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Bayer Leverkusen, Bremen qualify for UEFA cup quarters

Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen both advanced into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup on Wednesday, giving Germany two clubs in the final eight.

Leverkusen, the 2002 European Champions League runner up, reached its first UEFA quarter-final in 12 years with a 3-0 win over France's Lens, overcoming a 2-1 loss in the first leg. Bremen beat Spain's Celta Vigo 2-0 for a 3-0 aggregate victory.

Tottenham Hotspur overcame an early own-goal with two by Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov for a 3-2 win over Braga and a place in the quarter-finals on 6-4 aggregate.

Osasuna carried Spain's honor, beating Glasgow Rangers 1-0 for a 2-1 overall score and its first ever European quarter-final.

On Thursday, defending champion Sevilla faces Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine after a 2-2 draw in Spain.

Bayer Leverkusen got goals from Andriy Voronin in the first half and Sergej Barbarez and Juan in the second to advance on 4-2 aggregate.

Voronin pounced on a half clearance and sent a right-foot volley inside the left post from the edge of area in the 36th.

Babarez made it 2-0 in the 55th, finishing with a tap-in after Voronin's powerful header bounced off the post.

Juan added to the score in the 70th off a corner, heading in unchallenged from close range.

At Tottenham, Braga went ahead in the 24th minute when Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone deflected a free kick by Andrade past goalkeeper Radek Cerny.

Then Berbatov sparked Tottenham, scoring twice before halftime and assisting with Steed Malbranque's second-half tally to beat back a second challenge when Andrade's 61st-minute free kick equalized for Braga.

"We made it difficult for ourselves and should have scored four or five goals," Tottenham coach Martin Jol said. "We should have been more clinical. But it's pleasing to be in the last eight."

For Bremen, 18-year-old substitute Kevin Schindler -- playing in his first game for the German powerhouse -- provided the cross that Hugo Almeida headed into the net in the 48th. Almeida had also scored the only goal in Vigo.

In Spain, Achille Webo's 71st-minute goal gave Osasuna the win over Rangers. The drive from the Cameroon striker bounced off diving Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor before entering the net.
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