GLASGOW, Scotland -- Sevilla became only the second team to
successfully defend a UEFA Cup title Wednesday night, beating
Espanyol 3-1 in a shootout after finishing regulation and 30
minutes of extra time tied 2-2.
Goalkeeper Andres Palop stopped three penalty kicks and Frederic
Kanoute, Ivica Dragutinovic and Antonio Puerta scored in the
tiebreaker for Sevilla. Walter Pandiani scored for Espanyol in the
shootout at Hampden Park.
"I want Sevilla's name to sound out all over Europe," Palop
said.
Real Madrid is the only other club to win consecutive UEFA Cup
titles, taking the 1985 and 1986 championships.
Sevilla came close to winning in extra time when Kanoute scored
to make it 2-1, but substitute Jonatas hit a swerving shot with 5
minutes left to send it to a shootout.
"We thought they were catching up with us and then they drew
level," Palop said. "But penalties are complicated."
Sevilla is in position to win an unprecedented treble in Spanish
soccer by adding the Spanish league and Copa del Rey titles. The
club is third in the league standings and has reached the final of
the cup tournament.
Sevilla, a 4-0 winner over Middlesbrough in the 2006 final, took
the lead in front of a raucous crowd in the tournament's first
all-Spanish final when Adriano Correira scored in the 18th minute.
Albert Riera made it 1-1 in the 28th.
"They have a great goalkeeper," Espanyol coach Ernesto
Valverde said. "That was crucial."