Manchester United have won the Champions League! I know this post is a bit late, but that's because I had my last exam yesterday & today there was a 12h power cut!


It was a terrific match all throughout the 120 min. But the most heart-stopping moments was the dramatic penalty shoot-out... But let's start from the beginning.


Man Utd's recent form wasn't great - they drew 2 matches & then lost at Stanford Bridge. But they did manage some crucial victories over Barcelona & Wigan to secure their Premiership Title. Chelsea on the other hand were defeated in the Premier League & were looking to this final for revenge...



But Sir Alex Ferguson had other plans. The duel between Ronaldo & Ashley Cole on the right flank has always been won by the latter. So Sir Alex Ferguson decided to play Ronaldo on the left... a bet that paid off! Michael Essien was completely outwitted by Cristiano Ronaldo. & at the 26th minute the inevitable happened. Brown crossed a ball from the right & Cristiano Ronaldo jumped higher than everyone (Essien who was marking him couldn't jump as he's too short) & through a powerful header sent the Luzhniki stadium into frenzy!


United were leading 1-0 & they deserved it because they were playing the brilliant football they did a few months ago. After the goal, the match's tempo completely changed as Chelsea decided it was time to fight back.


& at the 45th minute, the ball bounced back from Vidic who was blocking a shot on goal, & Lampard wrong-footed Van Der Sar to score the equalizer. It was a lucky goal, but it justified the onslaught by Chelsea.


The second half was as lively as the first half, both teams coming close to scoring - Chelsea hitting the wood twice & Man Utd goal attempts being saved on the line… But both teams were lacking the final touch & the match was headed for extra-time.


Remember last year’s FA Cup Final when Didier Drogba scored the winning goal just before the end of extra-time? But this time Drogba didn’t score a goal… but was disgracefully sent off (for slapping Vidic) 4 min before the end of extra-time. But Man Utd couldn’t take advantage of 10-man Chelsea & the game was meant to be decided on penalties…


If the tension during the match was incredible… then it’s unbearable during the penalty shootout! (I guess penalties shouldn’t be watched by the faint-hearted). I was really very stressed - because anything could happen! Drogba being sent off hinted of luck being on Utd’s side, but with the penalty that didn’t matter anymore!


The first two sets of penalties were successfully converted… but then Ronaldo (as usual) messed up Man Utd’s 3rd penalty, which was easily saved by Petr Cech…


Man Utd were losing the match & it didn’t help that the next two penalties weren’t saved by Van der Sar. Nani scoring the 5th penalty for United meant that the issue of the match was to be decided by the last penalty, which would be taken by no other than Chelsea Captain John Terry. After saving Gigg’s effort from the line during the match, John Terry, being the ideal captain, was now poised for scoring the winning goal - & he’s one of the few people in the Chelsea to miss a penalty. I knew the tides had turned when Ronaldo failed to score - but with John Terry next, I resigned myself to acknowledge that defeat was unavoidable. Hence I chose to watch the possibly last penalty with one finger on the TV’s power button…(I couldn’t bear to watch Chelsea’s celebrations...)



The unthinkable happened! John Terry slipped at the crucial moment & kicked the ball beyond the posts!!!! MAN UTD WERE SAVED!!! My joy was unbelievable - at last luck was with us!!!


The penalty was now in sudden death - meaning that whatever team failed to score would lose the match. Anderson & Kalou scored their respective penalties & Giggs stepped up to commemorate his 759th record appearance for United with a goal.


Now everything was left in Anelka’s hands foot. I just knew that Anelka would miss definitely that penalty… French players have a knack for missing penalties (remember the 2006 World Cup Final). & Anelka’s decision to take a short stride for spot kick just confirmed by premonition… &…



SAVED!!!!
A goal saved by a man,
A giant leap for Man Utd.


Van Der Sar brilliantly saved the Anelka’s goal!!!! MAN UTD ARE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!!!! YAAYYY!!! WOOHOO!!!


A perfect end to a perfect season. United were crowned English Premier League & European Champions League winners! Man Utd are simply the best team in the world!!!
The 21st/22nd May 2008 will always be remembered as the day history was made… when a great leader of men slipped… & another, a veteran, had his experience paid off.


MANCHESTER UNITED ARE CHAMPIONS!

PS: I’m still rejoicing!!!! :P

Photo Credits:
BBC News
Reuters
Daily Telegraph