Soccer in Valencia, Spain (Reuters) – Espanyol capped its centenary celebrations by winning the Spanish Cup with a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Saturday. One of the cheekiest goals seen in Spain all season gave the Barcelona club an ideal start after just two minutes.
Atletico goalkeeper Toni Jimenez, who moved to the club from Espanyol last summer, saved a shot by Toni Velamazan and was bouncing the ball in front of him, ready to boot it upfield. But then Raul Tamudo nipped in unseen, headed the ball away from Jimenez, and beat his former teammate in a sprint across the face of the goal, turning the ball in from a narrow angle out on the left. Sergio Gonzalez hit Espanyol’s second goal five minutes from time to ensure the club won its first honor for 60 years. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pulled one back for Atletico a minute into injury time, and Espanyol endured an anxious couple of minutes as the clock ticked away, but it was too little too late.
For Espanyol supporters, it brought a huge smile to their faces after a decade of despair. They were relegated twice during the 1990s and even had to sell their ground, the historic Sarria stadium, in 1997 to solve a cash crisis.
However, Espanyol’s veteran defender Nando Munoz put the emotions of all those involved with the club into words. This might be the greatest day in the history of Espanyol. This is for all those fans and everyone else who can remember the bad times – all those dire moments, Nando said. Nando spoke to reporters in Spanish, having recovered enough breath to do so, after being given his marching orders 13 minutes from time for picking up two yellow cards in quick succession while Espanyol fought to contain a second-half Atletico comeback.
Atletico’s attack was strong in the second half, after Espanyol dominated the first. Tamudo and Velamazan caused problems for Atletico’s defenders, while Moises Arteaga sliced through the middle. Hasselbaink was a constant threat, but Espanyol’s defenders held strong, and his closest efforts came from edge-of-the-area free kicks. Nando left the field, and Espanyol briefly looked in trouble. However, both teams ended the match with 10 men after former Spanish international defender Santi Denia lost control completely seven minutes from time. Denia scythed down Manuel Serrano from the rear and then headbutted Toni Velamazan. Sergio’s clincher came two minutes later.
Tears streamed down his face as he controlled a long, speculative ball forward with his head and blasted the half-volley past the hapless Jimenez, who left the field inconsolable. Football just isn’t fair,” Jimenez wailed. He was not the only Atletico player to leave the field with moist eyes. The cup final defeat, their second in successive years after losing 3-0 to Valencia last year, brought an end to one of the worst seasons in club history.
Atletico was relegated and will spend next season in the Spanish second division for the first time since 1934. A government investigation into the club’s finances left the club demoralized on and off the field. The cup final is likely to be the last match for many players, including Hasselbaink, in an Atletico jersey, with a massive exodus anticipated.
Bibliography: One of the cheekiest goals seen in Spain all season gave the Barcelona club an ideal start after just two minutes.
Sports and Games
