2006/07: Sevilla defend their honour

RCD Espanyol 2-2 Sevilla FC (aet, Sevilla win 3-1 on penalties)
(Riera 28, Jônatas 115; Adriano 18, Kanouté 105)
Hampden Park, Glasgow

For only the second time in the competition's history, a side successfully defended the UEFA Cup, with Sevilla FC matching Real Madrid CF's achievement when they won the 1985 and 1986 editions. Having beaten Middlesbrough FC 4-0 in the 2006 final, Juande Ramos' side beat off spirited opposition from Primera División rivals RCD Espanyol to win the final 3-1 on penalties following a breathless 2-2 draw at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Cameo performances
The 35th edition of the competition was to be an enthralling contest, with some splendid cameo performances. Cypriot side Ethnikos Achnas FC bravely battled their way through from the first round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup to the first round before bowing out to RC Lens, and it was then the turn of Belgian semi-professional side SV Zulte Waregem to dazzle after knocking out FC Lokomotiv Moskva to reach the group stage.

Bad news
The group stage itself was to provide its share of intrigue - not all of it for the right reasons, as Feyenoord ended up being ejected from the competition as a result of the misbehaviour of their supporters during an away game against AS Nancy Lorraine. Paris Saint-Germain FC, meanwhile, were to endure one of the worst nights in their history - on and off the field - against Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC.

AZ impress
Moving on into the knockout rounds, Louis van Gaal's AZ Alkmaar - inspired by veteran Georgian forward Shota Arveladze - were to win the hearts of many neutrals, while Espanyol and their free-scoring Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani gave an early indication that they would be a team to watch in the competition as they advanced inexorably toward the final at Hampden Park.

Famous final
The famous Scottish stadium had hosted five previous major European finals, starting with perhaps the most famous of all European Champion Clubs' Cup finals - Real Madrid CF's 7-3 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960 - and there was plenty of excitement as the compeition's highest scorers lined up a final meeting with the reigning champions.

'Another great game'
Final ambassador Billy McNeill, who captained Celtic FC when they became the first British club to be lift the European Cup in 1967, said: "The people of Glasgow love football and know what it's like to win European trophies. They want to see great teams here and I'm sure we're going to see another great game at Hampden." How right he was.