Alaves uncovered

Where is Alaves? Well now you know.

BBC Sport Online's chief football writer Phil McNulty reveals the secrets behind the success of Alaves - the mystery Spanish side who face Liverpool in the Uefa Cup final.

Alaves were so sure their Uefa Cup adventure would be short and not-so-sweet that they commissioned a special kit for the occasion.

It was in shocking pink and the names of the club's loyal season ticket holders were weaved into the pattern.

The shirt was meant to be permanent memento of their brief flirtation with the high life after years in the wilderness - and now the shirts will be proudly on parade in the Uefa Cup final against Liverpool in Dortmund.

Alaves have produced European soccer's most unlikely story, a tale of a team that has come out of nowhere to make an indelible mark on the season.

The dangerous Moreno

The question the football world is asking after a remarkable 9-2 aggregate demolition of Kaiserslautern in the Uefa Cup semi-final is - "¿Quiénes son Alavés?"

Who are Alaves?:

Alaves is not actually a place. They are a team based in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Alava is one of the three Basque provinces.

They were in the Spanish Fourth Division only 11 years ago, and this is the first European campaign in their 80-year history.

  Alaves in the Uefa Cup

Semi-final - beat Kaiserlautern 9-2 on aggregate

Quarter-final - beat Rayo Vallencano 5-3 on aggregate

Fourth round - beat Inter Milan 5-3 on aggregate

Third round - beat Rosenborg BK 4-2 on aggregate

Second round - beat Lillestroem 5-3 on aggregate

First round - beat Gaziantepspor 4-3 on aggregate

The club's stadium only holds 17,000 - and the region itself is a mixture of agriculture and tourism, with sports like basketball and cycling more than rivalling interest in football.

Former Manchester United striker Jordi Cruyff is well-known to Liverpool - but it may be a surprise to some that one of his team-mates is an even more familiar figure at Anfield.

Norwegian defender Dan Eggen scored Brondby's goal that knocked Liverpool out of the Uefa Cup in a 1-0 win at Anfield late in 1995.

Eggen had a shaky start to his Alaves career, but has since made a good impression despite fierce competition for central defensive places.

Cruyff - influential

The danger man is one of Spain's most lethal marksman, Javi Moreno, who has been topping the goal charts in Primera Liga and has forced his way into the national side.

He came from Barcelona's youth ranks to establish himself at Alaves and is now rated at £10m, becoming one of Europe's hottest properties.

Liverpool must also beware of a pair of Alaves imports who have made a major impact on their journey to the Uefa Cup final.

Romanian international full-back Cosmin Contra was a showpiece signing for the club from Dynamo Bucharest in the summer of 1999 - and the 24-year-old has lived up to expectations.

Contra is a flamboyant attacking defender who will pose Liverpool problems down the flanks.

Croatian striker Jurica Vucko scored twice in the 4-1 win against Kaiserlautern in Germany to seal their semi-final place, and has the talent to test even Liverpool's resolute central defensive pairing of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz.

Shrewd coach "Mane"

Alaves coach Jose Manuel Esnal has also invested in two Argentinians who have been influential figures in the European campaign.

Hermes Desio is the 31-year-old midfield anchor man who has now obtained Spanish nationality.

He is combative and competitive, and is regarded as the "Mr Consistency" of Alaves.

Desio plays the midfield holding role and has been a key factor in Alaves' emergence.

Goalkeeper Martin Herrera learned his trade in the tough surroundings of the Boca Juniors youth set-up in Argentina - and has been touted for a call-up to the national side.

Coach Esnal - known in Spain as "Mane" - has fashioned a team built on solid defence and counter-attacking style that mirrors Liverpool's own approach.

"Mane" is a respected coach in Spain, and was widely expected to succeed Hector Cuper at Valencia next season until he agreed a new contract.

He will want to end his outstanding stay at Alaves with the Uefa Cup.

Tough guy Desio

Alaves have occasionally adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, relying heavily in forging a supply line to Cruyff - more effective in Spain than during his disappointing spell at Old Trafford - and Moreno.

Cruyff invariably operates in the middle of a midfield trio when he plays, although "Mane" is also a shrewd manipulator of substitutes in the Gerard Houllier mould.

Liverpool's dead ball specialists will note that if Alaves have a weakness, it is a tendency to concede too many cheap free-kicks.

Anfield boss Houllier is noted for his meticulous approach to every game - and he will need no warning that dark horses have an uncanny habit of coming through in the final straight.

Alaves are no longer a surprise package and deserve their place in the final - just ask Kaiserslautern.