UEFA Europa League trophy

UEFA Europa League quarter and semi-final draw - All You Need To Know

It's the morning after the night before and we've got a UEFA Europa League draw to look forward to this afternoon!

After Thursday night's unforgettable 2-1 round of 16 aggregate win over Spanish challengers Sevilla at London Stadium, we're one of eight clubs in the proverbial hat for Friday's draw - or draws.

That's because the quarter and semi-final draws will both be made at the House of Football at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, from 12.30pm GMT today!

Having finished top of Group H ahead of Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia, Rapid Vienna of Austria and KRC Genk of Belgium with a game to spare, we recovered from a 1-0 first-leg deficit to beat the record six-times winners 2-0 after extra time in east London on an unforgettable evening for anyone of a Claret and Blue persuasion.

You likely have a few questions about Friday's draws, so we'll do our best here to answer them...

 

So, what's the score with Friday's draw?

As we said in the intro, the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League quarter-final and semi-final draws will take place from 12.30pm GMT on Friday 18 March at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

 

How can I follow the draw?

We'll be streaming and blogging the draw on whufc.com and also providing live updates on our social media channels from around 12.20pm on Friday.

We'll then be providing exclusive reaction across our channels too, including our Instagram Live reaction show!

 

West Ham United is one of eight teams in the hat, but who are the other seven?

As if you don't know already?!

But if you are oblivious to the seven other clubs still in the running to be crowned Europa League winners, they are:

Atalanta (ITA)
The Italians finished third in their UEFA Champions League group behind Manchester United and Villarreal, before defeating Olympiacos of Greece and Bayer Leverkusen of Germany in the Europa League to reach the last eight.

Barcelona (ESP)
The Spanish giants also finished third in their Champions League group - behind Bayern Munich and Benfica - before overcoming Napoli of Italy and Galatasaray of Turkey in their two previous Europa League rounds.

Braga (POR)
The Portuguese finished second in Europa League Group F behind Red Star Belgrade, then overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Sheriff Tiraspol on penalties and held off Monaco 3-1 on aggregate to come through to the quarter-finals.

Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)
Like West Ham, Eintracht topped their Europa League group, finishing top of Group D ahead of Olympiacos. That took them directly into the round of 16, where a Martin Hinteregger goal in the final minute of extra time edged them past Manuel Pellegrini's Betis 3-2 on aggregate.

Leipzig (GER)
After finishing third in their Champions League group behind Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, the Germans defeated Real Sociedad of Spain 5-3 on aggregate in the knockout round play-offs, before being given a qyarter-final bye when Russian side Spartak Moscow were expelled from the competition.

Lyon (FRA)
Unbeaten in eight matches in the tournament, Lyon have plundered 18 goals in eight matches, conceding just six. The Ligue 1 side finished well clear at the top of Group A, ahead of Rangers, then held off the challenge of Porto 2-1 on aggregate in the round of 16.

Rangers (SCO)
The Scottish giants have been a revelation in this season's Europa League after edging through in Group A ahead of Sparta Prague. Rangers shocked Borussia Dortmund 6-4 on aggregate after winning 4-2 in Germany, then used a 3-0 home first-leg win over Red Star Belgrade to complete the job in Serbia in the round of 16.

Lyon and Rangers are among the seven clubs we could face
Lyon and Rangers are among the seven clubs we could face

Could we play any of the other seven teams in the quarter-finals?

In a word, yes.

There will be a free draw for the quarter-finals, with ties numbered 1-4 for the semi-final draw that follows. A draw will also be made to determine the 'home' side in the final for administrative reasons.

There are no seedings or country protection. Any restrictions will be announced ahead of the draw.

 

When do the quarter-final and semi-final ties take place?

The quarter-finals kick-off in just three weeks time, with the first leg on Thursday 7 April and the second a week later on Thursday 14 April.

If we make it through, the semi-final first and second legs will take place on Thursday 28 April and Thursday 5 May respectively.

Oh, and just while we're on the topic, the final will be held at Sevilla's Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium on Wednesday 18 May. It would be nice to go back there, wouldn't it?

The competition winners gain a place in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage, if they have not qualified via their domestic competition.