Europa League and Conference League Semi-Final Lineups Confirmed
The quarter-final stage of both the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League came to a thrilling conclusion last night — and what a night it was. Drama, passion, extra time battles, and, yes, a few surprises that defied all pre-match predictions.
As the dust settles, we now know the final four teams in each competition — and it’s safe to say that the Scandinavian underdogs have stolen the spotlight.
Europa League: Glimt Stun Lazio, United Cruise On
In one of the most breathtaking comebacks in recent memory, Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt turned their tie against Italian giants Lazio into an instant classic. Having won the first leg 2-0 at home, Glimt were stunned in Rome as Lazio pulled level with a 2-0 of their own, forcing extra time.
There, it looked all but over when Lazio went 3-0 up. But the Norwegians, known for their relentless attacking spirit, pulled one back and then kept their cool in the penalty shootout — clinching a spot in the semi-finals in stunning fashion.
The Europa League semi-final matchups are now set: Tottenham Hotspur will face Bodø/Glimt, while Athletic Bilbao go up against tournament favourites Manchester United.
Conference League: Djurgården Defy the Odds
Meanwhile, in the UEFA Europa Conference League, Swedish outfit Djurgården delivered an equally astonishing turnaround. After a disappointing 0-1 home defeat to Rapid Vienna, few gave the Swedes much of a chance in the return leg.
But football, as always, writes its own script. Djurgården came out firing in Vienna, won the match 2-1 in regular time, and then scored twice more in extra time to knock out the Austrians and reach their first-ever European semi-final.
The final four now lines up as follows: Real Betis will meet Fiorentina, while Chelsea — making an unexpected deep run in this competition — take on the fearless Djurgården.
When Are the Semi-Finals?
Both the Europa League and Conference League semi-finals will be played across two legs, on May 1st and May 8th.
