+Valencia thumbnail sketches+ 
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Coach 
===== 

Hector Cuper (ARG) - 2nd season, 36-19-18 league record, 17-6-9
                     in Champions League. 
Coaching in his third consecutive European final after leading
Mallorca to the Cup Winners' Cup final in 1999 and Valencia to
the Champions League final in 2000. Was under heavy criticism
for Valencia's poor start last season, only early success in 
the Champions League saved his job. Was able to turn around the
fortunes of the team by stern talks and motivational speeches.
Played at Ferrocarril Oeste and Huracan. Became coach at Huracan
in 1992. Also coached Lanus, where he won the 1997 Copa
CONMEBOL. Moved to Mallorca where he was runner-up in the 1998
Copa del Rey, 1999 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and won a Supercup.
Known for playing a defensive style of football, which has made
him unpopular among Valencia fans. Rumored to be on his way to
Barcelona next season. Has English roots, his great grandfather's 
last name was Cooper. 

Probable Starters 
================= 

Goalkeeper 

Santiago Canizares - No. 1, 32 years old, third season. 
Current National Team Goalkeeper. Leads the Spanish League 
and UEFA Champions League in goals-against average. Had an
outstanding season in 1998-99 when he played in every minute 
of every match, but was plagued by injuries last year.  Is 
famous for his performance in the 1993 World Cup qualifier 
against Denmark in which he made a miraculous save that lifted 
Spain to a 1-0 victory after starting 'keeper Andoni Zubizarreta 
was sent off in the 11th minute. Took over as National Team 
starter upon Zubi's retirement three years ago. Was sent to 
Valencia in 1998 as Real Madrid still favored Bodo Illgner as 
its starter. Known for being very calm and composed between 
the posts. Is very talented in the air and can make the 
spectacular save. 

Defenders 

Jocelyn Angloma (FRA) - No. 20, 35 years old, fourth season. 
One of the top right backs in the Spanish League in recent
seasons. One of the fastest players in the league, he can cover
100 meters in less than 11 seconds. Tends to dominate the right
side of the field.  Has also played in the middle with much
success.  Has a strong right-footed shot. Stays in excellent
physical condition for his age. French international. Won the
European Cup with Marseille in 1993. From the island of Guadalupe. 

Mauricio Pellegrino (ARG) - No. 2, 29 years old, second season. 
One of the top central defenders in the Spanish League the last
two seasons. Had an unsuccessful stint with Barcelona and
returned to Velez Sarsfield in 1999. Signed by Valencia just
three minutes before the transfer deadline to start the 1999-00
season. Calm and confident central defender who rarely makes
mistakes. An intelligent player who is very disciplined. 

Roberto Fabian Ayala (ARG) - No. 12, 28 years old, first season.
Argentine international defender who joined the club from AC
Milan at the start of the season. A rugged defender who can play
as a libero or a man marker. Made his name with River Plate in
Argentina where he won a league title in 1994. Won a Silver
Medal with Argentina in the 1996 Olympics. Nicknamed "El Raton"
(The Rat). Member of the 1998 Argentina World Cup team and
played in all five matches. Has an Italian passport and thus
counts as an EU player. 

Amedeo Carboni (ITA) - No. 15, 36 years old, fourth season. 
A man of 1000 battles. Veteran left back who plays with tenacity
and passion, which sometimes gets him into trouble. Missed eight
league games and the Champions League final last season due to
suspension. Has toned down his act a bit this year. Former
Italian international who was on the Euro '96 squad. His skills
have improved dramatically with age. Missed last year's
Champions League final through suspension. Brought to Valencia
from Roma by Italian coach Claudio Ranieri. 

Midfielders 

Gaizka Mendieta - No. 6, 27 years old, eighth season. 
Captain of the team. An outstanding midfielder who has evolved
into one of the top players in Europe. Expert penalty taker. 
Had a breakout season in 1997-98 with 10 goals and continued to
score goals from the midfield position on a consistent basis.
Second in the Champions League this season with seven assists.
Scored his first goal of the Champions League this season in the
semifinal win over Leeds United. Made his international debut in
1999 as a substitute against Austria in a 9-0 win in Valencia.
Is very dangerous on the wing and can serve the ball into the
middle with accuracy. Son of Andris Mendieta, a goalkeeper in
the 1970's with Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo
Coruna. His idol is Ruud Gullit. 

David Albelda - No. 23, 23 years old, second season. 
Returned to Valencia after a loan spell with nearby Villarreal
in 1998-99. Former Under-21 international who has earned more
playing time at the club level since the departure of Farinos
and Gerard last summer. Grew up in the youth ranks of Valencia.
Plays in front of the defense and is responsible for winning as
many balls as possible. 2000 Silver Medalist with the Spanish
Olympic side. 

Kily Gonzalez (ARG) - No. 18, 26 years old, second season. 
Fixture on the left side of midfield for Cuper. Has been plagued
by injuries this season, but has recovered from each set back
and is in good form. Had an outstanding season two years ago
with Zaragoza. An Argentine International under Marcelo Bielsa.
Played in all four matches at Copa America '99, scoring a goal
against Uruguay. A player with extraordinary skill. Left-sided
interior midfielder. A good two-way player. Plays with a lot of
character and personality. 

Pablo Aimar (ARG) - No. 35, 21 years old, first season. 
Signed by Valencia from River Plate on the final day of the
winter-signing period for a record $20 million. Along with Juan
Riquelme of Boca Juniors, has been one of the revelations of
Argentine football in recent seasons. Was brought in to the
Argentina National Team in 2000 for the World Cup qualifiers.
Has represented Argentina at every youth level and won the 1997
World under-20 title in Malaysia. An offensive powerhouse who
can change directions, lose defenders and attack the goal. Has
had trouble working his way into the starting lineup on a
consistent basis, but was a key factor in the semifinal win over
Leeds United. 

Forwards 

Juan Sanchez - No. 17, 29 years old, second season. 
Leads the club in scoring in both the Spanish League (12 goals)
and Champions League (five). Scored two brilliant goals in the
semifinal win over Leeds. Led Celta Vigo in scoring in 1997-98
and had 13 goals in 1998-99. Earned a starting position this
season after the departure of Claudio Lopez. Very opportunistic
center forward. Good goal-scorer who is very brave in taking on
defenders. Returned in 1999 to Valencia, the place where he
started his career in 1992-93. Made his international debut
against Italy in 1998. 

John Carew (NOR) - No. 7, 21 years old, first season. 
Signed by Valencia last summer for $19 million after an
incredible scoring record in Norway with Valerenga and
Rosenborg. A 6-5 forward who dominates in the air. Possesses
incredible speed and skill for his size, making him a handful
for opposing defenders. Made his international debut for Norway
at the age of 19 against Egypt in November 1998. Struggled to
adapt at Valencia early in the season, but a four-game
goal-scoring streak in mid-season won him praise from Cuper and
Valencia fans. Recorded his first Spanish League hat trick in a
3-1 win over Villarreal in February. Member of Norway's Euro
2000 squad, but made only two appearances as a substitute. 

Substitutes 
=========== 

Andres Palop - No 25, 27 years old, second season. 
Experienced backup who played at Villarreal before coming to
Valencia in 1999. Came through the youth ranks at Valencia. 
Was brilliantwhile filling in for the injured Canizares last
season, starting 15 league matches and seven Champions League
games. Had been one of the most promising goalkeepers in the
league with Villarreal. Brave in the air. Posseses excellent
agility and reflexes. 

Adrian Ilie (ROM) - No. 11, 27 years old, fourth season. 
Injury problems plagued him the last three seasons. Had
developed an excellent partnership with Claudio Lopez. Will give
a soft touch and then unleash a powerful shot. Combines skill,
power and pace on the counterattack. Played in all four matches
at France '98, scoring the winning goal against Colombia. Free
kick specialist with a deadly left foot. Once considered the
great hope of Romanian football. Nicknamed "The Cobra." Has been
on the bench behind Sanchez and Carew this season.
 
Miroslav Djukic (YUG) - No. 5, 35 years old, fourth season. 
Consistent central defender who has emerged as one of the
classiest players in the league. Started the season in central
defense, but has recently platooned with Pellegrino and Ayala.
Played for Yugoslavia before the war (two caps). Starter at 
Radnicki Belgrade. Played at Deportivo La Coruna for seven years,
1990-97, before joining Valencia in the summer of 1997 on the
Bosman ruling. Member of the 1998 World Cup squad, but did not
play. Missed a 90th-minute penalty kick on the final day of the
1994 season for Deportivo Coruna against Valencia, costing the
Galicians the league title. Big fan of Franz Beckenbauer. His
connection with Deportivo is so well known in Yugoslavia that
there is a bar named "Riazor" in his hometown. 

Miguel Angel Angulo - No. 10, 23 years old, fourth season. 
Played well at just about every position on the field -- right
back, defensive midfield, central midfield, forward. Became a
scoring force early in the 1998-99 season when three of his
goals lifted Valencia to a trio of 1-0 victories. Will move all
over the front line over the course of the game. Member of the
under-20 national team in Malaysia '97. 2000 Silver Medalist
with the Spanish Olympic team. Scored a goal in the semifinal
win over the United States. Has good speed and field vision. 

Zlatko Zahovic (SLO)- No. 8, 30 years, first season. 
Has struggled to adapt at Valencia since joining the club. Used
mainly as a offensive substitute. Starred for the Slovenian
national team, leading the side with nine goals in Euro 2000
qualification. Signed last summer with Valencia after a
successful run with Olympiakos. Scored three more goals during
the Euro 2000 finals. Has a strike rate of one goal for every
two games at the international level. 

Vicente - No. 14, 19 years old, first season. 
Talented left-sided midfielder who filled in admirably when Kily
Gonzalez was injured. Was a revelation early in the season when
he scored three goals in the opening four games. One of the top
young players in Spain. Made his international debut in March
against France. 

Diego Alonso (URU) - No. 9, 26 years old, first season. 
Enjoying a solid first season in Spain in a reserve role.
Uruguayan international who spent the last couple of seasons
with Gimnasia y Esgrima in Argentina. A powerful goal-scorer who
is solid in the air. Second on the club with four goals in the
Champions League. 

Didier Deschamps (FRA) - No. 4, 32 years old, first season. 
Has had an injury plagued first season in Spain after a move
from Chelsea last summer. French international who captained the
1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning sides. Failed to displace
David Albelda at Valencia this season. Trying to become the
first player to win the European Cup with three different clubs,
having won the title in 1993 with Marseille and in 1997 with
Juventus. Most capped French international with 103. A leader in
the defensive midfield. 

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