Laudrup hails Getafe achievement

Getafe CF coach Michael Laudrup described reaching the UEFA Cup Round of 32 as a "great achievement" after his side finished top of Group G thanks to a 2-1 victory against Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht last night.

Aiming high
Goals in each half from Pablo Hernández and Fabio Celestini made sure of the points as the Madrid side won for the third time in the section, giving coach Laudrup plenty of confidence ahead of Friday's draw. "Now I hope to be drawn against a well known team in the next round," the former Danish international said.

No nerves
"We have proved in London, Denmark and against Anderlecht that we are going well in this competition. Now we can forget about the UEFA Cup until February, but it's a great achievement for Getafe to have qualified. I was very calm during the match and I thought the team played very well. Not even Anderlecht's last minute goal made me nervous."

No limits
In only their first season in Europe, Getafe have already beaten two UEFA Cup winners, Tottenham Hotspur FC and Anderlecht. The Spanish side now hope to extend that winning run well into the new year. Finishing top means they will play a third-placed team in the Round of 32, avoiding the sides that join from the UEFA Champions League, a bonus not lost on Swiss scorer Celestini. "We can't limit ourselves in this competition," he said. "Now we are lucky enough to have the return leg at home in the next round.

Tough rival
"To play an important match and score is very important for me," he added. "Our next opponents will be a tough proposition but to have qualified as top of the group is important for the club." Getafe are 14th in the Primera División and will hope to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone when they travel to UD Almería on Saturday, their last game of the year.