The winger is in Budapest, soaking in the atmosphere as a spectator and enjoying the street scene and the fans’ zone since yesterday.
Coke Andújar stands as a three-time Europa League winner with Sevilla and remains a central figure in a club that has built a legendary bond with this competition. At halftime of the fifth final, Sevilla trailed 0-1 to Liverpool, yet the team found the resolve to respond. Coke captained the side and wore the captain’s sash with pride. His leadership, both mental and practical, was felt as two of his goals helped Sevilla claim the crown in this storied league where the club holds enduring supremacy. Tonight, he will watch the match from a different vantage point, sharing the moment with fellow fans rather than as a player on the field. He speaks to a journalist from the streets of Budapest, where he has come with planning already complete but with the final button pressed only once the semi-final whistle sounded earlier.
Coke is more than a Sevilla legend; he is another enthusiastic supporter who will push himself to help the team win tonight. “I wanted to live a final from the fans’ side, spend the day on the street with enthusiasts and walk through the Fan Zone to feel what the day is like from this viewpoint.”
The winger embodies the kind of affection Sevilla enjoys for the Europa League, yet he finds it difficult to put into words what the tournament means to the club. It is something that transcends explanation, a collection of moments that have shaped a unique bond with the competition. For Sevilla, the tournament is extraordinarily meaningful, a source of joy and a special feeling that keeps the idyll alive. He hopes to witness that magic again tonight.
For a team, the final starts long before dawn. For Coke, the moment already began when the semi-final whistle blew. “From the end of the semifinal onward, a physical awareness grows that you are about to experience something significant. Every minute that passes thickens the anticipation, and on the day of the final you sense you can bring happiness to many people. It is a special, almost sacred feeling, and it motivates you to give everything for a positive result for yourself and your loved ones.”
As for the celebrations, Coke forecasts a tight contest because both sides are formidable. Drawing on his experience in finals, he believes the nuances could decide the outcome and hopes Sevilla maintains the confidence and belief they have carried for some time. “I’m not saying they are the absolute favorites, but if they perform at peak, they will have plenty of chances to lift the trophy.”
Sevilla arrives at the final with a motto that resonates deeply with Coke: No one loves her more than us. He understands the intensity of that phrase, having helped sculpt a culture where the club’s passion is nearly a religion. He has seen the moments that define a season—an unlikely goalkeeper turning goals away, a corner kick turning into a decisive shot, a late intervention that keeps a campaign alive. Those moments create a unique idyll for Sevilla and its fervent supporters, and Coke is grateful to have witnessed them up close. The anticipation is palpable as fans ready themselves for the night when history could be written again.
When the cup is finally raised, it will be a moment of magic that captures the hearts of all Sevilla supporters. Coke envisions that scene with clarity: the stadium alive with the roar of tens of thousands, the newspapers heralding the triumph, and the players’ faces reflecting relief, joy, and pride. He recalls the family members who have stood by through the long journey, sharing the dream even from afar. The chance to celebrate with teammates, family, and friends is something he would never forget, a memory that endures long after the last whistle. It is a moment he believes deserves to be cherished by everyone who shared the road to this point, and one that will be etched in his memory for years to come.