Friday, August 26, 2011

UEFA Europa League: Roma crash out, Scots sent packing + Draw

Slovan Bratislava produced a spirited display at the Stadio Olimpico to cause the biggest upset of Thursday's Europa League play-off round by eliminating Italian giants Roma with a 2-1 aggregate victory. Sevilla were also high-profile casualties of the play-off round after drawing 1-1 at home to Hannover. Hearts' progress always looked unlikely after their 5-0 first-leg defeat to Tottenham and a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane against a second-string Spurs side confirmed their exit. Celtic crashed out after losing 3-1 to FC Sion on the night and on aggregate. Rangers were the closest of the SPL clubs to advancing but despite dominating NK Maribor for most of the game, it was the Slovenian side who held on for a 1-1 draw, which secured a 3-2 aggregate victory. Dalibor Volas gave NK the lead and though Carlos Bocanegra equalised with 15 minutes to go, the Gers could not find the crucial second.

Group Stage Draw

No comments: