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It's Germany versus Ukraine


SHAKHTAR Donetsk and Dynamo Kiev advanced from the quarterfinals for the first time and will meet in the last four, while Hamburg and Werder Bremen progressed despite failing to win their second legs on Thursday.

Shakhtar defeated former European champion Marseille 2-1 to ease through 4-1 on aggregate, while Kiev beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Ukrainian capital after a scoreless first leg.

Diego scored twice at Udinese to earn Bremen a 3-3 draw and 6-4 total on aggregate.

While there are three English Premier League sides in the Champions League semifinals, the last English UEFA Cup representative, Manchester City, was eliminated by Hamburg 4-3 on aggregate despite winning the second leg 2-1.

"It's unbelievable, to get to the semifinals is fantastic," Hamburg coach Martin Jol said. "Bremen have got probably more experience but we've got a talented team."

The semifinals are on April 30 and May 7. Bremen and Kiev are at home first. The Germany-Ukraine final will be on May 20 in Istanbul.

Hamburg held a 3-1 lead after the first leg in Germany, and Paolo Guerrero extended the advantage by scoring after 12 minutes after City captain Richard Dunne failed to clear Jonathan Pitroipa's low cross.

But Elano responded for City four minutes later from the penalty spot after Piotr Trochowski was adjudged to have the Brazilian's initial shot.

Felipe Caicedo scored City's second in the 50th after being fed by Stephen Ireland. But City was reduced to 10 men in the 75th when defender Richard Dunne was shown a second yellow card for hauling down Ivica Olic.

"It was important we came out and showed people there are things happening here and we have ability," said Mark Hughes manager of City. "When in the future we are able to produce it on a regular basis we will be a very difficult side to overcome. It is the beginning of a long journey."

Udinese had gone ahead in the 15th when Switzerland midfielder Gokhan Inler struck from 35 meters. Diego, who played with a thigh injury, took advantage of a defensive error to equalize in the 28th with a spin move and precise shot.

Fabio Quagliarella restored Udinese's lead in the 30th, beating the offside trap and lifting the ball over charging goalkeeper Tim Wiese.

Quagliarella then made it 4-4 on aggregate by scoring again in the 38th while falling down.

But Diego scored again in the 60th, heading in a rebound after a shot from Hugo Almeida hit the crossbar. Diego has five goals in six UEFA Cup games.

"He's a great player. Every team would like to have a player like that," Udinese's defender Felipe said.

Kwadwo Asamoah banged a long shot off the post for Udinese in the 64th. Diego had a chance for a hat trick but his penalty kick was blocked by Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic in the 72nd. A minute later, Claudio Pizarro scored an insurance goal for Bremen.

Already 3-0 up from last week's home leg, Luis Fernandinho extended Shakhtar's lead after 30 minutes in Marseille when goalkeeper Steve Mandanda failed to cover his near post.



 

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