UEFA Europa League: Last 16 live on ITV & BT Sport

The UEFA Europa League is back on ITV and BT Sport this March as the competition reaches the last 16 with only Everton remaining as Britain’s sole representative.

Packed with star quality, multiple national champions, a competition past-master and a host of hungry strikers, Europe’s secondary club competition is set to provide plenty of drama between now and the final in May.

There was plenty of excitement in the round of 32 last month, but out of the four British clubs in action, only Roberto Martinez’s Everton side were able to progress to the last 16.

Despite taking a 1-0 lead to Turkey, Liverpool lost their first European penalty shoot-out as Dejan Lovren was the only man to miss from the spot against Besiktas in Istanbul.

There was no happy return to the Ataturk Stadium, where the Reds famously won the Champions League on penalties against AC Milan in 2005, as Brendan Rodgers’ side exited the Europa League after a torturous affair.

Roberto Soldado’s embarrassing mistake paved the way for Tottenham’s Europa League exit against Fiorentina, though the trip to Florence was always going to be a tough ask for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, given the last-32 tie was poised at 1-1 and their Capital One Cup final against Chelsea loomed large.

Celtic’s Europa League campaign came to a frustrating end with a 1-0 defeat by Inter Milan at the San Siro after Hoops defender Virgil van Dijk was dismissed in the first half, though he Scottish champions were more than holding their own, until the defender was sent off by referee Ivan Kruzliak in the 36th minute after picking up two yellow cards.

ITV and BT Sport have again been sharing live coverage of the UEFA Europa League this season with up to six live games each matchday, including all the key knockout encounters throughout the next few months, building up to the final in May.

Both broadcasters, who began sharing coverage of the competition last year, are in their final season of the current contract to cover live matches from Europe’s secondary club competition, before the live rights pass over to BT Sport exclusively from 2015/16.

ITV Sport will be the place to watch the majority of the top matches featuring British sides as the network has all first and second pick games during the group stage and the entire knockout phase, which will be shown across ITV and ITV4, with the semi-finals and the final in Warsaw exclusively live.

With Liverpool, Tottenham and Celtic all bowing out in the last 32, Everton will fly the flag for Britain in the last 16 and both of their ties against Dynamo Kiev will be broadcast live on ITV and ITV4.

It’s been a tough season for Everton in the Premier League, but the Europa League has been a ray of light and the Toffees who will be hoping to book their spot in the last eight.

Romelu Lukaku scored a hat trick in Everton’s last away day in the competition against Young Boys Bern – a repeat performance tonight would be most welcome for Roberto Martinez’s side, who have been struggling domestically, but have consistently impressed in continental competition.

Mark Pougatch presents ITV’s coverage of the first leg at Goodison Park, with studio analysis from Leighton Baines and Peter Reid. Commentary will be provided by Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend.

ITV’s live match coverage, as well additional video clips, interviews and analysis, is available to watch for free via the ITV website, while a one-hour highlights rounding up all the action from each matchday will be broadcast on Friday evenings on ITV4.

BT Sport will also have live matches from the Europa League knockout stages this spring featuring a number of top teams from the round of 16.

Subscribers can watch the channel’s live matches on BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN via its online streaming service at btsport.com or on the BT Sport app for mobile and tablet devices.

Keep up to date with all the latest UEFA Europa League reports, goal flashes and results by following ITV Football on Twitter @itvfootball and BT Sport’s dedicated football feed @btsportfootball.

Further details of when and where to watch all the 2014/15 UEFA Europa League round of 16 action can be found below.

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