Uefa Cup: Shakhtar boss is thinking big

Published on Thursday 21 May 2009 09:58

SHAKHTAR DONETSK coach Mircea Lucescu quickly switched his focus to the biggest prize in European club football after seeing his side become the last-ever winners of the UEFA Cup.

Shakhtar defeated Werder Bremen 2-1 in the final in Istanbul last night but needed extra time to overcome their well-drilled German opponents.

The final – the last to be played before the competition is rebranded as the Europa League next season – finished all square on 90 minutes after Naldo had equalised Luiz Adriano's opener for Shakhtar. Jadson's winner in extra time secured the spoils for Lucescu's team, who became the first Ukrainian side to win a European trophy.

"This first trophy is fantastic," said Lucescu. "There is a great feeling of satisfaction. But we want other things. We want to do something in the Champions League. This will give us the confidence to reach the quarter-finals or the semi-finals of the Champions League."

He added: "My aim is to continue to build this team. I have this passion and want to give my players this conviction. The Champions League will be the aim for eastern European countries. Now I think eastern European countries have the chance to win the Champions League."