Europa League final: Dnipro aims to make Ukraine smile

    James Masters, CNN

    Updated 1527 GMT (2327 HKT) May 26, 2015

    Dnipro, which comes from the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk, will face Sevilla in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday. It is an extraordinary achievement for a club which has been forced to play its home games in Kiev because of the ongoing conflict with Russia.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    Dnipro dreaming – Dnipro, which comes from the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk, will face Sevilla in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday. It is an extraordinary achievement for a club which has been forced to play its home games in Kiev because of the ongoing conflict with Russia.
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    Led by Ruslan Rotan, its captain, Dnipro overcame the challenge of Italian giant Napoli in the semifinals. A 1-1 draw in Naples was followed by a 1-0 win in the second leg.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    Against the odds – Led by Ruslan Rotan, its captain, Dnipro overcame the challenge of Italian giant Napoli in the semifinals. A 1-1 draw in Naples was followed by a 1-0 win in the second leg.
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    Dnipro's fans enjoyed their semifinal win over Napoli so much they celebrated on the pitch.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    Pitch celebration – Dnipro's fans enjoyed their semifinal win over Napoli so much they celebrated on the pitch.
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    Dnipro's supporters will head to Warsaw for the final against Spanish side Sevilla with the Polish capital anticipating an enthralling contest.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    Fans backing – Dnipro's supporters will head to Warsaw for the final against Spanish side Sevilla with the Polish capital anticipating an enthralling contest.
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    Dnipro's supporters have enjoyed a wonderful season in the Europa League with its team seeing off Napoli, Club Brugge and Olympiakos in the knockout rounds.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    Europa League underdogs – Dnipro's supporters have enjoyed a wonderful season in the Europa League with its team seeing off Napoli, Club Brugge and Olympiakos in the knockout rounds.
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    Myron Markevych has masterminded Dnipro's run to the final. His side began the season in the Champions League but was beaten in qualifying by Danish side FC Copenhagen. Now it stands on the brink of glory and history.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    Man behind the team – Myron Markevych has masterminded Dnipro's run to the final. His side began the season in the Champions League but was beaten in qualifying by Danish side FC Copenhagen. Now it stands on the brink of glory and history.
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    Only one Ukrainian team has ever won the Europa League -- Shakhtar Donetsk in 2009. Dnipro is aiming to become the second while Sevilla is chasing its fourth triumph in the competition.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    What it's all about – Only one Ukrainian team has ever won the Europa League -- Shakhtar Donetsk in 2009. Dnipro is aiming to become the second while Sevilla is chasing its fourth triumph in the competition.
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    Sevilla won the Europa League last season for the third time after defeating Benfica 4-2 on penalties. The game had ended goalless before Sevilla prevailed. No team has won the competition four times.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    The champions – Sevilla won the Europa League last season for the third time after defeating Benfica 4-2 on penalties. The game had ended goalless before Sevilla prevailed. No team has won the competition four times.
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    The 58,000 national stadium in Warsaw will host the final between Dnipro and Sevilla. It was built ahead of the 2012 European Championship finals which Poland co-hosted with Ukraine.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    Warsaw awaits – The 58,000 national stadium in Warsaw will host the final between Dnipro and Sevilla. It was built ahead of the 2012 European Championship finals which Poland co-hosted with Ukraine.
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    Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia has caused much misery and hardship for those living in the affected areas.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    Ukraine conflict – Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia has caused much misery and hardship for those living in the affected areas.
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    A Ukrainian serviceman climbs out of a Ukrainian army tank at a checkpoint near Horlivka, in the region of Donetsk, on February 23, 2015.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    A Ukrainian serviceman climbs out of a Ukrainian army tank at a checkpoint near Horlivka, in the region of Donetsk, on February 23, 2015.
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    A woman walks past a Russian military personnel carrier outside a Ukrainian military base on March 18, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly to secede from their country and join Russia.
    Photos: Dnipro aims for sporting immortality
    A woman walks past a Russian military personnel carrier outside a Ukrainian military base on March 18, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly to secede from their country and join Russia.
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    Dnipro team pictureRuslan Rotandnipro ptichDnipro fans