UEFA Cup qualification a mixed blessing say Getafe

MADRID, May 28 (Reuters) Getafe's first UEFA Cup place, which came by default after Sevilla secured themselves at least a Champions League qualification berth has been greeted with muted enthusiasm at the club.

Getafe meet Sevilla in next month's King's Cup final but after the UEFA Cup holders beat Real Zaragoza 3-1 in the Primera Liga yesterday to ensure a top four finish, Getafe can afford to lose and will still make it into Europe.

''It has come too soon. We need to construct a new stadium and other infrastructures in line with our plan to keep developing the club,'' Getafe president Angel Torres told sports daily AS's Web site (www.as.com) today.

''Now is the time to consolidate ourselves in the Primera Liga, but if we have to play in the UEFA Cup we will.

''But it could be dangerous as has been seen with other clubs in previous seasons, so we will have to try and make sure this doesn't happen.'' Smaller clubs who make it into Europe often find the pressure of competing on multiple fronts affects their league form.

The modest club from the south of Madrid, coached by former Germany international Bernd Schuster, were promoted to the Primera Liga for the first time in 2004.

They made their first King's Cup final earlier this month overturning a 5-2 semi-final first leg defeat against Barcelona, to win the second leg 4-0.

Getafe are eighth in the Primera Liga with two games left to play.

REUTERS MS KP2328