2004 unrest in Kosovo, Reactions in Serbia
The Minister of Minority Rights of Serbia and Montenegro, Rasim Ljajić, himself a Muslim, said "What is now happening in Kosovo confirms two things: that this is a collapse of the international mission, and a total defeat of the international community." Nebojsa Čović, the Serbian government's chief negotiator on matters relating to Kosovo, was sent to Kosovska Mitrovica on March 18 in a bid to calm the situation there. Serbian security forces also guarded the border between Serbia and Kosovo in a bid to prevent demonstrators and paramilitaries from entering the province to foment further unrest. The events were compared by Prime Minister Koštunica to ethnic cleansing.


2004 unrest in Kosovo, Reactions in Serbia
The Serbs, represented by the "Union of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija", described the ordeal as "genocide" in a letter sent to the Serbian and Russian patriarchs, to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Serbian government, where, besides that, they quote the burning of seven villages during the World War II-German occupation to the "several hundreds" burnt "under the rule of the troops of Christian Europe and America" and according to which the "occupation of Kosovo surpasses all we had to sustain under fascism." The spared Serb villages are compared to "concentration camps" because of the missing freedom of movement, electricity and heating. According to the letter, after 1999 there were 8,500 homicides or disappearances of non-Albanian people with no single accomplice tried.


2004 unrest in Kosovo, Reactions in Serbia
In 2011, seven years after the incident, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić spoke at the Wheaton College in Chicago:


2004 unrest in Kosovo, Reactions in Serbia
In less than 72 hours, 35 churches and monasteries were set on fire, many of which date back to the 14th century or even further away in history, which represents an irretrievable loss for the mankind. Dozens of people were killed. Several thousand were wounded. Thousands of houses and shops were leveled to the ground. More than 4,000 Kosovo Serbs were expelled from their homes.


2004 unrest in Kosovo, Reactions in Serbia
In Serbia the events were also called the March Pogrom.


2004 unrest in Kosovo, International reaction
The international community was taken by surprise by the sudden upsurge in violence. Kosovo had been fairly quiet since the end of 1999, although there had been occasional small-scale ethnic clashes throughout the past five years and an ongoing tension between Serbs and Albanians. This had, however, largely gone unnoticed by the Western media since 1999.


2004 unrest in Kosovo, International reaction
KFOR troops closed Kosovo's borders with the remainder of Serbia and Montenegro and the UN suspended flights in and out of the province. NATO announced on 18 March that it would send another 1,000 troops – 750 of them from the United Kingdom – to reinforce the 18,500 troops already there.


2004 unrest in Kosovo, International reaction
The UN and European Union both appealed for calm, calling on local leaders to restrain their supporters. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged both sides to cooperate with the peacekeeping forces but pointedly reminded the Kosovo Albanians that they had a responsibility "to protect and promote the rights of all people within Kosovo, particularly its minorities".


2004 unrest in Kosovo, International reaction
An Austrian OSCE official called the events an orchestrated plan to drive out the remaining Serbs, while one anonymous UNMIK official reportedly referred to the event as Kosovo's Kristallnacht. The commander of NATO's South Flank, Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, said on 19 March that the violence verged on ethnic cleansing of Serbs by Albanians. On 20 March, Kosovo's UN administrator, Harri Holkeri, told journalists that "Maybe the very beginning was spontaneous but after the beginning certain extremist groups had an opportunity to orchestrate the situation and that is why we urgently are working to get those perpetrators into justice."


2004 unrest in Kosovo, International reaction
According to Amnesty International, at least 19 people died—11 Albanians and eight Serbs—and over 1,000 were injured while some 730 houses belonging to minorities, mostly Kosovo Serbs, as well as 36 Orthodox churches, monasteries and other religious and cultural sites were damaged or destroyed. In less than 48 hours, 4,100 minority community members were newly displaced (more than the total of 3,664 that had returned throughout 2003), of whom 82% were Serbs and the remaining 18% included Romani (and Ashkali) as well as an estimated 350 Albanians from the Serb-majority areas of Kosovska Mitrovica and Leposavić.


2004 Île-de-France regional election
A regional election took place in Île-de-France on March 21 and March 28, 2004, along with all other regions. Jean-Paul Huchon (PS) was re-elected President for a six years term.


2004 Úrvalsdeild
The 2004 season of Úrvalsdeild was the 93rd season of league football in Iceland. FH won their first title. KA and recently promoted Víkingur were relegated.


2004 Úrvalsdeild, Results
Each team played every opponent once home and away for a total of 18 matches.


2004 Ýokary Liga
The 2004 Turkmenistan Higher League (Ýokary Liga) season was the twelfth season of Turkmenistan's professional football league. Ten teams competed in 2004.


2004: The Stupid Version
2004: The Stupid Version is a satirical documentary written by Armando Iannucci, broadcast in two parts on BBC Three on New Year's Eve 2004. The one off programme is a parody of review programmes, which are typically broadcast at New Year. It features edited footage from news and television series, as well as satires on the politics and fads of a year in which "only Andrew Marr kept his dignity".


2004: The Stupid Version
The documentary was shown again on BBC Two on 29 January 2005, but has not been repeated since or released on DVD, although clips are available on the internet. Iannucci's other series Time Trumpet (2006) follows a similar format to The Stupid Version, reviewing events satirically from a future perspective.


2004: The Stupid Version, Format
Iannucci himself narrated the content, but only appears on screen once to assess the aftermath of The Room Show, a spoof of the reality television shows prevalent at the time, in which Ian McCaskill, Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards and a number of other minor celebrities were locked in an (unfilmed) container for ten hours.


2004: The Stupid Version, Format
In particular, the show focuses on stories that made the headlines from 2004, for example the US Presidential Election, featuring edited footage showing George W. Bush singing “New York, New York” during a presidential head to head, and an montage of election speeches emphasising the buzz words used by Bush's campaign.


2004: The Stupid Version, Format
In addition, the programme satirised politics in the United Kingdom, for example, edits of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown apparently contradicting one another, the favourite swear words of politicians in the Conservative Party, and the controversial documentary by Panorama, "Where the Tits were Saddam's WMD?”


2004: The Stupid Version, Format
The programme also features a series of banal interviews interspersed with the clips, with the interviewees either misunderstanding or misinterpreting their content; "The Olympics – what was all that about?” In reality, these were actors Richard Ayoade, Matthew Holness, Adam Buxton and Stewart Lee.


2004: The Stupid Version, Format
Television programmes by the BBC which were spoofed included Johnny & Denise: Passport to Paradise, Hard Spell, The Weakest Link and Alan Titchmarsh's British Isles: A Natural History. Other scenes included a world where every object was in the style of an iPod, a dubbed News 24 interview with the editor of Al Jazeera and a parody of the song by The Streets, “Dry Your Eyes” (featuring Buxton as the protagonist).


2004–05 1. FC Kaiserslautern season
During the 2004–05 German football season, 1. FC Kaiserslautern competed in the Bundesliga.


2004–05 1. FC Kaiserslautern season, Season summary
Kaiserslautern rose to 12th in the final table. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the team's 15–0 victory at fifth-tier FC Schönberg 95, which saw striker Carsten Jancker break the German record for the most goals scored in a DFB-Pokal match. However, manager Kurt Jara quit before the end of the season, citing irreconcilable differences with the club management. After a brief caretaker spell under 1. FC Kaiserslautern Amateure manager Hans-Werner Moser, the club turned to Michael Henke, former assistant coach of Bayern Munich, as his permanent successor.


2004–05 1. FC Kaiserslautern season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 1. FC Kaiserslautern season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 1. FC Nürnberg season
The 2004–05 1. FC Nürnberg season was the 105th year of existence.


2004–05 1. FSV Mainz 05 season
During the 2004–05 German football season, 1. FSV Mainz 05 competed in the Bundesliga.


2004–05 1. FSV Mainz 05 season, Season summary
A solid first-ever season in Germany's top flight saw Mainz comfortably qualify for the next season's Bundesliga with an 11th-placed finish. Furthermore, the team were awarded Germany's fair play award - because Germany were awarded an extra spot in the UEFA Cup through the Fair Play draw, Mainz qualified for the UEFA Cup's first round.


2004–05 1. FSV Mainz 05 season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 1. FSV Mainz 05 season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 2. Bundesliga
The 2004–05 2. Bundesliga was the 31st season of the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier of the German football league system. 1. FC Köln, MSV Duisburg and Eintracht Frankfurt were promoted to the Bundesliga while Eintracht Trier, Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, Rot-Weiss Essen and Rot-Weiß Erfurt were relegated to the Regionalliga.


2004–05 2. Bundesliga, League table
For the 2004–05 season Rot-Weiß Erfurt, 1. FC Saarbrücken, Rot-Weiss Essen and Dynamo Dresden were newly promoted to the 2. Bundesliga from the Regionalliga while Eintracht Frankfurt, TSV 1860 Munich and 1. FC Köln had been relegated to the league from the Bundesliga.


2004–05 2. Frauen-Bundesliga
The 2nd Fußball-Bundesliga (women) 2004–05 was the 1st season of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga (women), Germany's second football league. It began on 5 September 2004 and ended on 22 May 2005.


2004–05 2. Frauen-Bundesliga, Group North, Final standings
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points


2004–05 2. Frauen-Bundesliga, Group South, Final standings
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points


2004–05 2. Liga (Slovakia)
The 2004–05 season of the Slovak Second Football League (also known as 2. liga) was the twelfth season of the league since its establishment. It began on 24 July 2004 and ended on 14 June 2005.


2004–05 A Group
Statistics of Bulgarian A Football Group in the 2004–2005 season.


2004–05 A Group, Overview
It was contested by 16 teams, and CSKA Sofia won the championship.


2004–05 A Group, Teams, Promotion and Relegation
The league was contested by 16 teams, 13 returning from the previous season, as well as three teams promoted from the B Group. The promoted teams are Beroe Stara Zagora, Pirin Blagoevgrad, and Nesebar. Beroe return after a two-year absence, while Nesebar made their debut in the top level of Bulgarian football.


2004–05 A.C. ChievoVerona season
A.C. ChievoVerona played its fourth consecutive season in Serie A, and nearly equaled 7th place from the 2002-03 Serie A season. After a quite good start, the club finished 15th in Serie A, escaping relegation for just one point.


2004–05 A.C. Milan season
Associazione Calcio Milan began the 2004–05 season auspiciously by winning the 2004 Supercoppa Italiana, with a comfortable 3–0 victory over Lazio (the winners of the previous season's Coppa Italia), thanks to a hat-trick by Andriy Shevchenko.


2004–05 A.C. Milan season
The Serie A began with a 2–2 draw against Livorno. For most of the season, Milan were second to Juventus, in a close points race. However, after matchweeks 25 through 30, and again matchweeks 33 through 34, Milan were in first place. On 8 May 2005, Milan faced Juventus at home; by matchweek 35, the two had almost identical statistics of 76 points, 23 wins, 7 draws, and 4 defeats, with Milan's marginally superior goal difference of +36 against Juventus' +35 keeping them on top. Having lost the potential title deciding game 1–0 to a goal by David Trezeguet, Milan drew three more times afterwards and finished in the second place.


2004–05 A.C. Milan season
In the Champions League, Milan were successful and sure-footed, comfortably topping their group (which included Barcelona, Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk)  and then knocking out Manchester United, cross-city rivals Inter and PSV Eindhoven, thus reaching their second Champions League final in three years. The final was against Liverpool. In the first half Ancelotti's men scored three goals, one from Paolo Maldini, the club captain, and two from Hernán Crespo. However, in the second half, the English opponents managed to do the same in just 6 minutes, meaning the match went to extra time.


2004–05 A.C. Milan season
Milan were not able to find a fourth goal and had to face a penalty shoot-out. Unlike in 2003, Milan players went first and missed the first and second penalty kicks (taken by Serginho and Pirlo). Shevchenko, who scored the deciding penalty two years earlier, had to score from the fifth penalty to keep Milan in the game, but failed to beat Dudek, and Liverpool won the Champions League, in one of the most famous come-backs in European football history.


2004–05 A.C. Milan season
Throughout the season, Ancelotti mostly used the 4–4–2 diamond (or 4–1–2–1–2) formation, which he had previously employed with much success, especially in 2002–03; the fact that four top-quality strikers were available (Shevchenko, Crespo, Inzaghi and Tomasson) made it almost imperative that two of them would have to be used as regular starters. On rare occasions, however, formations with three centrebacks and two wingbacks (usually Cafu and Serginho), such as 3–5–2 or 3–4–1–2, were used.


2004–05 A.C. Milan season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 A.C. Milan season, Players, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 A.O. Kerkyra season
The 2004–2005 season was Kerkyra's 1st straight season on the Greek first tier, as newly promoted from the 2003-04 Beta Ethniki. Kerkyra ended last in the league and was relegated back.


2004–05 A.S. Livorno Calcio season
Manager Franco Colomba was sacked in January, with former manager Roberto Donadoni returning for a second spell in charge. Livorno ultimately finished 9th.


2004–05 A.S. Livorno Calcio season, Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 A.S. Livorno Calcio season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 A.S. Roma season
Associazione Sportiva Roma endured possibly its most troubled season ever, in which the club almost went from a genuine title threat to relegation. Despite its eight place, the 18th placed Bologna was only a few points behind in the close table.


2004–05 A.S. Roma season
The problems started before the season began, with coach Fabio Capello signing for Juventus, and key players Emerson and Walter Samuel departing. That Samuel departed to Real Madrid was greeted with disappointment, but the move was thought to be necessary given the financial struggles of Roma. The moves for Capello and Emerson in contrast, were controversial, with Rome's mayor Walter Veltroni even having to step in to calm feelings down, when Capello had decided to buy Emerson to the Turin club.


2004–05 A.S. Roma season
Controversy resumed when Roma signed French defender Philippe Mexès from Auxerre, despite a rolling contract. Auxerre took Roma to UEFA court, and in July 2005, Roma was suspended from the transfer market for a full calendar year. In the midst of chaos, new coach Cesare Prandelli decided to resign when finding out his wife was seriously ill (she would survive another two years before dying), and Prandelli returned to football with Fiorentina one year later.


2004–05 A.S. Roma season
Rudi Völler, formerly a striker at the club, and the man in charge when Germany reached the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, took over, but the German did not last long, complaining of a lack of organisation. Former Chievo coach Luigi Delneri, who had been sacked from European champions Porto in pre-season, due to spending too much time in his native Italy, took charge, but the squad lacked confidence, and the scandals and internal fighting caused Roma to slip into the relegation fight. Former club midfielder Bruno Conti saved the club from relegation, owing much to striking duo Vincenzo Montella and Francesco Totti.


2004–05 A.S. Roma season
A notable incident during the season was referee Anders Frisk being hit by a coin in a Champions League fixture against Dynamo Kyiv, as Roma crashed out of the tournament in its initial phase. Another intrigue was the tug of war between captain Francesco Totti and young pretender Antonio Cassano, a battle Cassano lost. Due to Roma's transfer ban, the club could not get rid of Cassano until January 2006, when Real Madrid bought him.


2004–05 ABA Goodyear League
Adriatic League expanded from 14 to 16 teams before the 2004–05 season. It was the second time since the inaugural 2001-02 that the competition expanded its number of teams.


2004–05 ABA Goodyear League
16 teams from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro participated in Goodyear League in its fourth season: Union Olimpija, Helios, Pivovarna Laško, Geoplin Slovan, Cibona VIP, Zadar, Zagreb, Split Croatia Osiguranje, Šibenka Dalmare, Široki Hercegtisak, Bosna ASA BH TELECOM, Crvena zvezda, Partizan Pivara MB, Hemofarm, Reflex, Budućnost.


2004–05 ABA Goodyear League
In this season the league also decided to change the play-off system. The Final Tournament was expanded and renamed into the Final Eight Tournament. There were 30 rounds played in the regular part of the season, best eight teams qualified for the Final Eight Tournament which was played in Belgrade from April 28 until May 1, 2005.


2004–05 ABA Goodyear League
Throughout the season, the issue of Partizan's forward Milan Gurović not being allowed to enter Croatia due to having a tattoo of Draža Mihailović on his left shoulder received much attention in the media.


2004–05 ABA Goodyear League, Regular season
Pld - Played; W - Won; L - Lost; PF - Points for; PA - Points against; Diff - Difference; Pts - Points.


2004–05 ABA season
The 2004–05 ABA season was the fourth season of the American Basketball Association. The regular season started in November 2004 and the year ended with the championship game in March 2005 featuring the Arkansas RimRockers and Bellevue Blackhawks. Arkansas defeated Bellevue, 118-103 in the championship game to win their first ABA title.


2004–05 ACB season
The 2004–05 ACB season was the 22nd season of the Liga ACB.


2004–05 ACF Fiorentina season
ACF Fiorentina returned to Serie A, following a two-year absence after the bankruptcy of the previous incarnation of the club. Fiorentina returned only due to the expansion in terms of the number of top-league teams, and therefore had to significantly strengthen the squad in pre-season. Dario Dainelli, Giorgio Chiellini, Hidetoshi Nakata, Fabrizio Miccoli, Martin Jørgensen, goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli, Enzo Maresca, Tomáš Ujfaluši and Javier Portillo were among the highly rated players to sign up for Fiorentina, either permanently or on loan.


2004–05 ACF Fiorentina season
With this squad, Fiorentina was expected to challenge for a place on the top half of the table, but slipped into the relegation battle that affected more than half of the Serie A clubs during the dramatic season. In the end, a strong finish to the season under incoming coach Dino Zoff saved La Viola from relegation, with an emotional 3–0 victory against Brescia confirming their survival.


2004–05 AEK Athens F.C. season
AEK Athens F.C. competed for the 46th consecutive season in the Greek top flight and 81st year in existence as a football club. They competed in the Alpha Ethniki, the Greek Cup and the UEFA Cup. The season begun at 11 September 2004 and finished at 25 May 2005.


2004–05 AEK Athens F.C. season, Players, Squad statistics
NOTE: The players are the ones that have been announced by the AEK Athens' press release. No edits should be made unless a player arrival or exit is announced. Updated 30 June 2005.


2004–05 AEK Athens F.C. season, Manager stats
Only competitive matches are counted. Wins, losses and draws are results at the final whistle; the results of penalty shootouts are not counted.


2004–05 AFC Ajax season
During the 2004–05 season AFC Ajax participated in the Eredivisie, the KNVB Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the  UEFA Cup.


2004–05 AFC Ajax season, Pre-season
The first training session for the 2004–05 season was held on July 7, 2004. In preparation for the new season Ajax organized a training camp in De Lutte, Netherlands at the De Thij Sportpark. During the pre-season, the squad played friendly matches against FC Omniworld, DOS '19, Excelsior '31, HSV de Zuidvogels, Queens Park Rangers and Luton Town. They then returned to Amsterdam to play Panathinaikos and Arsenal in the annual Amsterdam Tournament.


2004–05 AFC Ajax season, Transfers, Summer
For a list of all Dutch football transfers in the summer window (1 July 2004 to 1 September 2004) please see List of Dutch football transfers summer 2004.


2004–05 AFC Ajax season, Transfers, Winter
For a list of all Dutch football transfers in the winter window (1 January 2005 to 1 February 2005) please see List of Dutch football transfers winter 2004–05.


2004–05 AHL season
The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season. The Philadelphia Phantoms won the Calder Cup, defeating the Chicago Wolves in the finals.


2004–05 AHL season
This season featured a wealth of talent in the AHL, as the National Hockey League was in the midst of a lockout which would cause that league's 2004–05 season to be canceled on February 16, 2005. Many players who otherwise may have been called up to be members of NHL teams for the season spent the full season in the AHL instead. The lockout also provided opportunity for several NHL arenas — including those in Anaheim, Buffalo, Nashville, San Jose and Tampa — to host AHL games during the season. The Edmonton Road Runners, meanwhile, played the entire season in Rexall Place, normally the home of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.


2004–05 AHL season
In addition, the shootout (previously used in the 1986–87 season) was reintroduced to the league, to decide a winner in games which remained tied following the overtime period. The team winning a shootout was credited with a win, and the losing team with an overtime loss.


2004–05 AHL season
The AHL also announced a series of experimental rule changes, most notably a restricted area for goaltenders. Playing the puck outside the restricted area results in an automatic two-minute delay of game penalty.


2004–05 AHL season, Final standings
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SL = Shootout losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points;


2004–05 AHL season, Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes


2004–05 AHL season, Leading goaltenders
Note: GP = Games Played; Mins = Minutes Played; W = Wins; L = Losses: OTL = Overtime Losses; SL = Shootout Losses; GA = Goals Allowed; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against Average


2004–05 AHL season, All Star Classic
The 18th AHL All-Star Classic was played on February 14, 2005, at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. Team PlanetUSA defeated team Canada 5-4 in a shootout win. In the skills competition held the night before, team PlanetUSA defeated team Canada 17-13.


2004–05 AJ Auxerre season
The 2004–05 season was the 99th season in the existence of AJ Auxerre and the club's 25th consecutive season in the top-flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Auxerre participated in this season's editions of the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue and UEFA Cup.


2004–05 AJ Auxerre season, Season summary
Auxerre fell to 8th in the final table, but won the Coupe de France. Manager Guy Roux retired at the end of the season, after 36 years managing the club. He was replaced by Jacques Santini.


2004–05 AJ Auxerre season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 AJ Auxerre season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 AS Monaco FC season
The 2004–05 season was AS Monaco FC's 48th season in Ligue 1. They again finished third in Ligue 1, whilst getting knocked out of the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France at the Semifinal stage by Caen and Sedan respectively.


2004–05 AS Monaco FC season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 AS Monaco FC season, Squad, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 AS Monaco FC season, Transfers
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 AS Monaco FC season, Transfers
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 AS Saint-Étienne season
The 2004–05 season was the 72nd season in the existence of AS Saint-Étienne and the club's first season back in the top flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Saint-Étienne participated in this season's edition of the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue. The season covered the period from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.


2004–05 AZ Alkmaar season
During the 2004–05 Dutch football season, AZ Alkmaar competed in the Eredivisie.


2004–05 AZ Alkmaar season, Season summary
AZ reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals, the farthest they had progressed in Europe since winning the UEFA Cup in 1981.


2004–05 AZ Alkmaar season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 AZ Alkmaar season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Aberdeen F.C. season
The 2004–05 season was Aberdeen's 92nd season in the top flight of Scottish football and their 94th season overall. Aberdeen competed in the Scottish Premier League, Scottish League Cup, Scottish Cup.


2004–05 Aberdeen F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Airdrie United F.C. season
Season 2004–05 was Airdrie United's third competitive season. They competed in the First Division, Challenge Cup, League Cup and the Scottish Cup.


2004–05 Airdrie United F.C. season, Summary
Airdrie United finished fifth in the First Division. They reached the third round of the Scottish Cup, the second round of the League Cup and were eliminated in the first round of the Challenge Cup.


2004–05 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team
The 2004–05 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama in the 2004–05 college basketball season. The head coach was Mark Gottfried, who was in his seventh season at Alabama. The team played its home games at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and was a member of the Southeastern Conference. This was the 92nd season of basketball in the school's history. The Crimson Tide finished the season 24–8, 12–4 in SEC play, lost in the semifinals of the 2005 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament. They were invited to the NCAA Tournament and lost in the first round.


2004–05 Alabama–Huntsville Chargers men's ice hockey season
The 2004–05 Alabama–Huntsville Chargers ice hockey team represented the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. The Chargers were coached by Doug Ross who was in his twenty-third season as head coach. The Chargers played their home games in the Von Braun Center and were members of the College Hockey America conference.


2004–05 Alaska Aces season
The 2004–2005 Alaska Aces season was the 19th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).


2004–05 Albacete Balompié season
The 2004–05 season was the 64th season in Albacete Balompié's history.


2004–05 Albacete Balompié season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Albanian Cup
2004–05 Albanian Cup (Albanian: Kupa e Shqipërisë) was the fifty-third season of Albania's annual cup competition. It began on 28 August 2004 with the First Preliminary Round and ended on 11 May 2005 with the Final match. The winners of the competition qualified for the 2005-06 first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. KF Partizani were the defending champions, having won their fifteenth Albanian Cup last season. The cup was won by KS Teuta.


2004–05 Albanian Cup
The rounds were played in a two-legged format similar to those of European competitions. If the aggregated score was tied after both games, the team with the higher number of away goals advanced. If the number of away goals was equal in both games, the match was decided by extra time and a penalty shootout, if necessary.


2004–05 Albanian Cup, First round
Games were played on 28 August – 1 September 2004.


2004–05 Albanian Cup, Third round
All fourteen teams of the 2003–04 Superliga and First Division entered in this round, along with Second Round winners. First legs were played on 20 October 2004 and the second legs were played on 27 October 2004.


2004–05 Albanian Cup, Quarter finals
In this round entered the 8 winners from the previous round.


2004–05 Albanian Cup, Semi-finals
In this round entered the four winners from the previous round.


2004–05 Alemannia Aachen season
During the 2004–05 German football season, Alemannia Aachen competed in the 2. Bundesliga.


2004–05 Alemannia Aachen season, Season summary
Alemannia Aachen failed to gain promotion to the Bundesliga or even repeat their cup run of the previous season, but still enjoyed a decent run in the UEFA Cup, making it through the group stages before being knocked out in the round of 32 by eventual semi-finalists AZ.


2004–05 Alemannia Aachen season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Alemannia Aachen season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Algerian Championnat National
The 2004–05 Algerian Championnat National was the 43rd season of the Algerian Championnat National since its establishment in 1962. A total of 16 teams contested the league, with JS Kabylie as the defending champions, The Championnat started on August 20, 2004. and ended on June 13, 2005.


2004–05 Algerian Championnat National 2
The Algerian Championnat National 2 season 2004–05 is the thirteenth season of the league under its current title and fifteenth season under its current league division format. It started on 16 August 2004.


2004–05 Algerian Championnat National 2, League table
A total of 18 teams contested the division, including 12 sides remaining in the division from the previous season and three relegated from the Algerian Championnat National, and another three promoted from the Inter-Régions Ligue.


2004–05 Algerian Cup
The 2004–05 Algerian Cup was the 41st edition of the Algerian Cup. ASO Chlef won the Cup by defeating USM Sétif 1-0 in the final with a goal from Mohamed Messaoud in the 95th minute. It was ASO Chlef's first Algerian Cup in the club's history, as well as its first national title.


2004–05 All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship
The 2004–05 All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship was the inaugural staging of the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association.


2004–05 All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship
On 28 March 2005, Kildangan won the championship following a 2–13 to 1–13 defeat of Carrickshock in the final.


2004–05 All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship
The 2004–05 All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship was the second staging of the All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association  in 2002.


2004–05 All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship
On 28 March 2005, Galmoy won the championship following a 2–18 to 0–9 defeat of Oran in the final.


2004–05 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
The 2004–05 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship was the 35th staging of the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1970-71. The championship began on 23 October 2004 and ended on 17 March 2004.


2004–05 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
Caltra were the defending champions, however, they failed to qualify after being beaten by Salthill-Knocknacarra in the quarter-final of the 2004 Galway County Championship.


2004–05 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
On 17 March 2005, Ballina Stephenites won the championship following a 1-12 to 2-08 defeat of Portlaoise in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park. It remains their only championship title.


2004–05 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
Oisín McConville of Crossmaglen Rangers was the championship's top scorer with 3-20.


2004–05 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The 2004–05 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship was the 35th staging of the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, an inter-county knockout competition for Ireland's top championship clubs representing each county. The championship was won by James Stephens of Kilkenny, who beat Athenry of Galway by 0–19 to 0–14 in the final.


2004–05 Allsvenskan (ice hockey) season
The 2004–05 Allsvenskan season was the sixth season of the Allsvenskan, the second level of ice hockey in Sweden. 23 teams participated in the league, and Leksands IF, Skellefteå AIK, IK Nyköping, and IK Oskarshamn qualified for the Kvalserien.


2004–05 Alpha Ethniki
The 2004–05 Alpha Ethniki was the 69th season of the highest football league of Greece. The season began on 18 September 2004 and ended on 25 May 2005. Olympiacos won their 33rd Greek title.


2004–05 Angola Basketball Cup, Men's Tournament
The 2005 Men's Basketball Cup was contested by eight teams and won by Primeiro de Agosto. The final was played on May 6, 2005.


2004–05 Angola Basketball Cup, Women's Tournament
The 2005 Women's Basketball Cup was won by Primeiro de Agosto A.


2004–05 Angola Basketball Super Cup
The 2005 Angola Basketball Super Cup (12th edition) was contested by Primeiro de Agosto, as the 2004 league champion and Petro Atlético, the 2004 cup winner. Primeiro de Agosto was the winner, making its 5th title.


2004–05 Angola Basketball Super Cup
The 2005 Women's Super Cup (10th edition) was contested by Primeiro de Agosto, as the 2004 women's league champion and Interclube, the 2004 cup runner-up. Primeiro de Agosto was the winner, making it is's 2nd title.


2004–05 Arab Champions League
The 2004–05 Arab Champions League is the second edition of a new format called Arab Champions League replacing the former Arab Unified Club Championship. The teams represented Arab nations from Africa and Asia. Al-Ittihad Jeddah of Saudi Arabia won the final against CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.


2004–05 Arab Champions League
The competition's sponsor ART invited Iraq's Al-Talaba to compete. The Iraqi FA then nominated two other clubs (Erbil SC and Najaf FC, leaders of the Northern and Southern groups when the domestic championship was abandoned in spring 2004) to participate alongside Al-Talaba, but UAFA only allowed Al-Talaba to compete. The Iraqi FA then withdrew Al-Talaba from the tournament and were subsequently suspended from UAFA.


2004–05 Arab Champions League, Knock-out stage, Quarterfinals
Al-Ittihad 1–1 MC Alger on aggregate. Al-Ittihad won 5–4 on penalties.


2004–05 Argentine Primera División
The 2004–05 Argentine Primera División was the 114th season of top-flight football in Argentina. The season ran from August 15, 2004 to July 3, 2005.


2004–05 Argentine Primera División
Four teams promoted from Primera B Nacional, Instituto (C) (champion), Almagro (runner-up), Argentinos Juniors and Huracán (TA) (won promotion/relegation playoff the previous year)


2004–05 Argentine Primera División
Newell's Old Boys won the Apertura (5th league title) and Vélez Sársfield the Clausura (6th title) championships, while Huracán de Tres Arroyos and Almagro were relegated.


2004–05 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
The 2004–05 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Arizona during the 2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Hall-of-Famer Lute Olson led the team in his 22nd year as Arizona's head coach. The team played their home games at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona as members of the Pacific-10 Conference.


2004–05 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
The Wildcats recorded 30 or more wins for the third time in program history with a record of 30–7 overall. A 15–3 record in conference play earned Olson and Arizona an 11th Pacific-10 Conference championship.


2004–05 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
Arizona was invited to the NCAA Tournament for the 21st-straight season, receiving a 3-seed in the Midwest Region. The team advanced to the Elite Eight by defeating (14-seed) Utah State, (11) UAB, and (2) Oklahoma State before falling 90-89 in overtime to top-seeded Illinois.


2004–05 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team
The 2004–05 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2004–05 college basketball season. The head coach was Stan Heath, serving for his third year. The team played its home games in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.


2004–05 Armenian Hockey League season
The 2004–05 Armenian Hockey League season was the fourth season of the Armenian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Armenia. Four teams participated in the league, and Dinamo Yerevan won the championship.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season
The 2004–05 season was the 107th season of competitive football played by Arsenal. The club ended the campaign as FA Cup winners, but failed to retain their Premier League title as they finished second to Chelsea. In the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal made an exit in the knockout stages to Bayern Munich.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season
In the transfer window Arsenal purchased goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who initially served a backup to Jens Lehmann, and midfielder Mathieu Flamini. The club kept hold of its captain Patrick Vieira after much transfer speculation over his expected move to Real Madrid. Several players left Arsenal before the campaign got under way; defender Martin Keown left to play for Leicester City, Ray Parlour joined Middlesbrough while Sylvain Wiltord signed for Lyon.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season
Arsenal began the season in good form and equalled Nottingham Forest's unbeaten league run of 42 matches against Middlesbrough. The team set a new English division record and went a further seven games unbeaten before losing to Manchester United in controversial circumstances. Arsenal's form suffered as a result and defensive shortcomings became more apparent; two draws and a defeat in November reinforced Chelsea's position at the top of the table, where they remained for the rest of the season.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season
At home to Crystal Palace in February 2005, Wenger named an Arsenal squad with no English players – a first in the club's history which attracted criticism from the media. The team ended the season strongly, with a run of eight wins from nine games ensuring a second-place finish. 32 different players represented the club in five competitions and there were 15 different goalscorers. Arsenal's top goalscorer was Thierry Henry, who scored 30 goals in 42 games.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Background
Arsenal ended the previous season as league champions, becoming the first side since Preston North End 115 years earlier to do so undefeated. They completed their historic league campaign with 26 wins, 12 draws and 90 points.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Background
By the end of January 2004, Arsenal were still in the hunt for all four trophies, but suffered setbacks in each of the cup competitions; they were unable to retain the FA Cup, losing out to eventual winners Manchester United in the semi-finals and days later were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Chelsea in the quarter-finals. They exited the League Cup after a defeat to Middlesbrough in early February.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, FA Community Shield
The 2004 edition of the FA Community Shield, was contested between Manchester United and Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium on 8 August. Cesc Fàbregas started alongside Gilberto Silva in midfield for Arsenal as Vieira was absent, while Thierry Henry partnered Dennis Bergkamp up front. After a goalless first half, Arsenal took the lead when Gilberto scored in the 50th minute. Manchester United equalised through Alan Smith five minutes after, but José Antonio Reyes restored Arsenal's advantage two minutes before the hour mark. Mikaël Silvestre scored an own goal 11 minutes before the end to give Arsenal a 3–1 victory. Wenger praised Fàbregas's performance after the match, describing the midfielder as a "complete player" and reiterated his desire to keep Vieira.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League
A total of 20 teams competed in the Premier League in the 2004–05 season. Each team played 38 matches; two against every other team and one match at each club's stadium. Three points were awarded for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats. At the end of the season the top two teams qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League; teams in third and fourth needed to play a qualifier. The provisional fixture list was released on 24 June 2004, but was subject to change in the event of clashes with other competitions, international football, inclement weather, or matches being selected for television coverage.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
Arsenal began their defence of the league title against Everton on 15 August 2004. Fàbregas was named in the first eleven; at 17 years 103 days he became the club's youngest ever Premier League player. It was Bergkamp on his 500th league appearance who opened the scoring for Arsenal and Reyes made it 2–0, heading the ball in from Freddie Ljungberg's cross. Ljungberg added a third goal in the second half and in spite of the team conceding moments after, Robert Pires scored Arsenal's fourth in the 83rd minute.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
Shortly before the kick-off at home to Middlesbrough the following weekend, the club was presented a golden replica of the Premier League trophy, to commemorate their unbeaten season. In the match, Henry gave Arsenal the lead, which was cancelled out before half time by Joseph-Désiré Job's goal-bound effort. Four minutes after the interval, Franck Queudrue exploited an error from defender Pascal Cygan and in turn passed the ball to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who "finish[ed] with perfect brutality". Queudrue scored to put Middlesbrough 3–1 up in the 53rd minute, but Bergkamp replied with a goal for Arsenal a minute later.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
The home team completed the comeback with further goals by Reyes, Pires and Henry. Wenger afterwards admitted Arsenal's defending was poor, but said their attacking threat made up for their deficiencies. The 5–3 win meant Arsenal equalled Nottingham Forest's record of 42 league matches undefeated. Three days later, the team beat Blackburn Rovers 3–0 to set a new record. Arsenal at the end of the month travelled to Norwich City, where three first half goals set the team on the way to a 4–1 victory. The win ended Norwich's eight-month undefeated record at Carrow Road.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
Due to international fixtures, Arsenal did not play another game for two weeks. On the resumption of club football, they travelled across London to face Fulham. Vieira made his return to the first team in place of Fàbregas. Fulham was awarded a penalty in the first half, after Ashley Cole brought down striker Andy Cole in the penalty area. Referee Mark Halsey however changed his mind after protests from the Arsenal players and a consultation with his assistant; the game was restarted with a dropped-ball.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
Arsenal scored three times in the second half and ended the weekend of 6 September 2004 top of the league table, two points clear of second place Chelsea. The league champions dropped their first points of the season at home to Bolton Wanderers. At the City of Manchester Stadium on 25 September 2004, a goal by Cole earned Arsenal a 1–0 win against Manchester City. Journalist Russell Thomas, writing for The Guardian, commented on Arsenal's fatigue during the second half and opined that the team needed to keep their focus against sterner opposition.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
Arsenal beat Charlton Athletic in early October to extend their unbeaten run to 48 league matches. Charlton manager Alan Curbishley said of his opponents: "The gulf between Arsenal and the rest of the Premier League means that the rest have got it all to do to try and stop them, and I'm including the big three or four." Two goals from Pires and one from Henry ensured a 3–1 win against Aston Villa, who had led the game early on. Attention soon turned to Arsenal's trip to face Manchester United.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
The champions were looking to go half a century of league games unbeaten, whereas the home team – in transition, attempted to push on for a title challenge. The game saw many late aggressive tackles made by United players go unpunished and later in the match, an attempted challenge by Sol Campbell on Wayne Rooney earned Manchester United a controversial penalty, converted by Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 73rd minute. Rooney then scored United's second goal of the match to end Arsenal's unbeaten run on 49 games.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
Tempers boiled over in the players' tunnel, where pizza was thrown at Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. When speaking to the media, a distraught Wenger told reporters that Rooney dived to win the penalty and criticised the refereeing performance of Mike Riley. He was later found guilty of insinuating that Van Nistelrooy was a cheat, and fined £15,000 by the FA.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, August–October
The final match of October was against Southampton at Highbury. Henry who missed a penalty early on, scored to put Arsenal in front in the 67th minute. Southampton replied with two goals from Rory Delap, but Van Persie in stoppage time equalised for the home team with a curling shot. The draw meant Arsenal stood in first position and had accumulated 26 points. The team were level on points with Chelsea, with a marginally better goal difference.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
For the second league game in succession, Arsenal dropped two points. The team drew 1–1 at Crystal Palace on 6 November 2004, which meant Chelsea overtook them in first position. Wenger rued Arsenal's inability to hold onto leads in matches and admitted the fluency had disappeared in their football, possibly because of the manner  in which they lost the unbeaten record. A week later Arsenal faced Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It was Tottenham who began the match the better of the two teams and took the lead after 36 minutes when Noureddine Naybet scored.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
Henry equalised for Arsenal moments before half-time, and the champions went in front after Lauren converted a penalty. Vieira scored on the hour mark to make it 3–1, before Jermain Defoe replied for Tottenham instantly with a "wonderful, dipping finish into the top corner". Fàbregas created Arsenal’s fourth goal, scored by Ljungberg. In the final 16 minutes Tottenham scored twice and Arsenal once; the final score was 5–4, making it the highest scoring North London derby. Arsenal's defending was ridiculed by Chelsea manager José Mourinho, who told reporters, "Five-four is a hockey score, not a football score."


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
"I do not think there is too much wrong but when you lose the errors are highlighted. I won't be making any major changes."


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
Arsène Wenger after Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool, 28 November 2004.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
Arsenal only managed a draw against West Bromwich Albion on 20 November 2004; Robert Earnshaw's goal with 11 minutes remaining of normal time cancelled out Pires' opener. Arsenal lost their final match of November, away to Liverpool at Anfield. Vieira finished off a one-touch move to equalise for Arsenal – who were behind in the first half – but Neil Mellor scored the winning goal of the game, shooting from long range.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
Football pundit Alan Hansen in his analysis on Match of the Day criticised the temperament of Arsenal’s players and questioned their desire: "When you have success, sometimes it isn't there and you have to dig in with great determination and hard work, and at the moment they are not doing that. When you look at their two big players, Henry and Vieira, [you think they] must do better in future." Arsenal ended the month in second, five points behind leaders Chelsea.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
Henry scored two late goals in Arsenal’s victory over Birmingham City on 4 December 2004. Wenger replaced Lehmann in goal with Almunia, who made his league debut. Arsenal then faced league leaders Chelsea at Highbury; the match was billed as "Judgement Day" by Sky Sports. With Vieira suspended and Gilberto and Edu injured, Wenger picked Flamini to partner Fabregas in midfield. The first chance of the match went to Henry, who scored inside 75 seconds.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
John Terry levelled the score, but Henry restored Arsenal’s lead from a contentious free-kick – Graham Poll allowed the striker to take it quickly without warning the Chelsea players. Eiður Guðjohnsen equalised early in the second half for Chelsea, and late on Henry missed a chance to score a hat-trick. There were no further goals and the match ended 2–2, meaning Chelsea remained five points clear of Arsenal. Wenger said he was disappointed in the manner his team conceded to Chelsea – from two set pieces, but added, "I thought we did really well, and it was important for us to come back to the level we want to be at."


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, November–December
Arsenal won their remaining games in December and conceded no goals. They beat Portsmouth courtesy of a Campbell goal in the second half, and on Boxing Day defeated Fulham by two goals. Vieira scored the winning goal against Newcastle United, a volley that deflected over goalkeeper Shay Given. After 20 games, Arsenal accumulated 44 points and lay second in the league table.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, January–February
On New Year's Day, Ljungberg scored two goals in Arsenal’s 3–1 win against Charlton Athletic. The team four days later drew at home to Manchester City. Arsenal lost further ground to Chelsea after defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. Wenger conceded that Chelsea were favourites to win the league because of their point advantage, but added: "We will keep going and fight until the last minute of the championship." Arsenal ended January with a 1–0 home win against Newcastle United. Wenger made four changes from the Bolton defeat, with Bergkamp the match scorer coming in place of Van Persie.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, January–February
The first night of February saw Arsenal host Manchester United at Highbury. In the tunnel before the match Roy Keane was seen confronting Vieira; the United captain accused him of intimidating his teammate Gary Neville. Vieira scored after eight minutes, but Giggs equalised for Manchester United 10 minutes later. Bergkamp restored Arsenal’s advantage nine minutes before half time, but two goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and one by John O'Shea in the second half gave United a 4–2 win. It was Arsenal's fourth league defeat of the season and moved them down to third spot, overtaken by their opponents. Wenger ruled his team out of the title race and refused to blame Almunia for his error in Ronaldo's first goal. The goalkeeper was dropped in Arsenal's next game, away to Aston Villa. Three first half goals by Ljungberg, Henry and Cole gave Arsenal a comfortable win.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, January–February
For the match against Crystal Palace on 14 February 2005, Wenger named an Arsenal squad that did not feature a single British player – a first in the club’s history. The team did not get off to the best of starts with Lehmann miskicking a back pass and Vieira losing possession routinely, but grew as the game went on and scored three goals in seven minutes. On his 200th league appearance, Henry scored in either half, with the result 5–1 to Arsenal.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, January–February
The result was somewhat overshadowed by the foreign makeup of the team; former player Paul Merson called it a "joke" and PFA chairman Gordon Taylor noted it was a "worrying pattern for English football". When asked about his team selections, Wenger said: "I don't look at the passport of people, I look at their quality and their attitude."


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, January–February
Arsenal only earned a point at Southampton, where Van Persie was sent off for a late challenge on Graeme Le Saux. The team remained in third at the end of February, four points behind Manchester United and 10 behind leaders Chelsea, who played a game less than both challengers.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, March–May
Arsenal’s form improved as the season drew to a close. At home to Portsmouth on 5 March 2005, the team earned three points courtesy of Henry’s hat-trick. Van Persie scored the only goal in Arsenal’s match against Blackburn Rovers and the team moved back to second position with a home win against Norwich City – Henry scored another hat-trick. A week later Pires' goal was enough for Arsenal to beat Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium and win their fourth consecutive match. The team then played out a goalless draw against Chelsea, who were on course to become champions; Wenger congratulated his opponents on their season and felt Arsenal needed to score first so that they could "force them to come out from the back."


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, March–May
Arsenal defeated Tottenham 1–0 on 25 April 2005, which meant Chelsea needed to wait on Saturday in order to mathematically win the title. Second position was the best Arsenal could aim for by the time they faced West Bromwich Albion on 2 May 2005. Goals from Van Persie and Edu earned a 2–0 win for the team and Arsenal beat Champions League finalists Liverpool at Highbury to all-but secure second spot. Arsenal recorded the biggest win of the league season, against Everton at Highbury.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Premier League, March–May
An inspired performance by Bergkamp helped the team win 7–0; he created the opening two goals and scored in the second half. Arsenal lost their final game of the campaign, away to Birmingham City. It was a lacklustre performance by the visitors, who equalised through Bergkamp after going a goal behind, but conceded in the 90th minute.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, FA Cup
Arsenal entered the competition in the third round, by virtue of their Premier League status. Their opening match was a home tie against Stoke City. The visitors took the lead just before the break, but goals from Reyes and Van Persie in the second half meant Arsenal won 2–1. They then faced Wolverhampton Wanderers at home in the next round; a goal apiece from Vieira and Ljungberg secured a comfortable 2–0 victory.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, FA Cup
Arsenal's opponent in the fifth round was Sheffield United. After 35 minutes Bergkamp was sent off for his apparent push on Cullip. With eleven minutes of normal time remaining, Robert Pires scored for Arsenal, but the team conceded a late penalty which Andy Gray converted. The equaliser for Sheffield United meant the match was replayed at Bramall Lane on 1 March 2005. Both teams played out a goalless draw after full-time and throughout extra-time, so the tie was decided by a penalty shootout. Almunia saved two penalties, which ensured progress into the quarter-finals.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, FA Cup
Bolton Wanderers hosted Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium in the sixth round of the competition. Ljungberg scored the only goal of the tie after just three minutes; he had an opportunity to extend Arsenal's lead in stoppage time, but hit the ball over from six yards. Arsenal faced Blackburn Rovers in the semi-final which was played at the Millennium Stadium. Two goals from Van Persie and one from Pires gave Arsenal a 3–0 win, in a match marred by Blackburn's aggressive tactics.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, FA Cup
This set up a showdown with Manchester United in the final on 21 May 2005. United were on top for long periods of the game but Arsenal resisted their pressure and the match ended 0–0 after 120 minutes, albeit Arsenal were a man lighter after Reyes' dismissal with a minute remaining for two bookable offences. The match went to penalties with all the penalty takers converting barring Paul Scholes, whose effort was denied by Lehmann. Vieira converted the final and winning spot-kick to seal a tenth FA Cup crown for Arsenal.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Football League Cup
The Football League Cup is a cup competition open to clubs in the Premier League and Football League. Like the FA Cup it is played on a knockout basis, with the exception of the second round and semi-finals, which are contested over a two-legged tie. Together with the other clubs playing in European competitions, Arsenal entered the Football League Cup in the third round. The team were drawn to face Manchester City, on the week of 25 October 2004. Wenger fielded a relatively young team for the tie, which took the lead in the second half when Van Persie scored. Danny Karbassiyoon extended the visitor's lead in the 90th minute, just before Manchester City striker Robbie Fowler scored from a free-kick.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Football League Cup
In the fourth round, Arsenal faced Everton at Highbury. The team went behind after eight minutes of play, but Quincy Owusu-Abeyie levelled the scoreline and in the second half Arturo Lupoli scored twice. Wenger was pleased with how his team responded to the setback and added: "They played intelligently, technically well and with the spirit we like to play the game." Arsenal bowed out of the competition away to Manchester United; the only goal of the match came inside 19 seconds when David Bellion profited from an error by goalkeeper Almunia.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
Arsenal were drawn in Group E, along with Dutch champions PSV, Greek club Panathinaikos and Norwegian side Rosenborg. An Alex own goal was enough for Arsenal to claim three points against PSV on the first matchday. The team drew away to Rosenborg and earnt a point at Panathinaikos, despite twice having taken the lead at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium. In the reverse fixture, Cygan scored an own goal to cancel out Henry's first-half opener; the result left Arsenal in second position.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
Their next match was against PSV at the Philips Stadion, where after eight minutes the home side took the lead. Henry equalised for Arsenal, having created the chance following a one-two with Ljungberg. In the second half Lauren and Vieira were both sent off, for two bookable offences. Wenger accepted referee Herbert Fandel's decision, but added his surprise that Mark van Bommel was not cautioned: "If you look at the number of fouls he made without being punished it is very surprising because he made some deliberate fouls. Some people might criticise Patrick when we were down to 10 men but he felt he had to fight harder to win the ball."


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
The draw against PSV meant Arsenal had to beat against Rosenborg to qualify for the last 16. A 5–1 win at home, with five different goalscorers on the scoresheet, put Arsenal top of the group given PSV lost to Panathinaikos.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Knockout phase, Round of 16
Arsenal were drawn against Bayern Munich in the knockout stages. In the first leg a mistake from Touré presented Claudio Pizarro to score inside four minutes. The striker then scored his second of the match in the 58th minute, getting past his marker Touré, and Hasan Salihamidžić added a third for Bayern seven minutes later. Touré scored an away goal late on for Arsenal, which gave them a slender chance of progressing into the quarter-finals. Arsenal beat Bayern in the second leg, but a solitary goal – scored by Henry in the 66th minute, meant the club was eliminated.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Player statistics
Arsenal used a total of 32 players during the 2004–05 season and there were 18 different goalscorers. There were also three squad members who did not make a first-team appearance in the campaign. The team played in a 4–4–2 formation throughout the season, but Wenger deployed a 4–5–1 formation for the cup final. Touré featured in 49 matches – the most of any Arsenal player in the campaign.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Player statistics
The team scored a total of 117 goals in all competitions. The highest scorer was Henry, with 30 goals, followed by Pires who scored 17 goals. Five Arsenal players were sent off during the season: Vieira, Reyes, Bergkamp, Van Persie and Lauren.


2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season, Player statistics
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute. Players with number struck through and marked  left the club during the playing season.


2004–05 Asia League Ice Hockey season
The 2004–05 Asia League Ice Hockey season was the second season of Asia League Ice Hockey. Eight teams participated in the league, and Kokudo Ice Hockey Club won the championship.


2004–05 Aston Villa F.C. season
The 2004–05 season in English football was Aston Villa F.C. 's 13th consecutive season in the FA Premier League, and their second season under the management of David O'Leary.


2004–05 Aston Villa F.C. season
Villa went into the season with high hopes after finishing sixth during the 2003–04 FA Premier League season, despite an inconsistent start Villa soon begun to string wins together and threaten the top six but in the run up to Christmas Villas form dropped alarmingly and they fell away quickly, occasional wins put any relegation worry's astray as they underachieved and eventually secured a tenth place finish.


2004–05 Aston Villa F.C. season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Aston Villa F.C. season, Players, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Aston Villa F.C. season, Players, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Aston Villa F.C. season, Players, Youth squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Aston Villa F.C. season, Players, Other players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Atalanta B.C. season
Atalanta B.C. failed to prolong its Serie A stint by more than one season, due to a poor start to the season. Delio Rossi took over at the helm, and helped by the breakthroughs of striker Stephen Makinwa and playmaker Riccardo Montolivo, Atalanta was able to catch up with the teams above the relegation zone, but went down due to a 1-0 defeat to Roma in the penultimate round.


2004–05 Athletic Bilbao season
The 2004–05 season was the 104th season in Athletic Bilbao's history and their 74th consecutive season in La Liga, the top division of Spanish football.


2004–05 Athletic Bilbao season, Season summary
In the previous season, new manager Ernesto Valverde guided Athletic Bilbao to 5th place in La Liga, their highest placing in six seasons. This also allowed them their first European participation since 1998, qualifying for the 2004–05 UEFA Cup.


2004–05 Athletic Bilbao season, Season summary
Valverde's second season in charge was less successful in the league, as Athletic suffered three more losses than the year before and slipped to 9th. They enjoyed more success in the Copa del Rey, reaching the semifinals before being knocked out on penalties by eventual champions Real Betis.


2004–05 Athletic Bilbao season, Season summary
Their European adventure began in the UEFA Cup first round, where they were drawn against Trabzonspor of Turkey. Despite losing the away first leg 3–2, they qualified for the group stage by winning 2–0 at home. They were drawn in Group B, and suffered another defeat in Turkey, this time against Beşiktaş. However, they won their other three games - against Parma of Italy, Steaua București of Romania, and a crushing 7–1 victory over Standard Liège of Belgium - to progress as group winners. Their opponents in the next round were Austria Wien, and despite a creditable 0–0 draw in the away leg, Bilbao were eliminated after a 2–1 defeat at home.


2004–05 Athletic Bilbao season, Season summary
Valverde left his post at the end of the season, and was replaced by José Luis Mendilibar. Mendilibar lasted only until the following October, while Valverde would return to the club for a second spell as head coach in 2013.


2004–05 Atlanta Hawks season
The 2004–05 NBA season was the Hawks' 56th season in the National Basketball Association, and 37th season in Atlanta. In the 2004 NBA draft, the Hawks selected Josh Childress from Stanford with the sixth pick, and high school star Josh Smith with the seventeenth pick. During the off-season, the team hired Mike Woodson as head coach and acquired All-Star forward Antoine Walker, and Tony Delk from the Dallas Mavericks, Al Harrington from the Indiana Pacers, and Predrag Drobnjak from the expansion Charlotte Bobcats. The team also signed free agents Kenny Anderson, re-signed Jon Barry and former Hawks forward Kevin Willis.


2004–05 Atlanta Hawks season
The Hawks were not expected to be any good heading into the season posting an awful 2–12 record in November. In December, the team traded Barry to the Houston Rockets for Tyronn Lue. At midseason, Walker was eventually traded back to his former team, the Boston Celtics for All-Star guard Gary Payton, Tom Gugliotta and Michael Stewart, while Anderson was released to free agency and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, Payton never played for the Hawks, and was released and then re-signed with the Celtics for the rest of the season.


2004–05 Atlanta Hawks season
Meanwhile, the Hawks went from bad to worse losing 32 of their final 35 games, posting 13 and 14-game losing streaks respectively on their way to finishing with a league worst record at 13–69 (.159), which was their worst winning percentage in franchise history. Harrington led the team with 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Despite their awful season, Smith won the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in Denver, as he and Childress both made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Following the season, second-year guard Boris Diaw was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Joe Johnson, Willis and Gugliotta both retired, but Willis would come back for one more season with the Dallas Mavericks before retiring again, and Drobnjak and Stewart were both released to free agency.


2004–05 Atlanta Hawks season
For the season, the Hawks added new yellow alternate road uniforms with black side panels, which would last until 2007.


2004–05 Atlanta Thrashers season
The 2004–05 Atlanta Thrashers season was the sixth season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 25, 1997.


2004–05 Atlanta Thrashers season
No games were played during the 2004–05 NHL season due to the lock-out of the NHL players by the league, however teams business did occur, including the Thrashers' participation in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft that was held on June 26 in Raleigh, North Carolina.


2004–05 Atlanta Thrashers season, Transactions
The Thrashers were involved in the following transactions from June 8, 2004, the day after the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals, through February 16, 2005, the day the 2004–05 season was officially canceled.


2004–05 Atlanta Thrashers season, Draft picks
Atlanta's picks at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 26–27, 2004.


2004–05 Atlético Madrid season
Atlético de Madrid had a largely disappointing season, where the club stalled in its progress towards the internationally qualifying positions. Despite Fernando Torres continuing to score more than a dozen goals per season, consolidating his status as Spain's top young striker, Atlético were only able to score 40 league goals. That rendered the successful defence of Luis Perea and Pablo Ibáñez vital just to keep the club in mid-table.


2004–05 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team
The 2004–05 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team represented Auburn University in the 2004–05 college basketball season. The team's head coach was Jeff Lebo, who was in his first season at Auburn. The team played their home games at Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum in Auburn, Alabama. They finished the season 14–17, 4–12 in SEC play. They defeated Vanderbilt to advance to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament where they lost to LSU.


2004–05 Australian Athletics Championships
The 2004–05 Australian Athletics Championships was the 83th edition of the national championship in outdoor track and field for Australia. It was held from 4–6 March 2005 at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre in Sydney. It served as a selection meeting for Australia at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics. The 10,000 metres event took place separately at the Zatopek 10K on 4 December 2004 at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne. Relay events were contested in Canberra on 6 February 2005.


2004–05 Australian Figure Skating Championships
The 2004–05 Australian Figure Skating Championships was held in Sydney from 21 through 28 August 2004. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, and ice dancing across many levels, including senior, junior, novice, adult, and the pre-novice disciplines of primary and intermediate.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season
The 2004–05 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly below average tropical cyclone season. It began on 1 November 2004 and ended on 30 April 2005. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a tropical cyclone year separately from a tropical cyclone season, which runs from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season
Tropical cyclones in this area are monitored by four Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs): the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane; and TCWC Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Phoebe
On 30 August, an area of low pressure developed near the edge of Météo-France's area of responsibility within an unseasonably active monsoonal band which coincided with the Madden–Julian oscillation. Tracking towards the southeast, the low experience strong deep-level wind shear which kept most of the convection displaced from the center of circulation. On 31 August, convection managed to develop around the west and southwestern portions of the low before and was designated as Tropical Depression 01. The depression reached its peak intensity at this time with winds of 55 km/h (35 mph 10-minute winds) and a minimum pressure of 999 hPa (mbar). The system moved southeast and entered the Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre's area of responsibility on 1 September.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Phoebe
The system was upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Phoebe early on 2 September when it was about 800 km west-northwest of the Cocos Islands. Phoebe quickly reached its peak strength that day, with winds of 85 km/h, as it continued to move to the southeast. The cyclone weakened as it moved over cooler water and dissipated about 550 km from the Cocos Islands. Phoebe posed no threat to any land.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low
A tropical low developed in the Perth AOR on 2 December near the coast of Java. According to Perth, the storm had a maximum sustained winds of 30 knots (56 km/h), while the JTWC assigned the storm peak sustained winds of 35 knots (65 km/h) and classifying it as a tropical storm.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Raymond
A tropical low developed from an area of convection of the Western Australia coast on 30 December. The system drifted southeast, then turned to the northeast over the following days without significant development. The low began to drift to the southeast again on 1 January and the convection began to increase, with it becoming Tropical Cyclone Raymond on 2 January, when it was 460 km north-northeast of Broome.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Raymond
The cyclone peaked with 85 km/h winds as it moved east, and made landfall as a Category 1 cyclone just west of Kalumburu the same day. The cyclone weakened over land, and the remnant low continued east over the Northern Territory, entering the Gulf of Carpentaria on 5 January. The low reversed direction and dissipated by 10 January. Cyclone Raymond caused no damage, but brought the first heavy rain of the season to northern Kimberley.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Sally
A area of convection began to develop 930 km west-southwest of Jakarta on 6 January, becoming a tropical low the next day. The low intensified as it drifted south and was named Sally 370 km east-southeast of the Cocos Islands on 8 January. Cyclone Sally slowly moved to the southwest, under the influence of a mid-level ridge to the southeast, reaching its peak with 95 km/h winds on 9 January. The storm then rapidly weakened as a result of the presence of dry air and increased wind shear, before dissipating early on 10 January 460 km west-southwest of the Cocos Islands. Cyclone Sally had no effects on land.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Kerry
Tropical Cyclone Kerry developed from Tropical Depression 5F on 5 January in RSMC Nadi's Area of Responsibility, 585 km (364 mi) northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Kerry moved to the southwest with 75 km/h (45 mph) winds as it moved over Vanuatu. Once past the island, Kerry moved on a west-southwest course and it began to intensify after turning to the west. The storm reached a peak intensity of 160 km/h (100 mph) before turning towards the south-southeast. The storm began to weaken under vertical shear and was downgraded to a depression on 13 January.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low (10S)
On 12 January the Perth Meteorlogical Center issued a TCF and the JTWC followed suit and they named the Low 10S.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Tim
A tropical low located about 930 km north of Learmonth, Western Australia began to develop a deeper convection on 23 January, despite being beneath the subtropical ridge. The low became Tropical Cyclone Tim the next day, when it was 700 km southeast of Christmas Island. Tim moved slowly to the southwest, as a result of steering from an anticyclone to the southeast. The storm reached briefly reached a peak with wind of 85 km/h late on 23 January. Tim lost tropical cyclone status on 25 January to 470 km south-west of Christmas Island and the remnant continued west before dissipating. There was no damage as a result of Cyclone Tim.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Harvey
The Bureau of Meteorology began monitoring a tropical low off Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria on 3 February 2005. The low intensified and was named Harvey three days later. The storm made landfall near the Queensland/Northern Territory border on 7 February as a Category 3 (Australian scale) system. Minor structural damage was reported along the Robinson River and Mornington Island was battered by high winds and heavy rain, however no casualties were reported.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low Vivienne
A tropical low developed within the monsoon trough about 550 km northwest of Broome, Western Australia on 4 February. The low gradually became more organized as it drifted slowly to the southwest, but did not intensify until it became Tropical Cyclone Vivienne on 8 February. The cyclone peaked with 65 km/h winds and remained near stationary, before dissipating later that day. Oil and gas production in the Timor Sea was disrupted by Cyclone Vivienne.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ingrid
Cyclone Ingrid was an intense cyclone, impacting Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia as a Category 4 or 5 cyclone.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Willy
A tropical low began to develop on 8 March 830 km north of Port Hedland, Western Australia. The low did not move as it developed and became Tropical Cyclone Willy in the same area. Willy moved slowly west-southwest, roughly parallel to the Australian coast, strengthening steadily in the favourable environment. It reached its peak with 140 km/h winds on 11 March when it was 550 km northwest of Onslow.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Willy
Cyclone Willy then turned to the southwest and maintained its strength for a day before it began to weaken. The storm turned to the west and weakened into a remnant low on 14 March. The remnant continued to drift west away from Australia before dissipating a few days later. Oil production in the Timor Sea was disrupted by Cyclone Willy, but there were no effects on land.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Adeline-Juliet
A tropical low formed roughly 710 km east-northeast of the Cocos Islands on 1 April. The system developed moved southwest towards the Cocos Islands and became Tropical Cyclone Juliet on 3 April, when it was 45 km east of the islands. The system steadily intensified as it moved west, becoming a severe tropical cyclone on 4 April. Cyclone Adeline crossed into Réunion's area of responsibility on 5 April, by which time it had 140 km/h winds.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Adeline-Juliet
Météo-France renamed the storm Juliet when they assumed responsibility for the cyclone, as it passed west of 90°E. Cyclone Adeline triggered gale warnings on the Cocos Islands, where 160 mm of rain fell in one day. The storm caused minor damage and uprooted trees on the islands.


2004–05 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 11U
During 12 April a tropical low developed within the northern Arafura Sea. Over the next couple of days the system moved eastwards, with deep atmospheric convection developing over the western quadrants by 15 April. By this time the system was located about 100 km (60 mi) to the southwest of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and was producing gales and rough seas around Papua New Guinea. The system subsequently approached and interacted with south-eastern Papua New Guinea, before it moved into an area of increasing vertical wind shear and started weakening. The system was last formally noted during that day before it dissipated a few days later.


2004–05 Austrian Cup
The Austrian Cup 2004–05 (German: ÖFB-Cup) was the seventy-first season of Austria's nationwide football cup competition. It started on September 14, 2004 with the first game of the First Round. The final was held at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna on 1 June 2005.


2004–05 Austrian Cup
The competition was won by Austria Vienna after beating Rapid Wien 3–1. Austria Vienna qualified for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup 2005-06 as cup winners.


2004–05 Austrian Cup, Second round
The Bundesliga clubs entered at the Second round, except Rapid Wien, Grazer AK and Pasching who were involved in European competition and given a bye to Round 3. The games were played on September 28 to October 5, 2005.


2004–05 Austrian Cup, Second round
The match featuring Rapid Wien Am. and SV Mattersburg had to be abandoned at half time due to floodlight failure. It was replayed in full on December 10.


2004–05 Austrian Football Bundesliga, Overview
It was contested by 10 teams, and SK Rapid Wien won the championship.


2004–05 Austrian Football Bundesliga, Results
Teams played each other four times in the league. In the first half of the season each team played every other team twice (home and away), and then did the same in the second half of the season.


2004–05 Austrian Football First League
The 2004–05 Austrian Football First League season was the 31st season of second level league football in Austria. It was the third season that it used the name Red Zac First League.


2004–05 Austrian Hockey League season
The 2004–05 Austrian Hockey League season was the 75th season of the Austrian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Austria. Seven teams participated in the league, and the Vienna Capitals won the championship.


2004–05 Azadegan League
The following are the standings of the 2004–05 Azadegan League football season.


2004–05 Azerbaijan Cup
The Azerbaijan Cup 2004–05 was the 13th season of the annual cup competition in Azerbaijan with the final taking place on 28 May 2005. Sixteen teams competed in this year's competition. Neftchi Baku were the defending champions.


2004–05 Azerbaijan Cup, First round
The first legs were played on October 20, 2004 and the second legs on October 27, 2004.


2004–05 Azerbaijan Cup, Round of 16
The first legs were played on November 24, 2004 and the second legs on December 1, 2004.


2004–05 Azerbaijan Cup, Quarterfinals
The first legs were played on March 7, 2005 and the second legs on March 15, 2005.


2004–05 Azerbaijan Cup, Semifinals
The first legs were played on April 16, 2005 and the second legs on April 29, 2005.


2004–05 Azerbaijan Top League
The 2004-05 Azerbaijan Top League was the thirteenth season of the Top League since its establishment in 1992. The season began on 7 August 2004 and finished on 24 May 2005. Neftchi Baku were the defending champions, having won the previous season, and they retained the title after defeating Khazar Lankaran in a playoff after both teams finished level on points and goal difference.


2004–05 B Group
The 2004–05 B Group was the 50th season of the Bulgarian B Football Group, the second tier of the Bulgarian football league system. A total of 16 teams contested the league.


2004–05 Bahraini Premier League, Overview
It was contested by 10 teams, and Bahrain Riffa Club won the championship.


2004–05 Bangladeshi cricket season
The 2004–05 Bangladeshi cricket season featured the inaugural Test series in Bangladesh between Bangladesh and New Zealand. The season also featured tours by India and Zimbabwe. The Bangladesh teams claimed their first test series victory in this season against Zimbabwe.


2004–05 Bangladeshi cricket season, International tours, New Zealand Cricket team in Bangladesh
New Zealand played 2 Test matches and 3 one day internationals (ODI) against Bangladesh in October 2004. New Zealand won both the Test matches and won all three ODIs.


2004–05 Bangladeshi cricket season, International tours, Indian Cricket team in Bangladesh
India played 2 Test matches and 3 one day internationals (ODI) against Bangladesh in December 2004. India won both the Test matches and won all ODI series 2–1.


2004–05 Bangladeshi cricket season, International tours, Zimbabwe Cricket team in Bangladesh
Zimbabwe played 2 Test matches and 5 one day internationals (ODI) against Bangladesh in January 2005. Bangladesh won both the Test series 1–0 and also won all ODI series 3–2.


2004–05 Barangay Ginebra Kings season
The 2004–05 Barangay Ginebra Kings season was the 26th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).


2004–05 Barangay Ginebra Kings season, Occurrences
Coach Allan Caidic was promoted as team manager and was replaced by assistant coach Bethune Tanquingcen after five games into the 2004 Fiesta Conference.


2004–05 Barangay Ginebra Kings season, Championships
The Barangay Ginebra Kings won the PBA's transition tournament called Fiesta Conference over Red Bull Barako, 3 games to 1, in the best-of-five title series for their first championship after seven long years, as the team celebrates its fifth overall title on July 7, 2004, defeating Red Bull, 103-86 in Game 4.


2004–05 Barangay Ginebra Kings season, Championships
As the PBA entered its 30th season with the regular two-conference format, the Barangay Ginebra Kings repeated as champions, the first time in its franchise history, by winning the 2004-2005 Grand Matador Philippine Cup title over the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals, 4 games to 2.


2004–05 Barangay Ginebra Kings season, Awards
Eric Menk became the first Ginebra player to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors for the season. Menk also won the finals MVP and Best Player of the Conference Award.


2004–05 Barys Astana season
The 2004–05 Barys Astana season was the 6th season in the Kazakhstan Hockey Championship and the 1st season in the First League of the Russian Ice Hockey Championship, in parallel.


2004–05 Bayer 04 Leverkusen season
Bayer 04 Leverkusen played the UEFA Champions League after finishing in 3rd place in the Bundesliga in 2003-04 and advanced to the Round of 16 in a tough group with Real Madrid, AS Roma and Dynamo Kyiv. The best results were a 5-1 win against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and a 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Dimitar Berbatov was the season top scorer with 26 goals.


2004–05 Bayer 04 Leverkusen season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Bayer 04 Leverkusen season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2004–05 Belarusian Cup
2004–05 Belarusian Cup was the 14th edition of the football knock-out competition in Belarus.


2004–05 Belarusian Cup, First round
All 13 teams from the Second League, 15 teams from the First League (out of 16, excluding Dinamo Minsk youth reserve team Dinamo-Juni Minsk) and 2 amateur clubs started in this round. The games were played on 14 July 2004.


2004–05 Belarusian Cup, Round of 32
15 winners of previous round were joined by 16 clubs from Premier League. Slavia Mozyr from Premier League advanced to the Round of 16 by drawing of lots. The games were played on 14 and 15 August 2004. Match involving Dinamo Minsk was rescheduled to 25 September 2004.


2004–05 Belarusian Cup, Round of 16
The games were played on 12 October, 11 and 14 November 2004.


2004–05 Belarusian Cup, Quarterfinals
The first legs were played on 3 April 2005. The second legs were played on 7 April 2005.


2004–05 Belarusian Cup, Semifinals
The first legs were played on 12 April 2005. The second legs were played on 4 May 2005.


2004–05 Belarusian Extraliga season
The 2004–05 Belarusian Extraliga season was the 13th season of the Belarusian Extraliga, the top level of ice hockey in Belarus. 12 teams participated in the league, and HK Yunost Minsk won the championship.


2004–05 Belgian First Division
The 2004-05 season of the Belgian First Division began on August 6, 2004 and ended on May 23, 2005. Club Brugge became champions on May 15, 2005 after a decisive game against long-time rivals Anderlecht. The season was full of suspense as the champions and the relegated teams were only known on the 33rd (on 34) matchday. Furthermore, the 3rd place (qualifying for UEFA Cup) had to be decided on a test-match, a fact that had not occurred recently.


2004–05 Belgian First Division, Promoted teams
These teams were promoted from the second division at the start of the season:


2004–05 Belgian First Division, Relegated teams
These teams were relegated to the second division at the end of the season:


2004–05 Belgian First Division, Battle for the 1st place
As usual, the two giants (Sporting Anderlecht and Club Brugge) were occupying the first two places after 5 matches. Brugge was already 1st and actually stayed on top until the end. The Brussels side has indeed failed to show consistency under the management of Hugo Broos who was fired after a 0-0 draw at Gent. Under new coach (Franky Vercauteren), Anderlecht had a run of good form (after the initial 0-1 defeat against Oostende). Linked to the poor results of rivals Brugge, this situation led to a 6-point difference between the two clubs after 32 matches. The Brugge-Anderlecht game (33rd matchday) was thus decisive for both clubs. It ended with a 2-2 draw that was sufficient for the West Flemish.


2004–05 Belgian First Division, Battle for the 1st place
Brugge title is due to its exceptional regularity against smaller teams as is shown on the following table (showing points gained by a top 4 team against the other top 4 teams) :


2004–05 Belgian First Division, Battle for Europe
As Anderlecht and Brugge rapidly ran away with the first two places, the battle for Europe was mainly consisted in the battle for UEFA Cup spots (or battle for the third place). Four teams were serious candidates: Standard, Genk, Charleroi and Gent. The latter two were soon dismissed. Before the last matchday, Standard was two points ahead of Genk but they lost their advantage after a 1-1 draw at Ostend while Genk earned a 3-1 win at Cercle Brugge. As both teams now had the same number of points and wins, a test-match had to be played (in two legs). Standard won the first match 3-1 but lost the away match 0-3 and lost the European ticket for next season.


2004–05 Belgian First Division, The relegation dog fight
After their poor early results, five teams were predicted to fight against relegation: Sint-Truiden, Mouscron and especially newcomers FC Brussels and Oostende along with Mons. Beveren joined the list after a very poor final run. Before the 33rd matchday, the table read:


2004–05 Belgian First Division, The relegation dog fight
Lierse and Sint-Truiden were already saved. Mons and Oostende had to win or draw to maintain suspense but they finally both lost (2-0 respectively against Mouscron and at La Louvière).


2004–05 Belgian Hockey League season
The 2004–05 Belgian Hockey League season was the 85th season of the Belgian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Belgium. Four teams participated in the league, and the Chiefs Leuven won the championship.


2004–05 Biathlon World Cup
The 2004−05 Biathlon World Cup was a multi-race tournament over a season of biathlon, organised by the International Biathlon Union. The Biathlon World Championships 2005 were part of the Biathlon World Cup.


2004–05 Biathlon World Cup
The men's overall World Cup was won by Norway's Ole Einar Bjørndalen, while Sandrine Bailly of France claimed the women's overall World Cup.


2004–05 Biathlon World Cup, Calendar
Below is the World Cup calendar for the 2004–05 season.


2004–05 Biathlon World Cup, Retirements
Following notable biathletes retired during or after the 2004–05 season:


2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season
The 2004–05 season was Birmingham City Football Club's 102nd season in the English football league system, their third season in the Premier League and their 53rd in the top tier of English football. It ran from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005. Under the management of former Birmingham City player Steve Bruce, the team finished in 12th place, two places lower than the season before. They reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and the third round of the League Cup. The top scorer for the season was England forward Emile Heskey with eleven goals in all competitions, of which ten were scored in the League.


2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season, Premier League, Season review, August
Steve Bruce named four debutants, Mario Melchiot, Muzzy Izzet, Jesper Grønkjær and club-record signing Emile Heskey, in the starting eleven for the opening-day visit to Portsmouth, with another, Julian Gray, on the bench. Robbie Savage's free kick gave Birmingham an early lead, equalised from the penalty spot five minutes later. Both goalkeepers excelled in the 1–1 draw. Birmingham's midfield dominated at home to Chelsea, but neither team's strikers were on form; the only goal came from substitute Joe Cole's second-half shot deflected past Maik Taylor off Martin Taylor.


2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season, Premier League, Season review, August
Heskey's first goal for his new club, an "unstoppable header" from Stan Lazaridis' cross, was enough to beat Manchester City and ended a run of 11 winless Premier League games, but he had an "awful day in front of goal" and was booked for diving against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, where Jermain Defoe's solo goal was the difference between the sides.


2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season, Premier League, Season review, September
Even with new signing Dwight Yorke on the left wing, Heskey and Mikael Forssell up front, and two penalty appeals, Birmingham only managed one goal to Mark Viduka's two for Middlesbrough. Maik Taylor's error allowed Charlton Athletic to take a lead, and after Damien Johnson was sent off for two yellow cards, Bruce brought on Yorke and David Dunn, making his first appearance of the season after injury. Dunn was instrumental in the play that led to Izzet's corner from which Yorke headed an equaliser, and Birmingham were the better side thereafter.


2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season, Premier League, Season review, September
Without Forssell, whose loan was ended early after exploratory surgery found a serious issue with his knee, Bruce selected a five-man midfield with Heskey as lone striker away to fourth-placed Bolton Wanderers. They duly fell behind, Izzet equalised just after half-time, and the game ended 1–1 after Henrik Pedersen's goal for Bolton was incorrectly disallowed for offside and Heskey's last-seconds header "was going in until it diverted past the far post."


2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season, Premier League, Season review, October
Nicky Butt scored an equaliser when Newcastle United came to St Andrew's. Goals from Yorke and Upson had given Birmingham a 2–1 lead, but Butt pounced on 67 minutes to rescue the Magpies a point.


2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season, Premier League, Season review, October
Birmingham held Manchester United to a goalless draw at St Andrew's two weeks later and also played out a 0–0 draw at St Mary's Stadium against Southampton after that.


2004–05 Birmingham City F.C. season, Premier League, Season review, October
But they were disappointing in a 1–0 loss at home to Crystal Palace on 24 October. Former Birmingham striker Andrew Johnson scored the goal for Palace, who were coming into form. Johnson ran clear of the Birmingham backline after a quick Palace counterattack.