Valladolid's hopes afloat

MADRID - Valladolid coach Javier Clemente enjoyed a winning home debut as the relegation-threatened side beat Champions League hopefuls Sevilla 2-1 at home on Tuesday to boost their hopes of staying up, moving three points from safety.

It is a major setback for Sevilla and their Champions League hopes with the club staying fourth although Real Mallorca can go three points ahead of them with victory over Real Zaragoza on Wednesday.

Valladolid had just one win in the last 16 games before the game but 60-year-old veteran coach Clemente - who coached Spain from 1992 to 1998 - has made it four points from his two games at the helm to enhance their chances of beating the drop.