Liverpool will play Serie A side Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals while Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen take on West Ham United after the draw was held at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on Friday.
Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool are on the hunt for another trophy before the manager leaves at the end of the season, and could be on course to face Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen in the final.
Alonso, a former Liverpool midfielder, is one of the men tipped to replace Klopp at Anfield.
Liverpool previously faced Atalanta in the group stage of the 2020-21 Champions League, losing 2-0 at home but enjoying a 5-0 victory in Italy.
“Tricky, Atalanta, we played them, it’s not like I watched them 500 times since then, but still the same manager, similar structure, so it means uncomfortable to play against, very well organised,” Klopp told a press conference on Friday.
“But it’s quarter-finals, I didn’t expect, with all the teams involved, any easy opponent.”
AC Milan are looking to win the trophy for the first time and they will face last season’s beaten finalists AS Roma in an all-Italian clash.
Milan are second in Serie A, 16 points behind Inter Milan, while Roma are down in fifth, but they are a rejuvenated side since Daniele De Rossi replaced Jose Mourinho, with six wins in eight league games.
Benfica were drawn against French side Olympique de Marseille, and both clubs have reached the final of the competition three times. The winners of that quarter-final will face either Liverpool or Atalanta in the semis.
The other semi-final will see an Italian side, Milan or Roma, come up against Bayer Leverkusen or West Ham.
West Ham won last season’s Conference League and reached the semi-final of the Europa League in 2022, but they face a tough task against Leverkusen. The German side are unbeaten across 37 games in all competitions this season.
Leverkusen, 10 points clear in the Bundesliga, kept their unbeaten run going and scraped through to the quarter-finals on Thursday when they came from 2-0 down to beat Qarabag 3-2, ensuring a 5-4 aggregate win.
The Europa League final will be held on May 22 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
In the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa will face Lille, currently fourth in Ligue 1, in the quarter-finals.
The winner of that tie will meet the victor between Olympiacos and Fenerbahce in the semi-final.
Last year’s finalists Fiorentina take on Czech side Viktoria Plzen while Club Brugge play PAOK of Greece in the other quarter-final.
QUARTER-FINALS
Quarter final 1: AC Milan v AS Roma
Quarter final 2: Liverpool v Atalanta
Quarter final 3: Bayer Leverkusen v West Ham United
Quarter final 4: Benfica v Olympique de Marseille
First legs: April 11
Second legs: April 18
SEMI-FINAL DRAW
Semi-final 1: Benfica/Marseille v Liverpool/Atalanta
Semi-final 2: AC Milan/Roma v Bayer Leverkusen/West Ham
The UAE Men’s National Cricket Team is heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a major boost, as STARTRADER has been announced as its Official Partner for the global tournament.
The renewed partnership means STARTRADER’s branding will feature on the official UAE team jerseys throughout the World Cup, which kicks off on February 7, 2026, across India and Sri Lanka.
The agreement was signed in Dubai on Wednesday, January 14, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations, including Emirates Cricket Board COO Subhan Ahmad, ECB Board Member Zayed Abbas, STARTRADER CEO Peter Karsten, and UAE Men’s Captain Muhammad Waseem.
STARTRADER CEO Peter Karsten said the collaboration builds on the company’s earlier sponsorship of the UAE team during the Asia Cup, but with an even stronger commitment this time around.
“We know that cricket has a way of reminding us what commitment, trust and growth can achieve,” Karsten said.
“Continuing this partnership reflects our belief in long-term support for communities and in the human spirit driving both the game and the markets.”
He added that the partnership mirrors STARTRADER’s core values, where trust in strategy and teamwork plays a vital role in achieving sustainable growth, whether on the pitch or in global markets.
STARTRADER is regulated by five international authorities, including the SCA, ASIC, FSCA, FSA and FSC, reinforcing its focus on transparency, trust and long-term growth for its clients.
Emirates Cricket Board COO Subhan Ahmad welcomed the renewed partnership, describing it as a relationship that goes beyond sport.
“We are delighted to welcome STARTRADER as our Official Partner for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” he said.
“This partnership reflects shared values of discipline, focus and resilience, and aligns perfectly with our vision as the UAE team continues to perform on the world stage.”
Dubai is about to serve up something big on the global sports stage. The Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) has announced Dubai as the permanent opening destination of its brand-new international championship, the Beach World Series, which will launch for the first time in November 2026.
The announcement was made during the World Sports Summit, following the signing of a five-year strategic partnership between the Dubai Sports Council and FIVB, a move that further cements Dubai’s reputation as a leading host of major global sporting events.
A new model for global sport
Under the agreement, Dubai will become the first city in the world to host a permanent opening stop of the Beach World Series, setting a new benchmark for global championships that combine elite competition with entertainment, culture, and fan engagement.
The series introduces an innovative format that blends high-level beach volleyball with music, interactive experiences, and a vibrant beach atmosphere, offering something beyond traditional sporting events.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of senior officials from the Dubai Sports Council, with signatures from Guido Betti, Chief Business Officer of Volleyball World, and Eisa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council.
Ten global destinations
The Beach World Series will span 10 international destinations, each bringing its own identity and local flavour to the competition. Dubai’s role as the opening city positions it at the heart of this global journey, showcasing beach volleyball as both an elite sport and a shared cultural experience.
Additional host cities are expected to be announced in the coming months as the Beach World Series expands across globally recognised sports and entertainment hubs.
Fireworks, flair and firsts, DP World ILT20 Season 4 delivered a finale to remember as the Desert Vipers lifted their maiden title, crushing MI Emirates by 46 runs at a packed Dubai International Stadium.
While the trophy glittered, the spotlight also shone brightly on the league’s iconic signature belts, with star performances keeping fans guessing right up to the final ball.
Leading the charge was Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran, who produced a season for the ages, sweeping both the Red Belt (Most Valuable Player) and the Green Belt (Best Batter). Calm under pressure and devastating with the bat, Curran’s unbeaten 74 in the final sealed the Vipers’ historic triumph and underlined his status as the league’s standout performer.
The Vipers walked away not just with silverware but a $700,000 winners’ purse and the Black Belt, while runners-up MI Emirates earned $300,000 for another strong campaign.
Red Belt: Sam Curran (Desert Vipers)
Curran piled up 397 runs, while snapping seven wickets, taking 10 catches and finishing with a tournament-high 691 points. It was dominance, delivered with leadership.
Green Belt: Sam Curran (Desert Vipers)
With 397 runs at a strike rate of 135, Curran topped the batting charts, smashing 17 sixes and proving clutch when it mattered most.
White Belt: Waqar Salamkheil (Dubai Capitals)
Spin wizard Waqar Salamkheil claimed the bowling honours with 18 wickets at an economy of 7.66, earning his second White Belt in ILT20 history.
Blue Belt: Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates)
UAE stalwart Muhammad Waseem continued his incredible run, securing the Blue Belt for a fourth straight season after scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 132.
With unforgettable moments, top performances, and a champion crowned, DP World ILT20 Season 4 once again proved why it’s one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world of cricket.
