Next step is surely the big league for striker who scored twice in Europa final, but will it be with Atletico Madrid or will other suitors gather?

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Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente celebrates after he scored against SCP Sporting during their Europa League yesterday

Llorente takes Athletic Bilbao through to all-Spanish Europa League final

A dramatic winner from Fernando Llorente with two minutes to go sent Athletic Bilbao through to the Europa League final, where they will face fellow Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

Major search under way for missing fisherman

A major air and sea search is under way for a fisherman missing off the west coast.

Falcao gave Atletico the lead at the Vicente Calderon in the 18th minute, reacting quickly to head in from close range

Europa League: Radamel Falcao restores some Madrid pride by helping Atletico to win over Valencia

Real Madrid might have been beaten in the Champions League this week but neighbours Atletico took a step towards the final of the Europa League last night with a 4-2 win at home over Valencia in their semi-final first leg, Colombian striker Radamel Falcao scoring twice.

Cristiano Ronaldo's swerving 30-yard free-kick gave the visitors the lead on 25 minutes was a rare moment of quality in a disjointed first half

Cristiano Ronaldo inspires Real Madrid to derby triumph

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his seventh hat-trick of the season as Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico 4-1 to restore their four-point lead at the top of the Primera Division.

Valencia wants operation delay

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia – who helped the club stay top of the league with a goal at Blackburn on Monday night – is to ask the club to postpone an operation he is scheduled to undergo at the end of the season so he can play for Ecuador in their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia in June.

<b>Blackburn 0-2 Manchester United </b><br/>
Antonio Valencia celebrates after opening the scoring against Blackburn Rovers. The breakthrough came with just 10 minutes of the game remaining after a resiliant display by the hosts.

Manchester United team-mates heap praise on Antonio Valencia

Manchester United duo Ashley Young and Rafael have joined forces to heap praise on team-mate Antonio Valencia.

Antonio Valencia celebrates his goal against Blackburn Rovers with teammate Danny Welbeck at Ewood Park

Antonio Valencia at centre of every threat posed by champions Manchester United

There are worse men to be dependent on than Luis Antonio Valencia. For 80 minutes last night he created almost every Manchester United chance, the best attacker in a team desperate to extend their lead at the top of the league.

Whitewash at Wolves as United walk through makeshift 10-man side

Wolves 0 Manchester United 5

Athletic Bilbao rewarded with Schalke tie after defeating Manchester United

Athletic Bilbao, conquerors of Manchester United, will face German side Schalke in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Scientists create new orange superjuice to help beat heart disease

A sweet Spanish orange that contains the health-giving red pigments of the Sicilian blood orange has been created by scientists who believe the fruit will produce a "superjuice" that helps to combat a range of medical disorders, from obesity and heart disease to irritable bowel syndrome.

Peter Crouch rises highest to extend Stoke’s lead against Swansea

Swansea's style no match for Stoke's set-pieces

Stoke City 2 Swansea City 0

Kenwyne Jones missed two good chances as Stoke were
knocked out

Pulis takes pride as Jonas calls a halt on Stoke's great adventure

Valencia 1 Stoke City 0 (Valencia win 2-0 on aggregate)

Valencia's Jonas, right, celebrates after scoring against Stoke City

Jonas ends Stoke's European adventure

Valencia 1 Stoke City 0 (Valencia win 2-0 on aggregate)

The sporting week ahead (19/02/12)

Today

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Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

'Independent' poll finds less that half want him to take throne as ministers moan of interference
Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Andrew Buncombe reports from Kaharpara on a bloody war between rustlers and border guards
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Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Media tycoon's company pays £1m to cancel his order for a £36m private jet after drop in profits
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How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

The artist tells Clifford Coonan how he used Skype to escape confinement in Beijing
Nature, nurture... or neither? The new twist in an age-old argument

Nature, nurture... or neither?

The new twist in an age-old argument
Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

New station controller wants to reflect the current period of 'turmoil and uncertainity'
Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

New guidelines warn Britons to drastically reduce their boozing. But is a life without liquor worth living? Hell no, says John Walsh
The Cable News Nightmare: CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis

The Cable News Nightmare

CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis
Like a barbie, but better: The Big Green Egg can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza

The Big Green Egg: Like a barbie, but better

It can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza...
The 10 Best chopping boards

The 10 Best chopping boards

Whether you want to dice veg, chop meat, or just slice up a salad, there’s a surface here to suit every culinary need.
Flat and fabulous: From wraps to foccacias, our appetite for new and exotic breads knows no limits

Flat and fabulous: Exotic breads

Lucy McDonald visits the bakeries of Tel Aviv to to find out what we'll be eating next.
Brendan Rodgers: Just like Mourinho... only different

Brendan Rodgers: Just like Mourinho... only different

Obsessive, ambitious, eager to learn and with no playing career; can the Northern Irishman be Liverpool's Special One?
Gary Lewin: Players need winter break

Gary Lewin: Players need winter break

The England physio tells Patrick Barclay that this spate of injuries is due to the non-stop demands of the Premier League

Countdown's rudest ever moments

Yesterday a contestant spelt the word 'minge'.
Special report: Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported

Special report

Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported