Betis cap historic season with King's Cup triumph

Real Betis coach Llorenc Serra Ferrer believes his team has written a new page in the club's history with their 2-1 extra-time victory over Osasuna in the King's Cup final at the Calderon on Saturday.

The Andalucian side's second Cup success came at the same stadium as their first when they beat Athletic Bilbao in 1977.

 
"It was great to see how delighted the players and fans were," said the 52-year-old former Barcelona coach. "It's my first trophy and the president of the club's first trophy so you can imagine how happy I am."

"This season we've won a title and we've also qualified for the Champions League and many sides with far more resources haven't managed either," added Serra Ferrer.

"We've written an extraordinary page in the history of the club with this triumph."

Betis snatched victory in what was a delicately balanced final when substitute striker Dani scored a coolly taken winner five minutes from the end of extra-time.

The Andalucians had taken the lead in the 77th minute when Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira took advantage of a mix-up in the Osasuna defence to guide the ball into the empty net.

But a determined Osasuna never threw in the towel and substitute John Aloisi equalised five minutes later with a header at the far post which was practically his first touch.

"I wasn't surprised by the game as I knew Osasuna would be very tough opponents," said Serra Ferrer.

"They may not have anything spectacular but they've got something good in every department. The tiredness at the end of a long season also evened things out."

Osasuna coach Javier Aguirre, who is expected to leave the club at the end of the season, paid tribute to his players who he said had given their all in their first Cup final.

"I'm proud of my players and couldn't have asked for any more from them," said the Mexican. "We got to the final using our own strengths and sadly we couldn't finish off tonight."

"In the last 15 minutes we showed a lot of courage and in extra time there was no difference between the teams. The players are devastated and very upset with the defeat."

But Aguirre said they could take solace from the fact that they had qualified for the UEFA Cup because Betis are in the Champions League after finishing fourth in the Primera Liga.

"The team are in Europe next year and that will mean Osasuna grow as a club and even though we lost out there today I think we became a bigger club in the process."