Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 333: UEL Round Of 32 Draw 2

The UEFA headquarters in Nyon hummed with anticipation, the Europa League round of 32 draw reaching its second half.

The polished stage gleamed under bright lights, the large screen behind displaying the matchups so far—

Benfica vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Bordeaux vs. Dynamo Kyiv

Chelsea vs. Sparta Prague

FCSB vs. Ajax

Fenerbahçe vs. BATE Borisov

Hannover 96 vs. AZ Alkmaar

Liverpool vs. Zenit

Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Levante

Napoli vs. CFR Cluj

The crowd of officials and media shifted in their seats, their murmurs a steady buzz. Marco Rossi stood at the center, his suit crisp, his smile unwavering. Luis García and Pierre van Hooijdonk flanked him, their hands ready over the glass bowls.

In Benjamin’s apartment, the air was thick with excitement. The red and white AZ Alkmaar scarf on the couch seemed to glow under the TV’s light, the half-eaten pizza on the coffee table forgotten.

Benjamin sat on the edge of the sofa, his mismatched socks—one blue, one black—dangling as he leaned forward. Adam stayed cross-legged on the floor, his energy drink can empty, his phone silent now as he focused on the screen.

Marco’s voice rang out, steady and clear. "Let’s continue. Luis, the next seeded team, please."

Luis stepped forward, his graying beard catching the light. He dipped his hand into Pot 1, the balls clacking softly, and pulled one out. He twisted it open, unfolding the paper with a quick flick. "Inter."

The crowd buzzed, Inter’s name stirring noise. The screen flashed their blue and black logo. Marco nodded, turning to Pierre. "Pierre, Inter’s opponent."

Pierre reached into Pot 2, his tall frame looming over the bowl. He fished out a ball, cracking it open with a grin. "Dnipro."

The screen updated: Inter vs. Dnipro. The crowd clapped, cameras flashing. Benjamin leaned back, pizza slice in hand, chewing slowly. "Inter’s got that in the bag. Dnipro’s tough, but not at the San Siro."

Adam set his can down, nodding. "Yeah, Inter’s too strong. Dnipro might nick a goal, but that’s it."

Marco kept the pace, his voice smooth. "Next seeded team, Luis."

Luis grabbed another ball, his movements swift. He opened it, holding up the paper. "Plzeň."

Pierre dipped into Pot 2, his hand quick. He twisted the ball open, reading with a nod. "Basel."

The matchup flashed: Plzeň vs. Basel. The room’s energy stayed high, the draw nearing its end. Adam scratched his head, glancing at Benjamin. "Plzeň at home second leg—that’s good for them. Basel’s dangerous, though."

Benjamin swallowed his bite, shrugging. "Basel’s got pace, but Plzeň’s solid. Could go either way."

Luis reached again, his expression calm. "Genk."

Pierre pulled a ball from Pot 2, his grin flashing. "Stuttgart."

The screen showed: Genk vs. Stuttgart. The crowd murmured, the matchup sparking chatter. Benjamin sat up, eyes wide. "Genk and Stuttgart—that’s a scrap. Both teams love to attack."

Adam chuckled, stretching his legs. "Yeah, that’ll be goals galore. Stuttgart might edge it, though."

Marco’s voice cut through. "Let’s keep going. Luis, the next seeded team."

Luis dipped into Pot 1, pulling out a ball. He opened it, his voice steady. "Lazio."

Pierre reached into Pot 2, his fingers quick. He cracked the ball open, reading with a nod. "Borussia Mönchengladbach."

The screen updated: Lazio vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach. The crowd clapped, the matchup drawing a ripple of excitement. Benjamin whistled, grabbing another pizza slice. "Lazio versus Gladbach—that’s a big one. Lazio’s got the edge at home."

Adam agreed, his voice thoughtful. "Gladbach’s got quality, though. That’ll be tight."

The draw pressed on. Luis pulled Lyon from Pot 1, and Pierre paired them with Tottenham. The screen flashed: Lyon vs. Tottenham. The room buzzed louder—Tottenham’s name always stirred noise. Benjamin leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Tottenham away first leg—that’s tough for Lyon. Spurs are nasty on the counter."

Adam nodded, sipping his drink. "Lyon’s got flair, though. Could be a belter at Stade de Gerland." ƒreewebɳovel.com

Luis reached again, his hand steady. "Metalist Kharkiv."

Pierre pulled a ball, his grin wide. "Newcastle."

The matchup appeared: Metalist Kharkiv vs. Newcastle. The crowd’s murmurs grew, the draw nearing its close. Benjamin scratched his chin, pizza forgotten again. "Metalist at home second leg—they’ll like that. Newcastle’s got fight, though."

Adam smirked, setting his can down. "Newcastle’s scrappy. That’ll be a battle."

Marco’s voice rang out. "We’re almost there. Luis, the next seeded team."

Luis dipped into Pot 1, pulling out a ball. He opened it, his voice calm. "Rubin Kazan."

Pierre reached into Pot 2, his hand quick. He twisted the ball open, reading with a nod. "Atlético Madrid."

The screen showed: Rubin Kazan vs. Atlético Madrid. The crowd erupted, the matchup a blockbuster. Benjamin jumped up, pizza slice falling to the floor. "Atlético! That’s huge! Rubin’s got no chance!"

Adam laughed, shaking his head. "Rubin’s tough at home, mate, but Atlético’s a machine. Falcao will eat them alive."

The draw was nearly done, only a few balls left. Luis pulled Atlético Madrid from Pot 1, and Pierre paired them with Rubin Kazan—a repeat matchup due to the draw’s structure, but Marco clarified the dates would differ. The screen updated: Atlético Madrid vs. Rubin Kazan. Benjamin sat back down, still buzzing. "Same tie, different legs. Atlético’s got this."

Adam nodded, his voice steady. "Rubin will fight, but Atlético’s too good."

Luis reached again, his expression calm. "Borussia Mönchengladbach."

Pierre pulled a ball, reading with a grin. "Lazio."

The matchup flashed: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Lazio—another repeat due to the draw’s format. The crowd murmured, the symmetry drawing chatter. Benjamin grinned, nudging Adam. "Same again! Lazio and Gladbach, flipped. That’s funny."

Adam chuckled, stretching his arms. "Yeah, UEFA’s keeping it balanced. Still a tough tie."

The final draws came quick. Luis pulled Basel from Pot 1, and Pierre paired them with Dnipro. The screen updated: Basel vs. Dnipro. Then Inter vs. CFR Cluj, Newcastle vs. Metalist Kharkiv, Stuttgart vs. Genk, and Tottenham vs. Lyon—all repeats due to the draw’s structure. Marco clarified the scheduling, ensuring no overlap.

The last matchup was Ajax vs. FCSB, another repeat. The screen finalized the draw, showing all ties:

Benfica vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Bordeaux vs. Dynamo Kyiv

Chelsea vs. Sparta Prague

FCSB vs. Ajax

Fenerbahçe vs. BATE Borisov

Hannover 96 vs. AZ Alkmaar

Liverpool vs. Zenit

Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Levante

Napoli vs. CFR Cluj

Inter vs. Dnipro

Plzeň vs. Basel

Genk vs. Stuttgart

Lazio vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach

Lyon vs. Tottenham

Metalist Kharkiv vs. Newcastle

Rubin Kazan vs. Atlético Madrid

Marco stepped forward, his smile wide. "That concludes the draw for the Europa League round of 32! The first legs will be on February 14, with return legs on February 21. Thank you, Luis and Pierre, and good luck to all the teams!"