UEFA Europa League Semifinals Set
Athletic Club and Manchester United are set to meet again in a European semifinal, adding a new chapter to a rivalry that already has some history. The two sides have faced each other twice before, for a total of four matches, with the balance pretty even.
The first encounter came in the quarterfinals of the 1956/57 European Cup. In the first leg, the Basque side grabbed a 5–3 win at San Mamés, with a brace from Ignacio Uribe and goals by Félix Marcaida, Armando Merodio, and José Luis Arteche. But the return leg at Old Trafford saw the English team bounce back with a 3–0 win to move on.
They met again in the Round of 16 of the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League, where Athletic Club came out on top with two wins: 2–3 in England and 2–1 in Bilbao, in one of the most unforgettable nights under coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Nordic surprise: Tottenham vs Bodø/Glimt
The other semifinal is a completely new matchup. Tottenham Hotspur will take on Bodø/Glimt, who made history by becoming the first Norwegian team to ever reach the semifinals of a European competition. There’s no previous record of clashes between these two clubs in European play.
The Norwegian side has been the tournament’s biggest surprise and will be looking to keep the dream alive against the Londoners, who come in as favourites—but they’ll need to stay sharp against a fearless underdog with nothing to lose.
UEFA Europa League Semifinals (May 1 & 8):
- Athletic Club vs Manchester United
- Tottenham vs Bodø/Glimt