Champions League and Europa League Quarter Final Draws 2010
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European football’s top teams have fate determined in the coming clashes.
A replay of the thrilling 1999 Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich will take place in this year’s quarter final.
In a repeat of the 2006 final, Barcelona will travel to Arsenal in their quarter final match up.
European football has had a funny old season in 2010, as for the first time in many a year, no one country is dominating the European scene.
In the last two seasons, English clubs breezed past most of their Continental opposition, with four English teams making it to the quarter finals, and three teams making it to the semi finals in both seasons.
This year, the mix is much more exciting, and much more a reflection of the balance of quality of European football.
Five current Champions of their respective domestic leagues remain in the competition including Manchester United (England), Barcelona (Spain), Inter Milan (Italy), Bordeaux (France), and CSKA Moscow (Russia).
Champions League Quarter Final Draw
Lyon vs Bordeaux
Bayern Munich vs Manchester United
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Inter Milan vs CSKA Moscow
In the semi finals, the winners of the United/Bayern match will face the winners of the all French affair between Lyon and Bordeaux. In the second semi final, the winners of the Arsenal/Barcelona clash will face either Inter of Moscow.
The draw sets up the possibility of a repeat of last year’s final between Manchester United and Barcelona, or another all English final between Manchester United and Arsenal.
Europa League Quarter Final Draw
Fulham vs Wolfsburg
Hamburg vs Standard Liège
Valencia vs Atlético Madrid
Benfica vs Liverpool
Meanwhile in the Europa League, the final eight consists of two English sides, two Spanish sides, two German sides and representatives from Belgium and Portugal. Thursday’s last 16 second leg produced an astonishing 33 goals from just eight matches, setting up some truly mouth-watering prospects in the quarter finals.
Liverpool have arguably the toughest draw against Portugal’s Benfica. Fulham meanwhile will face off against German champions Wolfsburg.
In the semi final draw Fulham or Wolfburg will play Hamburg or Standard Liège. Should Liverpool overcome Benfica, they face one of the Spanish teams in the second semi final.
The Champions League quarter final first legs will be played on 30 and 31 March. The Europa League quarter finals will be played on 1 and 8 April.
What do you think of the Champions League and Europa League draws? Let us know your thoughts below with a comment.
Come on the Reds – we want Valencia.
Go Gunners go…
After a stunning win over Juventus, Fulham have got a good draw. Look good for a Fulham vs Benfica final!!
Bobby for England!
Bobby for England!
Clint Dempsey has picked the perfect time to make a comeback. Not only does he score the winning goal in the dying minutes of the game for Fulham, he now looks in great shape to take USA forward in the World Cup.
USA! USA!
Fulham vs Liverpool final!!!!! Reds will crush all opponents between them and the trophy.
Both teams play attractive football, can’t wait to see who can come out on top here. Arsenal will have to be on top form to overcome Barca.
If you love and understand football, then here it is!!!! Barca/Arsenal clash is the clash of the titans. I bet the winner must go all the way to the final. Why? To make the final exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Platini’s wish for getting a French team to a semi-final comes true. I think he set it up.
He is wicked. He didn’t do anything about Henry’s handball for France vs Ireland in the 2010 World Cup qualifying match.
Does anybody agree?
Come on Liverpool! Beat them 5-0!
This is the match Bayern wanted. United have failed to beat us on the last seven occassions and Bayern have never been better or more ready to face an in-form United. Bring it on!!!