After today's second leg matches in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals, all the teams that have reached the semifinals have been determined. In the semifinals, - and - will meet. EuroFootball.com presents brief descriptions of the UEFA Cup quarterfinal matches.
2-0 (Aggregate score 3-1) 6' (1-0) 68' (2-0) Last year's UEFA Cup finalists Glasgow Celtic have been eliminated. They were defeated by the mid-table La Liga team Villarreal, who won 2-0 at home in the second leg against the Scottish side. Villarreal took the lead early in the match when Sonny Anderson scored. They added to their lead and secured the victory. In the semifinals, they will face the current La Liga leaders Valencia.
0-1 (Aggregate score 0-2) 74' (0-1) Despite playing without their attacking leader Didier Drogba, who was suspended for this match, Marseille managed to eliminate the prestigious but injury-plagued Inter Milan. The only goal of the match, which dashed all Italian hopes, was scored by Camel Meriem in the 74th minute. Inter, however, remains the Italian team that has lasted the longest in European competitions this season. Marseille follows in the footsteps of their colleagues from Monaco, who eliminated Real Madrid to advance to a similar stage in the UEFA Champions League.
2-1 (Aggregate score 3-2) 9' (1-0) 52' (1-1 from a penalty) 66' (2-1) Considered favorites before the match, Newcastle did not disappoint their fans and defeated PSV to reach the UEFA Cup semifinals. Newcastle would have been satisfied with a draw, but Alan Shearer's goal in the 9th minute gave England the lead. Although PSV's Mateja Kezman equalized from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute, the match did not require extra time, as Gary Speed scored in the 66th minute to solidify the English victory.
2-1 (Aggregate score 4-2) 51' (1-0) 59' (2-0) 70' (2-1) A week after defeating their opponents away, the current leaders of the Spanish league and one of the strongest candidates to win this season's UEFA Cup, Valencia, managed to overcome the French club once again and advance to the semifinals, where they will face Villarreal, who have recently played strongly and eliminated teams like Roma and Celtic.
Semifinals schedule: First leg - April 22, 2004 Second leg - May 6, 2004