News Archive

Europa League, day 6

Draws for the two Spanish sides in the last round of group games, although both will be in the hat for the knock-out stage after they assured their places a fortnight ago. Villarreal were vying for top spot of group E with Rapid Vienna, but in the end they had to accept the runners-up place after they were held to a 3-3 draw at Viktoria Plsen, and the Austrians won their tie against Dinamo Minsk. Athletic Bilbao though were already sure of finishing champions of group L, and a depleted line-up played out a 2-2 draw against AZ Alkmaar later in the evening. (10.12.15)

Viktoria Plsen 3 - Villarreal 3

Villarreal came into their last group game vying for top spot of group E with Rapid Vienna, but in the end they had to accept the runners-up place after they were held to a 3-3 draw at Viktoria Plsen, and the Austrians won their tie against Dinamo Minsk. The Czech side only had pride left to play for, but as the fog closed in they went ahead with an early Kolar penalty after Jokic probably fouled Kopic in the area (or could have been a hand ball in the play too?). Bakambu ran on to Soldado headed pass though to round Bolek and level the scores before the break, and the striker missed another chance before Jonathan Dos Santos curled a shot over the keeper after his own corner came back out to him with just over an hour gone. An unmarked Kovarik made it all square again though with a header from Kopic’s cross, and although Denis Suárez could have scored again for the visitors, Horava put the hosts back in front, beating Barbosa with a shot from the edge of the area. Bruno did equalize for a third time after controlling a Suárez centre in injury time, but it was not enough on the night. (10.12.15)

Athletic Bilbao 2 - AZ Alkmaar 2

Athletic Bilbao were already sure of finishing champions of group L, and Ernesto Valverde put out a much changed line-up against AZ Alkmaar, who were bottom of the group with no chance of carrying on in the competition. The Dutch side had beaten Athletic in the first leg though, and midway through the first half Van Overeem headed them into the lead from Rienstra’s cross. However with the first half coming to a close Kike Sola made it all square after Saborit headed back a corner, and just two minutes after the restart San José made it two from the penalty spot after Eraso’s centre hit Luckassen on the arm. Viguera and Aketxe came close to extending the lead when they both hit the bar in an extended attack near the end, but play went up the other end, and Saborit deflected Janssen’s shot past his own keeper to save a point for the visitors. (10.12.15)