Sevilla and Espanyol revel in all-Spanish UEFA Cup final

MADRID, May 4 (Reuters) Spain has managed to achieve in the UEFA Cup what England failed to do in the Champions League by getting two of its clubs into the final of a European competition.

Holders Sevilla ousted fellow Primera Liga side Osasuna 2-1 on aggregate and will now meet Espanyol in the final at Hampden Park on May 16 after the Barcelona-based side crushed a much-fancied Werder Bremen 5-1 over the two legs of their tie.

Although it is the first time two Spanish clubs have met in the final of the UEFA Cup, it will be the sixth occasion on which Primera Liga sides have met in a European final.

Spanish sides met in three finals of the UEFA Cup's predecessor the Fairs Cup, Valencia and Real Madrid crossed swords in the final of the Champions League in 2000 and Sevilla and Barcelona clashed in the European Super Cup at the start of this season.

''It's going to be a really attractive and open game,'' said Sevilla coach Juande Ramos. ''It's a great moment for Sevilla because it is no mean feat to have made the final two years in a row.

''Last year there were people who said we were lucky to have made the final and that it was a miracle that we won the UEFA Cup, but no one can say that again.'' The Andalucians, who are aiming to become the first team since Real Madrid in 1986 to make a successful defence of their UEFA Cup crown, also have a chance of winning the league and the King's Cup to complete a historic treble.

TREBLE CHANCE ''We are going to give it all we can to win the treble,'' said Ramos. ''But our opponents have much more time to prepare the games than us and it is going to be very difficult. From now on every game will be like a final.'' It is also the second time that opponents Espanyol have reached the UEFA Cup final. The ''Periquitos'' (parakeets) lost the 1988 final against Bayer Leverkusen on penalties after squandering a 3-0 first-leg lead.

Yesterday's victory over Werder went some way to laying those ghosts to rest and Espanyol are determined to make the most of their second European final appearance.

''We have to enjoy this moment while it lasts,'' said coach Ernesto Valverde who played in the first leg of the 1988 final.

''Football doesn't give you many moments like this and there are few teams that take full advantage of them.'' So often having to live in the shadow of mighty neighbours Barcelona, Espanyol will be happy with the underdog tag ahead of the final, but the Catalans have an intimidating record in this year's competition.

Unlike Sevilla they have lost none of their games, winning 10 and drawing two of their 12 encounters and they are top scorers in the competition with 27 goals.

''Sevilla are the favourites and the reigning champions, but we'll be going to Glasgow with all the enthusiasm in the world,'' said keeper Gorka Iraizoz.

Reuters BJR VV1447