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Europa League, day six

The miracle didn't happen. Defending champions Atlético Madrid needed to win at Bayer Leverkusen and hope that Aris Salonica didn't beat Rosenborg in the other group B tie to progress to the knock-out stage, but in the end they fell short on both counts. Heavy snowfall during the game in Germany made conditions difficult, but Atlético put up a brave fight to draw 1-1 on the night. Substitute Fran Mérida got their goal just a minute after coming on in the second half, cancelling out a strike by Helmes a couple of minutes earlier. Aris won 2-0 though, and Quique's side finished third in the table. Getafe didn't even have an outside chance though after the last round of results, and Michel used the match against already qualified Young Boys to try out some of his youngsters. And B team striker Adrián Sardinero obliged for his boss, scoring the only goal early on in a 1-0 victory to consolidate third spot in group H. (16.12.10)

Spain will have at least two teams in next Friday's Europa League draw after Villarreal and Sevilla confirmed their places on Wednesday evening. Villarreal had already qualified for the knock-out stage, but a 1-2 victory over Club Brugge ensured top spot of group D. Garrido's side went behind to a Kouemaha strike with just under half an hour gone, but two goals from Rossi in the next six minutes turned the scoreline around. Later in the evening Sevilla only needed a draw against Borussia Dortmund to tie up second spot in group J, but after five defeats in a row there were doubts whether they could even do that against the runaway leaders of the Bundesliga. There was even more concern when Kagawa put the German side ahead in only the fourth minute, but strikes from Romaric and Kanouté gave the Andalusians the lead by the break. Subotic headed the equaliser soon after the restart though, and there were some nervous moments before the game finally ended with a 2-2 scoreline. (15.12.10)