The Sporting Day Today - Thu 15/09

Big big day in the sporting world so here's all you need to know about what's going on

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Football
No fewer than five British teams taking part in the first group games of the Europa League. A young Spurs squad makes the trip to Greece to take on PAOK Salonika. Stoke City have made the long trip to the Ukraine to take on Dynamo Kiev, who knocked out Manchester City in this competition last season. Fulham host Dutch side FC Twente, whilst Birmingham City welcome last year's Europa League runners-up Braga to St Andrews. Despite being knocked out in the playoff stages, Celtic are in action as they make the prestigious trip to face Atletico Madrid, after their conquerors FC Sion of Switzerland were kicked out of the competition for fielding ineligible players against last season's runners-up in the SPL.


Cricket
It's the final day of the County Championship season and it seems as if we have a clearer picture over who will play where next year. Hampshire joined Yorkshire in being relegated to Division Two after failing to pick up maximum batting points against title favourites Warwickshire. The Bears are now expected to cement their role as Champions needing to pick up just 7 more wickets at the Rose Bowl, leaving Lancashire languishing in 2nd. In Division Two it looks like heartbreak for Northamptonshire, who led the league for a long period during the season, despite beating Gloucestershire by 9 wickets inside three days. Surrey confirmed their promotion to Division 1 after thrashing Derbyshire by an innings and 126 runs, meaning Middlesex need just to avoid defeat against bottom club Leicestershire to join their London rivals in next year's top flight.

Rugby Union
Just the one game occurring early on Friday and that's the hosts New Zealand taking on Japan.

In Thursday's only game the USA beat Russia 13-6 in New Plymouth.


Cycling
Lars Boom currently holds the IG Markets Gold Jersey despite Stage 4 going to Thor Hushovd. Today it's Stage 5 and that will take in Exeter to Exmouth along a 112 mile route through the South West of England. Team Sky's Geraint Thomas is 2nd overall.