UEFA cup semi-finals

Barcelona - Liverpool
Barcelona were unable to make any headway against an ultra-defensive Liverpool side and now have to at least get a score draw at Anfield in 15 days time to qualify for the final. Neither goalkeeper had much to do, with the first shot on target in the whole match coming from Xavi five minutes from the end, and the crowd ended the game booing both teams.

Alavés - Kaiserslautern
Alavés virtually assured themselves a place in the final taking a four goal lead in to the second leg in Germany against Kaiserslauten. Norwegian referee Rune Pedersen took centre stage giving four penalties, including two to Alavés in the first half hour which Contra converted. Jordi Cruyff aded a third goal before the break, and Iván Alonso, replacing the injured Javi Moreno, scored a fourth from the penalty spot in the second half. The fourth penalty Pedersen awarded went to the visitors, which Koch transformed, but substitute Magno got a fifth goal for Alavés near the end. (05.04.01)