Thursday April 26, 2012 Semifinal Finished San Mamés
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Llorente winner puts Athletic Bilbao in final
Fernando Llorente's late winner sent Athletic Bilbao through to the Europa League final with a 4-3 aggregate victory over Sporting Lisbon. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Athletic Bilbao
- Sporting Lisbon
FT There goes the final whistle and Athletic Bilbao are through to the Europa League final!
90+5' Xandio is shown a yellow card for a petulant push.
90+4' ATHLETIC BILBAO: The hosts continue to run down the clock. Perez replaces Herrera.- 90+3' ATHLETIC BILBAO: The hosts make their second change, with Toquero coming on to replace Gomez.
90+2' Suarez picks up possession in the middle of the park and drives forward before shooting but his low effort is straight at Iraizoz, who gratefully smothers the ball.- 90+1' There will be three minutes of added time. Can Sporting Lisbon muster a response?
- 90' Gomez goes down in the box and appeals for a penalty but Martin Atkinson, who is right on top of the incident, waves play on.
- 89' We won't be having extra-time but if Sporting Lisbon score now they'll be going through to the final... this isn't over yet!
88' GOAL! Athletic Bilbao score what surely is the winner! Martins chips in a deep cross, Gomez twists and turns before firing a low shot goalwards which Llorente directs into the back of the net!- 86' Can either side summon a late winner? Or are they happy to see out the 90 minutes and head into extra-time?
- 85' That's a risky strategy from the Sporting Lisbon boss. Is he trying to win the game in the next five minutes? If it goes to extra time then he has no subs remaining. Athletic Bilbao are yet to make a change.
- 84' SPORTING LISON SUB: Martins makes way for Carrillo.
- 83' Martins bursts forward down the middle of the park but overhits his pass to Suarez and the ball goes behind for a goal-kick.
- 81' Sporting are preparing to make their third and final change.
- 80' Amorebieta looks to play in Llorente but it's too long and bounces away from the striker.
- 79' The hosts seem happy to knock the ball around in midfield, waiting to unpick the Sporting defence.
- 78' Susaeta goes for goal from the edge of the box but sees his shot blocked.
- 77' Van Wolfswinkel fouls Amorebieta. Athletic Bilbao free-kick.
- 76' The game's still being played out a one hundred miles an hour but neither side an carve out a clear chance.
- 75' Gomez tries to con the referee into giving a penalty but is shown a yellow card for his theatrics.
- 74' A quick free-kick catches out the Sporting defence and Llorente's diving header is well-blocked for a corner.
- 73' Sporting Lisbon corner. It's played short and square across the top of the box before the visitors lose possession. What a waste.
- 72' Patricio rushes from goal to punch a free-kick clear but doesn't get clean contact on the ball and there's confusion in the box until the visitors clear their lines!
- 71' Llorente is double marked but gets away from his two men to direct a header on target. It's too close to Patricio, though.
- 70' Polga fires in an ambitious shot from the free-kick - it's on target but straight at Iraizoz.
- 69' Herrera clips Martins heels to concede a free-kick 40 yards from goal. Will the visitors have a go?
- 68' Iturraspe tries his luck with a dipping shot from distance but the keeper's got it covered all the way.
- 66' Who's your money on? Tell us in the comments section below.
- 64' SPORTING LISBON SUB: Pereirinha makes way for Suarez.
- 63' Gomez floats in a cross which has Patricio's name written all over it and the Sporting keeper has no trouble plucking that out of the air unchallenged.
- 62' The game's becoming more stretched, with Susaeta breaking free on the right but his cross is cleared. The hosts regain possession and launch another attack, this time down the left, and win a corner.
- 61' It looks like Sporting Lisbon are preparing to make a change...
- 60' There's been a goal in the other semi-final, with Atletico Madrid going 1-0 up on the night to extend their lead to 5-2 on aggregate. Valencia v Atletico Madrid: LIVE
- 59' Carrico goes into the book for a reckless sliding challenge.
58' Llorente looks to beat the offside flag but the lino's flag is straight up. Good call.- 57' Athletic Bilbao win a corner which is headed behind for another by a Sporting defender.
- 56' Van Wolfswinkel fouls Amorebieta.
- 55' Insua unleashes a ripping shot which skids off the surface, takes a deflection and hits the outside of the post!
- 54' Amorebieta is the second player to go into the referee's notebook.
- 52' Amorebieta meets the corner with a powerful header which crashes against the post!
- 51' Susaeta unleashes a fierce shot from the top-right corner of the box which Patricio tips over for a corner!
- 50' Amorebieta does well to shield the ball out for a goal-kick.
- 49' Llorente is a man possessed, chasing every loose ball and looking to attack every time he finds the ball at his feet. Superb energy and a real handful for the Sporting defence.
- 48' Llorente breaks with pace and bursts into the box but is crowded out and loses possession.
- 47' Sporting Lisbon made a change at the back, with Carrico coming on the Fernandez.
46' We're back underway... who's going to emerge victorious with the tie balanced on a knife-edge?- HT Martin Atkinson blows up for half-time - time for a breather!
- 45+1' Blimey, what a passage of play! It's 3-3 on aggregate and we're all square going into the break. There's everything to play for!
- 45' GOAL! Athletic Bilbao are back in front! Llorente slips in Gomez with a sublime piece of skill and Gomez makes no mistake in firing past Patricio!
- 44' GOAL! Sporting are level! The corner's half-cleared but Martins drives the ball back in with a low shot which is blocked but Wolfswinkel then dispatches a low left-footed shot into the corner!
- 43' Sporting break on the counter-attack and win a corner.
- 42' The hosts go close once again, this time with Llorente meeting a cross but rushing his effort and Patricio's outsretched arm pushes the effort wide for a corner.
- 41' Sporting Lisbon previous won the UEFA Cup in 2004-2005 while Athletic Bilbao are the only club left in the competition not to have tasted European glory.
- 40' So close! Iraola swings in a pin-point cross from the right and Gomez, who has drifted away from his man, only needs to poke the ball goalwards but fails to make contact!
- 39' The home side are enjoying a good spell of possession but are failing to make much of an impact in the final third.
- 38' Martinez looks to find Llorente with a long ball forward but a Sporting defender gets there first to head clear.
- 37' Athletic Bilbao have only lost two of their last 30 home European games (W21 D7, excludes qualifiers) since 1983, and are unbeaten in seven (W4 D3).
- 35' Gomez is pushed wide by Pereira, who sticks with the Bilbao forward before getting in a smart block.
- 34' Athletic Bilbao earn a corner but Gomez's cross is cleared at the first attempt.
- 33' Sporting corners; Polga meets it at the near post and forces a sharp save from Iraizoz!
- 32' Pereirinha cuts back onto his right foot on the corner of the box but fails to find a team-mate with his chipped cross.
- 31' Can Athletic Bilbao keep this relentless pace up for 90 minutes?
- 30' GOAL! No! The flag's up... Gomez has strayed into an offside position to meet Llorente's header with one of his own.
- 29' Pereirinha wriggles free on the right flank and plays an early cross but it's too deep and Athletic Bilbao clear.
- 28' Capel tracks back well to win possession back for the visitors.
- 27' Athletic have had more shots (168) and shots on target (78) than any other Europa League side this term.
- 25' Fernandez swings in the free-kick but it's too deep and Iraizoz catches the ball unchallenged.
- 24' Sporting win a free-kick in the left channel after Herrera's foul on Capel.
- 23' With Pep Guardiola rumoured to quitting Barcelona, it's worth noting that Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa is favourite to succeed him at the Camp Nou.
- 22' Credit to Sporting Lisbon, they've come out fighting after going a goal behind.
- 21' Capel floats in a flat cross from the left and Pereirinha meets it at the back post but puts his free header over the bar!
- 20' So, as it stands, Athletic Bilbao are going through, but there's a long way to go yet. Sporting need to get on the score sheet at the very least, however.
- 19' Sporting look to respond instantly but Wolswinkel's shot is blocked.
- 18' That was a super finish from Susaeta but top marks to Llorente for the assist.
- 17' GOAL! Athletic Bilbao take the lead! Llorente meets Muniain's cross and chests the ball back to Susaeta, who dispatches a volley past Patricio!
- 15' Sporting have never won away against a Spanish opponent in Europe (excluding qualfiiers), drawing three and losing nine.
- 14' Llorente's first touch was superb there, bringing a long cross-field ball down and turning his man before falling to ground far too easily.
- 13' Llorente turns in the box and goes to ground but the referee waves away Athletic Bilbao's hopeful penalty appeal.
- 12' It's been a frantic opening 12 minutes and the pace shows no sign of slowing!
- 11' Llorente looks to get a shot away in the box but sees his low left-footed effort superbly blocked by Martins.
- 10' Wolfswinkel slides in with an unnecessary challenge and is the first player to go into the book - that means he'll miss the final if Sporting progress!
- 9' Sporting win a free-kick 40 yards from goal and Fernandez lines up an audacious shot which sails over the bar.
- 8' Xandao gets his head to the corner but it's a tame effort easily collected by Iraizoz.
- 7' Capel charges down the left and is thwarted by a sliding challenge from Martinez, who puts the ball behind for a corner.
- 6' Fernandez dives in on Susaeta and is penalised by the referee. Free-kick to Athletic Bilbao.
- 5' Sporting have their first foray forward but Iraizoz is quick off his line to collect the loose ball.
- 4' The corner's half-cleared but is played back in towards Martinez at the back post but the ball skids off the surface and behind for a goal-kick.
- 3' Athletic Bilbao win an early corner thanks to good work from Gomez down the right.
- 2' The atmosphere's incredible inside the 40,000-capacity San Mamés. We're in for another night of cracking European football!
1' And we're off! The hosts get the game underway...- 20:00 We're just five minutes away from kick-off so it's time to nail your colours to the mast. Let's here your predictions - post them in the comments box below.
- 19:55 FACT: Despite their excellent European home form, Sporting have only won two of their last 13 away from home (D4 L7). The visitors have also won only two of their last 11 meetings with Spanish sides in Europe (excluding qualfiiers): D4 L5.
- 19:50 FACT: Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in eight European home games and have scored in every Europa League match this season.
- 19:45 Sporting Lisbon boss: "Our secret? Work. We foster the values of organisation and attitude. Attitude is a small thing which can go a long way and make big results happen. But it will be a tricky game."
- 19:40 Here's what Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa had to say earlier: "Plan B is not an idea I understand; we saw (in Barcelona’s Champions League exit to Chelsea) that attacking football has its nuances. Styles cannot be changed. We’re prepared to go all the way to extra time and penalties."
- 19:35 English referee Martin Atkinson takes charge of tonight's game.
- 19:30 ATHLETIC BILBAO: Iraizoz, Iraola, Javi Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe, Ander Herrera, Iturraspe, Muniain, Susaeta, Llorente, Ibai Subs: Raul, Toquero, San Jose, David Lopez, Gabilondo, Inigo Perez, Ekiz... /// SPORTING LISBON: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Anderson Polga, Xandao, Insua, Andre Martins, Schaars, Fernandez, Bruno Pereirinha, van Wolfswinkel, Diego Capel. Subs: Tiago, Daniel Carrico, Onyewu, Evaldo, Jeffren, Carrillo, Rubio...
- 19:25 Sporting Lisbon lead 2-1 after the first leg, with Insua and Capel scoring within four minutes of each other to cancel out Aurtenetxe's opener at the Estádio José Alvalade. Sporting recover to beat Athletic
- 19:20 Welcome to LIVE text commentary of the Europa League semi-final second leg clash between Athletic Bilbao and Sporting Lison.
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Summary
- 90+2' Suarez picks up possession in the middle of the park and drives forward before shooting but his low effort is straight at Iraizoz, who gratefully smothers the ball.
- 88' GOAL! Athletic Bilbao score what surely is the winner! Martins chips in a deep cross, Gomez twists and turns before firing a low shot goalwards which Llorente directs into the back of the net!
- 55' Insua unleashes a ripping shot which skids off the surface, takes a deflection and hits the outside of the post!
- 52' Amorebieta meets the corner with a powerful header which crashes against the post!
- 51' Susaeta unleashes a fierce shot from the top-right corner of the box which Patricio tips over for a corner!
- 45' GOAL! Athletic Bilbao are back in front! Llorente slips in Gomez with a sublime piece of skill and Gomez makes no mistake in firing past Patricio!
- 44' GOAL! Sporting are level! The corner's half-cleared but Martins drives the ball back in with a low shot which is blocked but Wolfswinkel then dispatches a low left-footed shot into the corner!
- 42' The hosts go close once again, this time with Llorente meeting a cross but rushing his effort and Patricio's outsretched arm pushes the effort wide for a corner.
- 40' So close! Iraola swings in a pin-point cross from the right and Gomez, who has drifted away from his man, only needs to poke the ball goalwards but fails to make contact!
- 33' Sporting corners; Polga meets it at the near post and forces a sharp save from Iraizoz!
- 30' GOAL! No! The flag's up... Gomez has strayed into an offside position to meet Llorente's header with one of his own.
- 21' Capel floats in a flat cross from the left and Pereirinha meets it at the back post but puts his free header over the bar!
- 17' GOAL! Athletic Bilbao take the lead! Llorente meets Muniain's cross and chests the ball back to Susaeta, who dispatches a volley past Patricio!
- 13' Llorente turns in the box and goes to ground but the referee waves away Athletic Bilbao's hopeful penalty appeal.
- 11' Llorente looks to get a shot away in the box but sees his low left-footed effort superbly blocked by Martins.
- 9' Sporting win a free-kick 40 yards from goal and Fernandez lines up an audacious shot which sails over the bar.
- 19:30 ATHLETIC BILBAO: Iraizoz, Iraola, Javi Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe, Ander Herrera, Iturraspe, Muniain, Susaeta, Llorente, Ibai Subs: Raul, Toquero, San Jose, David Lopez, Gabilondo, Inigo Perez, Ekiz... /// SPORTING LISBON: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Anderson Polga, Xandao, Insua, Andre Martins, Schaars, Fernandez, Bruno Pereirinha, van Wolfswinkel, Diego Capel. Subs: Tiago, Daniel Carrico, Onyewu, Evaldo, Jeffren, Carrillo, Rubio...
Team Line-up & Ratings
Athletic BilbaoManager: Marcelo Bielsa
Sporting LisbonManager: Sá Pinto
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- G. Iraizoz
- A. Iraola
- J. Martínez
- F. Amorebieta
- J. Aurtenetxe
- A. Herrera
- A. Iturraspe
- M. Susaeta
- I. Muniain
- I. Gómez
- F. Llorente
Subs
- I. Gabilondo
- D. López
- M. San José
- R. Fernández
- G. Toquero
90′ - Iñigo Pérez 90′
- Ekiza 90′
Starting line-up
- Rui Patrício
- J. Pereira
- Anderson Polga
- Xandão
- E. Insúa
- André Martins
- S. Schaars
- Bruno Pereirinha
- M. Fernández
- D. Capel
- R. van Wolfswinkel
Subs
- O. Onyewu
- Jeffrén 63′
- Tiago
- Evaldo
- D. Carriço 45′
- D. Rubio
- André Carrillo 83′
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Rate Players
Bilbao have won me over this season. The only down-side to their story is hearing they´re building a new stadium. Last night reminded me of how English football used to be, before all these new no-atmosphere stadia were built. I used to love going to Filbert Street and the Baseball ground just for the atmosphere.. Anyhow good luck Bilbao in the final, I for one will be cheering you on and imagine there´ll be a whole heap more.
Finally a Spanish team makes a European final ... albeit in the Mickey Mouse one.
Two excellent teams but I think Bilbao deserved it. If English sides could play as well as Martin Atkinson refereed tonight we would sweep all before us! I look forward to a Europa League final which I am sure will be better than the Champion's League Final.
Huh... the portuguese side didn't deserve. They were better in Lisbon and good in San Mames. Terrible night for the ref, Bilbao's first goal was illegal.
i love the way yahoo dont even put the aggregate score at the top next to the current game score. I mean its not like its important to the overall score at all eh
Oh well, the classy Portugeuse couldn't stop an all Spanish final. Good football.
They deserve everything they're getting, Bilbao. They put out Man. Utd, Shalke 04 in a good game. This game was good and they've done it AGAIN.
THERE'S THE WINNER!
Lucky it isn't windy or both teams would be falling over even more
bilbao will win by all means.
This game will be decided by penalties, and will be clinched by Bilbao.
Atkinson is the worst Referee in the Premiership making the worst decisions ...
bilbao+Martin Atkinson -2 sporting-1
Ana - Good Stuff Girl !
Ana - Good Stuff Girl !
Terrific game and terrific atmosphere yet again. Two excellent sides playing football at an unbelievable pace. Bilbao 2nd goal was superb. Hope the 2nd half is as good.
Sporting didnt win the Uefa cup in 04/05 they lost 3-1 to CSKA Moscow,despite having home advantage.
bilbao+Martin Atkinson -2 sporting-1
Any side with a player called van Wolfswinkel is OK with me. Having said that I'd like to see Bilbao win because I like their philosophy of only picking local players.
Come on Sporting!
