Europa League Matchday 3 Awards: Jurgen Klopp, Jose Callejon, Ahmed Hassan
The UEFA Europa League group stage has reached the halfway point after all 48 teams took part in Thursday night's action across the continent.
In England, Jurgen Klopp made his much-anticipated home debut with Liverpool. In Norway, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to the touchline for Molde. And in Denmark, Napoli's Jose Callejon scored a contender for goal of the season against Midtjylland.
Here, B/R hands out awards for the best of Matchday 3.
Most Anticipated Debut
1 of 6
Anfield witnessed something of a carnival atmosphere in the lead-up to kick-off on Thursday as Liverpool prepared for their first game under new manager Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp made quite the name for himself at Borussia Dortmund, winning a pair of Bundesliga titles and leading BVB to the 2013 UEFA Champions League final. Not surprisingly, Liverpool's supporters were thrilled to see the German leading the team onto the pitch at Anfield.
Adoring fans asked for autographs before kick-off as Klopp flashed his trademark smile. Throughout the stands, homemade signage pledged undying devotion to the club's new manager.
As for the match itself, Liverpool were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw with 10-man Rubin Kazan in Group B. Some of the same issues that plagued the Reds under Brendan Rodgers resurfaced in many of the same ways. But it was impossible to deny the sense of optimism wafting through the air at Anfield.
A new era has begun.
Biggest 1-Minute Swing
2 of 6
Rubin Kazan had taken a surprising lead against Liverpool through Marko Devic's expert 15th-minute finish, and the visitors were starting to grow into the game. Then disaster struck.
In the 36th minute, captain Oleg Kuzmin drew a red card for his second booking of the night—a foul on Emre Can. Less than a minute later, Can finished from close range after Divock Origi knocked down the ensuing free kick.
Liverpool played the rest of the match with a numerical advantage but couldn't turn their dominance in possession into the winning goal. If not for that one minute, Rubin might have fancied themselves to claim a famous victory at Anfield.
Longest Personal Scoring Drought Ended
3 of 6
Piotr Trochowski scored the game's only goal with a superb free kick as Augsburg won 1-0 at AZ Alkmaar in Group L. The win was Augsburg's first of the competition and Trochowski's first with the club, which he joined in July.
It was also Trochowski's first goal in European competition in 2,065 days, according to Opta Franz. It was the 2009-10 season, and the midfielder played for Hamburg at the time. Half a decade later, the 31-year-old still has some magic in his boots.
Best Managerial Return
4 of 6
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already cemented his place in European football lore. The "Baby-faced Assassin" famously scored the winner for Manchester United in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final.
These days, the retired striker is in the coaching game. On Thursday, he made his second debut with Molde, the Norwegian side that gave him his first managerial job in 2011. Solskjaer started his second go-round with a satisfying 3-1 win over Celtic on Thursday, with Ola Kamara, Vegard Forren and Mohamed Elyounoussi scoring the goals.
The result gave Molde a three-point lead atop Group A at the halfway point. Celtic are last with two points.
Solskjaer's last tenure at Molde ended when he took the top job at Cardiff City in 2014. That turned out badly for all involved, so here's hoping Solskjaer can make his mark again at Molde after winning two league titles during his first time on the job.
Best Celebration: Koka
5 of 6
Egyptian striker Ahmed Hassan "Koka" scored the first goal of a wild second half as Braga defeated Marseille 3-2 in Group F. The win maintained Braga's 100 percent run in the competition, with the Portuguese side now sitting atop the section with a perfect nine points through three games.
After making the breakthrough, Koka appeared on the verge of tears. According to Ligue 1 freelance writer Mohammed Ali, Koka was paying tribute to his father, who had passed only the day before.
"He gave me everything, he helped me always, may he rest in peace," Ali quoted Koka as saying.
The goal itself was worthy of such a touching celebration. Click here to see the strike.
Most Outrageous Goal
6 of 6
Napoli won 4-1 at Midtjylland to maintain their perfect start to Group D, and Jose Callejon scored what was without a doubt the goal of the match.
In the 19th minute, Kalidou Koulibaly lofted a long pass all the way from his own half into the opposition's box. Callejon ran under the trajectory of the ball and allowed it to fall over his shoulder before flicking past the goalkeeper with astounding nonchalance.
It might just turn out to be the best goal of the competition all season. And Callejon made it look routine.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
