Puñal seeks Osasuna immortality

Currently enjoying his tenth season as a CA Osasuna player, captain Patxi Puñal is bubbling with anticipation ahead of his and the club's most important match ever - Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final second-leg showdown with holders Sevilla FC.

Staggering campaign
The Pamplona-based side's trophy cabinet is a barren affair by anyone's standards, with 2005's run to the Copa del Rey final the closest they have come to major silverware. As for appearing in the latter stages of a European tournament, that seemed like the stuff of dreams until this season's staggering campaign. However, leading Sevilla 1-0 at the halfway stage, the cold, hard fact is that they stand just 90 minutes away from the UEFA Cup final on 16 May. "For me, it's certainly the biggest game I'll have played and it's the biggest for the club too," enthused fans' favourite Puñal. "We're lucky enough to be here and now we can go down in history."

Sevilla respect
It is still a mathematical possibility that Osasuna could be relegated from the top flight this term, but 31-year-old Puñal feels confident their high-flying Primera División rivals will be careful to respect them. "They realise that if they aren't focused they'll be eliminated," he explained. "They saw in the first leg that we can play a good game, create lots of chances and win. Because of that, they know who they're dealing with now. The tie is delicately poised, whereas everyone saw Sevilla as favourites when the draw was made."

Hometown club
Born in Pamplona, the quick-thinking defensive midfielder has not experienced too many highs with his hometown outfit, having joined when they were in the second tier and watched them secure promotion in 2000 while on loan at CD Leganés. Thus he is understandably eager to savour their moment in the sun, but there will nonetheless be a steely edge to his every move. "We're going into the match to enjoy it and also to fight," he warned. "It's going to be tense and tough because it's either them or us. Whichever team fails to give everything will end up not going through."

Glasgow hopes
Not known for giving less, Puñal will have an estimated 2,000 travelling fans chanting his name at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. And they, like him, would love nothing more than a few more wide-eyed discussions on the subject of Osasuna's 'biggest ever game' - in Glasgow later this month.