Europa League: 2011-12

Really fun game against Schalke too, although the end result was a bit too flattering.

After watching the replay of the full game last night, I got to agree about that. The result is a bit exaggerated given how was the game. Great match nevertheless.

I remember when we were talking about the possibility of Raul coming to LFC when he decided to leave Real... a lot of people were against it... I know he's past his best, but does anyone still think he would have been a bad signing? Brilliant player, I'm such a big fan... his 2nd goal was amazing.

Raul didn't deserve to be on the losing side.

Bilbao set the price for away fans in the return leg at 90 euros.

Schalke fans protested last night:



It says (in Spanish):

"Ticket 90€ = 1€ per minute?
Football isn't telephonic sex"

(or something like that)

Bilbao set the price for away fans in the return leg at 90 euros.

Schalke fans protested last night:



It says (in Spanish):

"Ticket 90€ = 1€ per minute?
Football isn't telephonic sex"

(or something like that)

 

Thats the difference between football and phone sex though for me, if a ticket was 90Euro's thats guarenteed, with phone sex its setting me back no more than 2Euro's.

Valencia lead PSV 2:0 after 20 minutes, Athletic Bilbao vs Schalke is still scoreless.

I really enjoyed that... an exciting game with some top talent on show.

Athletic are certainly playing better than their mid-table position would suggest they should. Maybe they're a cup team? 

They don't have the squad depth to compete on all fronts so they've prioritised the cup (they've picked up just one point from their last five encounters).  Prior to that, they were hovering between 4th and 7th.  Under Bielsa, they look like a mini-Liverpool team of the past, a real joy to watch.  Schalke have just scored against them to go 1:0 up (Athletic Bilbao currently lead 4:3 on agg).  10 minutes + added time left until the half.

edit: Noticed a few people saying it but Athletic Bilbao fans don't like their club being referred to as just Bilbao (think they prefer the full name), so if you ever meet an Athletic Club fan, worth keeping in mind.

Athletic Bilbao equalise with a lovely strike, 1:1 (5:3 agg) at half-time.

Valencia vs PSV still 2:0 (3:2 on agg).

Not that I'm watching the other two games but Sporting lead Metalist 1:0 while Hanover vs Atletico Madrid is still scoreless, unsure of those aggregate scores in those matches.

What a goal by Raul again.

What a f***in legend as well.

And Athletic equalize again, Susaeta.

Haha, I love Bielsa so much, love to see his crazy rants even seconds after his team has scored

And Athletic equalize again, Susaeta.

Haha, I love Bielsa so much, love to see his crazy rants even seconds after his team has scored

According to Munain he's "not mad like the media make him out to be, he's far madder than that".

This fixture has been a great tie, 10 goals in two matches and still 30+ minutes of football left to play.

Valencia vs PSV, now 3:0 (Jordi Alba added the 3rd, Rami with the first two goals) which makes it 4:2 on agg.

PSV isn't playing, AZ.

PSV isn't playing, AZ.

I was testing the Dutch members of the forum to see if they were paying attention.  You passed with flying colours

Thanks for the correction, it's 6am over here and to be honest, I'm still kinda half asleep.

That's 4 for Valencia against AZ Alkmaar (I got it right this time, although not 100% sure about the spelling), tie well and truly over.

Athletic Bilbao 2:2 Schalke - 10 mins to go.

1:1 in both the Hanover vs Atletico and Sporting Lisbon vs Metalist ties.

So 2 Spanish teams in UCL semifinals, 3 Spanish teams in Europa League semifinals.

1 English team in UCL semifinals, 0 English teams in Europa League semifinals.

EPL, the best league in the world!

Full time results

Athletic Bilbao 2:2 Schalke 04 (6:4 agg)
Valencia 4:0 AZ Alkmaar (5:2 agg)
Metalist Kharkiv 1:1 Sporting Lisbon (2:3 agg)
Hanover 96 1:2 Atletico Madrid (2:4 agg)

SF 1: Sporting Lisbon vs Athletic Bilbao
SF 2: Atletico Madrid vs Valencia

Been a great tournament so far, really liking the revamped Europa League.

Been a great tournament so far, really liking the revamped Europa League.

Same, I've watched more UEL games than UCL this season.

Great so far this season.
Great to see emerging talent as opposed to bloated egos.

Bilbao have a couple of real stars in their team, feel rather bitter that our scouting/transfer department couldn't have picked up the likes of Muniain, De Marcos, Llorente or Martinez last summer.

Muniain in particular is a pleasure to watch, just 19 years old!

What a goal by Raul again.

What a f***in legend as well.

Yeah.

It was such a pity I didn't get to watch him as much as I would have liked and it's also a pity he retired from the Spain National team without a winner's medal.

The Europa League is getting taken more seriously as the years come. I like it. Hopefully we can avoid qualifiers, as those are the real bear of the schedule. Start straight from the knockouts, please.

I think Valencia or Atletico will take it.

Can't believe people say it is a second rated competition ..

I mean, i know it may not be as prestigious as the Champions League but there are lotsa good teams in there.

If you think it's been great this year, wait till the next because we'll be in it.

Which game do you watch?

Atletico v Valencia or Sporting v Bilbao?

Going to be an awesome morning of football.