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On Thursday, the second leg matches of the UEFA Cup quarterfinals were played, after which all the semifinalists were revealed. In the semifinals, three Spanish teams will play - last year's winner "Sevilla", as well as Pamplona's "Osasuna" and Barcelona's "Espanyol", along with Bremen's "Werder" from Germany.
The fierce battle took place in London, where "Tottenham" and "Sevilla" met (first leg 1-2). The match started nightmarishly for the English. In the 3rd minute, Steed Malbranque, in an attempt to clear a shot by Christian Poulsen off the line from a corner kick, directed the ball into his own net. Soon after, in the 8th minute, after an individual breakthrough, Frederic Kanoute put the goalkeeper Paul Robinson down and sent the ball into an empty net - 0-2.
"Tottenham" needed four goals at that point and after the shock they started to attack. In the 67th minute, after a long-range shot by Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, who had just entered the field, redirected the ball into the net, and just a minute later Aaron Lennon equalized the score.
Shortly after, P. Robinson saved a dangerous attempt from Antonio Puerta.
Inspired by the success, the hosts launched an attack. However, Michael Dawson missed over the crossbar from 8 meters, and the goalkeeper David Cobeno parried Dimitar Berbatov's shot from 10 meters. Towards the end of the match, a red card for rough play was shown to "Tottenham" defender Teemu Tainio and the current holder of the UEFA Cup, "Sevilla", secured a ticket to the semifinals.
After a home defeat of 0-3, "Bayer" tried to attack in Pamplona. The Germans created several chances, but failed to capitalize on them, and in the 62nd minute they conceded a goal, which ultimately crushed them - a long-range shot by Roberto Soldado was parried by "Bayer" goalkeeper Rene Adler straight into the path of Juanlu Gomez, who promptly put the ball in the net.
Meanwhile, the other Bundesliga team, Bremen's "Werder", fared much better. After a 0-0 draw with "AZ" away, the Germans attacked the Dutch goal from the start of the match. In the 16th minute, Tim Borowski scored from the penalty spot after a pass from Diego, playing his first match after a two-month injury.
In the 32nd minute, Moussa Dembele leveled the score with a great shot from the left flank, but shortly after Miroslav Klose restored the lead, redirecting the ball into the net from a few meters. He scored another goal with a header in the second half. At the end of the match, "AZ" scored through Diego.
"Benfica" in Lisbon managed a minimal victory at home against Barcelona's "Espanyol". The hosts attacked a lot, but couldn't break through the Spanish defense. The best chances were had by Nuno Gomes and Rui Costa. However, the first shot was amazingly caught from close range by goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz, and the second hit the crossbar with a penalty shot.
Statistics:
(The teams advancing to the next stage are highlighted more prominently)
Bremen's "Werder" 4 - 1 Alkmaar's "AZ"
(First leg 0-0, aggregate score 4-1)
16‘ [1 – 0] Tim Borowski
32‘ [1 – 1] Moussa Dembele
36‘ [2 – 1] Miroslav Klose
62‘ [3 – 1] Miroslav Klose
82' [4 - 1] Diego
Pamplona's "Osasuna" 1 - 0 Leverkusen's "Bayer"
(First leg 3-0, aggregate score 4-0)
62‘ [1 – 0] Juanlu Gomez
London's "Tottenham" 2 - 2 "Sevilla"
(First leg 1-2, aggregate score 3-4)
3‘ [0 – 1] Steed Malbranque (own goal)
8‘ [0 – 2] Frederic Kanoute
66‘ [1 – 2] Jermain Defoe
67‘ [2 – 2] Aaron Lennon
90+1‘ Teemu Tainio ("Tottenham") sent off
Lisbon's "Benfica" 0 – 0 Barcelona's "Espanyol"
(First leg 2-3, aggregate score 2-3)
In the semifinals, on April 26 and May 3, the following matches will take place:
"Espanyol" - "Werder"
"Osasuna" - "Sevilla"
