Final
Espanyol won their first
trophy for 60 years after beating Atlético Madrid in Valencia (see our
match report below). This was the 24th edition of the cup under it's current
name, and next year the Spanish Football Federation will be making major
changes in order to make it more attractive, with many big clubs losing money
and crowds not turning up in earlier rounds.
The new set up will be put
to the general assembly on 14th July for approval, but basically the plan
consists of playing the first four rounds over one leg, with matches played at
the ground of the lower ranked team, and then over two legs as from the quarter
final. All first and second division A teams will enter in the second round,
together with 22 teams from the lower divisions, and first division sides and
then teams playing in Europe will be seeded in the last two 'one-leg' rounds.
The final will be played in Sevilla on 30th June, and as this will be the 25th
edition there will be a special ceremony to celebrate the fact.
Following their refusal to
play in the second leg of this year s semi-finals due to lack of available
players, FC Barcelona were fined and excluded from next year's competition.
However informed sources expect the club to be pardoned in order to allow them
to participate.
The changes are to be
welcomed, although in our opinion there are still flaws. For example, more
smaller clubs could be included in additional earlier rounds to give the
competition wider appeal, and the draw could be more random, forgetting
seedings and playing in the ground of the first team drawn (for some reason
everyone in Spain believes that in the English cup competition, matches are
played in the ground of the lower division side). Still, it is a good start,
and if the big clubs don't block it (they don't like to lose too early and they
have complained about grounds not in good condition), then next year should be
a more meaningful competition.
Espanyol 2 -
Atlético Madrid 1
Espanyol: Cavallero;
Cristóbal, Nando, Pochettino, Roger; Velamazán, Galca, Sergio,
Arteaga; Martín Posse (Rotchen 78'); Tamudo (Serrano 70'). 4-4-1-1.
Atlético: Toni; Gaspar, Santi, Gamarra (Luque 52'),
Capdevila; Aguilera (Solari 75'), Baraja, Valerón, Hugo Leal; Kiko,
Hasselbaink. 4-4-2.
Goals: 1-0. 02.Tamudo.
Headed ball out of Toni's grasp and rounded him to score. 2-0. 85. Sergio.
Controlled ball with his head and volleyed ball past keeper. 2-1. 92.
Hasselbaink. Hit shot from edge of area which took an awkward bounce.
An emotional Spanish cup
final was played at Valencia's Mestalla stadium, with both sides desperately
needing to win the trophy for differing reasons. Espanyol had not won the cup
for 60 years, and their last appearance in a cup final was 43 years ago. In
their centenary year this year, fans were looking for something special to
round off their campaign. Atlético Madrid were hoping to save their
season with a victory after being relegated to the second division for the
first time since 1934. A win here would at least have given them a place in
next season's UEFA cup, giving them additional income and helping to keep hold
of key players who may otherwise leave at the thought of playing lower level
opposition next season.
The 53,000 capacity stadium
was packed, with Espanyol fans appearing to dominate, a host of flags and
colours warming up an already lively atmosphere. Espanyol's manager Paco Flores
had a fully fit squad to choose from (except for Benítez who is still
recovering from a serious operation), and he chose to include Cavallero in
goal, even though Mora had played in previous rounds.
The choice of keepers proved
to be one of the key decisions of the match, with Atlético's caretaker
manager Zambrano picking Toni rather than first choice Molina. He also included
Kiko up front alongside Hasselbaink instead of Solari, and brought in Hugo Leal
on the left side of midfield. Spain's three under 21 internationals,
Atlético's Capdevila and Espanyol's Tamudo and Velamazán, were
all allowed to play by Camacho before joining the squad in Slovakia, even
though this match coincided with Spain's first game with the Czech Republic.
However, Bjebl was unavailable for Atlético as he was called up by the
full Czech side for the upcoming Euro 2000 championship.
The first goal of the match
came completely by surprise in the second minute, with Tamudo demonstrating his
killer instinct after a lack of concentration by Toni. The young striker learnt
the keeper's habits when he was playing at Espanyol last season, and he spotted
his opportunity as Toni bounced the ball unaware that Tamudo was behind him. As
the ball rose on the bounce, the Espanyol player nipped in to head it away from
the keeper and dribble round him to score. Referee López Nieto (who
refereed the UEFA cup final between Arsenal and Galatasaray) correctly awarded
the goal despite protests from the Atlético players.
The Madrid side came back on
the attack, but Cavallero was superb in the Catalan goal, saving from Aguilera
and Valerón in the first half. Baraja wasted the best chance of the
match after he shot over from close range in the 27th minute.
At half time Zambrano
brought on young B team forward Luque for Gamarra, and 20 minutes later he
introduced Solari for Aguilera (incidentally, that gave the side a particularly
'hairy' look, with the two new men, plus Gaspar and Hugo Leal all sporting
flowing locks). Hasselbaink came to life in the second half of what will
certainly be his last match for the club, and he tested the Argentinian keeper
a couple of times, especially from a free kick on the edge of the area, and
when he did finally get the better of the keeper, Pochettino was there to clear
the danger.
Both sides were going in
hard, with Atleti's Gaspar lucky not to be sent off (he is surely the
replacement for Juanma López) and after Serrano replaced a tired Tamudo,
López Nieto sent off Nando for a second bookable offence. Flores took
off Posse, leaving Serrano alone up front, with Rotchen taking Nando's place in
defence. Atlético's frustrations were evident, and Santi got his
marching orders for a tackle on Serrano from behind.
With only two defenders left
Atlético were leaving gaps in defence, and five minutes from time Sergio
broke free to volley Espanyol's second. A late surge by the Madrid side brought
a goal for Hasselbaink, his shot taking a high bounce off the pitch to deceive
Cavallero.
The atmosphere in the last
two minutes was red hot as balls were bombarded into the Espanyol penalty area,
but López Nieto put their fans out of their misery with the final
whistle. After that it was tears all round. Hasselbaink was in tears, lying
face down on the ground and later hugging his wife, Toni was in tears, pleading
with fans for forgiveness and being told by president Jesus Gil in the
director's box that he was not to blame, Luque and his fellows were in tears,
Serrano and other Espanyol players were in tears, both sets of fans were in
tears, and if the match had to be replayed it would have probably been called
off for a waterlogged pitch.
Tamudo apologized to his
friend Toni, but after that it was joy for the Barcelona based side as they
returned to the Condal city for the following day's celebrations.
Atlético went back to Madrid shattered after losing their second final
in successive years, and we all await news on who will stay and who will be
leaving. Kiko said he wants to remain, although he and his colleagues will
probably have to accept a salary cut if they do so. If others follow, they
should rise from the ashes and be back in the first division next year.
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