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Regional rivals ready for final

Spain have the chance to become the second country to provide two winners of the UEFA Regions' Cup when Castilla y León AMA meet Romanian side Oltenia AMA in today's final from 20.15CET.

Oltenia coach Sorinel Patrascu (left) poses with the UEFA Regions' Cup trophy beside Castilla's Javier Yepes
Oltenia coach Sorinel Patrascu (left) poses with the UEFA Regions' Cup trophy beside Castilla's Javier Yepes ©Sportsfile

Spain have the chance to become the second country to provide two winners of the UEFA Regions' Cup when Castilla y León AMA meet Romanian representatives Oltenia AMA in today's final.

Top-flight setting
Madrid AMA were beaten by Veneto AMA in the 1999 showpiece, the tournament's first, but Spanish success was forthcoming six years later when Basque Country AMA triumphed in Poland. Castilla can emulate their regional counterparts − and match Italy's two victories − at the home of Prva Liga outfit NK Inter Zaprešic. However, having had their opponents watched over the last eight days, coach Javier Yepes knows his side face a thorough examination.

Romanian greats
"I've seen two of Oltenia's matches, against the Russian and Croatian teams, when the characteristics of Romanian football were evident: a lot of energy, a fast tempo and players with big personalities," the 59-year-old told uefa.com. "This reminded me of people like [Marius] Lăcătuş and [Gheorghe] Hagi and I would consider them to be the Latin team of the east."

'Latin style'
Far from being nervous as the first Romanian side to contest a UEFA Regions' Cup final, Sorinel Patrascu is delighted his players have the opportunity to test themselves against one of the best amateur teams around. "We know it will be a really tough game because they have produced some good football during the group stage," said Patrascu, who also coaches top-flight women's team Sporting Craiova. "I am proud to be playing against a representative from one of Europe's big football nations."

Spanish glory
A Castilla victory would come less than a month since FC Barcelona were crowned European champions in Rome and a year after Spain won UEFA EURO 2008™, securing a clean sweep of the continent's leading club, national and amateur titles. "I would like to be part of this Spanish success on the European stage but I know our opponents will not give us the trophy so we'll have to show how much we want it and even that might not be enough," added Yepes, who confirmed that defender Cristian Martín will miss the match with a fractured toe. "We might also need some luck because finals can often be decided by such small details."

Past experience
Having been in charge four years ago when Oltenia lost to Basque Country in the final tournament under their previous guise of Dacia Amateur, Patrascu believes the quality of the 2009 qualifiers means his side are in perfect shape to tackle the Group B winners who boast a 100 per cent record in this season's edition. "This year all the teams have been well prepared, more so than in 2005, so every game in the group phase was similar to a final," he said.

Retirement
The final will also be the climax of Yepes' 45-year career in the game and offers the former Real Valladolid CF youth trainer the chance to sign off on a high. "I am the oldest trainer in this competition and so I can now let younger coaches take my place and feel these experiences," he said.