Milan, February 2:

Two-time defending champion Inter Milan advanced to the Italian Cup championship on Thursday despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Sampdoria in the second leg of the semi-finals.

Inter won the first leg 3-0 and will meet AS Roma in the finals for the third straight year. The two legs of the final are scheduled for April 18 and May 9.

Mariano Gonzalez had Inter’s first effort in the 11th minute with a looping shot that sailed just wide. Julio Ricardo Cruz went close in the 29th off Santiago Solari’s square pass but directed his volley over the crossbar from two yards.

Copa del Rey

SEVILLE: Sevilla drew 0-0 with Real Betis in an uneventful Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg. The result at Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium handed Betis a slight advantage when they host the second leg on February 28.

Zaragoza, Getafe and Deportivo La Coruna look well-placed to reach the semis after Wednesday’s games. Zaragoza won 1-0 at FC Barcelona, Getafe beat Osasuna 3-0, while Deportivo La Coruna beat second-division Valladolid 4-1.