Rangers reaches UEFA Cup final by beating Fiorenna

The Associated Press ,  Florence   |  Fri, 05/02/2008 9:27 AM  |  Sports

Rangers beat Fiorentina 4-2 in a penalty shootout Thursday to advance to the UEFA Cup final.

Following 210 minutes of scoreless play over two legs, Spanish forward Nacho Novoonverted the
decisive penalty after Fabio Liverani and Christian Vieri failed for Fiorentina.

"Personally, I thought European cup finals were way past for me," said Rangers manager Walter
Smith, who coached his 66th European match. "I'm delighted for everyone on this team and everyone that has supported us this year."

In the final, Rangers will face Zenit St. Petersburg, which routed Bayern Munich 4-0 earlier
to advance 5-1 on aggregate. The championship match is on May 14 at the City of Manchester
Stadium in England - south of the Scotland border.

"That was a fantastic result they achieved tonight," Smith said of Zenit. "It shows what a quality opponent they are. We look forward to meeting them in the final." 

Rangers has lifted a single European trophy in its history - the Cup Winners' Cup in 1972.

Rangers landed in the UEFA Cup after a third-place finish in its Champions League group.

Until the shootout, the match was a virtual replica of the scoreless draw in the first leg. Fiorentina controlled throughout, while Rangers appeared content to let the match be decided on
penalties. (***)

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