Yellow Submarine is still afloat

Before last night's trip to the English capital, Villarreal CF featured in a witty television advert that offered a tongue-in-cheek warning to Arsenal FC. In the film, a yellow periscope slowly emerged from the murky waters of the river Thames to be followed by the simple message: we are here.

Refreshing approach
The 'Yellow Submarine' may not have needed to be announced, given the serious statement made by their form in reaching the semi-finals, but the commercial underlined their refreshing approach to a first foray among Europe's élite. While more illustrious clubs, with perhaps a more serious edge, have fallen by the wayside, the Villarreal fairy tale has continued. That is until last night, when they encountered opponents who have enjoyed themselves almost as much this season.

Rogue squirrel
Highbury, on its last European night, was in high spirits again with Arsenal fans, fresh from a weekend bedecked in orange in honour of soon-to-depart Dennis Bergkamp, ready to give their famous old stadium an evening to remember. The entertainment was enhanced when a rogue squirrel ran on to the pitch midway through the first half and proceeded to bound about unchecked, even entering the Arsenal goal, with the amused crowd singing "There's only one squirrel" in support.

Lucky escape
After normal service was resumed, Kolo Touré's strike just before the break and the inability to register an away goal left Villarreal down but not out at the final whistle. They know they will have to produce an impressive turnaround at El Madrigal next Tuesday and this was reflected in the Spanish press today. The feeling was they were lucky to get away with conceding only once and that there is all to play for in the return.

'Worst match'
According to Iván Modia in Diario Sport: "We can't hide the fact that Villarreal produced their worst performance in European competition this season and they are lucky enough to still have an opportunity. Juan Román Riquelme was sluggish, Juan Pablo Sorín disappeared, and José María Romero and Diego Forlán had no support. It left Alessio Tacchinardi having to multiply himself alongside Marcos Senna to keep things under control."

Upbeat note
Juanma Trueba, writing in Diario AS, sounded an upbeat note. "Given the circumstances, to escape with a single scratch isn't returning with a one-goal disadvantage - but with your hopes intact." Meanwhile, Marca carried the headline "Villarreal survive and dream of Paris", and Mundo Deportivo claimed "Everything is in the air", adding: "We could summarise the match by saying the 'Yellow Submarine' is damaged but not sunk." With their fans in full voice as they departed, singing the song that inspired their nickname, it is clear Villarreal are still very much afloat.