Sevilla retain UEFA Cup after shootout

By Justin Palmer

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Goalkeeper Andres Palop emerged as Sevilla's hero by saving three penalties in the shootout to give his side victory over Espanyol in a thrilling all-Spanish UEFA Cup final at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

The Andalucians became only the second side to retain the trophy after a pulsating game, played in driving rain, ended 2-2 after 120 minutes, condemning Espanyol to more European final heartbreak - 19 years after they lost the 1988 final on penalties to Bayer Leverkusen.

Palop, whose headed goal against Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 16 had kept the holders in the competition, saved spot-kicks from Luis Garcia, Jonatas and Marc Torrejon to give Sevilla victory 3-1 on penalties.

Sevilla, emulating Real Madrid who achieved successive UEFA Cup triumphs in 1985 and 1986, remain on course for a treble. They play Getafe in the King's Cup final and are still in contention for the Primera Liga title.

Brazilian winger Adriano Correia had fired the holders ahead on 18 minutes but Espanyol were level 10 minutes later, Albert Riera's shot from just inside the box beating Palop after taking a deflection.

CLOSE RANGE

Mali striker Frederic Kanoute, who also scored 12 months ago in the 4-0 rout of Middlesbrough in a one-sided final in Eindhoven, pounced from close range to turn home a Jesus Navas cross at the end of the first extra period.

But after Sevilla had wasted a host of chances to seal the trophy, Brazilian substitute Jonatas let fly from 20 metres and scored with the help of a slight deflection five minutes from the end of extra time.