Ilsinho winner puts Shakhtar into UEFA Cup final

DONETSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Brazilian Ilsinho grabbed a superb late winner to put Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Dynamo Kiev on Thursday.

Shakhtar, who won 3-2 on aggregate after the second leg of the semi-final, became the first Ukrainian team to reach the final where they face Werder Bremen in Istanbul on May 20.

"We achieved something great today," said Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu. "We're now a part of the history of European football. The fact we'll play in Istanbul means so much for us."

"It was a tough game as Dynamo were at their best as well. The result is just and deserved. The fans were treated to both a show and a battle," he added on the UEFA website (www.uefa.com).

Werder went through on the away goals rule after a 3-2 win at Hamburg SV gave them a 3-3 draw on aggregate.

Ilsinho's fellow Brazilian Jadson put Shakhtar ahead after 17 minutes in Donetsk with a fine shot into the top corner from the edge of the box as Dynamo's defence failed to clear a cross from the right by the home team's Croatian captain Darijo Srna.

Dynamo's heads dropped after the goal and Shakhtar, who have reached their first European final, dominated possession.

GOAL DISALLOWED

Dynamo, twice winners of the now defunct Cup Winners' Cup, had a goal disallowed for offside by Ognjen Vukojevic in the 38th minute but this sparked their strong finish to the first half and they came out fighting after the break.