Manchester United are European CHAMPIONS!

For some weird reason, I completely forgot about today, 21st May '08. Tonight was the UEFA Champions League Final (Or European Champions Cup Final, call it watever u like), one of the most awaited match this season, Manchester United vs Chelsea.

A news ticker on a random newschannel reminded me of the match. I was unsure about the time, though nearly all Champions League matches started at 0015 AM [IST]. So just to make sure I don't miss the match, I was watching TV from 10 PM :)

Here are some of the Key moments of the Game:

[Click Here to view details!]


00: The Start
22: The Scar
26: The Moment
33: The Scare
34: Is it? Is it? Ohh close..
42: Cutting pass and... just past the goal...
45: Back to square one
77: Thanks Woodwork!
87: "759"
90: Full time already?
03 (ET): One Touch, Swivel, Woodwork
10 (ET): Go die Terry!
25 (ET): Shame Shame!
Penalties Time!

00 The Start:

The ceremony began with the usual dance by females dressed in red (Favoring ManU eh?). Soon the teams were on the ground and the match began! Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, all set to witness the clash between the two greatest English Clubs.

22 The Scar:

The match seemed to be going on smoothly with both teams trying hard not to loose possesion and build the pressure. Just then in an attempt to prevent Chelsea's counter-attack, Scholes went down in a challenge & got a cut on his face (And a Yellow Card for the harsh tackle). "Oh boy, one man down already!", I thought. How wrong!

26 The Moment:

Minutes after Scholes was back on the field, he was running wide on the right flank with the ball. Brown did a one-two with Scholes, then a cross & swishhh... The ball was headed into the net by Ronaldo! Manchester United LEAD!! Ronaldo's 6th Goal in 11 Matches! Yo!

33 The Scare:

The game seemed to be going on with hardly any trouble from the Chelsea side. And just then, Ballack was in the D and was about to score when Ferdinand took a big gamble & headed the ball away from him, which was punched by Van der Sar. That one moment was good enough to wake me up from my sleep!

34 Is it? Is it? Ohh close..

Before things could settle, Rooney was off with a counter-attack. A long-ball from the half-line to Ronaldo, a cross to Tevez and a shot and... Blocked by Cech! Another shot by Carrick & another reflex save by Cech! Damn! ManU should have been 2-0 Up!

42 Cutting pass and... just past the goal...

From the middle of nowhere, the ball was running exactly parallel to the goal-line. Makelele had Tevez covered, but somehow he couldn't manage to get his foot on the ball! Tevez, not expecting such an error, scrambled to score, but hardly able to make contact. Another golden chance wasted..

45 Back to square one:

And so the half was about to end with ManU leading 1-0. But just then someone (I can't recall who) shot from way back. The ball got deflected by a ManU defender (two defenders to be precise) and landed, well guess where.. Straight in Lampard's feet! Van der Sar slipped while trying to judge the deflections, & scoring from their was a piece of cake for Lampard. So then Half-time, & Score's 1-1.

A quick look at the highlights, some words by Teddy Sherringham (One of the greatest ManU players) & a couple of stupid ads later (oh they are annoying!), the next half began!

77 Thanks Woodwork!

The game was getting monotonous, with no big chance for either side. And then from nowhere, Drogba's curling shot hit the bar and went away. Scary...

87 "759"

Giggs came in for Scholes, making it his 759th appearance for Manchester United, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's record! Hope it helps!

90 Full time already?

Time just swept past as the match approached Full time. No change in the scoreline. Van der Sar was looking shaky, which might make all the difference if it goes down to Penalties. Though last time in the Community Shield's Penalty Shootouts he had saved all 3 penalties to prevent Chelsea win...

Lets hope he repeats history...

03 (ET): One Touch, Swivel, Woodwork

Outside for Chelsea. Ball sent in the D, a couple of fakes, some quick passes, Lampard does a 360 & hits the bar. What more did you expect for dancing on the ground? :P

10 (ET): Go die Terry!

Chelsea was pushing more & more when Evra tried to add some pace, with a great run till the other end of the field and an excellent pass to Giggs. Giggs takes a high shot and somehow, it gets deflected by Terry's head. Why, why does he have to be there? WHY??

25 (ET): Shame Shame!

Throw in. Most of the players are tired by now, some suffering cramps. The game was paused for a while when all of a sudden things got heated up, with Chelsea players surrounding Tevez. A bit of pushing around, touch on the cheek by Drogba.. It all ended on a diry note. A yellow card for Ballack & Tevez, & a Red for Drogba. And it was a shame that Drogba still decided to have a few words with some ManU players before leaving the field. What a way to leave the ground.

Penalties Time!
Click here or scroll down!

Penalties Overview:
Man U		Chelsea
Tevez	X	Ballack	X
Carrick	X	Belletti	X
Ronaldo	O	Lampard	X
Hargreaves	X	A. Cole	X
Nani	X	Terry	O
Anderson	X	Kalou	X
Giggs	X	Anelka	O
Hover Mouse for More Details!

MANCHESTER UNITED WIN!!!!!

As the rain poured in Moscow, tears mixed with the raindrops. Some of joy, some of sorrow. A wonderful game, with a breathtaking result. Be it Anderson dancing as if he's drunk, or Terry trying to hide his tears, this was one of the best match this season for sure!! So staying awake till 3 was afterall worth it!!

So Thats me, Rasagy Sharma, aka RaSh signing off!