Europa League Draw and other Sports News – 25th August 2011

After the 4 English Clubs Stoke, Birmingham, Fulham & Tottenham secured their passage in the Europa League group stage Friday brought about the Europa League draw where teams & fans would play in the group stages.

In Group A Spurs have set up a tie with Irish club Shamrock Rovers, Russian side Rubin Kazan & PAOL Salonika. The toughest trip for Tottenham will be having to take a 6 hour flight to Russia to face Kazan, however the short hop to ireland will certainly make up for their long Russia trip.

The next group to feature an English club is Group E where Stoke will face difficult trips to the Ukraine, Turkey & Israel when they begin their first Europena competition for over 30 years. They will face Dynamo Kiev, Besiktas & Maccabi Tel-Aviv and if the travelling to these clubs wasn’t difficult enough the teams in their group have plenty of European Pedigree. The only non Barclays Premier League team in the Europa League Birmingham City were drawn in Group H. They have been drawn alongside Braga, Club Brugge & Rangers conquerers Maribor.

The remaining English club to be drawn was Fulham who have had the longest qualification of the English clubs after entering at the first stage. They were drawn in Group K with FC Twente, Odense & Wisla Krakow. None of the English clubs have necessarily easy draws but all will be hoping to get to the knockout stages of the Europa League.

In other Football news QPR have completed the signing of Joey Barton from Newcastle on a Free Transfer. Barton had been available on a Free Transfer since his famous “Tweets” on Twitter where he criticised the club & their transfer policy. Barton comes to QPR after picking up 2 yellow cards in 2 games so far this season, but could prove to be a vital signing if he can keep his personal issues at bay.

After completing the loan signing of Emmanuel Adeybayor from Man City they have made a transfer rumour by making an approach for West Ham’s Scott Parker. Parker has been rumoured to be leaving the Championship club since they were relegated last summer and is rumoured to be available for around £8million.

And finally in Cricket News the ECB have revealed that Kevin Pietersen will be rested for the One Day series with India. The resting of 1 of the star players comes as no surprise as the ECB has already mentioned that they wish to rest players to avoid fatigue and Injury. It is also a great opportunity to allow some of the upcoming England Lions to play for the first team with Ben Stokes & Alex Hales tipped to replace Pietersen.

That wraps up another day of stories on sporting events be sure to check back tomorrow for more Real Sporting News.

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