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Benitez still focused onc Europe
18:45, Dec 18 2009
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has vowed to take the Europa League seriously after being handed a tough draw against Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni in the last 32.
Like the Reds the Romanians exited the Champions League group stages having finished third behind Sevilla and Stuttgart - and ahead of Rangers - and Benitez knows they will pose a threat.
"For me it is too early [to talk about it] because we know we will play in February so we have plenty of time to prepare and learn about the other team," said the Spaniard. "It will be tough. Unirea won the league in their country and were in a tough group with Sevilla and Stuttgart - I have some friends in Sevilla so maybe I'll be in touch with them."
He added: "We have to progress if we can and then it is an opportunity to win a trophy and we will try to do it.''
Fulham's incentive against Shakhtar is a glamour tie for the winner against Ajax or Juventus in the next round, while Everton's last 16 opponents would be Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray should they beat Sporting.
Cottagers manager Roy Hodgson believes his side have been handed one of the toughest Europa League draws. The Ukrainian side beat Werder Bremen in the final of Europe's second competition last season before its name and format changed this summer.
He said: "It doesn't get much harder than playing the champions I suppose. We saw last year what a good team they are. Last year was a great success for Ukrainian football with Dinamo Kiev reaching the semi-final as well so we couldn't have asked for a much tougher draw.''
Everton boss David Moyes has welcomed the prospect of a return to Lisbon in the knockout phase of the Europa League.
Moyes' side were thrashed 5-0 by Benfica when they visited the Portuguese capital in the group stages of the competition in October. Having recovered from that trip to qualify for the last 32, Everton today learned they will now play Sporting Lisbon in February.
Moyes said: "I'm looking forward to it, back to Lisbon again. Last time we went there was disappointing but this time we will hopefully go there with a full team and be able to put on a better show."
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more
Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more
France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris. more
Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ended an emotional week on a huge high as his team ruthlessly hammered Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane. more
England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
