News Archive

Europa League day 1

Good results for Spanish clubs in the first day of the league stage of the new Europa League. Valencia held Lille to a 1-1 draw, and could have won it had a defensive mistake not allowed Gervinho to equalise late on. Mata had given Unai Emery's side the lead a few minutes earlier. Villarreal had more problems than expected against Levski Sofia, but in the end they ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a strike from Nilmar. And Athletic Bilbao beat Austria Vienna 3-0 to top their group, Llorente converting an early penalty and scoring a second before youngster Muniain wrapped things up after the break. (17.09.09)