Sparta Prague-Villarreal CF GAMETHREAD

April 14 has had some key moments in recent Villarreal history.  The second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Arsenal was played in El Madrigal on that date ten years ago (not so good), while three years ago, Manu Trigueros's headed goal on the stroke of full-time earned the Submarine a point against a time-wasting Real Murcia and kept us on the road to promotion from the Segunda.  And now, only three years later, Villarreal play Sparta Prague for a place in the Europa League semifinal.

Over 400 Villarreal fans have made the trip, including members of Penya El Madrigal; Celtic Submari members who can't make it are watching at their new clubhouse, with lots of hot dogs and beer, and Villarreal USA members are glued to TV or computer screens around the globe.

Here are the teams:

Villarreal: Areola, Mario, Eric Bailly, Victor Ruiz, Rukavina, Bruno, Trigueros, Castillejo, Denis, Soldado and Bakambu

Sparta Prague: Bičik; Konaté, Mareček, Kováč, Frydek; Matèjovsky, Dočkal; Fatai, Krejči; Lafata, Julis