The thrilling jeopardy of knockout football

Hibs v Partizan last night was one of the most exciting matches I've seen in a long time. Were the players some of the best in the world? I think the fact that Nicky Cadden was one of the standout performers answers that question. But the excitement of knowing that someone was going through and someone was going out on the night meant it was impossible to take your eyes off it for 120 minutes, as the tie swung one way and then the other. According to all reports, Dundee Utd v Rapid Vienna was also richly entertaining (very hard lines @arabian_ian).

Compare that to the turgid crap that's often served up in the group stages of the Champions League, in which it sometimes seems harder to get knocked out than progress.