There are four intriguing matchups for the quarterfinals of the 2010 Europa League as the final eight and semifinals of Europe's top football club competition were drawn. The Europa League is the successor to the UEFA Cup, which UEFA scrapped after last season in favor of a new name.
The quarterfinals will be played on 1 and 8 April 2010 with the first team listed hosting the first leg. The semifinals will be played on 22 and 29 April. The final will be played at the Hamburg Arena on 12 May 2010.
Quarterfinals: 1 & 8 April
1: Fulham FC (ENG) v VfL Wolfsburg (GER)
English side Fulham FC came back from a 3-1 away first leg to beat Juventus Turin 4-1 in the second leg and win 5-4 on aggregate to reach their first quarterfinals. Their final eight opponents are reigning German champions Wolfsburg, who are also making their debut in a European final quarterfinal. Wolfsburg knocked off Rubin Kasan, which was the only team to beat Barcelona internationally this season.
2: Hamburger SV (GER) v R. Standard de Liège (BEL)
The 1982 UEFA Cup finalists Hamburg barely snuck past RSC Anderlecht, winning 6-5 on aggregate following a 4-3 loss in the return road leg. As they dream of winning the inaugural UEFA Europa League on their home grounds, Hamburg face off against another Belgian side in Standard Liege - quarterfinalists in 1981. The Belgians, who knocked off Panathinaikos 4-1 on aggregate to reach the final eight, are confident about facing Hamburg after watching Anderlecht's strong return leg showing.
3: Valencia CF (ESP) v Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
The all-Spanish tie between Valencia and Atletico Madrid is clearly the most eye-catching draw in the quarters. The 2004 champions Valencia drew 4-4 in a spectacular return leg against 2009 runners-up Werder Bremen to win 5-5 on aggregate away goals. Atletico reached the semifinals in 1998 and 1999 and knocked off Sporting Portugal 2-2 on away goals to reach the 2010 final eight. Madrid beat Valencia 4-1 on February 28 in the Spanish league.
4: SL Benfica (POR) v Liverpool FC (ENG)
There is a bit of history between 1983 runners-up Benfica and three-time champions Liverpool. The English giants beat Benfica in the final eight en route to their 1978 and 1984 European Champion Clubs' Cup titles. Liverpool got past Lille 3-1 on aggregate after a 3-0 return leg victory. Benfica reached the quarters with a 2-1 victory at Olympique de Marseille for a 3-2 aggregate win.
Semifinals: 22 & 29 April
1: Winner quarterfinal 2 v Winner quarterfinal 1
The winner between Hamburg and Standard will host the first leg of the semifinal showdown against the victor of the clash between Fulham and Wolfsburg.
2: Winner quarterfinal 3 v Winner quarterfinal 4
The Valencia-Atletico quarterfinal winner will be hosting the first semifinal leg against the winner between Benfica and Liverpool.
Final: Hamburg Arena; 20.45CET, Wednesday 12 May
Winner semifinal 2 v Winner semifinal 1
The Valencia-Atletico vs Benfica-Liverpool winner will be considered the home team for the final match.
David Hein - David Hein is a professional freelance journalist, focusing mainly on Sports, especially international basketball, European soccer and ...
