Europa League final: Filip Kostic key but Frankfurt fans also crucial for biggest game in decades against Rangers

Eintracht Frankfurt suffered a disappointing 11th-placed finish in the Bundesliga this season, but that has been drowned out by the euphoria of their European exploits. Few fancied Frankfurt to go the distance in the Europa League, but the 1980 UEFA Cup winners have enjoyed a memorable, and so far unbeaten, campaign.

Ad/> Three wins and three draws saw them advance from a group also featuring Fenerbahce, Antwerp and Olympiacos, and after seeing off Real Betis in the last 16, they delivered the shock of the tournament when sending Barcelona packing in the quarter-finals. Europa LeagueRangers stun Leipzig to reach first European final since 200805/05/2022 AT 18:49 They then overcame West Ham in the last four, setting up a showdown with Rangers, also unfancied in the earlier stages but now out to complete the job in Seville.

Wednesday’s final is therefore tough to call, and with the bookmakers making Frankfurt the slight favourites, we get the lowdown from Eurosport Germany’s Marc Hlusiak on a side dreaming of European Cup football for the first time in 62 years… Did the Europa League divert too much focus from the Bundesliga for Frankfurt? Things really didn’t go well in the Bundesliga this season. I don't think the reason was the focus on another competition, though, at least not all the time.

Recently, when there was no longer any risk of relegation, the focus in Frankfurt definitely shifted. There is a very special atmosphere in Europe, and the team is able to compete on another level, with the fans creating a unique atmosphere.