Sevilla fly flag for Spain
All six of Sevilla's titles in the competition have come in the past 15 years as the mastery of sporting director Monchi in the transfer market.
NAMPA/AFP
Sevilla's sixth Europa League triumph in a thrilling final over Inter Milan ensured a Spanish side won one of Europe's two major competitions for the 10th time in 12 seasons, even in a lean year for La Liga giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Inter were favourites to end Italy's decade without a major European prize since they won the Champions League in 2010.
But despite amassing almost an entirely new team over the past year with annual revenues of 230 million euros ($271 million) less than the Nerazzurri, Sevilla's capacity to upset the odds in the Europa League came through once more in a memorable 3-2 victory in Cologne.
Never-say-die attitude
“Never give up is written on our hearts,” said Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui, himself in his first season with the club.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have each won four Champions Leagues and Atletico three Europa Leagues, alongside two Champions League finals appearances, in the past 15 years as Spanish clubs have swept up 17 of the last 29 major European trophies.
But Sevilla's success is the most striking without the financial muscle of Barca and Madrid or the stability Atletico have enjoyed in the eight years since Diego Simeone's arrival as coach.
Record of Spain maintained
Victory over Inter continued an incredible record of La Liga clubs against non-Spanish opponents in UEFA finals, with 15 consecutive wins stretching back to 2001.
Sevilla have contributed five of them with their only win over a domestic opponent coming against Espanyol in 2007.
The lone survivor from that side, Jesus Navas, proudly lifted the trophy as captain in Cologne on Friday night.
Also in his second spell at the club, Navas is a perfect illustration of how Sevilla punch above their weight.
A product of the club's youth academy, the winger won two Europa Leagues and was part of the side that has come closest to winning La Liga over the past two decades in 2006/07.
As with most of Sevilla's stars he was sold on, moving to Manchester City for £15 million in 2013, where he never reached the same heights and was derided for his delivery from wide areas.
He returned to Sevilla on a free transfer three years ago and has earned a recall to the Spanish national team thanks to his performances as a right-back.
Despite his deeper position, Navas set up Luuk de Jong's winner against Manchester United in the semi-finals and provided the cross for the first of the Dutchman's double against Inter.
Sevilla's sixth Europa League triumph in a thrilling final over Inter Milan ensured a Spanish side won one of Europe's two major competitions for the 10th time in 12 seasons, even in a lean year for La Liga giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Inter were favourites to end Italy's decade without a major European prize since they won the Champions League in 2010.
But despite amassing almost an entirely new team over the past year with annual revenues of 230 million euros ($271 million) less than the Nerazzurri, Sevilla's capacity to upset the odds in the Europa League came through once more in a memorable 3-2 victory in Cologne.
Never-say-die attitude
“Never give up is written on our hearts,” said Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui, himself in his first season with the club.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have each won four Champions Leagues and Atletico three Europa Leagues, alongside two Champions League finals appearances, in the past 15 years as Spanish clubs have swept up 17 of the last 29 major European trophies.
But Sevilla's success is the most striking without the financial muscle of Barca and Madrid or the stability Atletico have enjoyed in the eight years since Diego Simeone's arrival as coach.
Record of Spain maintained
Victory over Inter continued an incredible record of La Liga clubs against non-Spanish opponents in UEFA finals, with 15 consecutive wins stretching back to 2001.
Sevilla have contributed five of them with their only win over a domestic opponent coming against Espanyol in 2007.
The lone survivor from that side, Jesus Navas, proudly lifted the trophy as captain in Cologne on Friday night.
Also in his second spell at the club, Navas is a perfect illustration of how Sevilla punch above their weight.
A product of the club's youth academy, the winger won two Europa Leagues and was part of the side that has come closest to winning La Liga over the past two decades in 2006/07.
As with most of Sevilla's stars he was sold on, moving to Manchester City for £15 million in 2013, where he never reached the same heights and was derided for his delivery from wide areas.
He returned to Sevilla on a free transfer three years ago and has earned a recall to the Spanish national team thanks to his performances as a right-back.
Despite his deeper position, Navas set up Luuk de Jong's winner against Manchester United in the semi-finals and provided the cross for the first of the Dutchman's double against Inter.
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