Levante Union Deportiva S.A.D: Why It Is the La Liga BBVA Team of the Week

The next team to receive the honor of B/R La Liga BBVA Team of the Week is Levante as it continues its historical participation in the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League.

2012/13 UEFA Europa League

Levante is participating in the UEFA Europa League for the first time in its history. The reason is its sixth-place position in the 2011/12 La Liga season.

Levante’s debut match in the Europa League playoffs was against Motherwell of Scotland and the Spaniards emerged victorious, 3-0 on aggregate. Levante managed to continue against all odds before advancing to Group L, facing Twente, Helsingsborg and Hannover 96.

Levante advanced to the Round of 32 after taking second place in its group behind Hannover and were drawn against Olympiacos.

The Spanish club, led by top scorers Pedro Rios, Barkero and Obafemi Martins, cruised to a 4-0 aggregate victory after a 3-0 first-leg win at home.

The second leg was held at Georgios Karaiskski Stadium in Piraeus, Greece on February 21, 2013 with an Obafemi Martins header ensuring a comfortable progression.

The most valued player of the round of 32 was Obafemi Martins for his contribution for Levante, who will now face FC Rubin Kazan of Russia in the round of 16.

The first leg will be held at the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium in Spain on March 7, 2013.

Rubin Kazan appears to be one of the tough opponents in the current UEFA Europa League having knocked off champions Atletico Madrid in the round of 32, 2-1 on aggregate. It remains to be seen whether Levante will continue its first journey in the UEFA Europa League after the sensational round of 16 win.

The information obtained in English for this article was published in UEFA, ESPN and Goal.com as multiple attempts to obtain the club’s history were not successful.