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And so, the final that we all wanted. Even Chelsea and Aston Villa fans probably fancied a Swansea v Bradford final, because the Capital One Cup ranks below 'make sure we've got some new A4 protest banners for Saturday' in the former's priorities, and the latter's senses have been so dulled by years of ennui that they probably didn't notice losing anyway.
The nice thing about the final for us neutrals is of course that it offers something different, something interesting rather the standard procession of a big club's reserves picking up a trophy that the first-teamers will use as a spittoon or champagne bucket at some point in the near future.
The other nice thing is that it could offer some sort of tangible reward and specific moment of glory for Swansea, the team that everyone loves to quite like.
Everyone has been falling over themselves to write nice things about Swansea recently, and with good reason. There's Michael Laudrup's hair - less a style, more a feat of physics - for a start, as well as his very handsome face.
But more seriously (ish), they provide an example and hope for all clubs that are circling the drain, or have sunk to previously unplumbed depths, that they can make something of themselves. As you'll know, ten years ago they almost dropped out of the Football League, now they're one of the better sides in the top flight, have the Premier League's bargain of the season up front and play in a style that keeps everyone entertained as well as full of admiration.
And it's because they have a plan. As teams around them swing from one extreme to another, appointing one manager as an opposite reaction to the last, Swansea move smoothly from one leader to another, not simply holding steady but improving too.
The whole way the club is built these days means it's not an enormous surprise that they have improved and moved on since last season. The 'culture' and 'philosophy' and other words that sound utterly stupid in a football context of the club is such that a new manager has a solid foundation and can add little bits on to improve it.
Laudrup has done that, introducing some pragmatism without turning them into Stoke, making the team more direct without turning them into Stoke, and even tightening up their backline without turning them into, erm, Stoke.
"It was like a bar fight," said Ashley Williams after the Chelsea game, and it says something about Laudrup's Swansea that they emerged from this particular scrap with a lady on their arm, only the odd bruise and saying, "You should see the other guy."
Williams and Chico Flores (or to translate - Little Boy Flowers) have to be one of the most impressive central defensive partnerships in the division. A few early-season errors from Williams and some...eccentric moments from Flores aside, the pair have been excellent when played together.
In the 19 games Chico and Williams have started together this season, Swansea have kept seven clean sheets, conceding 17 goals. In the other 12, only one clean sheet (against Middlesbrough) and 16 conceded. Flores of course replaced Steven Caulker, who was excellent for them last season, but that exemplifies the job that Laudrup has had - to replace and improve. Laudrup has basically added substance to Swansea's existing style. They prevented Chelsea from scoring over 180 minutes of this semi-final, and made it look pretty easy too. Impressive.
This partnership is a terrific example of how Laudrup has changed Swansea. Now, people don't just talk about Swansea as a good passing side, but just a good side. Hats off, Michael. We always thought you were better than Brian anyway.
Nick Miller - on Twitter @NickMillerF365
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