European: Valencia win UEFA Cup

Twice in the previous three years Valencia had been so close to tasting the nectar of success, only to fall just short at the finish line.

Losses in the finals of the 2000 and 2001 Champions League competitions were disappointing for a club that hadn't won a European club championship in over 20 years. This time, the third time around, was apparently a charm for the recently crowned La Liga champs.

Fabien Barthez was sent off as Valencia claimed the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Marseille in Gothenburg on Wednesday night.

The former Manchester United keeper saw red for a cynical 45th-minute challenge on Mista which enabled Vicente to set the Spaniards on their way to victory from the spot.

Valencia deserved their victory, dominating what proved to be a very low-key encounter in Gothenburg. But with Marseille reduced to 10 men, it was a comfortable victory for the newly-crowned Spanish champions.