Chelsea advances despite defeat

Paris: Chelsea became the latest team to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages though it was not in the fashion manager Jose Mourinho would have wanted as the 2012 champions lost 1-0 to Basel on Tuesday .

However, with Schalke only drawing 0-0 away at bottom side Steaua Bucharest the permutations work out in Chelsea's favour as they lead Basel by a point with Schalke another point back and the latter two play each other in the final group game.

AJAX STUNS BARCA AT HOME

Chelsea were the only side to progress from Tuesday's action with the result of the night coming in Amsterdam where a young Ajax side rolled back the years for the former European greats to hand Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino his first defeat in 21 games with a stunning 2-1 win.

This despite playing most of the second-half with just 10 men after Joel Veltman was sent off for a foul on Neymar and Xavi converted the penalty to get the Spanish champions back into the match.

However, the Dutch side held on with their two goals in the first-half from Thulani Serero and Danny Hoesen proving sufficient to record a famous victory .

Milan's 3-0 win in Glasgow over Celtic eliminated the Scottish champions from the knockout stage picture -they won't even get a chance at the Europa League either -and sets up what is sure to be a nervy encounter with Ajax in a fortnight for the second spot in the Last 16.

Catalan giants Barcelona need to beat Celtic to ensure they finish top of the group.

Swans keen to take wing
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Paris: Valencia travel to Wales on Thursday with their place in the Europa League knockout phase assured and a matter of pride to play for against a Swansea side looking to lay down new landmarks in their European history .

With two matches remaining in the 12 group, roundrobin format, Tottenham, Salzburg, Esbjerg, Ludogorets Razgrad, Fiorentina and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk are also certain to be in the hat for the round of 32, as the long journey to the May 14 final in Turin continues.

Swansea are on the brink of playing in the spring phase of a European competition for the first time in club history. A Swansea win at the Liberty stadium will seal their status in the next round although should FC Kuban Krasnodar and Swiss club Saint Gallen draw, Swansea will advance regardless of their result against Valencia.

Seven-time French champions Lyon can also advance after a stuttering start to their season. They host Group I leaders Real Betis at the Gerland stadium, trailing by two points with Vitoria de Guimaraes a further two back.

Live on TV Tromso vs Tottenham on TEN Action @ 11.25 PM (TODAY) Swansea vs Valencia on TEN Action @ 1.30 AM (FRIDAY)