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UEFA Cup 2004-2005
With the thorn in the side of semi-final elimination against Valencia in 2003-2004 still with it, Villarreal launched another bid for Europe by way of the Intertoto title. On this occasion the Yellows made it to the quarter-final before Dutch side, AZ Alkmaar proved its scourge, ending the Submarine’s dream.
Before reaching the quarter-finals, Villarreal had to battle through three rounds as well as a group phase against four different sides. First rock in the road came in the shape of Swedish side Hammarby, beaten 1-2 away and 3-0 at El Madrigal.
 In the group phased the Submarine won twice, against Middlesbrough (2-0) and Egaleo (4-0), and drew twice against Lazio (1-1) and Partizan (1-1).
Dinamo Kiev was the Yellows last 32 opponent in the 2004-2005 UEFA Cup. The first leg played in the Ukraine in appallingly snowy conditions meant the match was never going to be a spectacle and finished 0-0. The Yellows took control in the second leg and, in a match they dominated, won through 2-0 thanks to goals from Lucho Figueroa and Santi Cazorla.
 The draw for the last 16 pitted the Yellows against Steaua Bucharest. The first leg, played in Romania finished goalless meaning that everything would be decided at the Madrigal in the second leg. José Mari’s accurate header from a corner opened the scoring before Riquelme’s penalty settled the match.
But the Submarine dream ended in the quarter-final against an AZ Alkmaar who won 1-2 at El Madrigal and then drew 1-1 at home in the return leg.
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