Coaches savour Intertoto success

Schalke delight
Germany's Schalke led 2-1 from the home leg against FC Slovan Liberec, before a 1-0 triumph in the Czech Republic confirmed their final triumph. Coach Jupp Heynckes, whose 14-month reign at Schalke has seen two Intertoto Cup successes, said: "It was a very important game for the team and we kept our good record in the competition by winning all six matches. Frank Rost was outstanding. He hung on to the win with a great goalkeeping display."

'Full of adrenalin'
Rost himself said: "I knew a single mistake could have cost us our place so I was full of adrenalin." Meanwhile, striker Ailton, whose fifth goal of the tournament came three minutes from time, added: "The Intertoto Cup is great, but the UEFA Cup is even better."

Griga gracious
Liberec coach Stanislav Griga was gracious in defeat. "Schalke deserved to go through, looking at both games. However, they were lucky to escape defeat today. We took a few risks towards the end and the visitors punished us with a late goal."

Villarreal victory
Spain's Villarreal were beaten in the 2002 final by Málaga CF before triumph against SC Heerenveen last year, and they almost came unstuck against Primera División opposition again. Their 2-0 first-leg advantage was wiped out at Club Atlético de Madrid, yet Villarreal prevailed 3-1 on penalties.

Pellegrini pleased
Coach Manuel Luis Pellegrini, who took charge of Villarreal this summer, will now aim to improve on their run to the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 2003/04. He said: "We have had a great Intertoto campaign, faced some very difficult rivals, reached the final and emerged victorious. I was pleased with the way we held out even after going 2-0 down. Penalty shoot-outs can be won by either team and tonight we had fortune on our side but Atlético have shown they are a great club."

'We are devastated'
Atlético left-back Sergi Barjuán admitted: "We are devastated, absolutely destroyed - after an intense game like this, it is understandable. We lacked the luck you need to win, but we can be proud of our performance tonight and that bodes well for the start of the new season."

Puel delight
French club Lille, like Villarreal, were losing finalists in 2002, but the season before had made their UEFA Cup bow in the third round after exiting the UEFA Champions League. After two goalless 90 minutes against UD Leiria, Lille triumphed 2-0 in extra time in Portugal last night, and coach Claude Puel was understandably delighted.

'Brilliant attitude'
He said: "We are very proud to have gone through to the UEFA Cup. In all three ties, we had to play the second leg away from home, so my team have shown they have a brilliant attitude, even if they are young. This was a very difficult tie, because Leiria are a very competitive team with very technically gifted players."

Pontes pride
Vítor Pontes, who last season led Leiria in the UEFA Cup for the first time, found consolation even though his side missed out on a return trip. "The team that loses always faces disappointment, but I am satisfied with and even proud of, my team's attitude," he said. "We have to congratulate Lille, though, as theirs was a worthy victory."