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Parma rolls into UEFA Cup final

Balbo, Chiesa score in 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid

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Posted: Tuesday April 20, 1999 06:24 PM

No stopping him: Parma's Abel Balbo moves past keeper Jose Francisco Molina to score. AP

PARMA, Italy (AP) -- Argentine striker Abel Balbo scored a first-half goal and Enrico Chiesa added a goal with seven minutes left as Parma beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Tuesday night to advance to the UEFA Cup final on a 5-2 aggregate score.

The home victory at Tardini stadium in the second-leg semifinal added to a 3-1 victory by the Italian team in Madrid two weeks ago.

Parma, which reached its fourth final in the European competition, will play Olympique Marseille in Moscow on May 12. The French team eliminated Bologna in the other semifinal.

Balbo, fed by compatriot Juan Sebastian Veron, scored the opening goal in the 35th minute. Balbo, completing a fast counterattack, outdribbled goalkeeper Francisco Jose Molina and kicked the ball into the open net.

The Spanish team, although missing its best striker Jose Mari, pressed on the attack throughout, but failed to take advantage of the unusually erratic Italian defense.

Brazilian star Juninho, Jordi Lardin and Juan Carlos Valeron wasted good scoring opportunities before Atletico's equalizer on midfielder Roberto's powerful header in the 63rd minute.

Chiesa scored the winner in the 83rd with a curling right drive from the penalty area edge.

 

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