UEFA Cup

Rayo Vallecano 4 - Girondines Bordeaux 1

Rayo: Lopetegui; Mauro, De Quintana, Ballesteros, Alcázar; Helder (Glaucio 75'), Poschner, Quevedo, Michel; Luis Cembranos (Bartelt 60'), Bolo (Bolic 60'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 02. Laslandes. First time volley after thrown in headed on by Dugarry.
1-1. 20. De Quintana. From close range after Quevedo knocked back free kick.
2-1. 73. Bolic. Took short pass from Quevedo and fired shot past Ramé.
3-1. 84. Quevedo. Shot from outside area which took a deflection off defender.
4-1. 90. Michel. Left foot free kick over wall and into bottom corner of net.

Rayo Vallecano came back from a goal down against a Bordeaux team packed with internationals to take a three goal lead into the second leg. A disappointing crowd turned up for this match once again, but those that did come along ended the night dancing in the stands as their team took the Frenchmen apart in the last 20 minutes. Luis Cembranos started for the first time in six months, Juande Ramos deciding he was now fit enough, with Lopetegui as usual taking over in goal from Keller for the cup tie. Laslandes caught Rayo off guard though in the second minute after Dugarry headed on Bonissel's throw in, volleying past Lopetegui unmarked on the edge of the area. Ex Deportivo striker Pauleta almost added a second, but De Quintana equalised twenty minutes in after Quevedo knocked back Poschner's free kick.

Pauleta was a constant danger and hit the post twice either side of half time, with Laslandes also going close. However the introduction of Bolic and Bartelt changed the game, and after Bolic struck the crossbar, the Bosnian went one better a few minutes later after Poschner and Quededo combined to set him up. Quevedo got the third himself, his ninth of the season, and in the last minute Michel struck a sweet left foot free kick past the wall to leave Ramé stranded. That was probably enough to seal the tie, and kept up Rayo's incredible run in their first ever appearance in Europe. After the match a euphoric club president Teresa Rivero, looking every time more like the wicked witch of the west, criticised the absent supporters and also the local television companies, who once again refused to cover the match at the prices Rayo were asking for. The Madrid based club must be hoping now for a quarter final tie against Inter Milan to finally make some money from a competition which up to now has cost them money. Their supporters don't really care. Long may it last!