Event of the Day: UEFA Europa League Final
Our event of the day is the UEFA Europa League Final between Atlético Madrid and Marseille at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon, France. This matchup should be fast and exiting as both teams feature explosive scorers and exciting players. With two French stars leading both team’s attacks, Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann, this battle on their home French soil should be thrilling. Marseille also may have a little extra motivation as they could secure the first French Europa League victory in tournament history with a win. Both teams are in decent form after taking down their previous opponents on aggregate goals. Marseille snuck by Salzburg 3-2 with a 2-0 victory followed by a 2-1 loss. Atlético also had a grinding semi-final matchup against Arsenal advancing on a 1-0 second leg victory fuelled by a Diego Costa goal after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
The key to both teams winning will be shutting down the opponent’s deadly attackers.Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann are some of the quickest and most creative players in football and will keep defenders on their heels for 90 minutes. However the biggest deciding factor for the game may be the play of Diego Costa. His physicality and finishing ability has proved deadly when paired with Griezmann in the dual striker formation Diego Simeone will most likely field today. This should be a riveting fixture with potential for multiple goals on both sides, and an event that any football fan will be disappointed to miss.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NHL Playoffs Western Conference Finals matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Winnipeg Jets at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The series is split at 1-1 following a Jets 4-2 win in the series opener and a 3-1 Knights victory in the second matchup. Both of the first two games were played in Winnipeg, so if the Knights can protect their home court they are well on their way towards being the first expansion team ever to reach the Stanley Cup Final in their first season. Other exciting matchups today include Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between the 1st and 2nd seed, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors, at the Toyota Center, a MLS game between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place, and an MLB regular season game between the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field. The IPL season also continues as the Mumbai Indians play the Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium. The Giro d’Italia stage 11, from Assisi to Osimo takes place, and the Woman’s and Men’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia tournament continues at Foro Italico.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by UEFA