CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL 16 TEAMS MATCH-UPS

UEFA celebrated today the match ups for the final 16 teams of the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE phase with the following results:

For the Spanish Clubs:

- Ajax Amsterdam vs REAL MADRID CF
- Olympique Lyon vs FC BARCELONA 
- ATLETICO DE MADRID - Juventus FC

Dates: 

Ajax Amsterdam - Real Madrid CF (away 13th Feb 2019 / return 5th March 2019)

Olympique du Lyon - FC Barcelona (away 19th Feb 2019 / return  13th Match 2019)

Atletico de Madrid - Juventus FC (20th Feb / 12th Madrid)

Schalke 04 - Manchester City (20th Feb / 12th Marzo)

Manchester United - PSG (12th Feb / 6th Mar)

Tottenham Hotspurs - Borussia Dortmund (13th Feb / 5th Mar)

AC Roma - Oporto (12th Feb / 6th Mar)

Liverpool FC - Bayern de Munich (19th Feb /13th Mar)

The next phase of the Europa League also was on the UEFA agenda today with the matchups for the next phase of the competition which includes the Clubs that finished 3rd place in the Champions League. 

Spanish Clubs:

- Celtic Glasgow - Valencia CF
- Lazio - Sevilla FC
- Sporting Portugal - Villarreal
- Stade Rennais - Real Betis 

Dates:
Away 14th Feb / return 21st Feb 2019 Tweet

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EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL | ATLETICO DE MADRID CHAMPIONS

Spanish Football Club ATLETICO DE MADRID has defeated OLYMPIQUE DU MARSEILLE 0 - 3 in the Final of the EUROPA LEAGUE Cup ( previous UEFA Cup). It is Atletico de Madrid 3rd Europa League Title & their 6th European Title overall.

The "Man of the Match" & protagonist was ANTOINE GRIEZMANN who scored two goals to secure things & put his Club in the correct direction. As most World Class players do, his interventions were precisely in the crucial moments of the game. Simply outstanding.

The French Club started strong & was pushing forward the first 20 mins, but in the 21st min GRIEZMANN pounced on a defensive mistake to score the opening goal that poured cold water over O. Marseille. Then soon after another blow for Olympique when they lost their star player PAYET to injury. According to legend it is bad luck to touch the Cup before the game & Payet touched the Cup! 

The second half was managed perfectly by Atletico de Madrid with Griezmann scoring the second goal in the 50th min. From here onwards it was "Football management" of the pace of the game & tactically solid in defence. This last art of Football is mastered by Atletico & they kept out the few occasions that Olympique did manage to create. 

The "final nail" came in the 89th min when Atletico Captain GABI scored the third goal to seal the title. Coach Simeone ordered that Griezmann be substituted to allow FERNANDO TORRES to get onto the pitch & participate. This way the Atletico legend says GOODBYE to his Club in the best manner possible.

Later as a gesture, Captain Gabi allowed Fernando Torres to lift the Cup for the celebration. 

Congratulations Atletico de Madrid!

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UEFA CHAMPIONS | EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS MATCH UPS

UEFA has drawn on midday the semi-finals Club match-ups for both Champions League & Europa League with the following outcomes.

Spanish Football Club REAL MADRID will face German Champions BAYERN MUNICH, while LIVERPOOL plays AC ROMA. The games are scheduled for the 24th & 25th of April being the 1º leg, & return 2º leg games are down for 1st & 2nd of May.

Beforehand it seems Liverpool FC has got the better result from the draw, with due respects to AC Roma. While Real Madrid has a difficult hurdle to jump if they want to get a Finals berth. 

The Europa League semi-finals draw matches up Spanish Football Club ATLETICO DE MADRID with English Club ARSENAL FC, while the other semi is between Olympic Marsella & Salzburg. The games are scheduled for the 26th of April with the 1º leg, while the return 2º leg is down for the 3rd of May.

May the best Teams win!

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UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | SEVILLA FC CHAMPIONS

Spanish Football Club Sevilla FC won its 3rd consecutive UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE Final & its 5th Europa League Championship after defeating English Club Liverpool 1 - 3 tonight. Extraordinary feat for any Club & maintains Spanish Football at the top of the European Football powers. 

The Final in Basilea had two parts, the first half went to Liverpool FC which opened the scoring through Sturridge in the 35th min, while the 2º half was for Sevilla FC which scored three goals. The moment that broken the game in favour of the Spaniards was the "psychlogical" goal scored in the 46th min by Gamiero who equalized for Sevilla FC.

The equalizer lifted the spirits of the Spaniards, while doubts came into the minds of the English side. Slowly Sevilla FC took control through their ever-present & influential midfielder Banega, & began to create goal opportunities.

Sevilla FC Captain Coke then became protagonist scoring in the 64th min & again in the 70th min to take his team onward. The rest of the match had the Spaniards controlling things & keeping Liverpool FC at bay & away from danger. 

Congratulations to Liverpool for being a worthy finalist & Sevilla FC for another European Title.

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SEVILLA FC WINS EUROPA LEAGUE TITLE & GOES INTO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Magical night for Spanish Football & for Sevilla FC winning the final of the Europa League 2 - 3 against Ukrainian Club Dnipro. Its back to back titles, their 4th UEFA Cup, a record in the competition, plus it gives Sevilla FC a direct ticket into the Champions League competition next season. 

With this, Spanish Football will have 4 Clubs directly in the opening draw of Champions, while Valencia CF has to play the CL preliminaries that if successful stamps the 5th Club & the dominance of Spanish Football in Europe. 

Sevilla FC played better & deserved the win, however Dnipro put in a serious & strong effort that nearly surprised. The Ukrainians surprised early in a counterattack that ended in the opening goal in the 7th min when Kalinic headed home.

Sevilla FC needed to put in an incredible psychical effort thereafter with touch Football & with ball domination to pull back the equalizer in the 28th min through Krychowiak in the 28th min. With Dnipro rocked Sevilla exploited the situation to then go ahead in the 31st min through Carlos Bacca. The comeback was draining & while Sevilla tired Dnipro won a dangerous 22 mt free kick that Rotan converted magnificently in the 43rd min to equalize. 

The second half was "punch to punch" Football with both Coaches using all their benches to keep their teams fresh as time raced on. However, Sevilla found their moment when Vitolo made a sweet pass to find Carlos Bacca in the 71st min who scored the teams third & his second for the night. Later Dnipro player Matheus collapsed unexpectedly causing panic to race through the stadium as it looked the worst. The good news was that he was carried off ok but affected by an earlier clash of heads, the bad news was Dnipro had used all their subs & had to continue the game with 10 men. Uphill situation which they bravely attempted to find an equalizer & go into extra-time, while Sevilla FC held out to shut the match. The whistle blew & Sevilla FC were Europa League Champions 2014-2015.

MVP went to Sevilla midfielder Banega who put in a sublime performance, while Carlos Bacca & his two goals received the applause of the nearly 9000 Sevilla fans present. 

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SEVILLA FC QUALIFIES FOR EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL 2015

Spanish Football puts another Club into a European Football Final after Sevilla FC won 0 - 2 away at Fiorentina tonight & eliminating the Italians from the Europa League competition with a 0 - 5 aggregate scoreline. The current Europa League Champions will travel to Warsaw next month to attempt to win back to back titles & if so, win a place in Champions League next season. 

Sevilla FC joins FC Barcelona as maximum representatives of Spanish Soccer in European Finals this season, with the latter playing in the Champions League Final.

Sevilla FC travelled to Italy with a very favourable 3 goal advantage after defeating Fiorentina 3 - 0 in the 1º leg match. The Italians knew that it would be an extraordinary performance from their end if they were to turn this semi - final tie around. However, all their hopes - & perhaps "dreams" - faded when Sevilla went ahead in the 22nd min when Carlos Bacca scored. The knock-out blow then followed with a second Spanish goal in the 27th min from Carriço which demoralized the Italians & put things totally beyond them.

Said this, the Italians pulled from pride & attempted to at least score a goal or two to soften the scoreline, but Sevilla goalkeeper Rico made some outstanding saves to halt Fiorentina in their endeavour. Plus it was not their night at all, as Fiorentina missed a penalty when Lilcic kicked above the bar. 

Sevilla FC now meets the Ukrainians Dnipro in the UEFA Europa League Final at the end of this month after the later defeated Napoles in their semi-final 2º leg match 1 - 0.

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SEVILLA FC 3 FIORENTINA 0 | EUROPA LEAGUE 1º LEG SEMI RESULT

Spanish Football Club & remaining representative Sevilla FC took a huge leap towards the Warsaw Final of the Europa League defeating Italian Club Fiorentina 3 - 0 in tonights 1º leg semi-final clash.

Excellent & overall consistent performance from Sevilla FC which was very efficient finishing off much better the opportunities they created of goal over their opponents. The Italians created theirs as well but they lacked the finishing finesse of the Spaniards. Said this Sevilla put in a very disciplined & concentrated game of Football tonight putting the Italians on the back foot most of the game. Top match from Argentine & Sevilla midfielder Benega who deserves a mention.

The main protagonist was Alexis Vidal of Sevilla who scored twice - 17th & 51st min - & Gameiro who scored the third in the 76th min after just coming on as substitute.

Sevilla now has to "finish off the job" in Italy next week when the play Fiorentina in the 2º leg return match. Although they take a comfortable 3 goals they must not relax as "strange things" can happen in Football. 

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI FINAL DRAW - MATCH UPS

The draw for the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE & EUROPA LEAGUE semi-finals match-ups was celebrated in UEFA H/Q in Nyon with the following results.

The semi-finals for UEFA Champions League are

• FC Barcelona - Bayern Munich : first leg 5/6 May, second leg 12/13 May
• Juventus FC - Real Madrid CF : first leg 5/6 May, second leg 12/13 May

On paper Barça got the stiff stick being matched with Bayern Munich, while Real Madrid "in theory" will face the "less strongest" of the other three representatives. Said this, all 4 are difficult & very competitive playing in these types of games were form is not the only factor & many a time luck come into play.

What the draw does open the door to is the possibility of a Spanish Football Final in Berlin, a repeat of last year which would reconfirm the supremancy of Spanish Soccer.

The semi-finals for the Europa League are

• Napoli - Dnipro
• Sevilla FC - Fiorentina 

The 1º leg is the 7th of May & 2º leg the 14th of May. 

In this competition all 4 are in great form while Italian Football has the chance to get back to the highest levels of European Football with a "hypothetical" all Italian Final. No doubt the Spanish Football representative will be working to assure this does not happen & that Sevilla reaches the Final in Warsaw.  

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ZENIT 2 SEVILLA FC 2 (SEVILLA FC WINS 4 - 3 AGG) | EUROPA LEAGUE

Near scare in St Petersburg (Russia) for Sevilla FC in the Europa League 2º leg return match against Zenit. But the Spanish Football Club managed to get itself together & steer themselves into the semi-finals after eliminating the Russian tonight on a 4 - 3 overall aggregate. 

Sevilla Fc took to Russia a 2 - 1 result in their favour from the 1º leg game. The Spanish team could not have started tonights return encounter better after Carlos Bacca converted a penalty in the 6th min. However, Zenit began turning things around & progressively put Sevilla FC on the back foot.

The second half started with Zenit scoring in the 48th min through Rondon after a Sevilla FC goalie mistake from Beto. Things then got real interesting when Zenit Brazilian player Hulk saw Sevilla goalie Beto off his line & scored from 30 mts, another goalkeeping mistake that put Zenit ahead & the match into extra-time. 

Sevilla goalie Beto then turned from "Villain" into "Savoir" making a couple of incredible saves to keep his team alive. Sevilla Coach Emery reacted & put on Gameiro, & in the 85th min the Frenchman turned a counter-attack into a goal to qualify Sevilla FC. 

Close call for the Spaniards were anything could have happened tonight. Final result tonight  Zenit 2 - Sevilla FC 2 (Sevilla wins 4-3 on aggregate).

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SEVILLA FC 2 ZENIT 1 | FINAL RESULT EUROPA LEAGUE 1º LEG Q/FINAL GAME

Europa League 1º leg quater-final action tonight with with current Champions Spanish Football Club Sevilla FC hosting Russian Club Zenit. The final result 2 - 1 to Sevilla FC making a huge comeback in the second half after Zenit went ahead first in the 1º half of the game.

Entertaining, intense & a very tactical match that we saw tonight. The Russians were solid & very concentrated in the first half & were rewarded scoring first in the 29th min through Ryazantser. Zenit blocked & kept out the Sevilla attempts to equalize & looked more like scoring a second.

However, Sevilla FC Coach made some changes in the second half - M´Bia, Denis Suarez & Bacca - that revolutionized the side & lifted their Football. Zenit paid for their efforts in the first 45 min physically & dropped in intensity.

Denis Suarez took on the responsibility & began to call the plays making Sevilla arrive more & more at the Zenit goal. The opportunities began to appear & it was not long before the equalizer came through a Bacca header in the 72nd min. Sevilla kept up its momentum & the second goal ( & winner) arrived in the 87th min when Denis Suarez shot from outside the box. The goal lifted the "roof" off the "Ramo Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium".

Deserved win for Sevilla FC after a memorable & excellent second half showing Football, courage, heart & pride. The Russians however do take a valuable away goal back to Russia & this quarter-final tie is not yet closed & still wide open for both sides.

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SEVILLA 2 VILLARREAL 1 (5-2 AGG) | EUROPA LEAGUE RESULT

Sevilla FC eliminated tonight the other remaining Spanish Football club in Europa League Villarreal. Sevilla won the 1º leg game 1 - 3 & tonight managed to win again 2 - 1 thus moving to the next stage of the European competition with a 5 - 2 aggregate.

Heavy rain at Sevilla which made many fans stay home & watch the game on TV. The 1º st half was fairly even, with all the goals occurred in the second half of the game.

First to score was Iborra for Sevilla in the 69th min, with Villarreal reacting with some pride & equalizing through  a wonderful free kick from Giovani in the 73rd min. However, all hopes disappeared for Villarreal when defender Bailly was sent off with a red card. With 10 men Sevilla took advantage & sealed things with a second goal from young Denis in the 83rd min,  who had just come on. 

Sevilla FC will be in tomorrows UEFA draw to know which Club will be their next opponent.

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VILLARREAL 1 SEVILLA FC 3 | EUROPA LEAGUE RESULT

Europa League 1º leg matches played tonight with the only two Spanish Football Clubs left in the competition meeting each other. The final result went to the visitors SEVILLA FC winning 1 - 3 the home team VILLARREAL & taking away for the 2º leg clash two important away goals that obviously puts them in the "drivers seat" to advance to the next stage.

Villarreal were caught "cold" at the kick-off when Sevilla FC scored first after only 15 seconds. Knock-out blow that caused Villarreal to be always behind & playing catch-up to the visitors. By the 25th min Sevilla was two goals up & had Villarreal on the ropes. 

Villarreal reacted in the second half & pulled one back in the 47th min, but Sevilla FC reacted quickly & scored their 3rd goal in the 49th min. From here Sevilla stood firm & halted the numerous Villarreal attacks, with Sevilla goalie Rico outstanding making some magnificent saves. 

Here is the order of tonights goals:

• Vitolo 15 sec. , 0 - 1
• MBia 25th min, 0 - 2
• Vietto 47th min, 1 - 2
• Gameiro 49th min , 1 - 3

Deserved win for Sevilla which has the tie well directed for them with a 2 goal advantage. Villarreal will feel frustrated as they failed to convert their numerous chances & will - I am sure - give their best go at Sevilla for the 2º leg.

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VILLARREAL - SEVILLA FC | EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW

UEFA has drawn the match ups for the last 16 Clubs left in the Europa League competition. Call it fate, destiny, karma or just straight bad luck, the two remaining Spanish Football Clubs, Sevilla FC & Villarreal have been matched. Below is a infograph of all the matched teams:

The 1º leg game will be the 12th of March at Villarreal, while the return 2º leg at Sevilla FC on the 19th of March. 

Pity that both Spanish Clubs had to meet so early, both deserve to go further in the competition. However, only one will go onto the quarter-finals: that Football.

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EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS | SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAMS

UEFA Europa League Football 2º leg return matches tonight with three Spanish Soccer Clubs in action. Here are the final results, goalscorers & the teams that go through to the next stage.

Villarreal travelled to Salzburg for their 2º leg match with a goal advantage from the 1º leg game result of 2 - 1 at Villarreal. Tonght the Spanish Club managed to win 1 - 3 eliminating Salzburg from the competition & moves into the next stage of the competition with an overall 5 - 2 aggregate. The goals fell in the following order:

• Djuricin 17th min , 1 - 0
• Vietto 32nd min, 1 - 1
• Vietto 75th min, 1 - 2
• Giovanni 78th min , 1 - 3

Vietto put in a magnificent match for Villarreal with two goals.

Sevilla FC won 1 - 0 at home in the 1º st leg game & travelled to Germany to face Borussia Monchengladbach for the 2º leg return match. Tonights final score went 2 - 3 in favour of Sevilla FC which eliminate the German Club with a 4 - 2 overall aggregate. Great performance by the Spaniards who controlled their "advantage" & the good efforts from the Germans to attempt a turnaround. The goals came in the following order:

• Stranzl (own goal) 9th min, 0 - 1
• Xhaka 19th min, 1 - 1
• Vitolo 26th min , 1 - 2
• Hazard 29th min, 2 - 2
• Vitolo 78th min, 2 - 3

Athletic Club Bilbao hosted Italian Club Torino tonight for their 2º leg return match after the 1º leg ended in 2-2. The final result tonight went to the Italians 2 - 3 eliminating Bilbao 4 - 5 on overall aggregate. 

A passionate & epic game that gave everything, including plenty of goals & tense emotions. The Italians went ahead first via a penalty, but Bilbao pulled from grit & managed to pull back, however Torino was always one step (or goal) ahead. Under heavy rain, Bilbao fizzed out through tiredness towards the end & Torino controlled the situation. Said this Bilbao never gave up & put in an admirable performance. Torino was simply the best team tonight. The goals fell in this order:

• Quagliarella (penalty) 17th min , 0 - 1
• Iraola 44th min, 1 - 1
• Maxi Lopez 47th  min, 1 - 2
• De Marcos 61st min, 2 - 2
• Darmian 67th min, 2 - 3

Two of the three Spanish Clubs go through onto the next stage of the Europa League & will be in tomorrows draw.

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EUROPA LEAGUE GAMES RESULTS | SPANISH FOOTBALL TEAMS

Three Spanish Soccer Clubs had 1º leg UEFA Europa League match duties tonight as the competition enters the 2º leg game elimination system. Here are all the final results of the Spanish Football representatives, along with all the goal scorers.

Italian Club Torino hosted Athletic Club Bilbao in an entertaining game of Football with the Spanish Team finishing with a 2 - 2 result. Excellent outcome for Bilbao seeing that the Italians dominated mostly throughout the 90 mins. However, Athletic Club worked well their counter-attacks, scored when the chances arrived & defended well. Bilbao take two valuable away goals back to "San Mames" for the 2º leg return match. The goals came in the following order:

• Williams 8th min , 0 - 1
• Maxi Lopez 18th min, 1 - 1
• Maxi Lopez 43rd min, 2 -1
• Gurpegi 75th min , 2 - 2

Sevilla FC hosted German Club Borussia Mochengladbach in their 1º leg match which ended favourably for the Spanish Football Club winning 1 - 0. End to end stuff with both teams creating numerous goal occasions. But it was in the 70th min which brought the Sevilla FC opening goal thanks to Iborra. This goal lifted the home side which created more scoring opportunities while at the same time defending well to keep the Germans under control. 

Good result for Villarreal winning 2 - 1 Salzburg. Entertaining game between two teams that look after the ball & like to attack. The game could have gone either way but Villarreal goalie Asenjo kept the result favourable for his team. Salzburg managed a valuable away goal through Spanish player Soriano in the 48th min. The two goals for Villarreal came through Uche in the 33rd min & Cheryshev in the 53rd min. The tie is still open with Villarreal having a slight advantage.

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REAL SOCIEDAD WINS ABERDEEN 2 - 3 TO QUALIFY FOR THE EUROPA LEAGUE

Spanish Football Club Real Sociedad took a 1º leg Europa League Preliminary qualifying scoreline to Scotland to face Aberdeen for the return 2º leg clash. The end result of tonight s match was a 2 - 3 win to Real Sociedad giving the Spaniards a 2 - 5 aggregate score to take them into tomorrows Europa League season 2014 - 2015 draw.

The goals came in the following manner:

• Xabi Prieto, 27th min 0 -1
• Paulette , 44th min 1-1
• Reynolds, 56th min 2-1
• Xabi Prieto, 85 min (p) 2-2
• Markel, 91st min, 2-3

Although Real Sociedad got ahead via Xabi Prieto relatively early, the two goals from the Scottish team put the nerves into Real Sociedad which was going through its worst moments. The Scots had the opportunity to turn the tie around but the 85th min penalty to Real Sociedad which Xabi Prieto converted squashed all local hopes.

Congratulations to Real Sociedad. 

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REAL SOCIEDAD 2 ABERDEEN FC 0 | EUROPA LEAGUE 1º LEG PRELIMINARY QUALIFIER

For Spanish Football Club REAL SOCIEDAD the season kicked into "serious mode" when they faced Scottish Club Aberdeen FC in the 1ºst leg Europa League preliminary qualifier. There was some doubts with the local fans as they initially missed the absence of Antoine Griezmann signed by Atletico de Madrid & Carlos Vela. However, the Spaniards managed an excellent result winning 2 - 0 & getting a grand advantage for the 2º leg match.

Overall, Real Sociedad was the better team with the goals coming in the second half thanks to Zurutuza in the 52nd min & Canales in the 67th min. Real Sociedad could have scored more but Iñigo Martinez hit the bar in the first half. 

Details:
REAL SOCIEDAD- 2:
Zubikarai; Zaldua, Elustondo, Iñigo, De la Bella; Bergara, Pardo (Granero, min. 82), Xabi Prieto (Agirretxe, min. 74), Canales; Chory Castro (Canales, min. 63) & Finngobason.
ABERDEEN F.C. - 0 :
Langfield; Logan, Anderson, Reynolds, Pawlett (Considine, min. 61) ; Hayes, Jack, Flood, Robson (Low, min, 70); McGin & Rooney (Goodwillie, min, 70).
GOALS:

1-0, min. 52: Zurutuza. 2-0, min. 67: Canales.

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SEVILLA FC UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 4 - 2 AFTER PENALTY SHOOT OUT

Spanish Football Club SEVILLA FC won its third UEFA / EUROPA LEAGUE Title after defeating Portuguese Club Benfica in the penalty shoot out ( 4-2) after extra-time. A match the was taken to the limit by both teams & unfortunate for Benfica for its their 8th European Final in which they have lost, giving more fame to the so called Curse of Bela Guttmann. 

The match swayed in favour from one team to the other as it went on. Both sides created numerous goal opportunities, some were scandalously missed by both sides, with Benfica perhaps now haunted by some as they were the eventual losers. The Seville misses will now be forgotten in their particular case.

Benfica played an extraordinary match, & looked at coldly & with hindsight could perfectly have been the winners of this Europe League Championship ( putting aside possible penalties not called). Obviously the hurt of the loss will be great & words of praise will mean nothing at this stage but they can go back home proud of what they have achieved & the great Club they are in European & World Soccer. In Sport someone or a team has to lose, tonight it went to Sevilla FC.

But as Football has shown us on numerous occasions the differences that tip the balance are marginal & most times down to the fine details. More determination, perhaps more willingness, maybe that extra effort & a more clearer & colder head to think under pressure.

The penalty shoot out is a lottery, but Benfica players Cardozo & Rodrigo missed their penalties & Sevilla FC goalkeeper Beto made the important saves. Two buckled perhaps under the immense pressure while the other grew in strength & with inspiration for history. That is Football.

The first European Football Title for season 2013 - 2014 falls to a Spanish Football Club with the soon to be played UEFA Champions League Final already guaranteed to fall to another Spanish Football Team with Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid finalists. Sevilla FC are deserved winners & deserve a congratulations as Spanish Football deserves a big congratulations as well. Happy & festive night locally & especially in the city of Seville.

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PREVIEW EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL | SEVILLA FC POSSIBLE LINE-UP

The first of the two big European Football Finals will be played tonight when Spanish Football Club Sevilla FC meets Portuguese Club Benfica in the Final of the Europa League. Sevilla FC have won this tournament twice, back to back, in 2006 & 2007 while Benfica has a believed "black legend" on the Club - "Curse of Bela Guttmann" - losing its last 7 European Finals that sub-consciously seems to play a part & that they desperately wish to bury tonight. The Portuguese, apart from mystical notions, are considered favourites. 

Therefore, beforehand an expected top match of European Football that Football fans must see, scheduled for 20.45 (Italy time) from Turin. 

courtesy of "sport"

The speculated possible starting XI team line-up for Sevilla FC is:

Beto, Coke, Fazio, Pareja, Navarro, M´Bia, Carriço, Reyes, Ratikic, A. Moreno & Bacca.

There is a "cloud" over Gamiero & Vitolo, but last information suggest they are fit & may be surprise inclusions, or at least get a run if needed.

Good luck to Sevilla FC & may the better team win. 

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SEVILLA FC 2 VALENCIA CF 0 | EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI FINAL RESULT

European Football continues with its festival this week with the turn of the UEFA Europa League semi-final. While Benfica hosted Juventus in Lisbon, Spanish Football Clubs Sevilla FC & Valencia CF played out their 1ºst leg away semi-final match. The final result a convincing 2 - 0 win by Sevilla FC over Valencia CF.

Fabulous atmosphere at the "Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium" filled with Sevilla fans & a healthy number of Valencia followers to push on their teams. Sevilla are in a sweet moment of form, while Valencia CF places all their season hopes towards the Europa League competition.

Both teams started strongly, with nerves & tension but it was Sevilla which settled down first & gradually began to take over the match. An inspired Sevilla Captain Ratikic took over the controls & began steering his team. The first goal came in the 33rd min when Mbia scored when clearly off-side. With this goal & Valencia obviously in disagreement, Sevilla continued to pour the pressure & the second came from a great Bacca play & goal in the 36th min.

With Valencia on the ropes Sevilla looked for the third to seal the tie. The home-side had their chances especially in the first moments of the 2º half but Valencia goalie Guaita managed to save his team. Valencia looked desperately to salvage the situation looking for at least a goal & began slowly picking themselves up to nearly score in the final moments. However the "wood-work" held them out along with Sevilla FC goalie Beto who had to work in the latter part of the match. 

The 2º leg return match will be next week at Valencia with Sevilla FC taking over 2 important goals ( aggregate) forcing Valencia to put in the match of this season for them if they are to go through into the final. Sevilla is currently in the box seat. 

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