The 'Rabbit' bares his teeth

Having failed to reach a major final with FC Barcelona or AS Monaco FC, Javier Saviola has promised to "sweat blood" to win the UEFA Cup with Sevilla FC.

Loan spell
The 24-year-old Argentinian international has had some torrid times in Europe since joining Barcelona from CA River Plate but has found his feet at the Rámon Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium, He moved to Sevilla on loan at the start of the season and is preparing to give his all in the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven. "A European final doesn't happen every day and it was a great effort to get this far," the Argentinian international told uefa.com. "I would like to thank all our fans for the support they have given us on the way and I have to say to them that we will sweat blood on the pitch to win the title."

Barça woes
The striker's first three seasons at Barça coincided with a downturn at the Camp Nou, and as he fell from favour with coach Frank Rijkaard, Saviola hoped that spending a season on loan at Monaco would help him get a foothold in European football. It has taken a move to Sevilla for him to feel really at home and, regardless of the result of tonight's UEFA Cup final, he is eager to lay down roots in Seville. "I want to stay on at the club so I hope we can reach an agreement which allows me to stay," he said.

Hare-like pace
That will certainly be great news for Sevilla fans who have taken Saviola to their hearts since his arrival, nicknaming him 'Conejo' - 'Rabbit' - in an affectionate reference to his prominent front teeth. Now he is hoping that his side's hare-like pace can help undo Middlesbrough FC in the final. "There are no great favourites in finals so it doesn't really matter how fit either team is," he said. "The champions will have to suffer a lot to win and there are lots of factor to take into account. We have proved that we're a good attacking side and we will try to make the best of our pace to win."

'Tough rivals'
He is not expecting an easy game, describing his side's English opponents as "tough rivals". He added: "They didn't reach the final for no reason. When a team reaches a match like this one, there must have something about them and they also have some quality players." However, he is well aware that his side have plenty to offer as well. "All the Sevilla players are good professionals and we've proved that during the season," he said. "Judging by the campaign we've had, we deserve the title. Not to win it would be a tough blow."

'I wish!'
Thus far, Saviola has scored six UEFA Cup goals for Sevilla - one against Beşiktaş JK, two against Vitória SC and three against FC Zenit St. Petersburg - but would love to grab a seventh, especially a winner, tonight. "I wish! It would be one of the most important things in my career," he said. Sevilla can only hope that his wish will be granted.