Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk’s Yevhen Seleznyov surges past Raul Albiol, of Napoli, in Kiev yesterday.

Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk reached their first European final when Yevhen Seleznyov’s header gave them a 1-0 win over Napoli in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final yesterday.

The Ukrainians, backed by a fervent sell-out crowd at Kiev’s Olympic stadium, completed a 2-1 aggregate win after drawing 1-1 in last week’s first leg when Seleznyov was also on target.

They will face holders Sevilla in the May 27 final in Warsaw after the Spaniards beat Fiorentina 2-0 away to wrap up a 5-0 aggregate triumph on a bad night for the Italians.

Dnipro goalkeeper Denys Boyko, who denied Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain four times in Italy, foiled the Argentine twice in the first half to keep the sides level at half-time.

Seleznyov struck just before the hour and the hosts, unable to play in their home stadium because of Dnipropetrovsk’s proximity to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, defended with their customary tenacity to see out the game.

Boyko has been a key figure throughout Dnipro’s campaign, which began in the Champions League third qualifying round on July 30, and the stopper was again fundamental to their performance on a pitch made treacherous by driving ran.

Napoli began well and Gokhan Inler sent Higuain clear but the forward’s shot was too near Boyko, who made a one-handed save to deny the visitors an early goal.

Higuain’s frustration continued when he met Faouzi Ghoulam’s pinpoint cross with a glancing header which was heading for the far corner until Boyko tipped the ball away.

At the other end, Napoli’s David Lopez lost possession and their keeper Mariano Andujar had to push Seleznyov’s long-range shot round the far post in Dnipro’s only first-half chance.

Dnipro, playing their 18th European match of the season, broke through in the 58th minute when Yevhen Konoplyanka floated over a cross from the left and Seleznyov, despite grappling with Miguel Britos, managed to head the ball into the net.

The hosts had a let off when a looping Higuain effort was cleared off the line and Boyko stopped a Christian Maggio effort at the near post but they held on for a famous win.

Sevilla had all-but booked their place in the showpiece in Warsaw after thumping the Italian side 3-0 in last week’s first leg in Spain and Carlos Bacca ensured there would be no major surprises when firing Sevilla ahead in the 22nd minute when he sent a close-range effort into the roof of the net.

That left Fiorentina needing five goals without reply to progress but they fell further behind when Daniel Carrico made it 2-0 to the visitors five minutes later.

Fiorentina’s night went from bad to worse midway through the second half when Josip Ilicic sent a penalty kick sailing over the crossbar after Sevilla defender Grzegorz Krychowiak had felled David Pizarro in the penalty area.

If Sevilla clinch a fourth UEFA Cup/Europa league crown in their fourth final they would surpass Inter Milan, Juventus and Liverpool, who also have three.

The semi-finals – Played yesterday

Final: May 27 (Warsaw Stadium)