It was a night of high drama in Europe when perhaps for the first time its second rung competition featuring the also-rans in their local domestic leagues produced a show that put the UEFA Champions League to shame. The UEFA Cup, or the Europa League as it is now known has oft been classified as that competition which none of the bigger clubs really want to win. It is the king of European success that would hurt a resume, because it means that you were not good enough to make the Champions League, but try telling that to the 16 teams who produced 34 goals in the 8 matches last night.

The shock of the round was undoubtedly one of the greatest comebacks that one will ever see as a small London club situated alongside the river Thames, Fulham FC, with no European pedigree to speak of, produced a comeback from 4-1 down on aggregate to hammer four unanswered goals at a ground appropriately named Craven Cottage to shock mighty Juventus.

Barcelona booked their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after a thoroughly dominating performance against VfB Stuttgart at the Camp Nou. The German side, who had given a great account of themselves in the first leg of this last 16 clash, were never in the game and failed to create any sort of impression against the Catalan giants. The eventual margin of 4-0 was a just reflection of the night when the Barca stars ran the German outfit ragged with their inspired play. The manner of the win would surely send down a shiver or two down the spines of the other teams left in the competition with Barca clearly the one team everyone will be hoping to avoid when the draw for the last eight is held on Friday.

Barcelona came into this home leg as overwhelming favourites to go through to the next round and had the advantage of an away goal from the 1-1 draw in Stuttgart. The Catalans were in fine fettle too as they were coming into the match on the back of a fine 3-0 win against Valencia courtesy a hat-trick from Lionel Messi.

Jose Mourinho had the final say in his duel with his previous employers as Inter Milan got through to the UEFA Champions League quarter finals at the expense of Premier League giants Chelsea. A solitary goal from Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o was enough to give the Italian champions a 1-0 win on the night and 3-1 aggregate win in the tie.

Inter rode the period of Chelsea dominance towards the fag end of the first half with some stubborn defending and then made their mark in the attacking sense by bombarding the Chelsea territory stronghold fairly regularly in theirown right. Mourinho's game plan of taking the game to Chelsea worked to the hilt and as their reward his side will make their appearance in the last eight stage of the Champions League.

The London club came into this match at Stamford Bridge trailing the Italian champions 2-1 from the first leg but had an outstanding home record to suggest that they would be favourites to join fellow English clubs Manchester United and Arsenal into the quarter-finals. Jose Mourinho on the other hand, made his much talked about return to his old stomping ground with a slender but crucial lead from the first leg. Inter were the sole flag bearers for Italy after Fiorentina and rivals AC Milan crashed out of the tournament last week.

The Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League kicked off on Thursday night with the likes of Hamburg, Juventus and Standard Liege almost assuring themselves a place in the next round. There were, however, a fair share of interesting results with Liverpool losing to French minnows Lille and a host of teams drawing games.

The English ambassadors in the Europa League had a disappointing night in Europe. Favourites and 3-time UEFA Cup winners Liverpool lost out to French side Lille OSC in France. An 84th minute goal from Belgian Eden Hazard sealed a historic win for Lille and gave them an important advantage in the tie. Liverpool failed to score for the second consecutive game (read more) despite the likes of Torres and Gerrard starting the game. 1000kms down south in Europe, London club Fulham lost out to Italian Giants Juventus in Turin thanks to first half goals from defenders Nicola Legrrottaglie and Johnathan Zebina and veteran striker David Trezeguet. Fulham did pull one back before Trezeguet's goal through Dickson Etuhu but the Italians were on their game and never really let Roy Hodgson's side settle. At 3-1, Juventus are red hot favourites to make it to the quarter finals but the away goal for Fulham gives them that glimmer of hope in the tie.