When Uefa big cheese Michel Platini got his crystal ball out at the start of the season, I very much doubt whether he would have seen the likes of Bordeaux and CSKA Moscow in the quarter-final pot for the prestigious Champions League.
However, the two less heralded teams have seen off more showbiz outfits to take their place alongside Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Lyon and Manchester United as the tournament hots up.
It may not exactly be what the advertisers want, with glamour pusses Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool missing, however it keeps the spirit of football alive and gives the less fancied teams a chance to upset the odds.
Naturally, this week has been dominated by Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge. It didn't come as a huge surprise to watch Inter see off Chelsea, however the manner of the defeat will rankle Roman Abramovich.
Too many big-game players simply didn't perform on the night, an unlikely turn of events at their indomitable West London home that could well see boss Carlo Ancelotti issued his marching orders come May.
Thankfully for the Italian, the lack of viable alternatives for the Stamford Bridge hotseat means that Ancelotti should be given a summer transfer war chest if he holds off United and Arsenal for the Premier League title.
If he doesn't, what price an emotional return for Mourinho if Roman decides to swallow his pride for the greater good? It's obvious that the Special One still has a deep affection for the club, therefore don't rule it out.
In terms of Inter's chances of lifting the Champions League trophy in Madrid, they have as good a chance as any if Mourinho continues to adopt an attacking approach and his rugged defence hold firm to snuff out opposition strikers.
The way they worked as a unit was quite frightening at times on Tuesday and puts them in the same bracket as reigning champs Barca, Wenger's wonder kids and the Wayne Rooney show heading into the last-eight clashes.
Despite the maverick talents of Franck Ribery, Yohan Gourcuff, Milos Krasic, Miralem Pjanic et al, I can't see Bordeaux, Bayern, CSKA or Lyon making the showpiece final unless the draw is very kind to them or they receive a delicious dollop of luck.
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