Europe revels in cup romance

Underdogs can have their day on Saturday in the Scottish and Belgian Cup finals, while silverware is also at stake in Georgia and Cyprus.

Tiny Gretna
Heart of Midlothian FC are overwhelming favourites to lift the Scottish Cup as they face Gretna FC at Hampden Park. The tiny club from the Scottish Borders have only been playing senior football for four years but are already sure of at least a qualifying place in next season's UEFA Cup.

European experience
Manager Rowan Alexander tasted European football as a player with Saint Mirren FC - one of the sides Gretna knocked out en route to the final - and admitted the prospect of lining up against some of Europe's top names is a huge incentive for his players.

Feyenoord memories

Hartley hope

Licenced to thrill
In Belgium, R. Excelsior Mouscron are seeking European qualification as they take on KSV Waregem in the Belgian Cup final at Brussels's Roi Baudouin stadium. Having been denied a league licence for 2006/07 on 24 April, Mouscron put their financial house in order in time to win an appeal against relegation and are now after an even bigger prize.

'Non au racisme'
"Thanks to getting this licence, the club can approach Saturday night's game calmly and with the hope of winning the first trophy in the history of Excelsior," said a club statement. Mouscron will wear special shirts with the slogan 'Non au racisme' as part of their anti-discrimination campaign.

Late stagger
Zulte-Waregem have also never won a trophy, having only been promoted to the top flight last season. They seemed set for a top-four finish before falling apart in the run-in and will be eager to grab their second chance of European qualification against Mouscron.

Three more finals
In Saturday's other finals, AEK Larnaca FC play APOEL FC in the Cypriot Cup decider while FC Ameri Tbilisi and FC Zestaponi contest a UEFA Cup spot in the Georgian Cup. On Sunday, FC Porto will look to complete a double when they tackle Vitória FC in the Portuguese Cup showpiece.