News Archive

Europa League qualifying round

A full house for Spanish clubs in the new Europa League, all three making it through to the league stage. Villarreal had already done enough in the first leg, but they recorded a crushing 6-1 victory against NAC Breda to make it 9-2 on aggregate. Rossi converted two first half penalties, and the other scorers were Cazorla, Marcos Senna, Jonathan Pereira and youngster Kiko. Valencia also had no problems seeing off Stabaek, and they followed up their three goal victory in Norway with a 4-1 victory in the Mestalla. Venezuelan striker Miku staked a claim for a place in the first team squad with a hat-trick, and Zigic got the fourth. Athletic Bilbao had serious problems though in qualifying, although in the end a 1-1 draw at Tromso saw them through. Javi Martínez got the all-important goal from the penalty spot. (27.08.09)