charlie Trafford went the full 90 and Michael Cox played 62 minutes for KuPS in a 5-3 loss to MYPA.
And over in Japan, it was a decidedly mixed week for Dejan Jakovic and his club, Shimizu S-Pulse. Last Wednesday, they went down to a 4-0 defeat against Gamba Osaka, but they rebounded with a 3-0 victory Sunday against Kashiwa Reysol. Jakovic went the distance in both matches.
As for what’s to come, Atiba Hutchinson’s club, Besiktas, heads into action in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday in the first leg of their showdown with Feyenoord.
