Tamudo wants to finish the job

RCD Espanyol captain Raúl Tamudo has urged his team to "harvest the fruits of our labour" by booking a place in the UEFA Cup final as they defend a 3-0 first-leg advantage against Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion.

'Far from over'
By no means traditional giants on the European stage, Espanyol have been a fearsome force in this season's UEFA Cup. They are the only side remaining in the competition yet to lose, having scored an impressive 30 goals in their eleven matches, including three as they surprisingly swept aside Bremen last week. That result has left many in Barcelona examining transport options to Scotland, where this year's showpiece takes place, but Tamudo is urging caution. "People are already talking about Glasgow but that's an insult to Werder Bremen," said the erstwhile Spain striker. "The tie is far from over and, in football, anything is possible."

'Fight'
Now in his tenth term at Espanyol, Tamudo knows the capricious nature of the beautiful game as well as anyone. From pushing for a UEFA Champions League place to relegation dogfights, he has seen it all, and knows what to expect when the Catalans line up before a capacity crowd to face a Bremen team who are no strangers to attacking verve themselves. "They will come at us in the first 20 minutes and play at a fast tempo," Tamudo continued. "We must concentrate and if they score, then we need to fight. We have to try and score, we know we will suffer at times but it's important to score, to take the pressure off."

Just reward
Espanyol are beginning to gain a reputation as cup specialists. Two Copa del Rey titles in the last seven campaigns is no mean return for a club with just four domestic trophies to show for their 107 years. Tamudo was central to both successes, scoring in each final, and has set his sights on repeating the feat in Glasgow. "We have invested a lot in this season, sowing the seeds of success; now we have to harvest the fruits of our labour," he said. "We don't want to throw it away now."