FIVE FINALS IN 10 YEARS - SEVILLA MORE DOMINANT THAN BARCELONA IN EUROPE

The Andalusians have won the continental competition on four occasions over the past decade and under Unai Emery they are going for a third title in a row on Wednesday night

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There's something special about the Europa League for Sevilla. Players have come and gone over the years, while fortunes have varied in other competitions, but the Andalusians are still dominating the continent's second-tier tournament. And not even Barcelona have managed five finals in Europe over the past decade.

Winners in 2006 and 2007, with Juande Ramos in charge, of what was then still the Uefa Cup, Sevilla have added two more titles to their collection over the past two seasons under Unai Emery. And on Wednesday night in Basel, they could win it for a third straight season.

The competiiton kicked off back in 1972 with Tottenham as the first team to claim the trophy. Since then, sides like Juventus, Inter and Liverpool (all three), Real Madrid (two), Bayern Munich, Napoli and Chelsea (one each) have all won it. But none as many times as Sevilla.

Although easier to win these days than back in the 1980s when only one team from each country went into the European Cup and the Uefa Cup was often harder than its big brother, Sevilla's achievements are nevertheless remarkable.

In 2006, Sevilla claimed the first European trophy in their history by thrashing Middlesbrough 4-0 in Eindhoven thanks to goals by Enzo Maresca (two), Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute. And the following season, Ramos's side edged out Espanyol on penalties after a 1-1 draw (2-2 after extra-time).

Antonio Puerta, who collapsed against Getafe in a Liga game and tragically died in hospital in August of that year, scored the winning penalty for Sevilla in Glasgow. And understandably, the team took time to recover from his passing; Ramos left for Tottenham and in the summer of 2008, Dani Alves joined Barcelona.

A full seven years went by before Sevilla made it back to a European final, but they made it count by beating Benfica on penalties after a goalless game at the Juventus Stadium in Turin at the end of the 2013-14 season. Sevilla scored all four of their spot-kicks to win 4-2 in the shootout and Ivan Rakitic was named Man of the Match. That summer, the Croat moved to Barcelona.

Despite losing their best player Sevilla returned to the final last season and won it again - this time with an impressive 3-2 victory over Ukrainians Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (who had been coached the previous year by former Sevilla boss Ramos). And in the final, Carlos Bacca scored twice - including the 73rd minute winner.

FULL STORY | Emery: Sevilla love the Europa League
Bacca was subsequently sold to AC Milan, but in his absence Kevin Gameiro has stepped up with goals and Sevilla also signed Yevhen Konoplyanka from Dnipro in the summer. And after dropping out of the Champions League, the Andalusians have made it to the final of the Europa League once again this time around.

Following four consecutive defeats, Sevilla qualified for the Europa League thanks to a 1-0 win over Juventus in their last Champions League group game, edging out Borussia Monchengladbach by a single point to claim third place in the sector. And they have advanced to Wednesday's showpiece by beating Molde, Basel (including an away match at the scene of the final which ended 0-0), Athletic Bilbao and Shakhtar Donetsk - each over two legs.
"I think all Sevilla fans feel something special for this competition because it has given us a lot," Emery said after his side sealed their place in the final.

And he added: "Liverpool are going to make it a very demanding final. Liverpool are aiming to win this competition for many reasons: it is a trophy, it gives you access to Champions League, and they are historic team. That's why I think it is going to be a fabulous final, very even and we should enjoy it."

Whatever Emery may say, Sevilla have shown that they don't just go out in these finals to enjoy themselves, but to take home the coveted trophy as well at the end of the night.

Already qualified for Europe