Europa League
March 19, 2010
The dust has settled from Thursday's round of 16 matches, with Germany poised to send two of its three contenders on to the Europa League quarter-finals in April.
Hamburg lost to Belgian club Anderlecht, who rallied to a 4-3 victory. However, Hamburg's third away goal courtesy of Mladen Petric was enough to secure the hosts of the 2010 UEFA Europa League final the right to compete in the next round based on aggregate score.
Wolfsburg bested Rubin Kazan 2-1 at Thursday's match in the Volkswagen Arena. Christian Gentner's goal in the final minute of extra time ensured the Bundesliga titleholders will move on to the quarter-finals.
The evening brought disappointment for Werder Bremen, whose match against Valencia ended in a draw. Spanish star striker David Villa scored a hat-trick for Valencia, which tied the score on the night 4-4. The away goals rule will see Valencia go through to the European quarter-finals.
The rest of the field
Underdog Fulham managed a shocking 4-1 victory against two-time European champion Juventus. The win earned Fulham a place in the quarter-finals alongside fellow English Premier League side Liverpool, who overtook Lille 3-0.
Benfica netted two goals in the last 15 minutes for a 2-1 victory that knocked out France's Olympique Marseille.
Meanwhile Standard Liege went through after besting Panathinaikos 1-0, and Sporting Lisbon tied Atletico Madrid 2-2, with the Spanish side advancing to the quarter-finals on away goals.
The draw to determine which teams will face off is to be made on Friday, with matches beginning April 1.
The final will be played in Hamburg on May 12.
smh/dpa/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Nigel Tandy