Defending champions Sevilla successfully retained their UEFA Cup crown following a 3-1 shootout victory over Espanyol after the game finished 2-2 during normal time.

Sevilla twice took the lead but were held back each time by a 10-man Espanyol side who eventually ran out of steam in the penalties. Sevilla keeper Andres Palop blocked three penalties during the shootout and was easily the hero of the UEFA Cup Final.

The game began at a brisk pace even before many fans were seated at the Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow. Sevilla appeared the hungrier of the two Spanish teams launching a number of attacks into the oppositions half. They capitalized and Sevilla took an early lead through Adriano in the 18th minute. However, Espanyol drew level in the match 10 minutes later through a deflected shot by Alberto Riera.

Espanyol continued to pressurize the Sevilla defense in the second half but were dealt with a blow in the 68th minute when midfielder Moises was shown his second yellow card for a tackle on Aleksandr Kerzhakov. The dismissal was the turning point of the game as the Catalan side had to reshuffle their formation. Captain Tamudo was called off and replaced with a defender. From this point on Sevilla dominated possession with Espanyol seemingly playing out for penalties. Sevilla tried to take advantage of their numerical supremacy but were prevented from stamping their authority on the game thanks to resolute defending by Espanyol.

Sevilla made use of their numerical superiority to press forward but the game finished 1-1 in normal time. The match progressed into extra time and the persistence of the reigning champions was rewarded in the 105th minute when Frederic Kanoute turned in a low cross from Jesus Navas to give his team the lead.

Just when it looked like Sevilla had wrapped up the match and the competition, substitute Jonatas smashed home a long-range shot to take the game to penalties. Any hopes of victory for Espanyol were dashed with miserable performance from 12 yards out. Sevilla keeper Palop saved penalties from Luis Garcia, Jonatas and Marc Torrejon.

Espanyol manager Ernesto Valverde paid tribute to Palop and marked out the sending-off as the turning point of the match. "It was a real cruel final. There was a period I thought we were going to win before the sending off. They have a great goalkeeper. That was crucial", he added.

Palop was delighted to have played saviour yet again for his team and said that he wants Sevilla to become one of the best clubs in Europe. "We thought they were catching up with us and then they drew level, but penalties are complicated. I want Sevilla's name to sound out all over Europe", Palop said.

Sevilla became the first team after Real Madrid in 1986 to successfully defend their UEFA Cup crown. The Spanish side can also complete an incredible treble, being third in the league and in the final of Copa del Rey. Using our dedicated members area we were able to show live UEFA Cup Final at Free Football TV. Over 9,000 visitors found our site on the day and tuned in to one of the most thrilling matches in recent times. Watch live UEFA Cup football online in association with Live Sport Network.