Steaua serene after night of drama

FC Steaua Bucuresti coach Cosmin Olaroiu believes divine intervention may have played a part as his side joined FC Schalke 04, Middlesbrough FC and Sevilla FC in the UEFA Cup semi-finals on an emotional night.

Steaua progress
A goalless draw at the Lia Manoliu stadium steered Steaua into the last four on away goals, thanks to the 1-1 draw at AFC Rapid Bucuresti last week, and Olaroiu was adamant there was nothing to separate the teams over two legs - except, perhaps, a little assistance from above. "For the first time ever we are all happy - me, the players and the fans - with a 0-0 draw," he said. "Both sides deserved to qualify. Rapid were in no way inferior and maybe God decided that Steaua should go through."

'Maybe God decided'
Olaroiu's opposite number, Razvan Lucescu, made a swift exit from his post-match press conference, saying: "I am only staying here for 30 seconds because words are meaningless. Rapid are a sensational team and I am proud of being their coach. We went down bravely."

'Make it count'
Steaua will face Middlesbrough in the semi-finals after the English club overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit with a 4-1 home win against FC Basel 1893. "I can't praise the players and fans enough," said manager Steve McClaren. "I don't think Middlesbrough will have a better night in our history. It's an incredible evening for the club and English football. It's no good just getting to the semi-finals - we absolutely have to take this opportunity."

'A lot of good will'
Basel coach Christian Gross was left to rue defensive lapses. "All four goals conceded were not really necessary and therefore hurt even more," he said. "Of course, we are very disappointed but overall we have earned a lot of good will for our club and Swiss football in this campaign."

Special moment
A 1-1 draw against FC Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia sealed Sevilla's passage to their first European semi-final. "This is a time for savouring the moment but in two weeks it will be the semi-finals and we will continue to pursue our aim of getting to the final," said victorious coach Juande Ramos. Zenit boss Vlastimil Petrzela added: "Before this UEFA Cup campaign, I told the board it would be a miracle if we got to the quarter-finals. Next time I will say it will be a miracle if we win it. I am nothing but proud of my players."

'Class told'
The Spanish side will play Schalke in the last four as they progressed 4-2 on aggregate despite being held to a 1-1 draw in Gelsenkirchen by PFC Levski Sofia. Schalke coach Mirko Slomka said: "It was not exactly pleasant viewing but all we wanted was a place in the next round and sometimes you have to go about things in a different manner. We rallied in the second half and the players' class came through when it was needed."

Stoilov saddened
Levski coach Stanimir Stoilov said: "We could have won this game, but we lost the tie a week ago in Sofia. Still, we have played 14 matches in the UEFA Cup this season and we've proved we are moving in the right direction." The semi-final first legs take place on 20 April with the return fixtures scheduled for 27 April. The final will be contested in Eindhoven on 10 May.