On A Day Like Today: Valencia CF are crowned 2004 UEFA Cup winners

Valencia CF have come close to European glory in recent seasons, but their 2004 UEFA Cup accolade remains the most recent continental trophy to be added to the club’s honours. The final, held in Gothenburg against Olympique Marseille, took place on May 19th, and the 2-0 victory was a high point for a golden generation of players.

Coached by Rafa Benitez, the squad travelled to Sweden to play in front of 39,000 fans, a large number of whom were also making the trip from Spain. Those in attendance were treated to a display of grit and strategy, in which VCF were solid in defence and midfield and able to make the most of two good chances.

Vicente was the man who would break the deadlock, in stoppage time at the end of the first half: When opposition defender Beye failed to clear a Curro Torres cross, Mista went for the ball. The striker was hauled down by Marseille goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who was sent off as Valencia CF were awarded a penalty. Vicente dispatched the spot kick, handing his team the advantage against opposition reduced to ten men.

The plan for the second half was to stifle the French side’s hopes of a fightback and kill the game off, and Vicente nearly scored his second goal of the night on one occasion, but it would be Mista who made it 2-0. Vicente’s precision pass on the counterattack from the left was finished well by the prolific striker, for one of his most famous goals.

From there, Valencia CF commanded the final half hour, until the referee called an end to the contest. Captain David Albelda would lift the trophy, whilst Mista was named Man Of The Match and coach Benitez was thrown in the air by the players in celebration.

The full lineup that day was: Cañizares, Curro Torres, Ayala, Marchena (Pellegrino, min. 86), Carboni, Albelda, Baraja, Rufete (Aimar, min. 64), Vicente, Angulo (Sissoko, min. 82) and Mista.