Valencia, Wolfsburg reaches European League quarterfinals
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Bremen were knocked out of the quarterfinals of the Europa League after being held by Valencia to a 4-4 draw at home on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Christian Gentner sent Wolfsburg through to the quarterfinals with his late winner at extra time.
Two minutes into the match at Weser stadium, Valencia opened the scoring with their first opportunity. Striker David Villa finished from inside the penalty area into bottom left.
Valencia doubled their lead in the 15th minute and Bremen pulled one goal back in the 26th minute through substitue Hugo Almeida.
Both teams then staged an exchange of offensive actions. Valencia was more accurate and extended the lead through Villa minutes before break. Villa utilized a long pass into path by midfielder David Silva to make it 3-1.
At the 57th minute Bremen midfielder Thorsten Frings converted a penalty kick to close the deficit after Valencia midfielder Jordi Alba fouled Bremen midfielder Marko Marin inside penalty area.
Bremen kept it up and was rewarded at the 62nd minute when midfielder Marko Marin equalized 3-3 with a right-footed work.
Bremen pilled on the pressure and pressed frantically for the lead. But, Villa brought Valencia up front again after he marked his hat-rick right footed in the 65th minute.
Six minutes before final whistle Bremen striker Claudio Pizzaro headed home to make it 4-4.
Bremen needed only one goal to progress and referee Kevin Blom added five minutes injury time. Nonetheless, Bremen was unable to turn around.
Also on Thursday, Wolfsburg started with a goal-scoring scene in the 15th minute against Rubin Kazan. Wolfsburg midfielder Ashkan Dejagah failed to overcame Kazan goalkeeper from close range after a perfect cross by striker Edin Dzeko from the right wing.
Only six minutes later midfielder Alan Kasaev brought Kazan the lead. Unmarked Alan Kasaev netted left footed from six meter.
Wolfsburg started highly motivated into second half. With 58 minutes on the clock Wolfsburg were rewarded for their good actions when striker Obafemi Martins nodded home the equalizer from close distance.
Due to the 2-2 on aggregate extra time had to bring the decision. Kazan defender Cesar Navas was sent off 109 minutes into the match after he booked his second yellow card.
Seconds before the end of extra time Wolfsburg midfielder Christian Gentner hammered a well-placed winner into bottom left.
The draw for the European League quarterfinals and Champions League semifinals will take place on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland.
