Effortless Valencia ease through

By Berend Scholten

Valencia CF cruised through the second leg of the UEFA Intertoto Cup semi-final against Roda JC in the Netherlands to set up a final against Hamburger SV.

One-sided scoreline
Quique Sánchez Flores's side were at their fluent best at the Mestalla last Wednesday, Francisco Rufete helping himself to a hat-trick as the Spanish side swept Roda aside. It left the Eredivisie outfit with a highly improbable four-goal mountain to climb at the Parkstad Limburg.

Spurned chance
It never looked likely though and the 3,300 that bothered to turn up to watch instead saw Valencia come close to adding to their already emphatic advantage. David Villa had a wonderful chance to spark the game into life just before the interval, but with the goal at his mercy, he missed the target.

Absent stars
With Santiago Cañizares and midfielder David Albelda not travelling and Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert confined to the bench, Valencia were always going to be satisfied with a draw, while Roda coach Huub Stevens simply used the match to prepare for the new season. The match inevitably petered out and based on tonight's performance, Stevens could have a busy week ahead before the Eredivisie season kicks off next weekend.

Hamburg await
Valencia, meanwhile, will travel to Germany next Tuesday to face Hamburg, equally comprehensive winners against SK Sigma Olomouc in their semi-final. The return leg is two weeks later with a UEFA Cup berth in the offing for the victors.