UEFA Champions final an incredible example of European soccer
Jon Green
Issue date: 6/3/08 Section: Sports
The Union of European Football Associations' Champions League Final, the most sought-after title in European soccer, was played on May 22 between Manchester United and Chelsea - the first time two English teams had met in the finals.
This is the championship of the tournament of the best of the European club teams. How do you confine your thoughts on one of the biggest soccer games of the year to just 800 words? I decided to talk about what I felt were the 10 most important moments of the game.
1. Wes Brown and Paul Scholes worked a beautiful one-two pass, got some space and sent it skyward towards Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo found the ball, rose and put a beautiful header into the net. This was a huge goal for Ronaldo, arguably the best player in the world, who had never scored against Chelsea and had a reputation of not showing up in the big games. 1-0 Man U.
2. Chelsea was threatening to tie, when Wayne Rooney took the ball and sprinted down the right side. He launched a 60-yard pass (one of the best I've ever seen) right ahead of Ronaldo, who ran to it and centered it for Owen Hargreaves. Hargreaves' header went right to Peter Cech who knocked it away, but it went to a streaking Michael Carrick. Carrick's kick went back to Cech again who knocked it out of play. Cech may have saved the game. Manchester United doesn't give up goals, and 2-0 would have been a huge lead.
3. The first half was almost over when Frank Lampard scored, what was described by Tommy Smyth as, a "very important goal" (no really?). An Essien shot was deflected twice and came to Lampard who just solidly put it into the net. Very fluky goal, but it counted just the same. Tied at one.
4. Didier Drogba got a moment of separation in the 77th minute and just took a rip. Incredible shot, but it hit the right post. It was amazing that he even got it there with the little space he had.
5. Four minutes into overtime, Lampard got the ball in the box about 12 yards away. He spun and fired…and hit the crossbar. Beautiful turn and fire, but once again Chelsea was denied.
This is the championship of the tournament of the best of the European club teams. How do you confine your thoughts on one of the biggest soccer games of the year to just 800 words? I decided to talk about what I felt were the 10 most important moments of the game.
1. Wes Brown and Paul Scholes worked a beautiful one-two pass, got some space and sent it skyward towards Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo found the ball, rose and put a beautiful header into the net. This was a huge goal for Ronaldo, arguably the best player in the world, who had never scored against Chelsea and had a reputation of not showing up in the big games. 1-0 Man U.
2. Chelsea was threatening to tie, when Wayne Rooney took the ball and sprinted down the right side. He launched a 60-yard pass (one of the best I've ever seen) right ahead of Ronaldo, who ran to it and centered it for Owen Hargreaves. Hargreaves' header went right to Peter Cech who knocked it away, but it went to a streaking Michael Carrick. Carrick's kick went back to Cech again who knocked it out of play. Cech may have saved the game. Manchester United doesn't give up goals, and 2-0 would have been a huge lead.
3. The first half was almost over when Frank Lampard scored, what was described by Tommy Smyth as, a "very important goal" (no really?). An Essien shot was deflected twice and came to Lampard who just solidly put it into the net. Very fluky goal, but it counted just the same. Tied at one.
4. Didier Drogba got a moment of separation in the 77th minute and just took a rip. Incredible shot, but it hit the right post. It was amazing that he even got it there with the little space he had.
5. Four minutes into overtime, Lampard got the ball in the box about 12 yards away. He spun and fired…and hit the crossbar. Beautiful turn and fire, but once again Chelsea was denied.
Be the first to comment on this story