Snap shot: Sevilla's salvation in Donetsk
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
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With Sevilla meeting Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals, memories of a famous 2007 victory in Donetsk have been flooding back; we track the Hispalenses' jubilant stars.
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Coach Mircea Lucescu says he has revenge in mind as Shakhtar prepare to face Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals – the conclusion to their sensational round of 16 tie in 2006/07 took some getting over.
The Spanish side were heading out of the competition deep into added time in Donetsk when they won a corner. Dani Alves delivered it and, peeling off his marker like a striker, goalkeeper Andrés Palop headed in a stunning equaliser to force extra time. Ernesto Chevantón then completed the comeback and Juande Ramos's team went on to lift the trophy.
1. Andrés Palop
Having revived Sevilla's dream of retaining their trophy in Donetsk, the goalkeeper was also the hero in the final, saving three Espanyol penalties in the shoot-out win. Also key to Sevilla's 2010 Copa del Rey success, Palop hung up his boots in 2014 after a year with Bayer Leverkusen. Currently coaching Alcoyano in Spain's third tier.
2. Dani Alves
The motor of Ramos's Sevilla side, the Brazilian right-back was instrumental in the 2005 and 2006 UEFA Cup triumphs, also helping Sevilla land the 2007 Copa del Rey. He departed for Barcelona in 2008 where he has since collected six Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League crowns and three UEFA Super Cups (in addition to the one claimed with Sevilla) – taking his European trophy tally to nine.
3. Julien Escudé
The 2006 UEFA Cup victory meant the Frenchman completed a dream first term with Sevilla, having arrived earlier that year from Ajax. The defender stayed until 2012 before switching to Beşiktaş. He retired in September 2014 to start a career in hospitality in Madrid. Proved he has not forgotten his past by running the 2015 Madrid marathon in an old Sevilla shirt.
4. Enzo Maresca
The Italian midfielder netted twice in the 2006 UEFA Cup final victory over Middlesbrough and picked up another winners' medal 12 months later in Glasgow, leaving for Olympiacos in 2009 with a healthy trophy haul. He returned to Spain in 2011 for a season with Málaga before heading home to play for Sampdoria. Now 35 and still in Serie A, plying his trade with Palermo.
5. Rafael Becerra
Sevilla's kit man since 1996, known affectionally as 'Pichón' (translation: darling), Becerra started out as a player in the club's academy. Seen exuberantly celebrating Palop's goal here, Becerra's passion for Sevilla remains undimmed, and he can often be spotted on the touchline animatedly supporting the side.
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