Right. Well, another huge couple of nights await Liverpool and Dortmund fans. Meanwhile, Sevilla and Athletic promises to be a noisy clash of northern and southern Spain. Here’s the story from the draw.
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I suppose it’s the worst draw and the best draw for Liverpool fans. Football’s about occasions as much as success and progress. And both matches will be huge, atmospheric, occasions. Klopp’s knowledge of the Dortmund squad will be sure to help too.
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Well that was always going to happen wasn’t it?
The Yellow Wall can display this again I suppose.
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Europa League quarter-final draw in full
Borussia Dortmund v Liverpool
Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla
Villarreal v Sparta Prague
Braga v Shakhtar
Ties to be played on Thursday 7 April and Thursday 14 April.
Borussia Dortmund v Liverpool. Klopp gets an emotional return to the Westfalenstadion for the first leg and the advantage of a second leg at Anfield. Oh my! Jürgen!
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Klopp's going back to Dortmund!
It’s Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla! So Klopp’s going back to Dortmund!!!
#LFC have been drawn to face @BVB in the quarter-finals of the @EuropaLeague. pic.twitter.com/GpTFiAhZJT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 18, 2016
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Next out is Villarreal v Sparta Prague
The draw!
Braga v Shakhtar Donetsk is first out of the pot.
Frei reckons Dortmund and Liverpool are the two clubs most likely to bother Sevilla. And now we’re ready to go …
Who is going to be plucking the balls out of the pot? It’s Basel legend Alexander Frei.
The last goal Frei ever scored as a professional was this one. Not a bad way to sign off.
Right, Pedro Pinto has introduced Giorgio Marchetti back to the tombola stage. He needs to work on his autocue use. Giorgio that is, not Pedro. He’s a pro. Giorgio is more of a paper-shuffler day to day I suspect. Not used to the bright lights.
Is there a more beautiful football trophy than the Uefa Cup?
Right, that’s finished. The draw should be under way shortly.
Here’s a stat: Every time Sevilla have reached the last eight they have gone on to lift the trophy.
Just give them the trophy now.
BT Sport are showing a documentary about the German referee Felix Brych. It’s interesting. He’s wearing a mic and the cameras are following him around during a match. It’s reminiscent of the one featuring David Elleray. “Go away, I don’t want you.”
Do you own draw, courtesy of Uefa. I just drew Liverpool against Sparta Prague.
Do your own #UELdraw!
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 18, 2016
Stop the GIF to see who your team gets... pic.twitter.com/SUwqBuklgX
Ah, so ignore what I wrote about Klopp relishing a trip to Dortmund. “I hope we don’t get Borussia Dortmund,” he said after the tie at Old Trafford. “Of course not! Why should I want the strongest team in the tournament in the next round? I’m not that silly!”
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Hello. Nice to see you again. So, you’ll have seen the Champions League draw, some interesting ties there, but the Europa League has been attracting attention this season too. Dortmund and Spurs didn’t quite sparkle in the way many hoped it might, however, but Liverpool v Manchester United delivered (both good and bad). Of the teams left, Dortmund look to be the outstanding side who most will want to ignore - except Jürgen Klopp who, you suspect, would relish a return to the Westfalenstadion. Although, you also suspect he relishes trips to the shop to buy milk or opening his bills such is his general enthusiasm. But Sevilla are going for three Europa League trophies in a row and are in fine form. Villarreal could be a handful for whoever faces them too.
Here are the eight teams in the pot:
Introducing your #UEL quarter-finalists.
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 17, 2016
Congratulations to all!
Draw: Friday, 13CET.
INFO: https://t.co/hZtAyIyD64 pic.twitter.com/lAm6R9FvKR
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