UEFA cup final

Alavés 4 - Liverpool 5
A golden goal three minutes from the end of extra time ended the dreams of Alavés in one of the best European finals seen in years. The Vitoria based side were clearly nervous at the beginning of their first ever final, and Liverpool raced into a two goal lead through Babbel and Gerrard with only a quarter of an hour gone. Mané brought on Iván Alonso soon afterwards, and he pulled a goal back within minutes as Alavés got back in to the game. Then just before half time Herrera brought down Owen in the area, and McAllister re-established the two goal lead from the penalty spot. It seemed to be all over, but two goals from Javi Moreno within six minutes of the restart levelled the scores. Fowler put Liverpool ahead for the second time, but Jordi Cruyff equalised again two minutes from the end of normal time. Magno and Karmona got themselves sent off in extra time to leave the Spaniards with nine men, and just as the game looked like going to penalties, Geli headed McAllister's free kick over his own keeper and in to the net. It was an unfitting end to a great cup run, and Alavés have to pick themselves up by Saturday to try and get back into Europe for next season. (16.05.01)