Eto'o fires Mallorca to glory

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o scored twice as RCD Mallorca beat RC Recreativo de Huelva 3-0 to lift the Spanish Cup on Saturday night.

UEFA Cup berth
The win means that Mallorca, who beat Real Madrid CF and last season's winners RC Deportivo La Coruña on their way to the final, now join Valencia CF and FC Barcelona to complete Spain's trio of representatives in next season's UEFA Cup.

Pandiani penalty
Eto'o had a hand in the opening goal when he was fouled by Recre defender Loren, allowing Walter Pandiani to convert from the penalty spot on 21 minutes. Recre thought they had equalised in the final minute of the first half, but substitute Xisco's header was ruled out for a foul.

Late double
The Andalusian side continued to push hard for an equaliser after the restart but were unable to cope as Mallorca made the most of the gaps left at the back. Eto'o then made certain of Mallorca's first King's Cup triumph with a superb late double. His first came on 74 minutes when he raced on to a through-ball from Albert Riera to beat goalkeeper José Luque, before he fired in a powerful second ten minutes later.

Foé dedication
Eto'o left the pitch to a standing ovation when he was substituted just before the final whistle and dedicated the victory to international team-mate Marc-Vivien Foé, who died on Thursday after a suspected heart attack during his country's FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final victory against Colombia.

'Very special win'
"It was a very special win because of what happened this week," he said. "I have got a team-mate who is now sitting up there beside God and this victory is for him." Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano added: "It has been an excellent season and putting a first King's Cup in our trophy room was the perfect way to complete it."

Third time lucky
It was third time lucky for the islanders, who finished as runners-up in their previous two cup final appearances, losing out 1-0 to Club Atlético de Madrid in 1991 and then in a penalty shoot-out to Barcelona in 1998. For Recre, it was a disappointing end to a season in which they were also relegated from the Primera División after just one campaign in the top flight.