Sevilla's last-gasp goal ends Mallorca dreams
Source: Agencies |
May 17, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FOR two sweet minutes, Real Mallorca dared to dream of Champions League soccer next season - until the cruellest twist of fate snatched it away.
After beating Espanyol 2-0 in their final match, the players watched the end of Sevilla's game at Almeria on their stadium's big screen.
With 10-man Sevilla tied at 2-2 and a huge bottle of champagne ready to be cracked open, it suddenly went horribly wrong as Sevilla snatched a 94th-minute winner.
Gathered around the center circle in anticipation, Mallorca players sunk to their knees in disbelief as Sevilla took the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Financially troubled Mallorca had begun Saturday a point behind Sevilla in fifth place with the two games being played simultaneously.
"I would have preferred Sevilla to have arrived at the 90-minute mark winning their game," Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano said. "That way we would have finished with the feeling that we could never have achieved it.
"The games started at the same time but finished with two minutes difference, and these two agonizing minutes of happiness turned into sadness at the end."
Youth team striker Rodri scored the dramatic injury-time winner for Sevilla, which finished the campaign on 63 points to reach the Champions League preliminary round. Mallorca ended up fifth on 62 points to go into next season's Europa League.
Mallorca will be joined by Getafe which finished sixth after a 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid.
The title will be decided yesterday when leader Barcelona, on 96 points, hosts Real Valladolid and chasing Real Madrid (95) visits Malaga.
Zaragoza stormed into a 3-0 lead at home to Villarreal, each goal being cheered by the Getafe fans at the Calderon.
However, Santi Cazorla scored twice and Giuseppe Rossi grabbed the equalizer as seventh-placed Villarreal fought back for a 3-3 draw.
After beating Espanyol 2-0 in their final match, the players watched the end of Sevilla's game at Almeria on their stadium's big screen.
With 10-man Sevilla tied at 2-2 and a huge bottle of champagne ready to be cracked open, it suddenly went horribly wrong as Sevilla snatched a 94th-minute winner.
Gathered around the center circle in anticipation, Mallorca players sunk to their knees in disbelief as Sevilla took the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Financially troubled Mallorca had begun Saturday a point behind Sevilla in fifth place with the two games being played simultaneously.
"I would have preferred Sevilla to have arrived at the 90-minute mark winning their game," Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano said. "That way we would have finished with the feeling that we could never have achieved it.
"The games started at the same time but finished with two minutes difference, and these two agonizing minutes of happiness turned into sadness at the end."
Youth team striker Rodri scored the dramatic injury-time winner for Sevilla, which finished the campaign on 63 points to reach the Champions League preliminary round. Mallorca ended up fifth on 62 points to go into next season's Europa League.
Mallorca will be joined by Getafe which finished sixth after a 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid.
The title will be decided yesterday when leader Barcelona, on 96 points, hosts Real Valladolid and chasing Real Madrid (95) visits Malaga.
Zaragoza stormed into a 3-0 lead at home to Villarreal, each goal being cheered by the Getafe fans at the Calderon.
However, Santi Cazorla scored twice and Giuseppe Rossi grabbed the equalizer as seventh-placed Villarreal fought back for a 3-3 draw.
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