Sevilla's magic moment endures

Tuesday, 15 May 2007
by Patrick Hartfrom Glasgow

Juande Ramos and his Sevilla FC players might have visited Glasgow Cathedral in the run-up to Wednesday's UEFA Cup final but, according to captain Javi Navarro, they have no need of divine intervention to be in a state of grace.

Magic moments
For Navarro, the Spanish club have been enjoying "a beautiful moment" ever since lifting the UEFA Cup last season – their first trophy since 1948. "It was a beautiful moment for us," the 33-year-old central defender said. "And we have been having a great time in the last 12 months; our aim is to keep on enjoying moments like this."

'Living with pressure'
Sevilla's victory over Middlesbrough FC in Eindhoven has served as the prelude to a tilt for glory on three fronts this season – Europe, the Primera División (they are third) and the Copa del Rey (Getafe CF await in the final). "Last year was so enjoyable and to come here and do something similar is what we want now," the Spanish international continued. "I don't know if experience gives you confidence, but we can live with the pressure of being favourites and will just get on with it."

'More of the same'
If the trip to the 900-year-old cathedral was "a personal thing for each player", there is consensus in the dressing room as to the value of Hampden Park opponents RCD Espanyol. Where Navarro says, "they are a quick team who are good on the ball", his defensive colleague David Castedo adds: "They have a lot of firepower, they are very mobile and they have good pace. We are facing a good team and one of us will have to lose; our aim is to be the other team." The 33-year-old full-back went on to say: "We have the experience of last year and we want the same again."

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