EINDHOVEN (Netherlands): Sevilla won its first European trophy on Wednesday, getting two goals from Enzo Maresca in a 4-0 win over Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup final.

Luis Fabiano headed in the first goal in the 27th minute, sending the ball in off the post after a cross from Daniel.

Maresca added a second in the 78th, beating Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to the ball after the Australian had saved Frederic Kanoute's shot.

In the 84th, Maresca chested the ball down, and then smacked it hard into the ground and toward the net. Schwarzer dived but could not get to the ball in time. Kanoute made it 4-0 in the 89th, tapping in a rebound.

Mark Viduka had a few chances to score for Middlesbrough, but his shot in the 52nd was saved by Sevilla 'keeper Andres Palop. He shot wide in the 75th.

Middlesbrough, which twice faced elimination and a three-goal deficit in the quarterfinals and semifinals, couldn't claw back this time.

Schwarzer started the game with a face mask to protect a broken cheekbone. The 33-year-old Australian, who was chosen to play for his country at the World Cup earlier in the day, was making his first start since he was hurt in a collision with West Ham striker Dean Ashton on April 23 in a 1-0 loss in the English FA Cup semifinals.

"It's been a perfect day," said Maresca, who was named man of the match, but will not be with Italy at the World Cup. "It has been the best day of my life." — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail