Lazio Cup Kings of Europe

Season 1998-99

Cup Winners Cup, Final

Wednesday, May 19, 1999

Villa Park, Birmingham

RCD Mallorca Lazio 1-2

A late goal by Pavel Nedved gives Lazio European glory in epic night at Villa Park

Ticket owned by Dag Jenkins, photo by Dag Jenkins

Lazio had won the previous year's Coppa Italia beating Milan 3-2 on aggregate and with three goals in ten minutes in an unforgettable evening at the Olimpico.

This qualified for what was to be the last ever European Cup Winners Cup. UEFA had decided to incorporate the domestic cup winners into the UEFA Cup and to scrap the Cup Winners Cup. More teams in the Champions League, then in 2009 more teams in the new Europa League, then a third tournament in 2021 the Conference League all meant more teams, more matches and obviously… more money.

Lazio started their campaign in September against Lausanne from Switzerland. The home game was a 1-1 draw and then with a 2-2 on the lake, Lazio got through.

In the second round Lazio were drawn against Partizan Belgrade. Another home draw, this time 0-0 was followed by an impressive 3-2 away win in Serbia.

The quarter final was a Greek holiday. Lazio beat Panionios 4-0 at home and 3-0 away.

The semi final was tougher, against Lokomotiv Moscow. A 1-1 away draw was followed by a 0-0 in Rome. Lazio were going to Villa Park!!

Mallorca had qualified for the tournament despite losing the Copa del Rey on penalties to Barcelona. The Blaugrana had won the Liga so conceded their Cup Winners Cup place to the "Bermellones" (brilliant orangish-red colour). The Balearic islanders had finished an impressive 5th in La Liga. They had also won the Spanish Supercup, beating Barcelona twice 2-1 and 1-0 in August. They were currently 3rd in La Liga.

In the first round of their European campaign they got the better of Hearts from Edinburgh, Scotland, 1-0, 1-1. In the next round the Spaniards knocked out Genk, Belgium, on away goals 0-0, 1-1. In the quarterfinal they played Croats Vartek and prevailed 0-0, 3-1. In the semis came the big surprise as the Mallorquines overcame Chelsea 1-1 and 1-0. Mallorca were going to Villa Park!!

Mallorca had Héctor Cúper as manager. Their main stars were Miquel Soler, Ariel Ibagaza, Jovan Stanković, Lauren, Vicente Engonga, Diego Tristan and historic captain Javier Olaizola. Their main danger man and top scorer was Dani on 3 goals.

Lazio were considered slight favourites today, but Mallorca were an in-form side, had beaten Barcelona three times this season and were third in the Liga (and had the best defence), so were not to be underestimated.

The match

It was a mild, pleasant spring evening in Birmingham. At least 15,000 Laziali and 8,000 Mallorquines had made the trip to the capital of the Midlands.

The town itself had been very welcoming and helpful and there was definitely the feeling a big event was taking place.

Lazio had to do without semi-final hero Alen Boksic, who had a 40° temperature, and initially left out Sergio Conceição. Mallorca played with the predicted line-up, a solid midfield and Dani up front.

Lazio got off to a dream start. Beppe Pancaro, still in his own half, sent a long ball up front just inside the Spaniards area where Christian Vieri out jumped a defender and lobbed a high header over Carlos Roa, who was too far out. The keeper managed to slap the ball but could not prevent it from going in. A great goal, at the Lazio fans end too. Only seven minutes gone and Mallorca 0 Lazio 1.

The lead however did not last long. Just a few minutes later Leonardo Biagini put a vertical ball through the Lazio defence to the left which found Francisco Soler, the former Barcelona sent in a low cross into the middle and it was child's play for an unmarked Dani to beat Luca Marchegiani. Ten minutes gone and Mallorca 1 Lazio 1.

Lazio felt the blow and took some time to recover. Mallorca were quicker and extremely well organised, dominating for a while in midfield.

Lazio gradually stirred and Vieri had a powerful shot from twenty metres out saved into corner by Roa. Vieri soon after the goal had suffered a nasty cut above his eyebrow and had to continue the game bandaged up. This did not prevent the Australian raised striker then having a header go just over the bar. Marcelo Salas had an opening, but was just anticipated. Meanwhile, Mallorca were lively and always ready for a counter attack despite not creating any clear cut chances. Halftime 1-1. A balanced 45 minutes, Lazio superior but Mallorca very competitive.

There were no changes after the break. The second half followed a clear script. Lazio attacking in numbers and Mallorca ready to pounce on the counter as they were extremely quick.

Lazio's first change came in the 56th minute with Conceição replacing an injured Dejan Stankovic, probably hoping for some decent crosses for Vieri.

The game, despite Lazio's superior possession and pressure, could have gone either way. Lazio had opportunities with a Sinisa Mihajlovic free kick, just wide, and Vieri was always dangerous in the air, but Mallorca gave as good as they got with a Lauren shot well saved by Marchegiani, then Alessandro Nesta saved on a venomous Jovan Stankovic cross and the Balearics islanders had several corners.

It was obvious the deadlock had to be broken by an "episode", a touch of brilliance or luck, but whoever had it at this point would almost certainly go on to win the game.

It came with nine minutes to go. Matias Almeyda to Salas onto Vieri just outside the box. Big "Bobo" tried his luck with a left foot, but it was blocked by a defender, the ball then spun up into the air where both Vieri and a defender missed it and it came down where Pavel Nedved, after a bounce and his back half turned on goal, struck a brilliant shot into the right hand corner. Chaos, confusion but above all delirium in the Lazio sectors. Mallorca 1 Lazio 2.

Mallorca obviously attacked the last eight minutes plus three of injury time but, apart from several crosses, were never really dangerous. The "episode" had come and gone and it was Biancoceleste. Full time 2-1 to Lazio.

Alessandro Nesta lifted the last ever Cup Winners Cup to the sky on an unforgettable Birmingham spring evening. Lazio's first real European trophy.

Celebrations strung out at Villa Park. Both teams were applauded by the opposing fans and then Lazio, changing from their yellow and black shirts with a red sponsor into the more popular light blue and white, came to party under the ecstatic 15,000 travelling faithful.