Timmy!!

By The Nark End
February 13 2010

Tim Cahill cant wait to start up Evertons push for europa league glory...

Tim Cahill is buzzing with excitement ahead of Tuesday's Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon.

The Australian hopes Everton can kick-start their quest in the knock-out stage with a home win against the Portuguese side, and tee up an exciting away leg for Blues fans to look forward to.

And Cahill knows the contribution of Everton's devoted fan base will help them greatly against their top Portuguese opponents come Tuesday evening.

"I'm just excited," said Cahill. "When you draw Sporting, you are in with the best teams in the world. I just wanted to learn as much as I could about their team, their stadium and the attendance they get.

"Europe is different because we haven't been in too many European competitions; it's something the fans live for – taking the club to the next level, not only on the pitch but off it.

"Them travelling and having special away days, it's a reward for them, and they respond by supporting their team and being the 12th man. I tell you, you can't hear anything, and when that ball goes in the net it's an explosion of fireworks. It shakes through you."

Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar says that having already faced Portuguese opponents in Benfica will aid Everton’s preparation for the final 32 showdown.

The South African international knows playing on the European stage differs greatly to the style of the Premier League, but says Everton are fully capable of progressing to the last 16 – starting by securing an away leg advantage.

"Benfica have a really good team who can easily play in the Champions League, but I think we learned how to go about it against a Latin team," Pienaar revealed. "It helps us that we got one of the teams that play in their league.

“It's totally different than the Premier League,” he continued. “The pace of the game is really slow; it's more of a dogfight – about who has the hardest punch, who is smarter. It is important for me to be part of a team that has a lot of hunger, desire to win trophies, and of course to be part of the history of Everton. I think we have got a good chance if we go through.

"We play the first game at home, so we can get into them, make it uncomfortable, and then when we get a chance in Portugal do the same."