Rivals ready to make their mark
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Article summary
Both Sporting Clube de Portugal and PFC CSKA Moskva believe their name will be inscribed on the UEFA Cup.
Article body
UEFA's master engraver will inscribe a new name on the UEFA Cup following tonight's final between Sporting Clube de Portugal and PFC CSKA Moskva at Sporting's Estadio José Alvalade.
uefa.com coverage
The UEFA Cup preview show on uefa.com action will be discussing the very latest from Lisbon from 19.30CET, then live match commentary will be broadcast in seven languages. Pictures, team news and minute-by-minute text commentary from the stadium will also be available in seven languages from 20.30CET through uefa.com's UEFA Cup matchcentre, with match reports, reaction and reviews published after the full-time whistle. A comprehensive video highlights package, including a full match re-run, will be available by the early hours of Thursday morning.
Only success
Sporting are seeking to win the trophy 41 years after their only previous success on the European stage, which came in 1964 when they defeated MTK Budapest, now MTK Hungária FC, in the replayed final of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. CSKA are the first Russian team to reach a European final since FC Dinamo Moskva were defeated in the 1972 Cup Winners' Cup final by Rangers FC, but even though they are, effectively the "away" team on Wednesday, they are no strangers to Portugal.
Third visit
This is their third visit there this season, having drawn both of their previous matches. In September they held played out a stalemate with FC Porto in their opening UEFA Champions League match before returning in February to face SL Benfica in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup. Holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, CSKA drew 1-1 in Lisbon to progress at the expense of Sporting's great rivals. Now they hope to make it third time lucky with victory.
Thrills in store
Victory for CSKA would make them the third team to lift the UEFA Cup after dropping down from the Champions League following Galatasaray SK in 2000 and Feyenoord two seasons later, while Sporting would also follow Feyenoord as UEFA Cup winners on their own turf. It promises to be a thrilling evening.