http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/fixturesresults/round=2368/ match=300123/report=rp.html Espanyol ride luck to reach semis Thursday, 12 April 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ RCD Espanyol withstood a barrage of second-half pressure from SL Benfica to claim a goalless draw in Lisbon and book their place in the UEFA Cup semi-finals. Resolute defending Leading 3-2 from the first leg, Espanyol produced a resolute defensive display to eliminate the two-time European champions and maintain their hopes of claiming a first continental prize. After a quiet opening period, Benfica sprung to life and created enough chances to run out comfortable winners, but Nuno Gomes was foiled by a wonder save from Gorka Iraizoz and the woodwork denied both Fabrizio Miccoli and Rui Costa as the Spanish team hung on to set up a semi-final meeting with Werder Bremen. Pandiani hits post The Espanyol goal had been under threat as early as the first minute when Miccoli narrowly failed to connect with Nuno Gomes's right-wing cross. However, visiting coach Ernesto Valverde had made it clear he did not want his players to sit back and they closed down tenaciously, restricting Rui Costa and Georgios Karagounis to speculative long-range efforts as the Portuguese side's initial pressure petered out. At the other end, Walter Pandiani, leading the line in the absence of injured captain Raul Tamudo, came close to scoring his eleventh goal in the competition after jinking inside Anderson on the left and curling a sumptuous shot on to the outside of the far post on 12 minutes. Few chances As in the first leg, Benfica struggled to find their attacking fluency in the first half. Moises Hurtado kept a close eye on Simao whose whipped shot flew wide of the far post on 16 minutes, but the best opportunities for Fernando Santos's men were coming from set-pieces. On 28 minutes, Nuno Gomes met Simao's corner with a powerful header, parried by Iraizoz, which David Luiz was unable to turn in on the rebound. With seconds remaining before the break, Benfica at last carved out a chance from open play, Simao threading a pass through for Miccoli but the Italian was beaten to the ball by the onrushing goalkeeper. Iraizoz to the rescue Benfica began the second half with more urgency and almost grabbed the goal they craved on 48 minutes. Simao's raking ball down the left found Miccoli who held up play before crossing for the Benfica captain, yet Simao could not trouble Iraizoz with his strike. Just as Espanyol seemed to be regaining control in midfield, a moment of inspiration from Rui Costa on 66 minutes almost broke their resistance. The veteran burst into the penalty area and drilled a low centre to the far post where Nuno Gomes appeared destined to score before Iraizoz pulled off a miraculous stop. Dramatic finale That proved the cue for a dramatic finale as Benfica poured forward in waves. Espanyol's luck seemed to be in on 72 minutes when Miccoli crashed a low effort against the post and the rebound hit Iraizoz but did not go in. Two minutes later Rui Costa bent a delightful free-kick against the same upright. Benfica's anguish continued as Mantorras nodded wide from close range on 85 minutes, and Espanyol, UEFA Cup runners-up in 1988, held on to keep alive their dream of going one better this year. Yellow cards for Francisco Chica, Luis Garcia and Pablo Zabaleta – ruling them out of the semi-final first leg against Werder Bremen - were the only blemishes on a famous night for the Catalan outfit. Spaniards make it through LISBON, April 12 (Reuters) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Espanyol reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals on Thursday with 0-0 draw against Benfica that gave them a 3-2 aggregate win. Benfica put the visiting Spanish side under pressure in the first few minutes of the quarter-final second leg but Espanyol had the best chance after 12 minutes when Walter Pandiani's shot hit the far post. Espanyol goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz kept his side on track for a place in the last four with a spectacular save on the line after a shot by Benfica striker Nuno Gomes in the 66th minute. 'We gave our best and that was key for the outcome of the game,' said Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde. 'For a club like ours to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup represents an historic moment.' It is the first time in 19 years that Espanyol have reached the last four in the competition, where they will now face Werder Bremen. Benfica squandered several chances to score, hitting the post twice in two minutes midway through the second half with shots from Fabrizio Miccoli and Rui Costa. Defender David Luiz also missed a chance after a goalmouth scramble in the first half. 'We have to value Espanyol's performance. There were four or five opportunities to score ... but we couldn't score. We're sad,' said Benfica coach Fernando Santos. Benfica striker Simao Sabrosa also rued the missed chances, saying: 'I guess today we lacked a little luck.' --

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