The quest for the UEFA Europa League trophy ends at Turin’s Juventus Stadium on May 14 as ITV4 screens the 2014 final between two-time winners Sevilla and double European champions Benfica exclusively live.
Sevilla are on the hunt for their third triumph in the competition, while Benfica will be aiming to end a seven-game run of defeats in major European finals, including last year’s loss to Chelsea.
The new Juventus Stadium is the setting for this year’s climax to the Europa League campaign, though while the venue is staging its first major UEFA final, it is the sixth time that a European final has been held in the beautiful Italian city of Turin.
In terms of European trophies, both Sevilla and Benfica are equal with two apiece, howevr Benfica have suffered seven final defeats since winning their second European Cup back 1962, while Sevilla boast a 100% record in finals to date.
Through to the showpiece for the first time in seven years, Sevilla are looking to become only the fourth side, after Juventus, Liverpool and Inter Milan, to win this competition three times.
They looked to have surrendered their 2-0 first-leg lead against Valencia, only for Stephane Mbia to strike in the fourth minute of added time to earn an away-goals triumph.
Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side had gone 3-0 in front on the night, 3-2 overall, thanks to efforts from Sofiane Feghouli and Jeremy Mathieu, as well as a Beto own goal.
Juventus, meanwhile, had the chance to become the first team since Sporting Lisbon in 2005 to play a UEFA Cup/Europa League final at their own stadium.
They fell short, though, held to a goalless draw by Benfica at the showpiece venue, meaning a 2-1 aggregate defeat following last week’s loss in Lisbon.
Benfica, who had Enzo Perez dismissed with 23 minutes left in Italy, lost last season’s decider against Chelsea 2-1 in Amsterdam.
Having won successive European Cups in the early 1960s, the Eagles have since experienced an unparralled losing streak in major UEFA finals and they will hoping to put an end to that statistic this year.
The Eagles have swept all before them since dropping out of the Champions League in the autumn and have become the first side to reach the UEFA Europa League decider unbeaten, which included a convincing win over Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16.
Another tense and exciting European final is in store and fans can tune in to find out whether the Spanish or Portuguese representatives will be successful in Turin.
ITV Sport will screen exclusive coverage of the 2014 UEFA Europa League Final live from Juventus Stadium.
With no British side involved this year, the final will be shown live on ITV4 with its coverage starting at 7.30pm ahead of a 7.45pm kick-off.
Matt Smith will present the channel’s coverage and will be joined in the studio for expert analysis by Lee Dixon, Scotland manager Gordon Strachan and ex-Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood, while commentary in Turin comes from Sam Matterface and Andy Townsend.
Live coverage will be available to watch in high-definition on ITV4 HD, plus live streaming can be viewed online via itv.com/football.
A half-hour highlights show featuring all the key moments from the final will be broadcast on Thursday, May 15, on ITV4 at 7.30pm.
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Wednesday 14th May
UEFA Europa League Final 2014: Sevilla v Benfica
Kick-off: 19:45 | Juventus Stadium, Turin
LIVE: 7.30pm-10.15pm ITV4
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