The time has finally come. Manchester United faces Chelsea in the Champions League final. Man U will be looking for a second Champions League title under Alex Ferguson while Chelsea is looking for its first Champions League trophy.
What will be the key today? Will Cristiano Ronaldo find room to work his magic? Will Didier Drogba get chances against Manchester United’s stingy defense? What role player will step up and be a star today?
My prediction? Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1.
Feel free to join the pre-game discussion here, and when the match begins, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play by play in the comments section below. I know some people won’t be able to sneak away from work to see the match, and don’t have internet feeds to watch on, so let’s make this a place those unfortunate folks can come to read about the action.
I will be in New York City today, watching the match at the Galway Hooker. Adam Spangler (This is American Soccer) and Shawn Francis (The Offside Rules) will be joining me as we discuss our plans to take over the online soccer universe (kidding).
Enjoy the match.
I feel really bad for Terry. He made a great play in the extra time by saving the Giggs shot off the line. He then slips on his decisive PK (blame it on the weather, pitch, etc, it happens).
The real idiot is Drogba. He pulled a Zidane in a crucial moment. If I were a Chelsea supporter, and despite Drogba’s obvious talent, I’d certainly would not clamor to have him back.
An excerpt from Didier Drogba’s wikipedia page:
On April 26, 2008 Drogba had an “accidental” clash with Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidić, the Serbian centre-back had to have stitches under his lip after losing a tooth in the clash. There is a debate whether Drogba had the intention or not to injure his rival. The debate has been flared further as this is not the first time that Drogba has caused injury to Vidić’s face. On Sunday the 26th of November 2006, in a 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Chelsea, Drogba elbowed Vidić. Video replays showed that Drogba looked at Vidić first before jumping, which implies a deliberate elbow.[15]
Also, is anybody else curious to know whether Drogba just continued walking to the airport after being sent off? If he caught the red-eye could he already be at a new club?
ESPN will replay the match at 7 est
As a mutual hater of both teams, this was the second best outcome. The first almost came when the two sides decided to get in a whining match with 2 minutes left. All I could do was laugh and hope they just called the match.
ok this is it john will not miss
Posted by: kawa | May 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I think that I scared the people in my office half to death after EVDS made that save. What a game and what a season for Manchester United.
GLAZER! GLAZER! GLAZER! (Vindication!)
jay-z,
that was cruel
Obviously, Jay-Z watches a lot of football. You p.o.s.
Man i was listening to this game in Spanish on ESPN deportes Radio. Jorge Ramos painted the most dramatic picture i was riveted here at work. Especially During the penalty kicks. OMG what a game!
John Terry thank you !!!!!!
From Wikipedia’s entry on John Terry:
“The moron cost Chelsea the Champions League Final, it’s his fault they lost. He should be sold. Worst Chelsea player ever.”
Avram deserves to return next season. He earned it
Wow, Grant holding the team together there. Is that the most he’s said all year?
Fantastic game, great hanging out, catch y’all later for post game rehashing.
Going to walk around the block, I can’t watch Terry anymore.
Cheers!
i feel bad for Terry
It is too bad that the worthless pitch had to popup during the PKs.
Drama… pure drama
As a neutral, brutal for Chelsea, Terry in particular.
Fitting that Giggs put in the winning penalty.
And overall, a much better game than I expected.
can we blame Drogba
What a great feeling that must be. I can’t wait until the Toffeemen win this next year.
Ha.
Someone want to tell Nani that he looks like an idiot with his jersey on backwards to make sure that everyone know what his name is rather than keeping the crest of ManU over his heart. I guess we know what comes first him and his name over the club he represents.
what a horrible ending – although so exciting! i can’t believe chelsea/terry got screwed like that. wow, unreal.
I almost felt bad watching Terry sob on Grants shoulder. But then I remembered that Chelsea lost – woo hoo!!!
Avram should be proud
Avram Grant is consoling Terry, who’s tears are falling more than the rain.
And he hits it in a place where VDS can reach!!!
Man U have done it. As far as games to penalties go, that was fantastic, both teams kept playing to win, and then some real drama in the shoot out.
Ronaldo is off the hook, and Terry is crushed.
Also, Ronaldo owes several people very expensive gifts for pulling him off of the hook.
Wasn’t the best effort by Anelka. But what a stretch by Van Der Sar.
van der Saar saves! United are champions!
no f…king way
MANU gets the double. WOW. What a save by Van der sar.
Anelka looks nervous walking up to stay alive…
Giggs puts it in to the keeper’s left. Anelka up
Giggity-giggs…
Chelsea live, Kalou puts it home
Malouda scores.
Anderson puts it in, Chelsea must score
Does anyone want to win this? Well, looks like Anderson does.
Anderson slams it up the middle!
Chelsea must match
oh no Terry
AND the courageous JT slips!!!
TERRY MISSES!!!! WHAT!!??!!
WOW!!!
Terry misses!
ok this is it john will not miss