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Sevilla claims second consecutive UEFA Cup title on PK's

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05/16/2007 - Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sevilla won its second consecutive UEFA Cup title on Wednesday as they beat Espanyol 3-1 on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 2-2 contest in a scintillating match at Hampden Park.

Sevilla keeper Andres Palop made three saves and Frederic Kanoute, Ivica Dragutinovic and Antonio Puerta each converted from the spot to make Sevilla just the second club ever to win back-to-back UEFA Cup crowns, joining Real Madrid.

The two teams played to a 1-1 tie in regulation as Adriano put Sevilla ahead after 18 minutes but had his opener cancelled out by Espanyol's Albert Riera. The match turned in the 68th when Espanyol's Hurtado Moises was sent off for picking up his second yellow card, but Espanyol continued to hold strong.

Kanoute put Sevilla ahead right before the end of the first extra time, but 10-man Espanyol was not done, and Domingos Jonatas scored with five minutes to play to force the penalty shoot-out.

Sevilla showed early signs of intent in the first five minutes of the match, with Enzo Maresca firing wide of the near post and Kanoute heading a ball over the net from 10-yards out.

Espanyol generated its first good scoring chance 14 minutes into the game with Raul Tamudo turning a shot on goal after receiving a driven cross from the left. Espanyol continued its strong play for the next couple of minutes, but was hit with a counter-attack goal and fell behind in the 18th minute.

Palop started the break with a fantastic distribution. He launched the ball up the left wing with a throw, allowing Adriano to run on to it. After holding off a defender, Adriano was in on goal and curled a right-footed shot past keeper Gorka Iraizoz and inside the far post.

Despite the surprise goal, Espanyol rebounded to tie the match 10 minutes later. Ivan De la Pena played the ball out of the back up the left wing for Riera, who cut the ball back on defender Daniel Alves and moved towards the top of the box. He then drove a low shot towards goal that took a deflection and beat the keeper.

Tamudo created another chance for himself in the 40th minute with a hard shot from outside the area that skipped in on goal but was smothered by Palop.

Sevilla started the second half well with Kanoute getting free for a volley inside the box that he hit right at the keeper, but Espanyol responded with a strong period of play that nearly put them in front.

Tamudo continued to give the Sevilla defense problems and he took a pass at the top of the box and ripped a hard shot that the keeper did well to tip over the net in the 56th minute.

Two minutes later Riera nearly doubled his tally as he brought down a cross off of his chest and fired a half-volley on net. However, Palop kept the ball out as he tipped it off the cross bar with a diving effort.

The match turned in the 68th minute when Moises picked up his second yellow card for a tackle from behind on Sevilla's Alexander Kerzhakov.

Sevilla tried to make the most of its numerical advantage as Francisco Javi Navarro got loose for a header on net but Iraizoz was there to keep it out. Kanoute then forced a great save from the keeper as his header from a couple of yards out was tipped wide at the last second, forcing extra time.

Kanoute would not denied at the end of the first extra time, however and he put Sevilla up 2-1 right before the whistle. Alves played the ball wide to Gonzalez Jesus Navas, and he drove a cross to Kanoute at the near post. The Frenchman made no mistake with his finish, turning the ball into the net and putting Sevilla 15 minutes from the title.

Espanyol showed great resiliency in the second extra time, and continued to stay in the game. Iraizoz kept the club alive with a fine stop on Puerta, and the stunning equalizer came five minutes from time.

Walter Pandiani, who came on as a second-half substitute, dropped the ball of for Jonatas at the edge of the area. He then drilled a hard shot into the lower-right corner of the net, stunning the Sevilla faithful and bring the Espanyol supporters to their feet.

Kanoute started off the penalty kicks in cool fashion with a goal, but Espanyol's first attempt was stopped as Luis Garcia's effort was turned away by a diving Palop. After Dragutinovic made it 2-0 to Sevilla, Pandiani steadied things with a goal of his own to make it 2-1. Alves then gave Espanyol a chance to tie the score as he sent his shot sailing over the cross bar, but Jonatas could not take advantage and was stopped by Palop. Puerta then made it 3-1 and David Garcia could not keep Espanyol alive as his shot to the left was blocked by a diving Palop, touching off a wild celebration inside the rain-soaked stadium.

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