jenni_blog | A PICSPAM TRIBUTE TO THE EUROPA LEAGUE

It's really exciting this year...everything is different. A new name for the tournament...three Portuguese teams in the semi-finals along with a Spanish team, Villareal...thus ensuring all-Iberian semis and final match.

I suppose that powerhouse Porto are the favourites (I haven't checked the odds yet), even though Villareal will not be an easy team to beat in the semis. I would personally hope that Porto will meet Benfica in the finals.

Two key players will be out, though...for Benfica, striker Eduardo Salvio has broken his foot, and Porto will be missing defender Jorge Fucile, who has suffered a broken collarbone. However, both teams are strong enough to progress, even without these two important players.

Results from the quarter-finals:

FC Twente 1-3 Villareal (Aggregate: 2-8)

PSV Eindhoven 2-2 Benfica (Aggregate: 3-6)

Sporting Braga 0-0 Dynamo Kiev (Aggregate: 1-1* Braga go through on the away goal rule)

Spartak Moscow 2-5 FC Porto (Aggregate: 3-10) O_O: there's a real eye-opener!

The semis will take place on April 28th & May 5th: Benfica vs Braga and Porto vs Villareal.

Benfica-PSV Eindhoven pics from the two legs:

Oscar Cardozo vs Marcelo