By STEVE DOUGLAS
updated 7:54 p.m. ET Dec. 1, 2011
Raul Gonzalez scored a tiebreaking goal in the 57th minute, leading Schalke over Steaua Bucharest 2-1 Thursday night and clinching a berth in the second round of the Europa League.
Stoke and Lokomotiv Moscow also advanced to the final 32 of Europe's second-tier club tournament.
At Gelsenkirchen, Kyriakos Papadopoulos put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute, but Raul Rusescu tied it in the 33rd. Raul, who holds the Champions League record of 71 goals, had gone scoreless in four Europa matches before scoring with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's initial shot was blocked by Eric Bicfalvi.
Schalke, the 1996 champion, is assured of first place in Group J. Stoke advanced in Group E by tying 1-1 with visiting Dynamo Kiev.
Lokomotiv joined Anderlecht as the qualifiers from Group L by beating Sturm Graz 3-1.
Having already qualified, Twente and Sporting Lisbon won to clinch first place in their groups but 2010 finalist Fulham, Paris Saint-Germain and Lazio all missed chances to progress with a match to spare.
Stoke earned the point it needed when Kenwyne Jones scored a tying goal with a header in the 81st minute off Jermaine Pennant's cross. Dynamo Kiev had gone ahead on Matthew Upson's own goal in the 28th.
Fulham squandered an opportunity to qualify from Group K by losing 1-0 at Twente, which got an 89th-minute goal from Marc Janko. American midfielder Clint Dempsey missed the game because of a slight thigh injury.
Wisla Krakow moved a point behind Fulham for second place by winning 2-1 at Odense 2-1.
Atletico Madrid, Braga, Hannover, Metalist Kharkiv, PAOK Thessaloniki, Standard Liege and Hannover all clinched second-round berths Wednesday.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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