Europa League: All-Ibernian Semifinals

The quarterfinal round of the Europa League concluded with four games on Thursday.


At Bilbao, Spain:





Ibai Gomez (41') and Markel Susaeta (55') each scored once as a 2-2 game-two home draw was good enough for Athletic Bilbao as they dispatched Schalke 04 6-4 on aggregate in winning their two-game series.


PA photo


At Kharkiv, Ukraine:





Despite dropping a 1-0 game-two decision on the road, Sporting CP still eliminated FC Metalist Kharkiv 3-2 on aggregate.  Ribeiro Cleiton Xavier failed on penalty kick in the 64th minute that would have won the series for the Ukrainian club via the away goals rule.  Here, we see the Lions' Ricky Van Wolfswinkel leaping to use his head.


Getty Images photo


At Hanover, Germany:


Adrian (63') and Falcao (86') each scored a second-half goal as Atletico Madrid topped Hannover 96 2-1 on the road in game two and won their two-match set 4-2 on the road.


At Valencia, Spain:





Adil Rami scored twice in the first half as Valencia (whose players are shown here celebrating) overturned their 2-1 game-one defeat from last week in the Netherlands and buried AZ Alkmaar 4-0 at home in game two and won the series 5-2 on aggregate.


Getty Images photo


At least one club from Spain will play in the Europa League final which will take place on May 9 at National Stadium in Bucharest, Romania.


In the meantime, the semifinal round will open on April 19 as Atletico Madrid will host Valencia and Sporting CP will host Athletic Bilbao with the return matches taking place on April 26 (Atletico Madrid @ Valencia and Sporting CP @ Athletic Bilbao).