Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC’s Leon Osman fired up for Europa League tie with SK Sigma Olomouc
THEY don't have a name that rolls off the tongue, nor are they renowned in Europe, but the mention of SK Sigma Olomouc caused a stir in Everton's dressing room yesterday.[LNB]The draw for the Europa League, of course, was something that David Moyes and his players were anticipating from the moment their place in the competition was secured in April and, to some extent, they could not have asked for more.[LNB]Though it would have been better to face Hearts in terms of easy access and simple scouting, Everton were spared a potential nightmare trip to Kazakhstan, not to mention a complicated assignment in Belarus.[LNB]Sure, SK Sigma secured their place in this play-off round by thrashing Aberdeen 8-1 on aggregate but Moyes' contacts in Scotland, plus his extensive scouting network, means Everton will be ready for their date with the side from the Czech Republic on August 20.[LNB]So, all things being equal, the Blues should be able to negotiate the hurdle that has been put in front of them without too much trouble and ensure a place in the newly-formatted group stages of the Europa League.[LNB]Last season, of course, things went askew when they were paired with crack Belgian side Standard Liege and a poor defensive performance at Goodison Park in the first leg of that clash effectively destroyed their chances of repeating the adventure of 2007/08.[LNB]This time around, however, there is a determination to correct that anomaly; Goodison comes alive when it hosts European football and the electricity in the stands transmits through to the players.
