The 2009-10 Europa League’s Round of 16 will have it’s two-legged matches on Thursdays 11th and 18th March.
Fixtures, Europa League Round of 16 fixtures.
Europa League page at UEFA.com, UEFA.com/Europa League.
Still alive in the competition are 3 German clubs, 2 Belgian clubs, 2 English clubs, 2 French clubs, 2 Portuguese clubs, 2 Spanish clubs, and 1 club from Greece, Italy, and Russia.
Kudos to Roy Hodgson’s Fulham, who ousted de-facto reigning champions Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine. Unlike some English clubs in recent seasons (like Bolton and Aston Villa), Fulham have taken this second-echelon competition seriously. Their reward is a high profile draw versus Italian giants Juventus, who are one of 5 clubs in this round who have in the past won titles in Europe’s first-echelon competition, the European Cup (1956-1992)/UEFA Champions League (1993 to present). Those 5 are: Liverpool (5 titles, most recently in 2005), Juventus (2 titles, most recently in 1996), Benfica (2 titles, most recently in 1962), Marseille (in 1993), and Hamburg (in 1983).
As for winners of the Europa League’s predecessor, the UEFA Cup, 4 of the 16 clubs here have titles: Liverpool (3 titles, most recently in 2001), Juventus (3 titles, most recently in 1993), Anderlecht (in 1983), and Valencia (in 2004).
I dont think liverpool have much chance this season, they were terrible last night!
Commenter’s site: http://karlconnell.com/DublinCityVibe?
Response to Comment: Their hearts are not in it.
Comment by karl — March 12, 2010 @ 10:59 am
Fulham have been great outside of the premiership this season. However, I think they’ll be out of their league against Juventus, although I hope I’m wrong. Liverpool have dissapointed all season with lack of goals. It’s been the same all season yet benitez refuses to change his ways. He needs to add some more offencive play into his tactics to be competing with the top 3 in the premiership and to get back to how they should be in Europe.
Commenter’s site: http://www.worldcup2010betting.net/
Response to Comment: I don’t know if Fulham can pull off a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage next Thursday, Juventus will totally be in bolt-the-door catennacio mode.
I think it’s time for Benitez to go.
Thanks for the comment.
Comment by world cup 2010 betting — March 12, 2010 @ 3:51 pm