Andrei Arshavin has suggested finalists Rangers had been the weakest of Zenit St Petersburg's opponents on their route to UEFA Cup glory.Arshavin, who created the opening goal in the 2-0 final victory on Wenesday, added that Rangers had been particularly difficult to break down.

"It turned out to be a difficult match", Arshavin said.

"The Scots realised that we were having trouble breaking them down and seized the initiative and it almost worked for them.

"Scoring the first goal was good fortune for us the way the match was going.

"At half-time Dick Advocaat told us not to lose control of the game and in the second half we managed to suppress their attacks.

"I think Rangers were the weakest of all our opponents in our UEFA Cup campaign, but the Scots managed to cause us problems with their dedication and good defensive play and also by not allowing us to undo them."

Goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev could not hide his delight following the victory and was not shy in singling out his coach for praise.

He said: "It's a fantastic feeling, I still can't believe it. We've carried out a huge task.

"I am so happy that I don't even have the strength to celebrate!

"I am so pleased that we came out on top in the final. I think we are going to be celebrating this in St Petersburg for two or three days.

"Huge credit for our success should go to Dick Advocaat - he is a great coach.

"Last year he made us champions of Russia and this year we have won the Russian Super Cup and now the UEFA Cup."

Zenit will aim to go one better next season when, thanks to their 2007 Russian championship triumph, they will compete in the group stage of the Champions League for the first time, and Malafeev believes that their UEFA Cup success will hold Zenit in good stead as they prepare for Europe's grandest stage.

"Without doubt our win will be of benefit to our football as a whole since Russian clubs don't often triumph in Europe," he said.

"Next season we will start in the biggest of them all - the Champions' League.

"Therefore our victory in the UEFA Cup is good experience for our side.

"We haven't played in this competition yet and I'm hoping that we'll qualify from the group stages and will be celebrating many more victories."

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