By IVES GALARCEP
Clint Dempsey and Tottenham will look to move a step closer to a European trophy today when they take on French side Lyon in Europa League Round of 32 action, which kicks off today throughout Europe.
The English Premier League is well-represented in the knockout rounds, with Liverpool facing a stiff test in one of today’s early matches as they take on big-spending Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg (Noon, Fox Soccer Channel). Tottenham faces Lyon in one of the day’s later match-ups (3pm, Fox Soccer Channel).
Chelsea won’t repeat as UEFA Champions League winners, but they will try to add another trophy by making a Europa League run, and Rafa Benitez’s side will start that quest today against Sparta Prague (1pm, Fox Soccer Plus).
There are quality match-ups not involving English teams as well, with Bayer Leverkusen taking on Benfica and Atletico Madrid meeting Rubin Kazan in some of the days’s more enticing clashes.
If you will be watching today’s Europa League action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s Europa League schedule is after the jump):
EUROPA LEAGUE Round of 32 First Leg Schedule
Noon- Fox Soccer Plus- Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Liverpool
Noon- DirecTV 481- Anzi vs. Hannover 96
1pm- Fox Soccer Channel- Sparta Prague vs. Chelsea
1pm- DirecTV 482- Dynamo Kiev vs. Bordeaux
1pm- DirecTV 483- Napoli vs. Pizen
1pm- BATE Borisov vs. Fenerbahce
1pm- Levante vs. Olympiakos
1pm- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Benfica
1pm- Ajax vs. Steaua Bucharest
3pm- Fox Soccer Channel- Tottenham vs. Lyon
3pm- Fox Soccer Plus- Newcastle vs. Metalist Kharkiv
3pm- DirecTV 481- Inter Milan vs. CFR Cluj
3pm- DirecTV 482- Stuttgart vs. Genk
3pm- DirecTV 483- Borussia Moenchengladbach vs. Lazio
3pm- Atletico Madrid vs. Rubin Kazan
3pm- FC Basel vs. Dnipro
Three world class goals in the Tottenham game. Fun to watch. Dempsey was a bit underwhelming, but he’s played an outrageous number of games in the last three weeks.
Bale just might be worth 30-40 million Euros. Come on Dempsey, get them goals man
Bale. Clutch. Looked the the goalie was originally in perfect position then moved to his left on the strike.
Bale again off the free kick. IN THE ZONE baby
save Friedel!!! blast from the 18 and destined for the back of the net. quick reactions from the old guy
Holtby for deuce pretty soon me thinks.
Wonder if Dempsey’s days as a starter are coming to an end.
What a stk.I haven’t seem somebody stk a ball with that technique in a while.
that was something
Umtiti with a wonder strike. wow, laser canon past a helpless Friedel into the back post high netting
off the short hop volley on a skipping ball. what a strike
Plz deuce try something when you get the ball in midfield.All he does is back pass every time.Try to turn some one every once in a while.
Bale remains in the zone with an awesome dipping free kick just inside the far post, I think it even bounced before going in or at least close to the line it dipped so much. awesome goal
if anything bale should have gone to real madrid instead of modric.
I hear you, altho Modric did serve it to Ronaldo late right in front of goal yesterday but it was not to be for them. RM wasn’t too inspiring across the board I’d say
Where is everybody at? Come on, people! I need my updates while I’m stuck in class! Haha
Screw Liverpool.
Word.
Here’s the mandatory “deuce to start and score today” post.
Except the word brace must be in there somewhere.
Assuming Pelosi did not dress right?
Look at Marc Pelosi “running up and down” that pitch….Shrewd move Liverpool….
A little disappointing…..oh well, can’t blame them. At least he is seen as worth protecting.