On Wednesday, Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany won the Europa League, its first European trophy in 42 years, 5-4 in penalties over Scottish side Rangers, following the end of a final in Seville. Aaron Ramsey came on as a substitute during the closing stages of extra time to prepare for the shootout, but Kevin Trapp saved the Welshman’s 12-yard effort. At the same time, Raphael Borre scored the fifth and final penalty for Eintracht Frankfurt to be crowned champions, their first European trophy since 1980. Rafael Borre was the evening hero, having already cancelled out Joe Aribo’s opening goal for the Rangers, as Frankfurt won their first European trophy since 1980 and booked a spot in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League the following season.
Rangers ended the extra-time period as the stronger side, but two superb saves by Eintracht goalkeeper Kevin Trapp ensured that the Europa League final went to a clinical shootout. Rangers recovered from a setback, with both sides looking to secure a Europa League final within 90 minutes, but neither could prevent the clash from going into extra time. Eintracht goalkeeper Kevin Trapp saved an Aaron Ramsey spot-kick — Rangers fourth – and Eintracht Frankfurt were impeccable with their finishing, scoring all five goals after the match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes. Frankfurt, which had also won the competition in 1980, back when it was called the UEFA Cup, had to come from behind to beat Southern Spain in the penalty shootout. It was the Rangers who came closest to winning the Europa League final; however, in the closing minutes, substitute Kemar Roofe flicked the ball into the penalty area to put past Ryan Kent.
Both clubs were seeking their second European titles in their histories, Rangers having won the Cup Winners Cup in 1972, EINTRACHT Frankfurt having lifted the UEFA Cup 42 years earlier. The victory means Eintracht Frankfurt’s return to the Champions League for the first time since 1960, when Frankfurt reached the final and lost to Real Madrid in their lone appearance in Europe’s top club competition. The majority of fans lacked a ticket to the game at the 42,700-seat Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. Approximately 100,000 Glasgow fans and 50,000 Frankfurt supporters travelled to the Spanish city for the game. On the other hand, Rangers supporters were allowed to watch the game on video screens at a second stadium in the town’s north. On Thursday, fans returning to Glasgow Airport expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome but said it had been a fantastic experience. A dozen police forces stood outside of the Louden Tavern throughout the evening, but there was no major incident.
