UEFA Cup 2006/07

[Tealey7]

The Group Stage Draw

Group A
Auxerre
Rangers
Partizan Belgrado
Livorno
Maccabi Haifa


Group B
Leverkusen
Club Brugge
Besiktas
Dinamo Boekarest
Tottenham Hotspur


Group C
Sevilla
AZ
Slovan Liberec
Grasshoppers
Sporting Braga


Group D
Parma
RC Lens
SC Heerenveen
Osasuna
Odense


Group E
Feyenoord
Basel
Wisla Krakow
Blackburn Rovers
AS Nancy


Group F
Ajax
Sparta Prague
Espanyol
Austria Wien
Zulte Waregem


Group G
Panathinaikos
Paris Saint Germain
Rapid Boekarest
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Boleslav


Group H
Newcastle United
Celta de Vigo
Palermo
Fenerbahce
Eintracht Frankfurt

[Tealey7]

Group Stage - Matchday 1 Results

Just a simple and quick post about the results. I will put on quotes for match reports and more in depth stuff in later rounds when there are less teams playing on the same day.

Group A

Livorno 2-3 Rangers
M.Haifa 3-1 Auxerre

Group B

Besiktas 0-2 Tottenham
Club Brugge 1-1 Leverkusen

Group C

AZ 3-0 Braga
Liberec 0-0 Sevilla

Group D

Osasuna 0-0 Heerenveen
OB 1-2 Parma

Group E

Wisla Krakow 1-2 Blackburn
Basel 1-1 Feyenoord

Group F

Austria Wien 1-4 Zulte Waregem
Sparta 0-2 Espanyol

Group G

Panathiaikos 2-0 H. Tel-Aviv
Rapid Bucharest 0-0 PSG

Group H

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Palermo
Newcaslte 1-0 Fenerbache

Group Stage - Standings

Group A

Maccabi Haifa
Rangers
Partizan Belgrade
Livorno
Auxerre

Group B

Tottenham
Bayer Leverkusen
Club Brugge
Dinamo Bucuresti
Besiktas

Group C

AZ
Liberec
Sevilla
Grasshoppers
Braga

Group D

Parma
Heerenveen
Osasuna
Lens
Odense BK

Group E

Blackburn
Basle
Feyenoord
AS Nancy
Wisla Krakow

Group F

Zulte-Waregem
Espanyol
Ajax
Sparta Prague
Austria Magna

Group G

Panathinaikos
PSG
Rapid Bucuresti
Mlada Boleslav
Hapoel Tel-Aviv

Group H

Palermo
Newcastle
Celta Vigo
Eintracht Frankfurt
Fenerbahce

Matchday 2 is on November 2nd.

[canhanho]

Matchday 2 - 02 November 2006

Group
A Partizan 1-1 Livorno

A Rangers 2-0 M. Haifa

B Tottenham 3-1 Club Brugge

B Dinamo Bucuresti 2-1 Beşiktaş

C Grasshoppers 2-5 AZ

C Braga 4-0 Liberec

D Heerenveen 0-2 OB

D Lens 3-1 Osasuna

E Blackburn 3-0 Basel

E Nancy 2-1 Wisła

F Zulte Waregem 3-1 Sparta

F Ajax 3-0 Austria

G H. Tel-Aviv 2-2 Rapid Bucuresti

G Mladá Boleslav 0-1 Panathinaikos

H Palermo 0-1 Newcastle

H Celta 1-1 Eintracht

[Tealey7]

Just ruin the thread then

[Tealey7]

Group Stage - Matchday 2 Results

Another matchday was played yesterday.

Group A

Partizan 1-1 Livorno
Rangers 2-0 M. Haifa

Group B

Tottenham 3-1 Club Brugge
Dianamo Bucharest 2-1 Besiktas

Group C

Grasshoppers 2-5 AZ
Braga 4-0 Liberec

Group D

Heerenveen 0-2 OB
Lens 3-1 Osasuna

Group E

Blackburn 3-0 Basel
Nancy 2-1 Wisla Krakow

Group F

Zulte Waregem 3-1 Sparta
Ajax 3-0 Austria Wien

Group G

H. Tel-Aviv 2-2 Rapid Bucharest
Mlada Boleslav 0-1 Panathinaikos

Group H

Palermo 0-1 Newcastle
Celta 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Group Stage - Standings

Group A

Rangers
M. Haifa
Partizan
Livorno
Auxerre

Group B

AZ
Braga
Sevilla
Liberec
Grasshoppers

Group C

Blackburn
Nancy
Feyenoord
Basel
Wisła

Group D

Panathinaikos
Rapid Bucuresti
PSG
H. Tel-Aviv
Mladá Boleslav

Group E

Tottenham
Dinamo Bucuresti
Leverkusen
Club Brugge
Beşiktaş

Group F

Lens
OB
Parma
Heerenveen
Osasuna

Group G

Zulte Waregem
Ajax
Espanyol
Sparta
Austria

Group H

Newcastle
Palermo
Celta
Eintracht
Fenerbahçe

Matchday 3 is on November 23rd.

[canhanho]

Originally Posted by Tealey7

Just ruin the thread then

sorry man

[Tealey7]

Group Stage - Matchday 3 Results

Group A

Auxerre 2-2 Rangers
M.Haifa 1-0 Partizan

Group B

Leverkusen 0-1 Tottenham
Club Brugge 1-1 Dinamo Bucharest

Group C

Liberec 4-1 Grasshoppers
Sevilla 2-0 Braga

Group D

Parma 2-1 Heerenveen
OB 1-1 Lens

Group E

Basel 2-2 Nancy
Feyenoord 0-0 Blackburn

Group F

Sparta 0-0 Ajax
Espanyol 6-2 Zulte Waregem

Group G

Rapid Bucharest 1-1 Mlada Boleslav
PSG 2-4 H. Tel-Aviv

Group H

Newcastle 2-1 Celta Vigo
Fenerbache 3-0 Palermo

Group Stage - Standings

Group A

Rangers
M. Haifa
Livorno
Partizan
Auxerre

Group B

Tottenham
Dinamo Bucharest
Club Brugge
Leverkusen
Besiktas

Group C

AZ
Sevilla
Liberec
Braga
Grasshoppers

Group D

Parma
Lens
OB
Osasuna
Heerenveen

Group E

Blackburn
Nancy
Feyenoord
Basel
Wisla Krakow

Group F

Espanyol
Zulte Waregem
Ajax
Sparta
Austria Wien

Group G

Panathinaikos
H. Tel-Aviv
Rapid Bucharest
Mlada Boleslav
PSG

Group H

Newcastle
Fenerbache
Palermo
Celta Vigo
Eintracht Frankfurt

Matchday 4 is on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th.

[arsenalrockz999]

PSG FAN SHOT DEAD BY COP!!

[Tealey7]

Group Stage - Matchday 4 Results

Group A

Livorno 1-1 M.Haifa
Partizan 1-4 Auxerre

Group B

Dinamo Bucharest 2-1 Leverkusen
Besiktas 2-1 Brugge

Group C

Grasshoppers 0-4 Sevilla
AZ 2-2 Liberec

Group D

Lens 1-2 Parma
Osasuna 3-1 OB

Group E

Wisla 3-1 Basel
Nancy 3-0 Feyenoord

Group F

Ajax 0-2 Espanyol
Austria 0-1 Sparta Prague

Group G

Mlada Boleslav 0-0 PSG
Panathinaikos 0-0 Rapid Bucharest

Group H

Celta 1-0 Fenerbache
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Newcastle

Group Stage Standings

Group A

Rangers
M. Haifa
Auxerre
Livorno
Partizan

Group B

AZ
Sevilla
Liberec
Braga
Grasshoppers

Group C

Nancy
Blackburn
Wisła
Feyenoord
Basel

Group D

Panathinaikos
H. Tel-Aviv
Rapid Bucuresti
Mladá Boleslav
PSG

Group E

Tottenham
Dinamo Bucuresti
Beşiktaş
Club Brugge
Leverkusen

Group F

Parma
Lens
Osasuna
OB
Heerenveen

Group G

Espanyol
Zulte Waregem
Ajax
Sparta
Austria

Group H

Newcastle
Celta
Fenerbahçe
Palermo
Eintracht

The final matchday is on the 13th and 14th of December.

[Tealey7]

Draw - Round of 32

Just a quick post about the draw and the Intertoto Cup.



Newcastle Win Intertoto Cup

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

Newcastle will collect their first trophy in 37 years when they are awarded the 2006 Intertoto Cup.
Glenn Roeder's side are the winners as they are the last surviving Intertoto entrants in the Uefa Cup.

"We will be very happy to receive it," said Roeder. "It would be disrespectful to consider it a lesser tournament, as some managers do."

Uefa has revealed there is likely to be a presentation before Newcastle's next Uefa Cup home tie on 22 February.

The trophy is Newcastle's first since the Fairs Cup in 1969.

The Magpies won a two-legged tie against Lillestrom in July to go through to the qualifying stages of the Uefa Cup.

Roeder added: "This is a little bit of a reward for the boys who had to come back on 26 June to play in the competition."

The Magpies face Belgian side Zulte-Waregem in the last 32 of the Uefa Cup in February.

The first legs of the round of 32 matches will be played on the 14th and 15th of February next year.

[Tealey7]

Feyenoord Thrown Out

After crowd trouble in their game against Nancy, Feyenoord have been chucked out of the UEFA Cup. They were due to play Tottenham.

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

Tottenham's next Uefa Cup opponents Feyenoord have been excluded from this season's competition.
Uefa has banished the Dutch club after the crowd trouble during their match in France against Nancy on 30 November.

The group stage game had to be stopped for half an hour because of trouble in the stands as Feyenoord trailed 3-0.

Feyenoord were set to play Tottenham in the last 32 knockout stage of the Uefa Cup and Spurs must wait to see if they now get a bye into the next round.

A Uefa spokesman said: "We have not decided what will happen with Tottenham and whether they will receive a bye or play the fourth-placed team from Feyenoord's group."

Feyenoord had originally been fined £81,000 and handed a suspended sentence to play two matches in an empty stadium.

"This is a huge slap in the face for the club," said Feyenoord financial director Onno Jacobs.

"It will have enormous consequences, both sporting and financial. We'll lose ticket receipts, TV rights and the possibility of progressing in the competition.

"Our true supporters are the real victims of this decision. They are paying the price for the faults of individuals who have nothing to do with the club and from whom Feyenoord has always distanced itself."

The decision was taken by Uefa's independent Control and Disciplinary board, but European football's governing body appealed the decision for a harsher punishment.

"The appeal by Feyenoord against the original punishment handed down by the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body was rejected," said a Uefa statement.

"Feyenoord were also ordered to contact Nancy regarding settlement of the damages."

Remember folks: first legs are on the 14th and 15th of February.

[RonaldinhoNVS]

I think its a bit harsh on Feyenoord

[Tealey7]

Round of 32 - First Leg Matches

Zulte-Waregem 1-3 Newcastle



Braga 1-0 Parma



Lens 3-1 Panathinaikos



Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Blackburn



Hapoel Tel-Aviv 2-1 Rangers



Livorno 1-2 Espanyol



Fenerbache 3-3 AZ



Werder Bremen 3-0 Ajax



Spartak Moscow 1-1 Celta Vigo



CSKA Moscow 0-0 Maccabi Haifa



AEK Athens 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain



Benfica 1-0 Dinamo Bucharest



Steaua Bucharest 0-2 Sevilla



Shaktar Donetsk 1-1 Nancy



Bordeaux 0-0 Osasuna



Feyenoord v Tottenham - Feyenoord thrown out of UEFA Cup. Tottenham receive bye to next round.

[Tealey7]

Round of 32 - Second Leg Matches

Newcastle 1-0 Zulte-Waregem (4-1 agg.)



Parma 0-1 Braga (0-2 agg.)



Panathinaikos 0-0 Lens (1-3 agg.)



Blackburn 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen (2-3 agg.)



Rangers 4-0 Hapoel Tel-Aviv (5-2 agg.)



Espanyol 2-0 Livorno (4-1 agg.)



AZ 2-2 Fenerbache (5-5 agg. AZ through on away goals)



Ajax 3-1 Werder Bremen (3-4 agg.)



Celta Vigo 2-1 Spartak Moscow (3-2 agg.)



Maccabi Haifa 1-0 CSKA Moscow (1-0 agg.)



Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 AEK Athens (4-0 agg.)



Dinamo Bucharest 1-2 Benfica (1-3 agg.)



Sevilla 1-0 Steaua Bucharest (3-0 agg.)



Nancy 0-1 Shaktar Donetsk (1-2 agg.)



Osasuna 1-0 Bordeaux aet (1-0 agg.)



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round of 16 Draw

Newcastle United v AZ Alkmaar
Maccabi Haifa v Espanyol
Rangers v Osasuna
Sporting Braga v Tottenham Hotspur
Sevilla v Shakhtar Donetsk
RC Lens v Bayer Leverkusen
Paris Saint-Germain v Benfica
Celta Vigo v Werder Bremen

First Leg: 8th March
Second Leg: 14th and 15th March

[Tealey7]

Round of 16 - First Leg Matches

Braga 2-3 Tottenham



Celta Vigo 0-1 Werder Bremen



Lens 2-1 Leverkusen



Rangers 1-1 Osasuna



Maccabi Haifa 0-0 Espanyol



PSG 2-1 Benfica



Newcastle 4-2 AZ



Sevilla 2-2 Shakhtar Donetsk



The second leg of these matches is on the 14th and 15th of March.

[Tealey7]

Round of 16 - Second Leg Matches

Tottenham 3-2 Braga (6-4 agg.)



Werder Bremen 2-0 Celta Vigo (3-0 agg.)



Leverkusen 3-0 Lens (4-2 agg.)



Osasuna 1-0 Rangers (2-1 agg.)



Espanyol 4-0 Maccabi Haifa (4-0 agg.)



Benfica 3-1 PSG (4-3 agg.)



AZ 2-0 Newcastle (4-4 agg. - AZ through on away goals)



Shakhtar Donetsk 2-3 Sevilla aet (4-5 agg.)



Quarter Finals and Semi Finals Draw

AZ v Werder Bremen
Bayer Leverkusen v Osasuna
Sevilla v Tottenham
Espanyol v Benfica

Espanyol/Benfica v AZ/Bremen
Leverkusen/Osasuna v Sevilla/Tottenham

The first leg of the quarter finals is on April 5th. The second is on April 12th.

[Tealey7]

Quarter Finals - First Leg Matches

AZ 0-0 Werder Bremen

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

AZ Alkmaar preserved their unbeaten home record in European competition but it was Werder Bremen who will consider themselves slight favourites to reach the UEFA Cup semi-finals after this first-leg draw. It was ironic that, on a night full of goals, the game that had promised the most should end in stalemate.

Fritz tester

AZ had started patiently, knocking the ball around assuredly and probing for an opening. But after ten minutes the first clear-cut chance fell to the visitors, and what an opportunity. Diego's ingenious back-heel carved open the home defence and Clemens Fritz advanced unchallenged on goal. Fortunately for AZ, goalkeeper Boy Waterman got his fingers to the shot and diverted it centimetres wide of his right-hand post.

Little AZ threat

Five minutes later it was the Bundesliga team's turn again, although Miroslav Klose's header from a delightful Pierre Wome cross was easily dealt with by Waterman. Last year's Eredivisie runners-up seemed unnerved by the regularity with which Bremen regained possession in midfield, seldom threatening. In fact, the nearest AZ came in the opening half-hour was when Bremen centre-back Naldo wildly sliced a clearance towards his own goal, though keeper Tim Wiese was not unduly troubled.

Martens comes close

Yet on 31 minutes Louis van Gaal's side nearly broke the deadlock. Julian Jenner whipped in a fine centre and Maarten Martens' header was tipped over at full stretch by the Bremen custodian. This energised AZ, who now pinned Bremen deeper in their own half. Wiese was again called into action to cut out a dangerous Martens delivery. Shota Arveladze then outjumped Wome yet his header missed the target. Bremen gradually came back though, and the half drew to a close with neither team on top.

Explosive restart

The second period immediately sparked into life, with corners for both clubs within five minutes. Moussa Dembélé really should have opened the scoring soon after but his low drive was straight at Wiese. A minute later the keeper touched Danny Koevermans' strike to safety. Waterman promptly had to do likewise to deny Diego at the other end.

Wome slip

AZ continued to up the tempo although the Bremen defence was being well marshalled by Per Mertesacker. However, just after the hour, an ill-judged pass-back by Wome almost let Koevermans in. Wiese raced from his box and slid the ball away from the in-rushing attacker. Wome again contrived to help his opponents, nodding the ball beyond his keeper before making amends with a last-ditch goalline clearance. Fortunately for his side, he also menaced Alkmaar, hammering in a free-kick so hard that Waterman required treatment after saving it.

Parity

The referee then played a notable part in proceedings, showing AZ's Grétar Steinsson a second yellow card and then a red before, after consulting with his assistant, rescinding the sending-off and allowing the right-back to stay on the pitch. The game subsequently drew to a close with AZ in the ascendancy yet unable to make their superiority count. The decision in this tie will come in Germany next Thursday.

Bayer Leverkusen 0-3 Osasuna

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

CA Osasuna took a major step towards the UEFA Cup semi-finals after recording a famous 3-0 win at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Playing in their first European quarter-final, the Spanish team claimed a first-minute lead through Javier Cuéllar and after containing their hosts, then killed them off with two goals in quick succession from David López and substitute Pierre Webó in the closing stages.

Cuéllar header

The Bundesliga side suffered the worst possible start at a packed BayArena as a David López corner found Cuéllar and the defender beat René Adler with a powerful header to give Osasuna the advantage only seconds into the match. Leverkusen sought an immediate reply as Stefan Kiessling broke down the right wing but Cuéllar was first to his cross with Andriy Voronin lurking just behind.

Osasuna openings

The visitors continued to look the more dangerous team and Cuéllar could have doubled their lead from yet another corner but nodded centimetres wide. Shortly afterwards David López volleyed a Juanfran centre straight at Leverkusen defender Karim Haggui and Roberto Soldado then spurned an excellent opportunity, failing to beat Adler with a header from Juanfran's delivery.

Barbarez heads wide

Leverkusen gradually found their feet and started creating openings at the other end. However, neither Bernd Schneider nor Sergej Barbarez managed to trouble goalkeeper Ricardo López and Kiessling then fired over the bar from the edge of the box. The hosts' best chance of the first period fell to Barbarez ten minutes from the interval, the forward launching himself at Voronin's cross from the left and directing his header just wide of the post.

López saves

Despite the half-time introduction of Paul Freier in place of Kiessling on the right, Leverkusen continued to struggle to break down the well-organised visiting defence. They did threaten an equaliser moments before the hour when Voronin shook off a defender and found Juan inside the area but the Brazilian international failed to beat Ricardo López. Shortly afterwards Marko Babic freed up Barbarez with a perfect centre but once again the goalkeeper rescued Osasuna.

Shellshocked

With 19 minutes remaining, Osasuna profited from one of their few opportunities of the second half to enhance their advantage. Collecting a cross with his back to goal, Savo Miloševic successfully held off Simon Rolfes before turning the ball to David López who blasted it high past Adler. Two minutes later substitute Webó put the semi-finals within touching distance for the Pamplona club by chipping the ball over Adler with his first touch. Leverkusen, for all their earlier possession, looked shellshocked and only Miloševic's profligacy spared them further punishment.

Sevilla 2-1 Tottenham

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

Sevilla FC striker Frédéric Kanouté scored against his old club but the holders will have to protect a slender 2-1 lead in London next Thursday after Robbie Keane conjured a vital away goal for Tottenham Hotspur FC in their UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg.

Pulsating first half

The in-form No10 gave the English side a breathtaking start with just 68 seconds on the clock, yet Kanouté – who spent two years at White Hart Lane – calmly equalised from the spot 17 minutes later, before Aleksandr Kerzhakov headed a 36th-minute winner during a pulsating first half.

Explosive start

With both teams enjoying a reputation for attacking football, there was always a feeling that the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán would be in for an explosive encounter. Few could have predicted how quickly the match would come to life though, Keane latching on to Dimitar Berbatov's perfect through-ball to stab past Andrés Palop, after the fit-again goalkeeper had parried the Irishman's initial effort.

Quick equaliser

Keane's ninth strike in as many games provoked a rousing response from the local fans, who answered coach Juande Ramos's call to support the cause. Their heroes did not take long to draw level either, scoring from their first chance as former Tottenham striker Kanouté calmly side-footed in a penalty after goalkeeper Paul Robinson was adjudged to have fouled Adriano Correia.

Incredible pace

Frustrated, Martin Jol's men attempted to wrest back control through Berbatov, who curled a low shot towards the far corner from the edge of the area. Palop saved well, however, and the incredible pace continued when Pascal Chimbonda's strong shoulder barge prevented Kerzhakov from scoring, before Robinson produced a fantastic stop at full stretch from a long-range Jesús Navas piledriver.

Kerzhakov strike

As good as that save was, the England No1 was helpless on 36 minutes when the unmarked Kerzhakov headed in after Julien Escudé had nodded the ball dangerously across goal from the left. Michael Dawson then came close at the other end, launching himself at a Jermaine Jenas corner yet directing his header wide.

Keane chance

It seemed unlikely that the two rivals could keep up the same intensity after the break and so it proved, the game becoming more notable for niggling fouls. Maintaining a high line, the Premiership outfit now looked the more adventurous of the pair, and the energetic Keane reminded Sevilla of his presence in the 58th minute with a drive flashed narrowly beyond Palop's far post from wide on the left. That spurred the hosts into action, and Kanouté came close to grabbing a second as he drilled Adriano's low centre just off target soon after.

Stop-start affair

What had become a stop-start affair briefly livened up when Berbatov broke free down the left, only for his touch to let him down at the crucial moment. Both protagonists increasingly appeared content with the scoreline, though that did not stop Kanouté feeling he had missed a glorious opportunity when he deflected a header past the post from a great position. Tottenham's Didier Zakora and substitute Steed Malbranque both squandered chances to equalise late on, suggesting Jol's team must work on their finishing before next week.

Espanyol 3-2 Benfica

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

SL Benfica came back from three goals down to maintain their hopes of reaching this season's UEFA Cup final as they lost 3-2 to RCD Espanyol in the first leg of their quarter-final. Raúl Tamudo, Albert Riera and Walter Pandiani looked to have given the Barcelona club an unassailable lead but two strikes in the space of three second-half minutes from Nuno Gomes and captain Simão gave the visitors two priceless away goals going into next week's return in Lisbon.

Bright start

The home side settled quickly on a pitch slickened by heavy daytime rain and within two minutes Iván de la Peña fired just wide after the Benfica defence had failed to clear Pablo Zabaleta's cross. De la Peña did his best to open up the Benfica rearguard with an array of deft incisions but when the breakthrough came on 15 minutes, it was another hero of the Espanyol faithful who inflicted the damage. The Lisbon outfit dithered in possession from their own throw-in, allowing Luis García to play in Tamudo and the striker sidestepped David Luiz before lifting his shot coolly over the advancing Quim.

Advantage doubled

The Portuguese team responded with a series of set-pieces but failed to make any genuine chances and were punished just after the half-hour when Espanyol doubled their advantage. Once again skipper Tamudo was involved, linking with García down the right before dinking a cross over to Riera. The midfielder's left-footed shot was probably going in anyway but Nélson removed any doubt by heading the ball into his own net. Benfica coach Fernando Santos reacted by introducing Rui Costa for João Coimbra and, three minutes from half-time, home keeper Gorka Iraizoz was called into action for the first time from a Nuno Gomes header and then a long-range attempt by Petit.

Pandiani adds third

Benfica came out looking for a goal yet the home side still seemed the more dangerous with Francisco Rufete and the outstanding Riera offering a constant outlet down the flanks. With a healthy cushion, Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde felt confident enough to sacrifice Tamudo for the tournament's top scorer Pandiani on 53 minutes. It proved an inspired choice as within five minutes the Uruguayan had taken his UEFA Cup tally to ten, rising above the Benfica back line to head in another excellent Riera centre.

Complexion changes

The Primera División club appeared to be heading for Lisbon with a comfortable lead but the complexion of the tie changed completely shortly after the hour. Nuno Gomes reduced the deficit with a tap-in on 63 minutes after substitute Fabrizio Miccoli had beaten the offside trap and two minutes later Simão, cutting into the box from the left, struck Benfica's second with a shot that deflected off Daniel Jarque and into the net. Miccoli then missed a chance to seal the fightback when he blazed across the face of the goal while Quim ensured there would be no further scoring at the other end by thwarting Pandiani.

[Tealey7]

Quarter Finals - Second Leg Matches

Werder Bremen 4-1 AZ (4-1 agg.)

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

Werder Bremen reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals in style after a Miroslav Klose double and further goals by Tim Borowski and Diego gave the Bundesliga side an emphatic 4-1 home win against AZ Alkmaar.

Deserved victory

Visitors AZ had been hoping to celebrate their 50th match in continental competition by reaching the last four and when Moussa Dembélé levelled the tie on aggregate by cancelling out Borowski's opener, qualification seemed a distinct possibility. However, Bremen ultimately proved too strong for Louis van Gaal's team who must wait for next season before adding the next chapter in their European adventures.

Passionate start

Although home coach Thomas Schaaf was compelled to deploy a new-look rearguard as a result of injuries to Per Mertesacker, Christian Schulz and Pierre Wome, Bremen began with great self-assurance. It only took 50 seconds for right-back Clemens Fritz to try his luck with a long-range effort that flew just wide. Ten minutes later it was Klose's turn to be denied, this time by AZ goalkeeper Boy Waterman who made a superb save.

Borowski opener

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and, on 16 minutes, Borowski broke the deadlock on his first appearance since tearing knee ligaments two months ago. Diego delivered a delightful pass from deep and the unmarked Germany midfielder gave Waterman no chance by firing across goal from nine metres. Naldo then had the opportunity to double the lead after 24 minutes, only for his free-kick to fizz narrowly wide.

Klose riposte

However, it was AZ who were next to score, hitting back with a fantastic equaliser by Dembélé. The Belgian international received a pass from Maarten Martens on the left flank and beat Tim Wiese with a remarkable left-footed strike from the edge of the area. The Dutch outfit now held the upper hand on the strength of their all-important away goal but within four minutes Bremen were back in front. Aaron Hunt raced clear before selflessly teeing up Klose to gratefully poke in and break a 907-minute goal drought.

Bremen control

Klose could have registered again before the interval, but blazed Borowski's cross over, while at the other end Wiese did well to block Demy de Zeeuw's set-piece. However, Schaaf's men continued to dominate in the second period, Naldo again threatening with a free-kick from distance that squirmed wide off the startled Waterman. And if Martens was starting to menace a little for AZ with his probing runs down the left, neither Shota Arveladze nor Danny Koevermans could beat Naldo to his deliveries.

AZ defeated

Instead Klose showed the way with a trademark effort, steering a powerful header past Waterman from Diego's inviting 62nd-minute centre. The Brazilian playmaker was at his creative best and deservedly added a fourth himself after a quick one-two with Klose eight minutes from time. Spinning away from his markers he applied a cool finish to secure Bremen's place in the last four and a tie with RCD Espanyol.

Osasuna 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (4-0 agg.)

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

CA Osasuna sealed a place in the UEFA Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

All-Spanish semi

José Ángel Ziganda's team rode their luck at times but Juanlu Gómez's second-half goal made the aggregate score 4-0 and ensured there will be a Spanish presence in next month's final in Glasgow; Osasuna will meet Primera División rivals Sevilla FC in the last four.

Poor conditions

On a night of swirling wind and heavy rain in Pamplona, the conditions conspired against the two coaches' promise of attacking football. Despite trailing 3-0 from the first leg in Germany, Leverkusen seemed content to operate on the counterattack, conscious perhaps of how lethal a weapon this had been for their visitors last week. Yet although they enjoyed a relative comfort zone for the majority of the opening period, Michael Skibbe's side first had to survive an early scare. Roberto Soldado ran on to a pass from Valdo López, but the 21-year-old shot with more power than composure and the ball soared over.

Schneider impresses

Otherwise, the Bundesliga outfit spent the half showing that they more or less had Osasuna's measure. The intensely busy Bernd Schneider, the hard-working Paul Freier and, to some extent, Sergej Barbarez gave Leverkusen a threat going forward, despite a lack of quality possession. They might have been lagging behind on aggregate, yet Schneider in particular played as if it was still 0-0. Indeed, his toil helped Barbarez hold up the ball in the Osasuna area before Gonzalo Castro rounded off the move with a tame effort.

Ricardo to the rescue

Castro redeemed himself with a superb block to deny Soldado when the forward once more appeared in prime position to score. Then, just before the interval, Leverkusen should have made the breakthrough. Simon Rolfes cut open Osasuna's defensive line and Freier danced around the challenge of Nacho Monreal and unleashed a shot that goalkeeper Ricardo López tipped, at full stretch, past the post. Juanlu opened the second half with a strike that René Adler dealt with comfortably enough, but the away team continued to look the more likely marksmen. Their breaks increased in pace and incisiveness, and only Monreal's goalline intervention prevented Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker nodding in the opener. Yet as so often happens, the pardoned side exacted punishment.

Osasuna seal victory

Juanlu's night had been one of frustration up until the 62nd minute when his left-to-right pass found Soldado. The No18 fired in a firm diagonal shot from outside the box which Adler parried into Juanlu's path and the winger stroked the ball into the net. With their progress assured, Osasuna pushed on for a grandstand finish and with nine minutes remaining, Carlos Cuéllar followed up his own header with a shot from close range that Adler smothered. By that stage, Leverkusen were due a bit of luck. Osasuna's reward is a maiden UEFA competition semi-final on 26 April and 3 May.

Tottenham 2-2 Sevilla (3-4 agg.)

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

Sevilla FC's bid to become only the second team to retain the UEFA Cup survived a spirited fightback from Tottenham Hotspur FC as the Spanish side surrendered a two-goal lead on the night but held on to win 4-3 on aggregate.

Second-half revival

Defending a 2-1 first-leg advantage, the holders looked on course to reach the last four again as they struck twice inside the first eight minutes in north London, a Steed Malbranque own goal and a well-worked second from former Tottenham forward Frédéric Kanouté seemingly ending the English club's hopes. Two goals in two minutes midway through the second half, from substitute Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon, reignited the contest, yet Sevilla resisted and Spurs' misery was complete when Teemu Tainio was sent off late on. Sevilla will play CA Osasuna in the semi-finals.

Early setbacks

Both teams launched promising attacks within the first minute, but it was Sevilla who registered first. José Luis Martí's corner was flicked on by Christian Poulsen to the far post where Malbranque could only slice into his own net. Worse was to follow for the hosts as Kanouté, who had already prodded one effort wide, collected a Daniel Alves throw-in, cut inside and exchanged passes with Aleksandr Kerzhakov before beating Paul Robinson with a neat finish. That left Tottenham needing to score four times and Robbie Keane nearly responded immediately, rounding David Cobeño who reacted sharply to gather his attempted chip from a tight angle.

Alves threat

Spurs manager Martin Jol had said before the match that Sevilla's main threat came from the flanks, yet if recognising the danger was one thing, preventing it proved a different matter altogether. Daniel Alves was a particular menace down the right, and was involved in three of his side's best moves early on, though all were squandered. Jol's men were struggling although they might have reduced the arrears as half-time approached as Dimitar Berbatov was denied by the upright with Cobeño well beaten.

Instant impact

Tottenham emerged after half-time several minutes before their opponents and, backed by rousing home support, began the second period on the front foot. They struggled to find a way through a well-organised Sevilla defence, however, with Didier Zokora driving straight at Cobeño and Keane failing to connect properly with another shot from the edge of the area. The visitors were content to sit back and absorb the pressure while looking to pounce on the counterattack, and Jol reacted by introducing a third forward in the shape of Defoe five minutes past the hour, a switch that brought instant reward when the substitute touched in from close range moments after his arrival.

Sevilla regroup

Barely 60 seconds later, Berbatov's right-wing cross broke kindly for Lennon to scramble in and suddenly Sevilla appeared nervous. Tottenham pressed hard for the third that would have set up a frantic finale yet the Andalusians swiftly regained their composure and Robinson had to tip Antonio Puerta's shot past the post. When Berbatov's low strike was saved by Cobeño, Tottenham players and fans both sensed the game was up, and so it proved, with Tainio's added-time lunge on Puerta rounding off their disappointment.

Benfica 0-0 Espanyol (2-3 agg.)

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

RCD Espanyol withstood a barrage of second-half pressure from SL Benfica to claim a goalless draw in Lisbon and book their place in the UEFA Cup semi-finals.

Resolute defending

Leading 3-2 from the first leg, Espanyol produced a resolute defensive display to eliminate the two-time European champions and maintain their hopes of claiming a first continental prize. After a quiet opening period, Benfica sprung to life and created enough chances to run out comfortable winners, but Nuno Gomes was foiled by a wonder save from Gorka Iraizoz and the woodwork denied both Fabrizio Miccoli and Rui Costa as the Spanish team hung on to set up a semi-final meeting with Werder Bremen.

Pandiani hits post

The Espanyol goal had been under threat as early as the first minute when Miccoli narrowly failed to connect with Nuno Gomes's right-wing cross. However, visiting coach Ernesto Valverde had made it clear he did not want his players to sit back and they closed down tenaciously, restricting Rui Costa and Georgios Karagounis to speculative long-range efforts as the Portuguese side's initial pressure petered out. At the other end, Walter Pandiani, leading the line in the absence of injured captain Raúl Tamudo, came close to scoring his eleventh goal in the competition after jinking inside Anderson on the left and curling a sumptuous shot on to the outside of the far post on 12 minutes.

Few chances

As in the first leg, Benfica struggled to find their attacking fluency in the first half. Moisés Hurtado kept a close eye on Simão whose whipped shot flew wide of the far post on 16 minutes, but the best opportunities for Fernando Santos's men were coming from set-pieces. On 28 minutes, Nuno Gomes met Simão's corner with a powerful header, parried by Iraizoz, which David Luiz was unable to turn in on the rebound. With seconds remaining before the break, Benfica at last carved out a chance from open play, Simão threading a pass through for Miccoli but the Italian was beaten to the ball by the onrushing goalkeeper.

Iraizoz to the rescue

Benfica began the second half with more urgency and almost grabbed the goal they craved on 48 minutes. Simão's raking ball down the left found Miccoli who held up play before crossing for the Benfica captain, yet Simão could not trouble Iraizoz with his strike. Just as Espanyol seemed to be regaining control in midfield, a moment of inspiration from Rui Costa on 66 minutes almost broke their resistance. The veteran burst into the penalty area and drilled a low centre to the far post where Nuno Gomes appeared destined to score before Iraizoz pulled off a miraculous stop.

Dramatic finale

That proved the cue for a dramatic finale as Benfica poured forward in waves. Espanyol's luck seemed to be in on 72 minutes when Miccoli crashed a low effort against the post and the rebound hit Iraizoz but did not go in. Two minutes later Rui Costa bent a delightful free-kick against the same upright. Benfica's anguish continued as Mantorras nodded wide from close range on 85 minutes, and Espanyol, UEFA Cup runners-up in 1988, held on to keep alive their dream of going one better this year. Yellow cards for Francisco Chica, Luis García and Pablo Zabaleta – ruling them out of the semi-final first leg against Werder Bremen - were the only blemishes on a famous night for the Catalan outfit.

Semi Final Draw

Espanyol v Werder Bremen
Osasuna v Sevilla

First leg: April 26th. Second leg: May 3rd.

[Tealey7]

My apologies for missing the first leg.

Semi Finals - Second Leg Matches

Werder Bremen 1-2 Espanyol (1-5 agg.)

Werder Bremen Lineup

1 Andreas Reinke
3 Petri Pasanen
4 Naldo
10 Diego
11 Miroslav Klose
14 Aaron Hunt
15 Patrick Owomoyela
20 Daniel Jensen
22 Torsten Frings
23 Hugo Almeida
27 Christian Schulz

Subs

33 Christian Vander
5 Pierre Wome
6 Frank Baumann
7 Jurica Vranješ
19 Jérôme Polenz
28 Kevin Schindler
38 Amaury Bischoff

Espanyol Lineup

1 Gorka Iraizoz
3 David García
4 Jesús María Lacruz
8 Pablo Javier Zabaleta
10 Luis García
11 Albert Riera
14 Ito
19 Marc Torrejón
20 Ferrán Corominas
21 Daniel Jarque
23 Raúl Tamudo

Subs

25 Idriss Kaméni
12 Juan Velasco
17 Mohamed El Yaagoubi
18 Francisco Rufete
28 Julián
30 Francisco Chica
31 Angel Martínez

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

Ferrán Corominas and Jesús María Lacruz were on target as RCD Espanyol secured a place in an all-Spanish UEFA Cup final against Sevilla FC. Their 5-1 aggregate triumph against Werder Bremen does not tell the story, however, of a tie that hung in the balance for a long time despite Miroslav Klose's early dismissal.

Klose woe

Having lost the first leg 3-0, Bremen enjoyed a dream start at the Weserstadion as Hugo Almeida gave them an early lead, but when Klose was shown his second yellow on 19 minutes for simulation on the edge of the area, their hopes appeared to have been extinguished. Yet they pressed on and looked a real threat until Corominas struck five minutes after the restart. Lacruz soon added to the home team's misery as the Barcelona-based outfit reached their second UEFA Cup final having lost to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 1988 showpiece.

Blistering start

The stadium announcer had warmed up for the game with a deafening rendition of AC/DC's Highway to Hell, and it appeared a pertinent selection as Espanyol endured a torrid start. Less than five minutes had gone when Hugo Almeida reduced their aggregate advantage, dextrously chipping over the advancing Gorka Iraizoz and into the empty net from well outside the box after Diego's block had spun fortuitously into his path. The partisan crowd rose in unison; their pre-match talk had been of the "Wunder auf der Weser", Bremen's penchant for turning around the seemingly impossible, and here it was happening.

Attacking commitment

Coach Thomas Schaaf's attacking triumvirate of Klose, Hugo Almeida and Diego, supported by Aaron Hunt and Daniel Jensen on the flanks, were causing all manner of problems as they interchanged with bustling pace. Klose, in particular, looked dangerous, perhaps attempting to prove himself following speculation linking with a move away from the club. He was cautioned within 90 seconds after an aerial challenge on Daniel Jarque, but was soon in more familiar territory, terrorising the visiting defence.

Bremen pressure

Twice in two minutes Klose was denied by last-ditch interventions from centre-backs Marc Torrejón and Jarque, yet just as the tie seemed to be tipping in Bremen's favour, the Germany striker was needlessly sent off for his second bookable offence. It was an obvious blow though it did little to stem the tide as Bremen continued to press, Hunt and Jensen both testing Iraizoz as they revelled in the freedom Espanyol's ragged defence were affording them. The fact hopeful half-time whistles began emanating from the away section five minutes before the interval spoke volumes.

Corominas strike

Still, Bremen had to score twice more so Schaaf brought on winger Kevin Schindler at the break, replacing Patrick Owomoyela as the hosts switched to three at the back. It was a gamble, and it soon proved one risk too far as an attack broke down and the ball was quickly swept to the left flank and Albert Reira. The midfielder's low cross looked fairly innocuous but Andreas Reinke, playing in place of the suspended Tim Wiese, fumbled and Corominas was on hand to sweep in the equaliser. Within ten minutes the Spanish side were home and dry as Lacruz nodded in Luis García's corner at the far post to make it 2-1 on the night and ensure Espanyol will be at Hampden Park, Glasgow on 16 May.

Scorers

1-0 Almeida (Bremen)
1-1 Coro (Espanyol)
1-2 Lacruz (Espanyol)

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Sevilla 2-0 Osasuna (2-1 agg.)

Sevilla Lineup

1 Andrés Palop
2 Javi Navarro
4 Alves Daniel
6 Adriano Correia
8 Christian Poulsen
10 Luis Fabiano
11 Renato
12 Frédéric Kanouté
14 Julien Escudé
16 Antonio Puerta
18 José Luis Martí

Subs

13 David Cobeño
5 Duda
7 Ernesto Chevantón
9 Aleksandr Kerzhakov
15 Jesús Navas
20 Aitor Ocio
25 Enzo Maresca

Osasuna Lineup

13 Ricardo López
2 José Izquierdo
5 Carlos Cuéllar
6 Raúl García
7 César Cruchaga
10 Patxi Puñal
12 Juanfran Torres
15 Pierre Webó
16 David López
19 Enrique Corrales
24 Javad Nekunam

substitutes

1 Juan Elía Vallejo
9 Savo Milošević
11 Valdo López
14 Josetxo Romero
17 Javier Flaño
22 Iñaki Muñoz Oroz
23 Ludovic Delporte

Originally Posted by UEFA.com

One half of Glasgow will be painted in the red and white of Sevilla FC on 16 May after the Andalusian club completed a 2-0 victory at home to UEFA Cup semi-final rivals CA Osasuna, Brazilian duo Luis Fabiano and Renato making the difference for the holders.

Trophy defence

Juande Ramos's team will defend their trophy against compatriots RCD Espanyol thanks to a convincing win against valiant opponents who could not protect their 1-0 first-leg advantage. Luis Fabiano lit the way with a combination of skill and strength on 37 minutes, but it was Renato's cool finish eight minutes after the interval that set up another historic occasion for the hosts.

Electric night

These sides knew each other well from Spanish league skirmishes; even so, the spring air crackled with the special kind of electricity European nights invariably generate. And even if Sevilla's evening kicked off with a rendition of their centenary anthem of 2006, there was no question of looking to past glories. Especially not when Osasuna came out determined to close them down, a perseverance that stopped the home side settling early on.

Sevilla chances

Chances slowly began to materialise for Sevilla, although they tended to snatch at these when they did come - José Luis Martí, Luis Fabiano and surprise starter Antonio Puerta all shooting well over. A little more penetration was needed and Sevilla eventually got it when Frédéric Kanouté burst into the box, turned inside César Cruchaga and was only prevented from pulling the trigger by José Izquierdo's sliding tackle.

Fabiano delivers

Desperate to draw level in the tie, Ramos's men suffered a blow when Adriano Correia limped off on 27 minutes. No matter: their growing domination continued and Carlos Cuéllar did brilliantly to deny Kanouté's attempt to connect with a threatening cross from substitute Duda. The No5 was helpless to keep out Luis Fabiano on 37 minutes, though, as the 26-year-old Brazilian forward latched on to a bouncing long ball from Christian Poulsen, brushed Cuéllar aside on the penalty spot and, with his sixth touch, rifled a shot past Ricardo López. Cuéllar was then relieved to see Kanouté unable to get sufficient power on his point-blank header after his failure to clear left the Malian well placed.

Under pressure

The half-time whistle brought relief for the beleaguered visitors, yet they were under pressure again straight from the restart when Renato flashed the ball just wide of the target from 35 metres, closely followed by a Kanouté effort which was gathered easily by Ricardo. Their every touch whistled by the locals, Osasuna seemed thoroughly subdued until Pierre Webó blasted narrowly over.

Breathless action

That insurgence proved a false dawn, however, as moments later Renato put Sevilla ahead on aggregate with his outstretched leg, leaping through the air to turn in Daniel Alves's centre from the right. The euphoria in the stadium was almost extinguished when Webó nodded a corner against the post in the hunt for a decisive away goal, yet Sevilla responded immediately through Luis Fabiano, whose own header flew agonisingly wide. Long-range drives from Duda at one end and Osasuna substitute Valdo López at the other – both saved – kept up the frenetic pace.

Expectations exceeded

The Pamplona outfit's dreams of Glasgow were fading by the minute, though, and it was Sevilla who finished the stronger, almost adding a late third through Daniel Alves after he was played in by Aleksandr Kerzhakov on the counterattack. While Sevilla marched on, José Ángel Ziganda's visitors were left to content themselves with a continental campaign that exceeded expectations and won them many admirers along the way.

Scorers

1-0 Luis Fabiano (Sevilla)
2-0 Renato (Sevilla)

The final is on 16th May between Espanyol and Sevilla at Hampden Park in Glasgow.