Valencia coach Rafa Benitez said his club's first league and European double had been beyond his wildest dreams.

"When we started the season no one expected us to win two such important trophies," Benitez told a news conference after his side's 2-0 win over 10-man Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Cup final in Gothenburg.

"I thought that given the commitment and the players' readiness to work we could achieve things this season, but this is a really great achievement."

Valencia, who were crowned Spanish champions just over a week ago, took the lead in the dying moments of a fragmented first half when midfielder Vicente converted a penalty after Marseille keeper Fabien Barthez had brought down striker Mista with a two-footed challenge.

Barthez was sent off for the foul and Valencia made the most of their numerical advantage to take control after the break.

It was little surprise when they extended their lead 13 minutes into the second half, man-of-the-match Mista cracking in from the edge of the area after Vicente had raced clear and clipped in a fine cross from the left.

"The first half was very even," said Benitez. "We found it hard to get behind them and they put us under a lot of pressure, but the incident at the end of the half opened the game up. We might even have got a third goal.

"From my point of view it was a clear penalty and if it was a penalty it was also a red card because it was such a clear scoring chance."

The 44-year-old, who has guided the club to two league titles in his three seasons in charge, said that a strong team spirit has been the key to their success.

"We stressed from the very start that we are a team, and that is our main weapon. Everyone knew what they had to do and they did it.

"Now we are all just going to enjoy this, but I don't want to forget all the people who have worked so hard behind the scenes and all the fans who came to see us here too.

"I am very proud both for myself and the whole club, but I want to keep improving and make sure we win more things."

Benitez also paid tribute to veteran Italian defender Amedeo Carboni who became the oldest player ever to win a European club trophy at the age of 39.

"Amedeo has set a new record and he deserves it, but I hope he breaks that record again in the future as it will mean that Valencia are in another final."