Manchester City eventually win 3-2 on the night (agg 3-3) but are out on the away goals rule. All British clubs are out of the Europa League now for this season.

Quarter-finals (29 March & 5 April)
1: AZ Alkmaar (NED) v Valencia CF (ESP)
2: FC Schalke 04 (GER) v Athletic Club (ESP)
3: Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) v FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR)
4: Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) v Hannover 96 (GER)

Which 1st leg tie is Channel 5 going to show? Schalke v Bilbao should be the most attractive one in my opinion.

I'm hoping that Channel 5 show Athletic Bilbao. The football they played in the two legs against United was some of the best I've seen all season and hopefully we'll get another couple of chances to watch them again.

Yes, that tie does look the most attractive out of the four. But to be honest I wouldn't be against the idea of C5 following Athletic Bilbao right the way to the end now, assuming they go all the way.

My new 'second favourite team.'

And probably in most people's. But I think Five will go for AZ v Valencia as it is a better sell commercially.

I think we can all agree that Sporting v Metallist will be the last pick.

Graham Taylor was on holiday doing what?

29/03 20:05 ITV4 Atlético Madrid v Hannover 96 (confirmed)
29/03 20:05 ESPN AZ Alkmaar v Valencia (confirmed)
29/03 20:05 FIVE Schalke 04 v Athletic Bilbao (logical conclusion)

Confirmed

http://liveonsat.com/LJ_foot_uefa_europa.php

That's because I inserted it there.

Tottenham, Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool are in the semi finals of the FA Cup. Liverpool have already qualified for the Europa League next season, but winning the cup would mean entry to a later round. It looks likely that one of the cup places will transfer to the league.

Same three on Tv on Thursday but ITV and ESPN switch matches

Amazing that Channel 5 has chosen the only tie that's virtually over. They really seem to be in love with Bilbao now...

If Liverpool win the FA Cup, then Cardiff will get Europa League (I think).

No, they won't. Only the losing FA Cup finalist qualifies for Europe, not the losing League Cup finalist. The League Cup berth would revert back to the league.

Cardiff can't play in Europe anyway, Welsh teams can only qualify through their own league and cups.

This was clarified a couple of weeks ago - any team in the English league system is eligible to qualify for Europe via English competitions: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17459332

Therefore, the only inconsistency left for Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and co. is that their disciplinary matters (appeals against red cards, etc) are handled by the Welsh FA rather than the English.

19/04 20:05 FIVE Sporting v Athletic Bilbao
19/04 20:05 ESPN Atlético Madrid v Valencia

This is ESPN's last Europa League game for this season, as ITV has 2nd pick for the return leg.

I know Bilbao are everyone's new 2nd team after their displays against United, but I'd have thought the other semi would have been more attractive?

I'd say so, but before the first leg of the QF Rosenthal declared that Athletic were now "Channel 5's team"

They may also go for the angle of "United and City's conquerors go head to head" or some silly link

At least it's an international game...

Bilbao are a bloody good team to watch, obvious match to pick.

How many viewers did Channel 5 have for the final?

Where can I find overnight figures for all the main channels? BARB.co.uk only seems to have weekly summaries.

Nothing yet but http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/tvratings has regular updates.

Last night's game brought in an average audience of 1.39m including +1. That covers the full 3 hour coverage including the 45 minute buildup.

The peak audience was 1.85m / 7.2% share.

Source: http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/rating...&contentID=988

Does the new deal from next season include the playoff round?