Sevilla Become Europa League Winners for the Third Successive Time

Jurgen Klopp has failed to make Liverpool Europa League winners as Sevilla defended their title and in the process made this their third consecutive triumph in the competition.

(Image credit: The Guardian)

Liverpool opened the scoring in the 35th minute that came by way of forward Daniel Sturridge, who curled the ball inside the net with the outside of his left foot. Prior to the game, Sturridge was the Liverpool favourite to score a goal, per many online sportsbooks. (Check out Betting Herald’s online sportsbook reviews for more info.)

As soon as the second half began, Sevilla responded aggressively by scoring a goal of their own a mere 16 seconds into the game. Online sportsbooks got the odds right again, as Sevilla’s goal favourite Kevin Gameiro found the back of the net.

His strike was followed by another goal 18 minutes later thanks to right-back Coke, who was one of the outsiders to score a goal, according to online sportsbooks. The Spanish defender killed off the game by adding another goal in the 70th minute of the match that saw Sevilla become the Europa League winners for the third straight time.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp remained bullish after Liverpool missed out on being crowned Europa League winners for the first time since 2001. “There are more important things in life than football,” said the charismatic German. “I don’t think God had a plan with me to go to the final and always have bad luck. I’ve had a lot of luck in my life. I sit here as a manager of Liverpool.”

(Image credit: Sky Sports)

Prior to the match in Basel, Klopp maintained a disappointing record in final cup games that has now been extended to five losses in final encounter, after last night’s loss to the Spanish side. “I don’t think I am an unlucky person or life has not been good to me. I will carry on and I will be in another final – and you’ll tell me I lost the last five finals. I will try to reach the next final even when I know I can lose it,” Klopp highlighted.

“We are disappointed and frustrated 100% but tomorrow or later in the week we will see it a little more clearly and we will use this experience, that is what we have to do.” The 48-year-old manager insisted that next season will give them time to work harder on their game as they won’t be competing in Europe. “It is clear we are not in a European tournament next year so we don’t have football on Wednesday or Thursday, so we will have time to train and we will, for sure, come back stronger.”

Sevilla manager Unai Emery stressed after the win over Liverpool, “We love this competition. We want it so much. It is our competition. We are champions again and the Champions League is an opportunity to grow. It’s a unique satisfaction.”

Despite going down 1-0 with Sturridge’s 35th minute strike, Emery managed to find a way for his team to mount a comeback against Jurgen Klopp’s men. “We organized our minds at the break and we knew why we had reached this stage. We had to remember that the neutral pitch was the Sanchez Pizjuan, that we were in Seville. And the team took off.”

Sevilla become Europa League winners for third straight time thanks to manager Unai Emery
(Image credit: Sky Sports)

After clinching three consecutive Europa League winners’ medals, the Spanish manager will deservedly attract a number of high profile jobs at other clubs. However, he sees himself staying with the Andalusian side for many years to come, although he concedes that one can never be too certain in football due to its dynamic nature. “I am very happy here at the club. As long as Sevilla wants me we are preparing for the present and future,” said Emery. “I work thinking I am going to stay my whole life but I know how football works. I don’t know what is going to happen.”

Emery has done a remarkable job by guiding Los Rojiblancos to three successive Europa League titles, however he’s already eyeing his upcoming opponents Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final this weekend (May 22).

“We have the Copa del Rey on Sunday against Barcelona and we have to prepare thoroughly for the challenge. We will celebrate this tonight but we will be careful,” Emery stressed, as he looks to add another title to his Europa League winners’ trophy. Online sportsbook Bet365 has classified the Andalusians as outsiders 8.00 (7/1) for the Spanish Cup final, with a draw being the most that they can hope for 6.00 (5/1). Considering the exquisite talents within the Barcelona squad, it’s no surprise that they’re strong favourites 1.28 (2/7).

(For more details about the online sportsbook, check out Bet365 Sports Review.)