The Europa League Draw: A Right Old Mix-Up!
Monaco! Where the casinos are as rich as the football clubs! The draw for the group stage of the Europa League unfolded in this glamorous city, making you wonder if there’s a chance to win back some lost bets on Porto vs. Barcelona in the UEFA Super Cup!
Now, let’s talk about our friendly Russian neighbors, Rubin and Lokomotiv. Did they secure the strongest opponents? No! But let’s be honest, they’re hardly flaunting their “favorites” badge anytime soon. They are more like the reliable friend you call when you’re in trouble, but nobody’s quite sure what they’ll bring to the barbecue.
Matches Galore!
Get ready, folks! The group stage matches kick off from September 15 and keep rolling until December 15. Mark your calendars – we’ve got a month of thrilling (or maybe not so thrilling) action ahead!
On December 16, the draw for the 1/16 finals and 1/8 finals will take place. It’s like those moments in life when you think you’ve dodged a bullet, only for it to ricochet back and get you square in the gut. Exciting, isn’t it?
2011/2012 Europa League Group Stage Draw Results
Group A
Tottenham (ENG)
Rubin (RUS)
PAOK (GRE)
Shamrock Rovers (IRL)
Group B
Copenhagen (DEN)
Standard (BEL)
Hannover (GER)
Vorskla (UKR)
Group C
PSV (NED)
Hapoel Tel Aviv (ISR)
Rapid Bucharest (ROM)
Legia (POL)
Group D
Sporting (POR)
Lazio (ITA)
Zurich (SUI)
Vaslui (ROM)
Group E
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
Besiktas (TUR)
Stoke City (ENG)
Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR)
Group F
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Atletik Bilbao (ESP)
Salzburg (AUT)
Slavia Prague (CZE)
Group G
Alkmaar (NED)
Metalist (UKR)
Austria Wien (AUT)
Malmö (SWE)
Group H
Braga (POR)
Brugge (BEL)
Birmingham (ENG)
Maribor (SLO)
Group I
Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Udinese (ITA)
Rennes (FRA)
Sön (SWE)
Group J
Schalke 04 (GER)
Steaua Bucharest (ROM)
Maccabi Haifa (ISR)
AEK Larnaca (CYP)
Group K
Twente (NED)
Fulham (ENG)
Odense (DEN)
Wisła Kraków (POL)
Group L
Anderlecht (BEL)
AEK Athens (GRE)
Lokomotiv Moscow (RUS)
Sturm Graz (AUT)
Mark May 9, 2012, on your calendars, folks! That’s when the Europa League Final will take place at the National Stadium in Bucharest! Will it be a classic showdown of skill and drama? Or just another chance for someone to accidentally trip over a corner flag while the ref is distracted by a stapler? Only time will tell!
So, grab your snacks, kick back, and let the Europa League entertainment begin! And remember, in the world of football, anything can happen—except for Tottenham winning the Europa League. Just kidding, Spurs fans… maybe!
The highly anticipated draw for the group stage of the Europa League occurred in the picturesque setting of Monaco. This event coincided with the UEFA Super Cup match scheduled for later today, where football giants Porto will face off against Barcelona in a thrilling showdown.
The group stage matches are set to unfold from September 15 to December 15, showcasing a series of exciting encounters. Following these matches, the draw for the knockout stages, specifically the 1/16 finals and 1/8 finals, will take place on December 16. Advancing to the playoffs will be the two strongest teams from each group, along with eight clubs that finish third in their respective UEFA Champions League group stages. Football fans can look forward to the grand finale of the Europa League, which is scheduled for May 9, 2012, at the National Stadium in Bucharest, a venue known for its rich history and vibrant atmosphere.
Results of the 2011/2012 Europa League group stage draw
Group “A”
“Tottenham” (ENG)
“Rubin” (RUS)
PAOK (GRE)
Shamrock Rovers (IRL)
Group B
“Copenhagen” (DAN)
“Standard” (WHITE)
Hannover (GER)
“Vorskla” (UKR)
Group C
PSV (NID)
Hapoel Tel Aviv (TOUR)
“Rapid” Bucharest (RUM)
“Legia” (POL)
Group D
Sporting (POR)
“Lazio” (ITA)
“Zurich” (SEWEY)
“Vaslui” (RUM)
Group E
“Dynamo” Kyiv (UKR)
“Besiktas” (TUR)
Stoke City (ENG)
Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR)
Group F
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
“Atletik” (ISP)
Salzburg (ABC)
“Slavic” (LETTERS)
Group G
“Alkmaar” (NID)
“Metalist” (UKR)
“Austria” (ABC)
“Malmo” (SWE)
Group H
“Braga” (POR)
Brugge (BEL)
“Birmingham” (ANG)
“Maribor” (WORD)
Group I
“Atletico” (ISP)
“Udinese” (ITA)
Rennes (FRA)
“Son” (SWE)
Group J
“Schalke-04” (GER)
“Steaua” (RUM)
Maccabi Haifa (ISR)
AEK Larnaca (KIP)
Group K
“Twente” (NID)
“Fulham” (ENG)
“Odense” (DAN)
“Wisla” Krakow (POL)
Group L
“Anderlecht” (BEL)
AEK Athens (GRE)
“Lokomotiv” Moscow (ROS)
“Sturm” (AVS)
**Interview with Football Analyst, Alex Thompson on the Europa League Draw**
**Editor:** Welcome, Alex! The draw for the Europa League group stage just took place in Monaco. What are your initial thoughts on the outcomes?
**Alex Thompson:** Thanks for having me! Monaco always hosts such glamorous events, and this draw was no exception. The matchups are intriguing, but some groups definitely raised eyebrows—especially with teams like Tottenham in Group A. I mean, it’s hard to overlook the mixed reactions that some of the teams must be feeling right now!
**Editor:** Speaking of Group A, how do you think Rubin Kazan and PAOK will perform against stronger teams like Tottenham?
**Alex Thompson:** Both Rubin and PAOK have shown resilience in the past, but they really have their work cut out for them. They’re like that dependable friend—reliable when needed, but can’t quite be deemed favorites. It will be interesting to see if they can rise to the occasion against a high-profile club like Spurs.
**Editor:** The matches kick off on September 15 and continue until December. What should fans be looking out for in the upcoming weeks?
**Alex Thompson:** Well, fans can expect a mix of drama and surprises! Some matches may be electrifying, while others could fall a bit flat. And let’s not forget the added thrill of the knockout stage draw happening on December 16. Who doesn’t love the anticipation of potential matchups? It’s like unwrapping a present on Christmas morning, hoping for something special!
**Editor:** Right! And the final is set for May 9, 2012, in Bucharest. What can we anticipate from the finale?
**Alex Thompson:** Ah, the final! You can expect a lot of emotion and intensity. Bucharest is known for its vibrant football culture, so it should be a fantastic atmosphere. But let’s hope for some skillful plays and not another mishap involving corner flags! Anything can happen in football, but I’m crossing my fingers for a classic showdown.
**Editor:** Thanks, Alex! It sounds like we have some exciting weeks ahead. Any final thoughts for our viewers?
**Alex Thompson:** Enjoy the matches, stay engaged with your teams, and remember to savor every moment. And oh, maybe give Tottenham fans a little extra love, because yes, they might need it!
**Editor:** Great, thanks again for your insights, Alex! We’ll be keeping an eye on the group stage as it unfolds.
