By Anna Italia
Covering the UEFA Cup from an Italian Perspective


               57% Ball Possession Sampdoria and 43% Ball Possession Sevilla

                      Sampdoria 1 - 0 Sevilla
                         74' Jonathan Bottinelli

Substitutions: 46' Mirko Pieri out, Reto Ziegler in                 54' Konko out, Aquivaldo Mosquera in
                      62' S. Lucchini out, Jonathan Bottinelli in       67' Adriano out, Trinidad Diego Capel in
                      90' Claudio Bellucci out, M. Stankevicius in   79' Enzo Maresca out, Ndri Romaric in


What a nice Christmas Present for Sampdoria and Italian Football fans!   Sampdoria qualifies to the UEFA Cup eliminating one of the favorites "SEVILLA." Sampdoria qualifies with 7 points as third place in Group C!  Hip hip hurrah  It was not an easy match and Sampdoria really suffered, but at the end Jonathan Bottinelli's goal crashed Sevilla's hope to win the third UEFA Cup as they expected.  Sevilla won the UEFA Cup in 2006 and 2007.  Certainly, the name of "Bottinelli" won't be pronounced in Sevilla's way back home, but celebrated in Sampdoria as heroe!

2008 - 2009 Buy Your TICKETS for soccer / football Italian Serie A Click here to buy your 2008-2009 Sampdoria Home Jersey, Sampdoria Away Jersery, and Sampdoria 3rd jersey.

Here is the starting eleven formation for SAMPDORIA by Coach Walter Mazzarri:

SAMPDORIA:  Luca Castellazzi, Hugo Campagnaro, Daniele Gastaldello, Stefano Lucchino, Marco Padalino, Gennaro Delvecchio, Paolo Sammarco, Daniele Frascheschini, Mirko Pieri, Claudio Bellucci, Antonio Cassano.

Here is the starting eleven formation for SEVILLA by Coach Manolo Jimenez:

SEVILLE:  Andres Palop, Sebastien Squillacci, Ferico Fazio, Julien Escude, Dragutinovic, Konko, Enzo Maresca, Jesus Nava, Adriano, Renato, Luis Fabiano.

2008 - 2009 UEFA CUP  Group Stage C Standings Updated: December 18, 2008
CLUB	GP	W	L	D	PTS	GD
Standard Liege	4	3	1	0	9	2
VfB Stuttgart	4	2	1	1	7	3
Sampdoria	4	2	1	1	7	-1
Sevilla FC	4	2	2	0	6	3
Partizan Belgrade	4	0	4	0	0	-7

Despite Sevilla dominating the match in the first half, Sampdoria survived and finally saw the light in the 74th minute.  Jonathan Bottinelli who substituted Lucchini in the 63rd minute, was the hero of the night.  Bottinelli gets an assist by Reto Ziegler from a direct free kick and shoots to the left low corner blasting Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Pallop.  Bottinelli delivering a "here I am for you Sampdoria." A winning goal full of joy for Sampdoria fans. Merry Christmas!!!


Bottinelli celebrating  his winning goal. Photo: Reuters.

An unforgettable day for Bottinelli and Ziegler since both were listed as substitutes, but when the team needed them, they made the difference.  A toast for Ziegler making the assist.  Ziegler substituted Mirko Pieri in the 46th minute.

Guys, Sampdoria coach Walter Mazzarri said it before the match, that this was like "A Final."  Well, indeed it was a final stop for Sevilla and their dream to achieve their 3rd Uefa Cup in 4 years.... Sampdoria, ale! Doria ale', Doria Ale, Doria, Doria, Doria Ale!!!!!


2008 - 2009 UEFA Cup  Group Stage C Matchday 5

SAMPDORIA - SEVILLE
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Luigi Ferraris Stadium
11:30 a.m. USA Pacific Time

Referee: Howard Webb

Attendance: 15,000

Scorer: 74' Jonathan Bottinelli

2008 - 2009 UEFA Cup  Group Stage C Matchday 5 SAMPDORIA - SEVILLE Thursday, December 18, 2008 Luigi Ferraris Stadium 11:30 a.m. USA Pacific Time Referee: Howard Webb Report on Italian Soccer Serie A
Sampdoria		Sevilla FC
1	Goals		0
8(6)	Shots (on Goal)		10(6)
20	Fouls		21
4	Corner Kicks		7
2	Offsides		1
57%	Ball Possession		43%
3	Yellow Cards		2
0	Red Cards		0
6	Saves		5

Booked: For Sampdoria, 15' Mirko Pieri, 76' Jonathan Bottinelli, 78' Claudio Bellucci, 73' Gennaro Delvecchio.
For Sevilla, 74' Federico Fazio, 67' Fernando Navarro
 



What do you think of the result?  Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why?






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