CSKA Moscow became only the second Russian team, and the first for 33 years, to reach the final of a major European competition as they crushed under-strength Parma in the UEFA Cup semi-final yesterday.

After a goalless first leg in Italy a week ago, CSKA struck three times at the Lokomotiv stadium to win 3-0 on aggregate and clinch a final date with Portugal's Sporting Lisbon at Lisbon's home Jose Alvalade stadium on May 18.

The Portuguese side qualified despite losing 3-2 against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar after extra-time.

Brazilian striker Daniel Carvalho scored for the CSKA army club in the 10th and 53rd minutes before setting up defender Vasily Berezutsky for the third goal on the hour.

Daniele Bonera compounded Parma's misery by getting a red card in stoppage time.

Dynamo Moscow are the only Russian club to play in a major European final, losing to Scotland's Rangers 3-2 in the now defunct Cup Winners' Cup in 1972.

Parma coach Pietro Carmignani, who repeatedly said Serie A survival was more important than winning the UEFA Cup, had several youngsters, like 17-year-old midfielder Daniele Dessena, in his line-up while top striker Alberto Gilardino was on the bench.

Carvalho opened the scoring by beating Parma keeper Luca Bucci with a rising drive from 12 metres following a cross by winger Yuri Zhirkov.

Shaken keeper

CSKA fans celebrated the goal by throwing firecrackers on the pitch. One of the flares exploded near Bucci and he was treated by a doctor, delaying the game for several minutes.

Although the shaken keeper played on, he was replaced in the 20th minute by Sebastien Frey complaining of dizziness.

After weathering the initial storm, Parma began to put pressure on the CSKA rearguard. Mark Bresciano tested Igor Akinfeyev for the first time from long range midway through the opening half but the CSKA keeper saved easily.

That was Parma's only shot on goal in the first period, as Francesco Ruopolo missed with a header from six metres and a free kick by Bresciano was deflected for a corner.

Carmignani introduced Gilardino, the joint top scorer in Serie A, soon after the break but by then it was too late to turn the match around.

Carvalho made it 2-0 when he beat Frey after a neat exchange with Vagner Love before creating Berezutsky's headed third from a free kick.

A capacity 30,000 home crowd, which included Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich in his VIP box, began chanting "Lisbon, Lisbon".

In Alkmaar, Holland, Kenneth Perez gave the home side a sixth-minute lead before Brazilian Liedson equalised for Sporting on the stroke of halftime.

A 79th-minute goal from Stein Huysegems took the second leg into extra time and Kew Jaliens made it 3-1 to the Dutch team in the 109th minute.

Sporting's Miguel Garcia scored a dramatic goal in the last minute of stoppage time to send his side through.