Abandoned: Winter Wonderland in Istanbul
It was not quite the same as the scene in Philadelphia last Sunday for an N.F.L. game between the Eagles and the Lions. Not even Baltimore, during another recent N.F.L. game in the snow.
At least those teams were able to finish. Tuesday's Champions League match between Juventus and Galatasaray in Istanbul was suspended and then abandoned because of snow and hail.
The conditions did not rival the World Cup qualifying match between the United States and Costa Rica last March, which was played in a snowstorm outside Denver. And the temperature surely did not compare with the frigid conditions at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., during last weekend's M.L.S. title game. (The temperature might be comparable on Friday when the N.C.A.A. men's College Cup, the Division I championship, will be played in Chester, Pa.).
But the critical Champions League match in Group B, which would have decided which team advanced to the first knockout stage along with Real Madrid, was halted in the 32nd minute amid a deluge of hail and snow. Game officials had resorted to a red match ball as visibility continued to deteriorate. The playing surface at the Ali Sami Yen stadium was covered in a matter of minutes.
Match officials suspended the game as stadium workers tried in vain to clear the field. The score at the time was 0-0.
On its website, UEFA said: 'The fixture between Galatasaray and Juventus has been abandoned after a snow storm caused the pitch to become unplayable. According to article 11.04 of the competition regulations, the remaining match time must be played either tomorrow or on a reserve date or other date set by the UEFA administration.'
Match officials waited about 60 minutes before deciding to give up. UEFA was expected to make a decision on finishing the game later on Tuesday. Juventus needs a point to advance. Galatasaray has to win.
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