UEFA Cup Final and our old Valencianos

By: Cesar | May 16th, 2007

captxgla14805162238britain_soccer_uefa_cup_final_xgla148.jpg A wonderful game of football was played today at Hampden Park, Scotland.

The UEFA Cup Final and although this blog is about Valencia, this game served as a wonderful advertisement for Spanish football …

Emotional. Gripping. Exciting. Sad. Courageous. Just some words that can describe the ebb and flow of the game. Sevilla had it, then Espanyol tied it. Espanyol went to ten men and Sevilla couldn’t capitalize. Espanyol had rubber legs. Sevilla poached a goal. All looked lost for the Catalans, until a little-known Brazilian named Jonatas scored an absolute golazo to send grown men running through the streets of Barcelona. Just when all looked lost, just when the white flag was being waved …

Penalties. And a sad, inconclusive way to end a final. But the right team won. Congratulations to Sevilla, the repeat UEFA Cup champions, who will be a worthy representative for Spain in next season’s Champions League. Their dream of a first-ever Spanish triplete (UEFA Cup, La Liga title & Copa Del Rey) is well within reach.

As for Espanyol, what can you say? They did their best and showed guts beyond their talent. The saddest parts of the game were seeing Blanquiazules stalwarts Ivan De la Pena (rumored to be coming to us next season) and Raul Tamudo being substituted and then crying after the game. It’s heartbreaking but good to see that level of emotion in a professional athlete. All teams need players like these two, who wear their hearts on their sleeves, who care when their teams lose.

Regards to our old friends at the game yesterday:

- Andres Palop, who was the man of the tournament, scoring a goal against Shaktar Donetsk and using his magic gloves to save the game for the Andalucians in penalties. This man served as a quiet understudy to Santiago Canizares for years at the Mestalla. He was never given a chance as Canizares blocked his path, so he decided to leave, to earn his keep elsewhere. I’d say he’s done well. Our hats go off to the native Valenciano from L’Alcúdia.
- Javi Navarro. Gusty defender for the Rojiblancos, who played with us twice, from 1993-94 and for five years, from 1995-2000. Current captain of the repeat champions.
- Rufete, winger for Valencia during the championship years. He didn’t have a great game but I always thought this guy left his heart on the pitch every time he played. And a nice guy as well.

So there you have it. A great Final, a deserving champion, some old friends at the game and a wonderful endorsement of the Spanish game. Say what you will, but La Liga’s one superb league. The debate about which league reigns as the best in the world could go on and on, and I don’t have time start that conversation.

But for my money, La Liga’s it.