Italian midfielder Enzo Maresca of Sevilla (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Middlesbrough during the UEFA Cup final Eindhoven, the Netherlands, yesterday. Sevilla trounced Middlesbrough 4-0. - REUTERS
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (Reuters):
SEVILLA THRASHED England's Middles-brough 4-0 to win the UEFA Cup yesterday, kick-starting a Spanish fiesta in the Philips Stadium after the largest victory since the competition went to a one-match final.
The Andalucians turned their first European final into a procession. Leading at half-time through Luis Fabiano's 26th-minute header, they added three goals after the break to deflate the English side playing their last game under coach Steve McClaren, who is leaving to become England coach.
Italian Enzo Maresca scored twice in a six-minute spell with substitute Frederic Kanoute rubbing salt in Boro's wounds with a fourth a minute from time to hand Sevilla their first trophy since a domestic cup win in 1948 and the perfect way to celebrate their centenary season.
Sevilla are the third Spanish side to win the UEFA Cup following triumphs for Real Madrid (1985 and 1986) and Valencia (2004).
ACHIEVED GOAL
"It worked out perfectly and we achieved our aim of winning the trophy in the year of our centenary," midfielder Pep Marti told Spanish TV. "For the fans and at least half of the city of Seville this will be a great day of celebration."
McClaren could not inspire another comeback reminiscent of Boro's rollercoaster ride to the final as the English side failed to spark in their first appearance at such a level.
Not even the half-time introduction of Italian striker Massimo Maccarone, hero from the astonishing four-goal comeback victories in the quarter and semi-finals, could lift a side playing their 64th game of a long and demanding season.
"We could have played better but credit to them, they were a class side and deserved it," Boro captain Gareth Southgate told ITV.
