All Spanish Final

When the final whistle ends the UEFA Cup final in Glasgow's Hampden Park on Wednesday European soccer officials will put another notch next to the "Spain" entry in the list of European title winners, moving it out of the current tie at the top with England.

The final between FC Sevilla and Espanyol Barcelona is both teams' second appearance in the cup final, though Sevilla remain the Spanish league's surprise side of the season.

The Andalusians' success began with a victory over FC Barcelona in the European Super Cup to start the season, and Sevilla are still in the running for the Spanish Cup, the league title and UEFA Cup as Europe's soccer season winds down.

Much of the team's success can be put down to Sevilla coach Juande Ramos and sporting director Ramon "Monchi" Rodriguez as the slow process of signing and integrating new talent to the team, including Adriano, Renato, Maresca and Kanoute, has been key to its ability to compete with Europe's best.

Espanyol's second chance

Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde, who will be making his second attempt to raise the UEFA Cup after losing the title as an Espanyol player to Bayern Leverkusen on penalty kicks in 1988, guided his team though a brilliant UEFA Cup campaign with wins against the likes of Benfica Lissabon and Werder Bremen.

"For Espanyol the UEFA Cup is a special competition and the players were really determined to get to this final," said Valverde. "I do not want to see the trophy slip out of our grasp this time."

After suffering from a series of injuries, Valverde will have the run of his roster as de la Pena and Riera as well as stars Tamudo und Pandiani are back in shape.

Meanwhile, Sevilla, are perfectly happy to try to take on the role of the underdogs -- even though bookmakers are tipping them to win.

"We are quietly confident," said Ramos, who used to be Espanyol's coach. "Espanyol will have to play well and play hard to beat us."