Sevilla stun Benfica to extend Euro jinx

Spanish side beats opponents on penalties 4-2

TURIN: Spanish side Sevilla sensationally claimed a third Europa League title after a dramatic penalty shoot-out to extend the Portuguese giants' European final hoodoo in Turin on Wednesday. Sevilla won 4-2 on penalties after playing a goalless draw.

Benfica, recently crowned league and League Cup champions, came to Turin confident of ending a 52-year jinx that had seen them lose a total of seven European finals since winning the second of two consecutive European Cups in 1962.

Benfica had stumbled at the last hurdle five times in the European Cup, once in the Uefa Cup (1983) and once in its successor, the Europa League, in 2013 when they lost 2-1 to Chelsea in Amsterdam.

Yet despite creating the lion's share of chances in an open, flowing encounter, the 'Benfica Curse' – as their unenvied streak has come to be known – was maintained as Jorge Jesus's men ultimately failed to hit the net at Juventus Stadium.

Jesus said, “The best team did not win the Europa League", and added, "Sevilla started off better, but as match progressed we improved and we were the better team.

"We showed our power and created chances to score but couldn't. And then in extra time the team that believed more in the penalties was Sevilla."

Meanwhile, Sevilla coach Unai Emery admitted it had been ‘delicate’ keeping his troops focused.

"All you can do is tell them to be calm, sure of themselves and not to have any doubts. It's a delicate situation," he said.