retired_provrb7

Wednesday 27th April 2005

The temperature was rising, the end was near and we could all feel it. But first there was a "small" matter of beating Real Madrid in the semi's. I did'nt rate their defense as good as their offense but they are pretty decent. Two players did'nt travel to Madrid and that was Kewell and Finnan who was still injured. After our first loss in the season against Arsenal at home I was hoping that did'nt effect the first teamers too much. We were still unbeaten in the Champions League and hopefully it was to stay that way.

PRE MATCH INTERVIEW

Daniel, Liverpool in the semi final's of the Champions League, not many people thought you could do it.
Well alot of people think alot of things but we have done it and now we're not stopping 'til we get all the way.

Kewell's not playing, will that be a big blow?
Kewell and Garcia in my mind are equally as good but they are diffrent types of midfielders. Garcia likes to come inwards and shoot from range whereas Kewell likes to take people on and he does a good job at it.

What's the game plan tonight?
With Real's good attack in mind we have decided to play a bit more cautious today. Their attacking lineup is full of stars and we need to contain them. I'm not saying we're coming here to park the bus but we won't get overexposed hopefully today.

So your looking for a draw really?
If you told me here and now we'd get a draw against Real then I would take it with no questions asked but the same was pretty much said against Inter and in Milan we won.

Good luck tonight Daniel!

First Half
Min 14 - Carlos took a throw in on the left to Zidane, he bent it from long range! Dudek gathers it comfortably.
Min 17 - Owen had the ball on the left edge of the area, dribbles past Hyypia, cuts it back outside the area for Beckham, he hits it to Carlos in the area, he lobs it into the area, Figo heads towards goal! Over the bar!
Min 27 - Figo cuts the ball back for Helguera, he shoots from outside the area! Shot blocked by Alonso, it bounces out to Beckham, he shoots! Carra blacks the shot! It bounces out to Helguera who shoots on the half volley! Wide!
Min 43 - Zidane runs down the left with the ball, dribbles past Carra, crosses into the six yard box to Raul who is totally free! He shoots! Dudek saves brilliantly!
Min 45 + 1 - Samuel finds Carlos down the left, he flicks the ball on for Raul, he crosses in for Zidane, he shoots! Parried by Dudek!

Second Half
Min 50 - Esposito runs down the right, finds Cisse in the box, he shoots! Easy save for Casillas!
Min 54 - Helguera gathers up Riise's clearence, he finds Beckham infield, he finds Zidane infront of the area, he threads the ball brilliantly for Raul, he shoots hard and low! Great save by Dudek!
Min 65 - Subs: Esposito, Garcia and Cisse off. Partridge, Le Tallec and Morientes on.
Min 74 - Le Tallec lines up a freekick outside the area. He curls it over the wall! Over the bar!
Min 77 - Casillas takes a free kick, Josemi clears, Gravesen gathers up, finds Helguera centrally, he shoots from 25 yards! Hits the bar!!
Min 88 - Partridge finds Le Tallec out wide on the left, he finds Alonso infield, he shoots from 25 yards! Good save by Casillas!
Full Time!

POST MATCH INTERVIEW

Well Daniel, you got the draw that we were talking about.
Well we did what I wanted, contained them and hit on the counter, pitty we could'nt grab the winner.

Surely you must think that Real was the better team?
Depends on how you see it. Possesion wise yes they were quite dominant but the defensive display we showed was great and we showed that you can have as many stars as you like, we are not breaking.

So your confident of a win at Anfield?
Definatly and this will hopefully show the winner of Milan and Juventus what they are up against. We are on our way to Istanbul, definatly!

[b]Champions League Semi Final Leg 1
Santiago Bernabue, Madrid
Real Madrid 0
Liverpool 0
MOM - Dudek
Att: 74934

Real Madrid (4-2-2-2); Casillas, Salgado, Woodgate, Samuel, Carlos; Helguera, Beckham; Zidane, Figo; Owen, Raul

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Dudek; Josemi, Carra, Hyypia, Riise; Hamann; Esposito, Alonso, Gerrard, Garcia; Cisse

retired_janearific

Come on Liverpool, Oooh I can feel last Wednesday night all over again.....

Great story Justified, hope it has a happy ending

retired_provrb7

Saturday 30th April 2005

Again the reserves were put to the test against a premiership opposition. This time they travelled to Craven Cottage in London in hope of winning against Fulham. In other news if Palace and Norwich loose their games today then they will both miss out on Premiership action next year. If Aston Villa loose todays and next weeks game then they are also out which is a shock to the whole footballing nation.

First Half
Min 2 - GOAL! Kirkland's free kick was headed down by Bocanegra to Clark, Hammill nicked the ball off of Clark, threaded it into the box for Le Tallec, Bonnissel tackles the ball, Hammill gathers up, crosses into the box, Morientes hits it on the volley! 1-0! Good goal by the Spaniard! That's his 15th this season!
Min 11 - Le Tallec finds Hamill infield, he threads it through for Morientes, he shoots! Deflects off Knight, Hammill picks up the ball, shoots on the half volley! Hits the sidenetting!
Min 17 - Volz takes a throw in on the right, he throws it into the box for Buari, he crosses low, it goes past everyone, Bonnissel gathers up on the left wing, crosses in centrally, John heads it! Over the bar!
Min 34 - Cole has the ball on the left, he hits it forward 45 yards to Buari, he nods it on to Malbranque on the left, he crosses into the box, John heads towards goal! Kirkland gathers easily!

Second Half
Min 48 - Buari takes a throw on the right, he finds Legwinski, he finds John at the near post, John strikes it in! 1-1!! But wait.. John was offside, the goal is disallowed.
Min 51 - Malbraque takes a cornor on the right, Le Tallex heads away, Malbranque gathers up, finds Knight infield, he lays off to Clark, he shoots! Over the bar!
Min 52 - Woods fouled Buari and a free kick is awarded on the right of the area. Legwinski lines up, he chips it in, Pellegrino heads away, Legwinski gathers up, shoots! Over the bar!
Min 65 - Subs: Partridge, Smicer and Morientes off. Nunez, Welsh and Mycklebust on.
Min 81 - Volz tries to find Malbranque, cut out by Le Tallec, headed down to Welsh, he finds Hammill to his right, he one two's with Nunez, he lays off to his left to Welsh, he gets into the area, shoots! van der Sar gathers the ball well!
Min 88 - GOAL! Jensen heads clear, Malbranque gathers up, he finds Legwinski infield, finds Volz in the area to the left, he slips it past Kirkland, 1-1! So late into the game!

Premiership
Fulham 1 Volz 87
Liverpool 1 Morientes 2
MOM - Volz
Att: 21951

Fulham (4-4-2); van der Sar; Volz, Knight, Bocanegra, Bonnissel; Buari, Legwinski, Clark, Malbranque; John, Cole

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Kirkland; Josemi, Pellegrino, Jensen, Woods; Biscan; Le Tallec, Hammill, Smicer, Partridge; Morientes

retired_provrb7

Cheers mate. Hopefully I can write the end of season 1 today :thup:

retired_provrb7

Wednesday 4th May 2005

The night had come, a night where many fans did'nt think they would be watching their team in the Champions League Semi Final against Real Madrid with a 0-0 leg in Madrid. The circumstances were great, the atmosphere was just right, it was a dry night, the temperature indicated that summer was on the way. Question was'nt if summer was coming, the question was was the summer going to be a red one? Of course we've already won the league but that is'nt enough, not for a team with Liverpool's iconic history.

Finnan was the only member of the first XI who could'nt make it, he is still out with his injury against Inter. As we entered the stadium it was amazing. Looking around the stadium it was just waves and waves of red colour and I bet you could'nt pick out one person who did'nt have a scarf and was'nt singing "You'll Never Walk Alone". The song played when we came in had been played before but it did'nt hit me more then it did this evening. "Right here... Right now".. That was so fitting for tonight, either we win or we don't but it's right here right now.

PRE MATCH INTERVIEW

Daniel, a magical night for English football, can you become our representativ in Istanbul?
Definatly, Real has to play their socks off to come here and win. They also have to block out those fans out there but it's impossible. Show me a club who has better fans then Liverpool and then I'll show you how to pick up a penny with your butt cheeks.

Ehhh yeah ok. Anyway, same strategy as last time?
No. today we play attacking football and we're hoping to humiliate Real here and send them home without a doubt in their minds that they were worthy to got to the final.

This is Owen's return to Anfield, how do you rate him?
Englands best striker and iconic here but I don't think the fans will give him any favours then maybe a standing ovation when they hop on the plane back home.

First Half
Min 19 - Helguera has a free kick in our half, he finds Beckham just outside the area, Beckham twist and turns and gets a shot off! Wide!
Min 26 - Gerrard's cornor is cleared by Helguera, it goes back out to Gerrard, he finds Alonso outside the box, Alonso looks for an opening, shoots! Hits the sidenetting!
Min 28 - GOAL! Real Madrid hushes the Liverpool fans. Helguera gathers up a ball in the Madrid half, he passes back to Casillas, he sends a long ball for Raul to chase, he heads it back to Beckham, he lays it out left to Carlos, he finds Zidane infield, he threads it through to Raul down the wing, layed back to Zidane in the area, he dribbles past Carra, shoots! 1-0!
Min 33 - GOAL! Riise throws the ball to Kewell, Salgado gets there first, he lays it infield to Figo, he lays it back to Woodgate, he looks for Owen, Riise gathers up the ball, lays it infield to Gerrard, he tries a long ball to Cisse, Samuel heads it away, Garcia gathers up, runs out to the left, lays it infield to Kewell, Salgado tackles the ball off him, it bobbles to Cisse, he shoots! It curls past Casillas! 1-1!! Great strike! But we need one more.
Min 36 - GOAL!! Josemi takes a free kick, he finds Alonso infield, he lays it out to Esposito, he goes past Beckham, goes down the right, dribbles into the area, dribbles past Samuel, shoots! It curls past Casillas to the far cornor! 2-1!! What a goal by Esposito!!
Min 45 + 2 - GOAL!!! Riise wins a header against Salgado, he heads down to Cisse, he finds Garcia at the halfway line, he plays it back to Cisse in the centre circle, he htreads it through to Kewell down the left, he runs into the area, totally free! Shoots low and hard! Through the legs of Casillas! 3-1!!

Second Half
Kewell had picked up a knock and came off at halftime for Hamann.
Min 46 - Hamann lays the ball to Josemi, Raul nicks the ball off of him, he lays it back to Samuel, Cisse nicks the ball off of him, lays it back to Gerrard, he threads it through to Cisse, Casillas tackles the ball, Salgado gathers up, Esposito nicks the ball off him, plays it into the area for Cise, he turns and shoots! Wide!
Min 52 - GOAL!!!! Carlos crosses into the box, Riise clears, Cisse gathers up and runs forward, passes back to Garcia, he comes down the left, finds Cisse just on the left side of the box, lays it back for Gerrard, he picks out Cisse in the box, he holds of Woodgate, turns, shoots hard and low! 4-1!! Total domnation by Liverpool!
Min 61 - Esposito runs down the right, Carlos tackles the ball, Esposito gets the ball back thou, continues down the right, finds Cisse in the box, he shoots! Casillas turns it behind!
Min 62 - Carlos trips Esposito on the penalty area line, he decides to take it himself, curls it past the wall! Just a touch wide!
Min 69 - Subs: Garcia and Cisse off, Partridge and Morientes on.
Min 71 - Gravesen finds Beckham infield, Gerrard nicks the ball off the England skipper, he runs upfield, lays it left to Partridge, passes it forward to Gerrard, he lays it right to Esposito, he dribbles past Samuel, he shoots! Casillas punches away!
Min 74 - Hamann gathers up a loose ball, lays it out left for Partridge, he dribbles past Salgado and then Woodgate, he shoots! Over the bar!
Min 78 - Salgado takes a throw in on the right, throws inot the box to Raul, he jinks past Alonso, Shoots! Just just wide!
Final Whistle! Liverpool Are In The Final Of The Champions League In Istanbul!

POST MATCH INTERVIEW

Great game with loads of goals. How do you summerise this match?
Shock opening from Real but the lads came through for us. The team played as a unit and attacked very very well. They should be very proud and now for the final! Esposito especially was fenominal and I think once he has settled in to 100% he'll be the best right winger in the world.

You have heard that Juventus won 1-0 on aggregate against Milan?
Yes I heard from one of the players on the bench who was listning to the radio and he told me that Juventus had held out for 0-0 at home to secure the win.

How does that feel?
Liverpool against Juventus in the final? I don't know if anyone could of predicted Juventus in the final but surely it will be a great game. We have no suspensions either so we'll hopefully have a full team there in Istanbul which is only fair.

Congratulations Daniel.
Cheers!

Champions League Semi Final Leg 2
Liverpool 4 Cisse 33 52, Esposito 36, Kewell 45
Real Madrid 1 Zidane 28
MOM - Esposito
Att: 45285

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Dudek; Josemi, Carra, Hyypia, Riise; Alonso; Esposito, Gerrard, Garcia, Kewell; Cisse

Real Madrid (4-2-2-2); Casillas; Salgado, Woodgate, Samuel, Carlos; Helguera, Beckham; Figo, Zidane; Owen, Raul

retired_provrb7

Sunday 8th May 2005

The last home game this year was against local rivals Everton. I released a press statement a few days before telling fans that none of the first teamers would participate because I want them rested for the final of the Champions League and FA Cup. I'm sure the fans understood that.

First Half
Min 1 - GOAL! The game had'nt begun before Beattie could score. Beattie kicked off to Karagounis, he ran upfield, passed it through to Beattie, he tried a shot from 25 yards out! It sailed up into the top left cornor! 1-0!
Min 9 - Josemi tried to find Partridge down the right, Pistone cleared and Katan gathered up, he ran down the left, found Karagounis outside the area, played through to Beattie, he shoots! Over the bar!
Min 17 - Arteta has a freekick outside the area, looks for Karagunis outside the box, he shoots from outside the area! Saved by Kirkland down to his right!
Min 30 - Morientes goes down the left, he goes to the byline, cuts back to Welsh outside the area, he powers it towards goal! Over the bar!
Min 32 - Stubbs gathers up a loose ball, passes back to Martyn, finds Pistone infront of him, tries to find Katan out left, he heads the ball to his left to Karagounis, he threads it through to Beattie, he shoots from 30 yards out! Wide!
Min 35 - Traore has a throw in on the left, he throws it into the box, headed away by Pistone, Wlesh gathers up outside the area, shoots! Well well wide!

Second Half
Min 47 - Pistone tries to find Beattie, Traore heads down, he heads it to his right but Karagunis intercepts, he lays it outleft to Katan, he shoots from 35 yards out! Well wide!
Min 48 - Martyn clears, Biscan wins a header agaist Karagounis, he heads down to Welsh, he lays it out left to Le Tallec, he runs down the left, cuts infield, tee's up Welsh outside the box, he shoots! Over the bar!
Min 68 - Subs: Welsh, Hammill and Morientes off, Jensen, Smicer and Mycklebust on.
Min 80 - Le Tallec finds Smicer outside the box, he lays it out right to Partridge, he cuts back for Hamann, he htreads it back to Partridge inside the box, he cuts back again to Hamann, he shoots! Deflected! Wide!
Min 85 - Josemi gathers up the clearence, he plays it to his left to Traore, he finds Biscan upfield, he finds Smicer past the halfway line, he finds Mycklebust outside the area, he shoots from outside the area! Wide!
Min 90 + 3 - Smicer gets the ball on the left, cuts back to Le Tallec in the area, dribbles past Hibbert, crossed to the far post, header by Partridge! Over the bar!

Premiership
Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool 0
Everton 1 Beattie 1
MOM - Arteta
Att: 45340

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Kirkland; Josemi, Pellegrino, Biscan, Traore; Hamann; Partridge, Welsh, Hammill, Le Tallec; Morientes

Everton (4-2-3-1); Martyn; Hibbert, Stubbs, Weir, Pistone; Arteta, Carsley; Osman, Karagounis, Katan; Beattie

retired_provrb7

Saturday 14th May 2005

The last premiership game of the season was away to Charlton. To no surprise again the reserves were in action in London. I'm sure most fans and players are looking forward to the two games to come after this one and try and get this one out of the way.

First Half
Min 10 - Thomas gets down the left, he dribbles past Welsh, he threads it down the left flank to Bartlett, he cuts back to thomas outside the area, he shoots! Curls away from goal and wide!
Min 14 - Rommedahl runs down the right, goes to the byline, crosses into the box, headed clear by Biscan. Kishishev gathers the ball outside the area, shoots! High and wide!
Min 30 - Thomas gathers up Traore's clearence, he lays back to Koncheskey, plays it upfield to Holland, he finds Bartlett inside the area, he turns, shoots! Kirkland tips it over the bar!

Second Half
Min 54 - Hammill was sent off for two footed tackle on Thomas. Morientes was taken off and replaced by Nunez.
Min 64 - Subs: Partridge and Welsh off for Woods and Mycklebust.
Min 72 - Hreidarsson tries to find Jeffers, but Pellegrino cuts it out, he heads down to Biscan, he finds Hamann infront of him, he finds Le Tallec in the centre circle, he lays off to nunez on the right, he threads through to Mycklebust, he shoots! It beats Kiraly! Hits the bar!!
Min 73 - Traore takes a throw in on the left, finds Le Tallec inside the box, he twist and turns and looses his marker, he shoots! Kiraly punches clear!
Min 76 - Johansson's cross is cleared by Traore, Nunez gathers up, he finds Mycklebust at the halfway line, he dribbles past the Charlton defense, shoots from just outside the area! Wide!
Min 83 - Traore heads clear, Perry gathers up, finds Sam on the right, he lays back to Kishishev, he lays back to Sam down the right wing, he crosses from the right, Hughes heads the ball towards goal! Over the bar!

Premiership
The Valley, London
Charlton 0
Liverpool 0
MOM - Biscan
Att: 27076

Charlton (4-4-2); Kiraly; Kishichev, Perry, Hreidarsson, Konchesky; Rommedahl, Hughes, Holland, Thomas; Lisbie, Bartlett

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Kirkland; Josemi, Pellegrino, Biscan, Traore; Hamann; Partridge, Welsh, Hammill, Le Tallec; Morientes

retired_provrb7

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Liverpool | | 38 | 31 | 5 | 2 | 76 | 18 | +58 | 98 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Man Utd | | 38 | 24 | 11 | 3 | 75 | 29 | +46 | 83 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Arsenal | | 38 | 23 | 10 | 5 | 80 | 28 | +52 | 79 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Chelsea | | 38 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 65 | 38 | +27 | 72 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Tottenham | | 38 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 57 | 36 | +21 | 63 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Everton | | 38 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 55 | 42 | +13 | 61 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Blackburn | | 38 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 47 | 39 | +8 | 56 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Portsmouth | | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 48 | 44 | +4 | 54 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Newcastle | | 38 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 42 | 50 | -8 | 53 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Fulham | | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 54 | 55 | -1 | 51 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Charlton | | 38 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 46 | 53 | -7 | 48 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Birmingham | | 38 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 44 | 54 | -10 | 46 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Middlesbrough | | 38 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 50 | 71 | -21 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Bolton | | 38 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 34 | 47 | -13 | 38 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Man City | | 38 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 54 | 71 | -17 | 38 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Southampton | | 38 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 46 | 71 | -25 | 35 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | West Brom | | 38 | 7 | 13 | 18 | 36 | 59 | -23 | 34 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | R | Aston Villa | | 38 | 8 | 7 | 23 | 42 | 69 | -27 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | R | Norwich | | 38 | 6 | 10 | 22 | 23 | 54 | -31 | 28 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | R | Crystal Palace | | 38 | 5 | 10 | 23 | 39 | 85 | -46 | 25 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_provrb7

Wednesday 25th May 2005

The day had finally come. It was time to play the Champions League final and against Juventus, the first time the teams met since the Heysel accident. That just spiced up the final even more. With Finnan returning I had a full team to choose from and so did Juventus wiht no injuries or suspensions. Last time the two met Juventus were the awarded winners back in 1984, that needed to change.

When we got there it was understood to be a massive majority of Liverpool fans in the crowd which would give us the egde in this encounter. Juventus has beaten Milan, Barcelona, Lyon, Celtic, Arsenal, APOEL and Red Star to get where they area today. Whereas we had to beat Real Madrid, Inter, Werder Bremen, Porto, Paris, Rosenborg and Banik Ostrava.

PRE MATCH INTERVIEW

The day has come, how do you feel?
I've been looking forward to this day from day one to be honest. The atmosphere seems great out there and we are determined to take the trophy back home and stick in the old trophy cabinet.

How do you see the game going?
On paper on looks like a deadlock but we'll try and break their defense. This is no longer over two legs and tonight is when it's going to happen.

How do you rate Juventus chances?
Slim.

What kind of gameplan have you got tonight?
We're going to try and get down the wings as much as possible, their wingers are quite attacking and we should use that space behind them.

Good luck!

First Half
Min 11 - Esposito ran down the right flank, Birindelli won the ball off of him, he passes back to Cannavaro, he found Tacchinardi infront of him, he layed back to Birindelli, he found Olivera on the right flank, he found Del Piero outside the left side of the area, crossed in for Ibrahimovic, headed towards goal! Over the bar!
Min 20 - Gerrard tackles the ball off Olivera, Esposito gathers up, dribbles past Birindelli and takes it down the right flank, he finds Cisse on the edge of the area, he got past Cannavaro, layed back for Gerrard, he plays it through back to Cisse, he shoots! Buffon punches clear!
Min 30 - Birindelli takes a free to Olivera down the right, he dirbbles past Finnan, plays to Del Piero donw the right, he finds Tachinardi in the box, he's unmarked! Shoots! Saves by Dudek!
Min 37 - Buffon takes a free kick inside their half, he plays it up for Del Piero, Alonso heads upfield, Cannavaro wins the ball off of Cisse, Emerson finds Zambrotta down the right, he gets down the right flank, crosses in for Tachinardi, he shoots on the volley! Over the bar!
Min 41 - Birindelli wins a header against Cisse, headed away, Del Piero gathers up, dribbles past Alonso, lays it out left to Olivera, he gives it back to del Piero down the right, he plays it back to Emerson infront of the box, he aims for the top cornor! Over the bar!

Second Half
Min 55 - Zambrotta took a throw on the right, Garcia intercepted, found Kewell on the left, Tacchinardi won the ball off the Aussie, played back to Zambrotta, he plays it up to Ibrahimovic, he finds Del Piero to his left, he shoots from just outside the area! Wide!
Min 66 - Esposito off for Garcia.
Min 72 - Garcia and Cisse off for Hamann and Morientes.
Min 90 + 2 - Tacchinardi's free kick finds Cannavaro outside the area, he lays it out right to Kapo, he shoots! Deflects off of a Liverpool player! Trezeguet gets a head to it! Wide!

Extra Time
Min 97 - Ibrahimovic nicks the ball off of Hyypia, he bares down on goal, he shoots! Just a touch wide of the post! Should of scored!
Min 104 - Carragher fouled Ibrahimovic, Juventus are awarded a free kick outside the area. Nedved lines it up, shoots! Well wide!
Min 117 - Riise takes a cornor on the left, he aims for the near post, Morientes heads the ball! Great save by Buffon!
The Game Goes To Penalties!

Liverpool 1st P.K - Luis Garcia with Liverpool's first... shoots to his left... Buffon is rooted to the spot and 1-0!
Juventus 1st P.K - Ibrahimovic runs up to take his... He shoots to his left... Dudek dives the wrong way! 1-1!

Liverpool 2nd P.K - Gerrard steps up to take the spot kick... Cheekily chips it straight forward... Buffon dives to his left and 2-1!
Juventus 2nd P.K - Tacchinardi with a chance to make it level... He shoots to the right... Dudek dives left! But the penalty is too good and 2-2

Liverpool 3rd P.K - Riise places it on spot... He shoots to the left... Buffon is rooted! 3-2!
Juventus 3rd P.K - Kapo steps up confidently... He shoots left... Dudek dives right... and saves!!

Liverpool 4th P.K - Carragher runs up to take the kick... He shoots down the middle... Buffon anticipates greatly and saves!
Juventus 4th P.K - Nedved steps up... He shoots to the left... Dudek dives right... But the penalty is well placed and 3-3!

Liverpool 5th P.K - Morientes runs up to take the kick... He powers it straight forward... Buffon stays put... But it powers into the top of the net and 4-3!
Juventus 5th P.K - Trezeguet must score to keep Juve in the game... He shoots to the left... Dudek is rooted and 4-4!

Liverpool 6th P.K - Hamann steps up to take the kick... He shoots to his right... Buffon dives to his right and 5-4!!
Juventus 6th P.K - Zambrotta must score to keep Juventus in it... he shoots to the right... Dudek is rooted... But it hits the post!!!
LIVERPOOL ARE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!!!

POST MATCH INTERVIEW

Have fantastic is this achievment?
It's unbelievable, I'm very proud of my players and they thoroughly deserved it after the hard work they put in this season.

Do you feel that you were the best team today?
Yes we tested their keeper a few times and he pulles off some amazing saves. They had a few chances aswell but it was as I said before the game, a deadlock where both teams did'nt want to get exposed at the back.

Signing a new contract?
You'll know after the FA Cup on Saturday.

So what happens tonight?
Tonight we celebrate and then on Friday we prepare for the FA Cup final against Chelsea. The trophy is coming back to Liverpool!

POST MACTH INTERVIEW WITH STEVEN GERRARD

Gerrard, you have waited for this and now it's here, how do you feel?
It's a wonderful feeling. I can't say what tops best, the league of the Champions League but this season is the most memorable ever. I am very proud to carry the red colours and hopefully we can defend the trophy next year.

Are you happy with the current gaffer?
He is the best in the world. He knows what he wants and what he expects and he tells us what to do and when and he is just a great manager. The best in the world!

How do you feel that his situation is since he has only signed a contract which ends this summer?
I'm sure he signs well actually I hope he does so we can defend our trophies because he is definatly the best out there.

UEFA Champions League Final
Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
Liverpool 0 (5)
Juventus 0 (4)
MOM - Buffon
Att: 80570

Liverpool (4-1-4-1); Dudek; Finnan, Carra, Hyypia, Riise; Alonso; Esposito, Alonso, Garcia, Kewell; Cisse

Juventus (4-4-2); Buffon; Thuram, Zebina, Cannavaro, Birindelli; Zambrotta, Emerson, Tacchinardi, Olivera; Ibrahimovic, Del Piero

retired_blacko

Congrats :thup:

*Wipes tear from his eye*