World Soccer

Franck Fife (AFP/Getty Images)

Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg won their first European silverware.

Second-half goals from Igor Denisov and Konstantin Zyrianov secured a 2-0 victory over Rangers in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday.

Denisov slotted home after 72 minutes and fellow midfielder Zyrianov sealed victory with a close range effort in stoppage time at the City of Manchester stadium to secure the trophy for Zenit in their first European final.

It was the second UEFA Cup success by a Russian side in four seasons following CSKA Moscow’s triumph in 2005.

“Winning a prize like this does not come often in your life,” Zenit coach Dick Advocaat told a news conference. “We are very proud that Zenit won tonight and after the way we played in this tournament, we really deserved it.”

Zenit failed to reproduce their impressive demolition of competition favourites Bayern Munich in the semi-finals but their attacking qualities, honed by Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, were too much for a spirited Rangers side.

Walter Smith’s side conceded only two goals in eight games en route to the final and their organised defence held firm.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the group of players we have,” said Rangers manager Walter Smith. “We didn’t think this season would lead to a European final. Obviously, we’re disappointed to lose after a good campaign for us.”

Zenit St Petersburg 2 Rangers 0

At City of Manchester stadium, England Scorers: Igor Denisov 72, Konstantin Zyrianov 90+4 Halftime: 0-0 Teams: Zenit St Petersburg: 16-Vyacheslav Malafeev; 22-Alexander Anyukov, 15-Roman Shirokov, 4-Ivica Krizanac, 11-Radek Sirl; 27-Igor Denisov, 44-Anatoly Tymoschuk, 18-Konstantin Zyrianov; 20-Viktor Fayzulin (5-Kim Dong-jin 90+3), 10-Andrei Arshavin, 9-Fatih Tekke Rangers: 13-Neil Alexander; 21-Kirk Broadfoot, 3-David Weir, 24-Carlos Cuellar, 5-Sasa Papac (10-Nacho Novo 77); 28-Steven Whittaker (9-Kris Boyd 86), 7-Brahim Hemdani (27-Lee McCulloch 80), 6-Barry Ferguson, 8-Kevin Thomson, 35-Steven Davis; 19-Jean-Claude Darcheville Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden)

UEFA CUP CHAMPIONS 2008 - Zenit Saint-Petersburg (RUS) 2007 - FC Sevilla (ESP) 2006 - FC Sevilla (ESP) 2005 - CSKA Moscow (RUS) 2004 - Valencia (ESP) 2003 - Porto (POR) 2002 - Feyernood (NED) 2001 - Liverpool (ENG) 2000 - Galatasaray (TUR) 1999 - Parma (ITA) 1998 - Inter Milan (ITA) 1997 - Schalke 04 (GER) 1996 - Bayern Munich (GER) 1995 - Parma (ITA) 1994 - Inter Milan (ITA) 1993 - Juventus (ITA) 1992 - Ajax (NED) 1991 - Inter Milan (ITA) 1990 - Juventus (ITA)

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