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As the sun sets on the UEFA Cup, the stage is set for one last Grand Finale to be held in Istanbul, Turkey. To be rechristened UEFA Europa League from 2010, the competition has witnessed some of the most magnificent clashes in the history of modern football. And tonight we are in for another treat as Shakhtar Donetsk and Werder Bremen clash at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium, home of Fenerbahce FC. This is only the third time that the UEFA Cup final is being held between two teams that entered the tournament after being eliminated from the Champions League.

 

Shakhtar Donetsk had a rough start to their Champion’s League season. The Ukrainian champions found themselves eliminated after finishing third in a group that featured the likes of FC Barcelona and Sporting CP.

After dumping the high flying Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 32, the Ukrainian giants have claimed big scalps in the form of French giants Marseille and the likes of CSKA Moscow en-route to the finals. The semi final legs witnessed classic encounters with fellow Ukrainian arch rivals Dynamo Kyiv which saw Shakhtar sneak into the final after eliminating Kyiv with an 89th minute heartbreaker from Brazilian Ilsinho.

Shakhtar are currently enjoying brilliant form, having won their last 6 matches comprehensively and Mircea Lucescu’s side will be hoping to make history by becoming the first ever Ukranian side to win the UEFA Cup since the fall of the Soviet Union. With most of their players available, Tomas Hubschmann is out due to suspension, Shakhtar Donetsk will be looking up to Brazilian Fernandinho to provide the moment of inspiration. Fernandinho’s pace might just be a little too hot to handle for the fragile Bremen defense.

Werder Bremen’s road to Istanbul has seen the likes of AC Milan, St Etienne, Udinese and compatriots Hamburg SV. Although, the Germans have had a disappointing Bundesliga campaign, lingering at a lowly tenth in the league table. They will hope to capture some silverware and become the first German side in eight years to win a European title.

However the Germans are beset with problems as they are set to miss the brilliance and flamboyance of Brazilian playmaker Diego, and the firepower of Hugo Almeida, both out through suspensions. Defender, Per Mertesacker is missing out due to injury problems.

Hence, the stage is set for 20 year old Mesut Ozil, the midfielder of Turkish descent, to take up the mantle and grab the opportunity to produce a breathtaking show in probably the biggest night of his career. Moreover with the likes of Frank Baumann, Torsten Frings and Claudio Pizarro the Germans have plenty of experience, a major factor which might just the tip the balance in Bremen’s favour.

Both teams are evenly matched and one cannot be too sure if the experience of Werder Bremen would overcome the exuberance of a young Donetsk side. But one thing that is certain is that history is going to be rewritten, come May the 20th. It remains to be seen as to which country the last UEFA Cup shall travel to.

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