Europa League final and Championship play-offs

So what have we learned this evening? How now Falcao, fires magical Atletico Madrid to Europa League glory, while a tangerine dream in Birmingham takes Blackpool to Wembley. The next chapter in that story will be written on 19 May. Before then, on Sunday, the last act of of a remarkable season will be played out, with Tom Rostance your narrator. Thanks for your company.

Has tonight lived up to expectations? I think so. Blackpool looked home and hosed, but Birmingham's fightback was heroic. In the end though, it was just too much. In Bucharest, the game wasn't as close as we would have liked, but Madrid were sensational. Radamel Falcao is some player, you'll hear more from him I'm sure.

More from Sam Allardyce: "The form we've shown in the last six matches and in the play-off is fantastic. It's all about holding our nerve. We are the favourites but in a one-off anything can happen."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, whose side meet Blackpool in the play-off final: "I'm not sure what we did in the league against either of these but it will not make any difference at Wembley. If anything Blackpool will have the edge of the two because Blackpool did it (won in the play-offs) two years ago. It will not be easy and whatever swings and roundabouts turn you have to hope that it goes your way."

More from Ian Holloway: "Words are going to fail me. I'm so proud. We got ourselves in a fantastic situation. What a comeback by them. It's over and we've done it. I've got a great group of lads. We've played some fantastic stuff and I think we are getting better."

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway: "I'm so proud, we got ourselves in a brilliant situation, but what a fantastic fightback that was. If they got an equaliser, I couldn't see us coming back, but it's over and we're going to Wembley again."

The Madrid players are up now to collect the winners' medals, and of course, the huge vase-like trophy. Many of them draped in Spain flags, they are the fifth Spanish side in nine years to win the competition. Captain Gabi is last up, he his handed the trophy by Michel Platini, the ticker tape goes up in the air, and a long night of celebrations in the Spanish capital begin.

Bilbao collect their runners-up medals - there's hardly a player not in tears.

The Madrid win is also a triumph for coach Diego Simeone, who has turned their season around since taking over in December. He also becomes only the third man to win the Uefa Cup/Europa League as both a player and manager.

The Europa League trophy is being engraved in Bucharest as the Madrid players celebrate with their fans. There's so many tears in the Bilbao side, hard not to feel for them. Predictably, Radamel Falcao is man of the match.

"You've got to give full credit to Birmingham to get back into the game, but over the two legs I think Blackpool deserve to be in the final."

All over at St Andrew's, and it is play-off experts Blackpool who hold on to book a meeting with West Ham on 19 May. It was gallant of Birmingham to make a fight of it, but in the end, it was too far to come back.

Cross from the Birmingham left, but N'Daw's header goes high and wide. You feel that's probably their last chance.

Deep in stoppage time at St Andrew's, but Birmingham can't find a way past the Blackpool defence.

As ever in a final, contrasting emotions in Bucharest. Elation for Madrid, but Bilbao are gutted. The final didn't quite turn out to the contest we hoped, but in all honesty, Madrid were brilliant.

Five minutes of added time at St Andrew's. Amazing the contrast of emotions the fans must feel. For Blackpool, you would feel like a kid on Christmas Eve, for Birmingham, those seconds will be disappearing quicker than you know it.

Chris Hughton urges his Birmingham team forward, they've got two minutes to keep their Premier League dream alive. Blackpool standing firm though.

Just a thought, but the last two Englishmen to reach the Uefa Cup/Europa League final have ended up as England manager. Steve McClaren and Roy Hodgson.

Of course I'm neutral, but I'd quite fancy another half-hour of this Birmingham-Blackpool tie. Gotta love play-off drama.

"'Keep right on to the end of the road' ringing around soaking wet St Andrew's! Blackpool looking like they might buckle!"

This is as close as Bilbao have come all night. Markel Susaeta lashes a left-foot shot from outside the box, it takes a deflection, and flies just wide of the right-hand post. Where they were once flatlining, we have signs of life in both of our matches.

Some youth football news where Chelsea have beaten Blackburn 4-1 on aggregate in the FA Youth Cup. The Blues lost 1-0 on the night but were comfortable winners over the two-legged final.

Birmingham have been a threat all night from set-plays. Curtis Davies has got up in the six-yard box, he's been brave to get there. Blackpool are under serious pressure now, with the crowd right behind Birmingham.

Bilbao are throwing men forward in increasing numbers. A cross from out on the right narrowly clears the poised Fernando Llorente before Ibai Gomez smashes a volley over from the edge of the box as the ball drops invitingly for him.

The goal has really lifted St Andrew's though, and there's some sustained Birmingham pressure. Nathan Redmond's run down the left finds Marlon King in the six-yard box, but, somehow, Matt Gilks keeps the ball out from point-blank range. Big moment.

I'm going to question the wisdom of some Birmingham fans here. Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks has objects thrown at him in protest at the time he is taking over a goal-kick, but that wastes more time. Curious.

"All too often Birmingham have gone very, very long and haven't been able to break through the Blackpool defence. But there was some nice passes leading up to that and they've got to construct some real attacks to get back into this."

Bilbao make their final change, Ander Herrera comes off to be replaced by Gaizka Toquero. Madrid respond through Adrian Lopez's effort, which flashes across the goal.

Blackpool are oozing confidence now, almost passing the Birmingham defence to a standstill, but Tom Ince just can't keep the ball in. In Bucharest, Bilbao are pressing, but the Madrid defence is holding firm. In addition, Chelsea loanee goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is very solid.

That Blackpool goal seems to have killed the tie, and Bilbao aren't showing any signs of fighting back in Bucharest. Are both of our contests already over?

"Matt Phillips doesn't want to just stay wide, he wants to get involved. He makes a great run behind Angel and finishes well. I can't see Birmingham getting back into this now, more or less game over."

Those changes seem to have perked up Bilbao. Iker Muniain's dangerous low cross is only just cut out by the covering Atletico defence before Javi Martinez heads over from the subsequent corner.

Just a bit more on that amazing Blackpool play-off winning streak. They won promotion in 2001, 2007 and 2010, from the bottom tier up to the Premier League, all via the play-offs. They are the only club to go from the bottom to the top flight exclusively through the play-offs.

It's tough to overestimate the magnitude of the Blackpool strike, but at least Birmingham have the saving grace that the away goal does not count double. Nevertheless, Blackpool's amazing run in play-off football - they've won their last 10 play-off matches in all divisions - looks set to continue.

"How did that get in, I can't understand it? Colin Doyle will be desperately disappointed. Bad, bad goalkeeping, he shouldn't be letting that in at his near post."

The Falcao show in Bucharest has rather overshadowed events at St Andrew's, but it's entertaining stuff in the Midlands. Blackpool's default setting it to attack, while Birmingham know they have to score. As if to illustrate my point, Marlon King hits the post for Blues, but the flag is up.

Birmingham are looking for Marlon King and Nikola Zigic very early on, there's not much inter-play. Blackpool are getting it down, trying to involve Barry Ferguson in the middle of the park. It's an enthralling game to watch because of the contrasting styles.

Jonny Barrett on Twitter: "Re: 2007, Why would Falcao want to go to United. Atletico Madrid are participating in a final United couldn't reach."

Some pinball in the Blackpool box comes to an end before Nikola Zigic completely wipes out Stephen Crainey. The big Serbian gets a yellow card for his trouble.

Iker Muniain warms the palms of Thibaut Courtois with a meaty effort from 30 yards, but the Madrid goalkeeper is down to it. Keep an eye on Courtois, the Belgian is only 19 and on loan from Chelsea.

It's that man Tom Ince (son of Paul, in case you were wondering) again causing trouble at St Andrew's. He finds space on the Blackpool right, floats in a left-footed cross that is met by Gary Taylor-Fletcher, but the header doesn't even work the goalkeeper.

"Birmingham are attacking as a five and defending as a five. Jonathan Spector's not really coming forward at all, but that allows Jordon Mutch to push forward and join the attack. They're very rigid in that approach."

Bilbao are growing into the game. Fernando Llorente, whose superb volley opened the scoring in the second leg of their last-16 clash with Manchester United, slashes a little too eagerly at a similar chance after latching on to a floated throughball.

Ian Holloway is off his bench barking the orders at St Andrews - he looks sharp his dark pea coat and orange tie. Like a funky undertaker.

Bilbao have re-grouped after going behind. Team spirit you see - their pre-match ritual is to get together the night before a game, drink cocoa and eat toast. Don Revie would be proud.

In Bucharest, Fernando Llorente directs a header well off target from a decent position, but he has an excuse. The Bilbao striker is appealing for a penalty, but referee Wolfgang Stark does not see enough in Diego Godin's tug on his collar to justify a spot-kick.

Birmingham have had some decent pressure, but only now have they created a good opening. From a corner, Chris Burke gets the ball outside the box and aims a curling shot, but can only watch as it drifts wide of the far post.

"That looked like a penalty to me. David Murphy was all over Thomas Ince as he cut inside."

Tom Ince is causing trouble again. This time he gets inside Birmingham left-back David Murphy as he latches on to a long pass forward and, with just keeper Colin Doyle to beat from a tight angle, the Blackpool winger goes down appealing for a penalty. Referee Chris Foy says no but there was contact and Blackpool will feel aggrieved.

Good work from Tom Ince down the Blackpool right. He skips past David Murphy and gets a low left-footed shot away, but Birmingham keeper Colin Doyle is able to make the low save.

Birmingham nicely link our two games this evening, after all, a Europa League campaign has contributed to the fact this is their 62nd game of the season. They've started well, but it looks likely to open at St Andrew's.

"Birmingham will sit-back, they don't like to be broken down too easily. Blackpool will be very open, they'll let Birmingham have a lot of possession and try and hit them on the break. And with the firepower they have in their side and on their bench, I can't see Blackpool not scoring tonight."

As some have you pointed out, to avoid confusion I will be referring to the Spanish teams as Madrid and Bilbao respectively this evening. To make matters worse, both usually play in red and white stripes, but Bilbao have changed to green this evening.

It really is some spectacle in Bucharest. As the players wait in the tunnel, a troupe of dancers parade around a huge Europa League banner than covers the centre circle. A great atmosphere, and a great reward for both teams and their fans. The players are on their way out in both games, not long now.

Just in case you need a reminder, we could have extra-time and penalties in both games this evening. In the play-off game, it's worth keeping in mind that away goals do not count double. So if the tie is level, no matter what the score, we could have another 30 minutes and, if needs be, spot-kicks.

If that wasn't enough, both Llorente and Falcao have had metro stations in Bucharest temporarily named after them for the final. That's got me thinking about which footballers could lend their names to transport stops in England. Jamie Clapham Junction? Brett Angel? Matt Holland Park? And my favourite, Marble Stephan Guivarch.

If you've not been following the Europa League, let me advise you to keep an eye on a couple of strikers, one on each side. Fernando Llorente has netted seven times for Bilbao in the competition this season, while Madrid's Radamel Falcao has got 10 - that's on the back of a record 17 goals for Porto last season, leaving him in line to become the first man to win back-to-back Uefa Cups/Europa Leagues with two different teams.

Inevitably at this stage of the evening we are presented with more questions than answers, but answers are what I demand. Think you can help me? Get in touch with your thoughts on all things Championship, Europa League, or anything else that's on your mind. Tweet using the hashtag #bbcfootball, or text on 81111 - don't forget to put your names on these though, or they will be as useless as a David Haye retirement announcement.

And let's not forget the small matter of the Europa League final taking place in Bucharest. While English clubs treat Europe's second competition as little more than an excuse to pop on to the continent to pick up some decent cheese and wine, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have been lighting up our Thursday nights. I'm telling you now, this one will be a belter.

Romantics and Ian Holloway fans (which is pretty much everyone except Plymouth supporters, right?) must be backing Blackpool for a return to the top flight, but you can't deny the intrigue that a Birmingham-West Ham final would throw up. Hammers owners Gold and Sullivan coming up against their former club - the preview would write itself.

Let's be honest, unless it's your team just missing out on promotion, the play-offs are ruddy brilliant. While West Ham's efficiency sucked the drama out their comfortable win over Cardiff, you always got the feeling that the Birmingham-Blackpool tie was where the excitement would come. The Seasiders hold a slender lead after an entertaining first leg, so, just as The Dark Knight was even better than Batman Begins, let's hope this sequel builds on the good work of the original.