Abramovich welcome at UEFA Cup... if he can find a ticket

Coach Valery Gazzayev hopes CSKA Moscow's most famous fan Roman Abramovich will join the Russian club's knot of some 2,000 fans cheering them on against home favourites Sporting in today's UEFA Cup final.

Gazzayev said he had no idea whether the Chelsea owner planned to fly to Portugal to see CSKA bid to become the first club representing Russia to lift a major European soccer trophy.

But, he said, he would welcome him if he came.

"I'm not sure what he is doing, but if he has got a ticket, I am sure he will be here," he said. "He is a fan."

Abramovich is also the major shareholder in Sibneft, the Russian oil company that sponsors CSKA, the former army club.

The Russian coach added that he hoped the Moscow fans who had taken the trip would make enough noise in Sporting's 49,000 capacity Jose Alvalade stadium to be heard by his players.

Sporting are bidding to wipe out sad Portuguese memories of their national team's defeat by Greece in last year's European Championship final and more than 25,000 home fans are expected.

Gazzayev said he believed his team had every chance of achieving their dream by following the Greek example and producing a skilful and disciplined performance.

"We have a plan for the game and I hope we are able to stick to it all the way through the game," he said.

"It is important that we do that and play with self-control."

Gazzayev said he hoped his team would retain composure and avoid joining the list of players sent off in this final in recent years.

The list includes Marseille's Fabian Barthez, dismissed during last year's final against Valencia. Seven players have been sent off in the last five finals.

He said he has no injury worries and has a full squad but denied his team had any advantage in being fresher. Although they are playing a record-equalling 19th European competitive match, their domestic league has only recently started again.

"There is no advantage," he said.

"If there is any advantage it is to Sporting because they are playing their last games of the season."