Mixed emotions

Porto triumphant; Gallant Celtic saluted in defeat

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) -- A delighted FC Porto departed this Andalusian city Thursday carrying home its first-ever UEFA Cup, while defeated Celtic received praise for its gallant effort in a thrilling final.

The Portuguese team beat Celtic 3-2 after extra time in front of 60,000 spectators -- well over half being the Scottish team's supporters -- in the sweltering heat of the Olympic Stadium.

Brazilian striker Derlei, who was voted man of the match, netted two goals including the 115th minute game-winner. Celtic's Swedish striker Henrik Larsson also scored twice with headers although it was not enough to win his team its first European title for 36 years.

"We just lost one of the biggest matches a soccer player can ever play. So I'm not very happy at the moment," Larsson said immediately after the game.

For Porto coach Jose Mourinho the trophy was his second in his first full season in charge. The club lifted the Portuguese league title several weeks ago. It has a chance to win a third trophy when it plays Leiria in the Portuguese Cup final on June 15.

"I am ecstatic. We have made history. It's very emotional to know that the Cup is ours. Celtic made things difficult for us but in the end the best team won. The team who tried to win," Mourinho said.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill extolled his team after the match, saying that the match had been an "unforgettable experience."

"We are deeply disappointed. I felt we could have won. We were immense tonight. We can be immense in victory and tonight we were immense in defeat," the Northern Irishman said.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain could be proud of Celtic's performance in Seville.

"Celtic did the country proud tonight, to come back twice and lose was the cruelest disappointment," the Prime Minister said. "The team fought hard and deserved credit for their performance and throughout the tournament."

Celtic labored for most of extra time with only 10 men following the 95th-minute ejection of French defender Bobo Balde.

The two coaches differed after the game as to which team had played more fairly.

O'Neill said that he "was not at all pleased" with Porto's behavior, which led the vast numbers of the Scottish team's supporters to chant "cheats" when the Portuguese team received the trophy.

"Celtic fans are as fair-minded as any in Europe and you saw their reaction," the Belfast-born coach said.

Mourinho reacted to suggestions that his team had spent too long celebrating its goals and by exaggerating Celtic tackles by hitting back at the physically stronger Scottish team.

"They were aggressive, they were typical of the aggressive nature of British teams. I could maybe think of a harder word than aggressive. Balde should have been sent off earlier for a foul on Deco but he only got a yellow card. What Balde did to Deco could finish the career of a player," he said.

Spanish newspapers Thursday praised midfielder Deco for a performance which at times ran the Celtic defense ragged.

Deco, who was born in Brazil but now plays for the Portuguese national team, played a part in all three of his team's goals.

"Deco and Derlei bring splendor back to Porto" ran the headline of daily El Mundo, while the leading sports daily Marca said "Deco illuminated Porto in Seville". "Deco, on the path to greatness" El Mundo said.

Newspapers praised supporters for making the final a largely trouble-free occasion, although a Porto fan accidentally drowned in the river Guadalquivir on Tuesday and a Celtic fan stabbed another supporter of his team the same day.

Some 60,000 Celtic supporters had occupied downtown Seville in increasing numbers since Monday, swilling beer from morning to night and filling the city with the team's green and white colors.

The reported 25,000 Portuguese fans were less in evidence, with many making the six-hour road trip the day of the match.

"Few incidents in rivers of beer," El Pais said, while El Mundo said the final was "an unrepeatable occasion."

 

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