A few quotes from the papers: "Alex Ferguson's side pummelled Arsenal from start to finish, so much so that it was seven minutes into extra time before the Londoners had their first — and only — attempt on goal. In glaring contrast United had a Rio Ferdinand goal disallowed, a Ruud van Nistelrooy header dramatically cleared off the line and also saw a Wayne Rooney drive spin back viciously from the foot of a post." -News of the World "Arsenal had been outplayed for the bulk of yesterday's titanic clash with Manchester United and needed an heroic display from goalkeeper Jens Lehman to ensure the final remained goalless after extra-time." -Sunday Mirror
Crazy freaking game. Milan wins that game 9/10 times. But not that time. Hats off to Liverpool. Especially Dudek. He's had some real clankers the past few years, but that double-save on Shevchenko was golden (Sheva really should have finished anyway, though). Champions of Europe again. And they might not even be in the Champions league after finishing 5th. Two years in a row a shocker. Last year, the champions of Portugal won. This year, the 5th placed English league team won it all. Bizarre.
You're right, you won, but you won on penalty kicks, hardly a way to show who the better team was. You're the first person I've heard who's even argued that you were the better team, and I watched the game with 3 of my friends who are die-hard Arsenal fans. If you would have won 1-0, I wouldn't have made the argument, but I simply can't see how you can honestly say you were the better team when the only thing that gave you the victory was Jens guessing right once in the shootout. I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this one.
Dude, don't be absurd. Usually, I buy your argument in most games. But that game? Nah. You got lucky. Most of the time, one of those shots goes in. If Lehman doesn't just bungle it up. That's ok. It happens sometimes. The press almost always favors arsenal over man utd these days (except for the man utd dedicates), since Arsenal have such a more attractive style of play. But that game? Jeez...it was completely one-sided. Even your manager admitted it.
Agreed, those two saves were amazing. When I saw the ball served in I was standing up and celebrating, because 9 times out of 10 Shevchenko puts that ball in the back of the net.
Which shot? Rooney's shot was never going in. The only real chance was VN's header. That's one good shot. No, it doesn't. Look, as someone who's seen Arsenal do this very thing - have the majority of possession, shots on goal, corners, etc and come up with no points - I would never say they DOMINATED those games. I don't think you dominate a game and come up with nothing. DOMINATING a game is Everton 0 Arsenal 7.
Unfreaking believeable game. I have watched soccer whole my life. I've got Gol channel, FSC, ESPN, you name it, this is the best game I have ever see. We need to sign this guy as our power dancer to distract
Imagine Spurs leading us by 30 pts into the 4th qtr of game 7 WC final, and we win it in over time. This is what it was for Liverpool. Unfreaking believeable.
This was absolutely insane. Unbelievable. I am still buzzing. I just have never seen a final like that, it was incredible. I started out "supporting" Milan (well, not really supporting but you know what I mean) but then just went crazy for Liverpool. Not saying I am a bandwagon fan, I don't really like either team... but the heart that Liverpool showed was absoutely amazing. I also loved how Dudek saved some penalties (he used to play for Feyenoord that's why I like him). As far as domination goes, I think that's the beauty, charm, and tragedy of football. So if you deny that a team can dominate a game yet lose the match in the end, then you are denying the very fact of what football is all about. In any case, I think you guys are just arguing about what you mean by "domination". It's clear to everyone that ManU had the ball, passed it better, and had a few more drawn out attacks and chances. They had the midfield as well, Arsenal never got a grip on the game and had the horrible tactic of putting Dennis Bergkamp alone up front. He hasn't done that in about 10 years. To me that's domination, not the goals. The result is the goals. That's why football can be so tragic and heartbreaking sometimes... the football doesn't match the result. That's why you have people like me still talking about Holland in 1974!
WOW what an amazing game!!! I taped it and watched it last night without knowing what happened. I couldn't believe the way they came back like that. Overall I thought A.C. Milan outplayed Liverpool with the exception of that 15 minute span to start the second half. Props to Liverpool for not giving up and keep fighting. This ranks up there with that Man U vs. Bayern Munich Champions League Final in '99 where B. Munich dominated the entire game and led 1-0 when Man U scored 2 goals, one in the 89th minute and another in the injury time (91st minute I think). Crazy game. I want to see what the soccer haters who want to clown the sport for every minor thing say something about this. These types of games aren't uncommon, there are 100's of great games going on worldwide. The Euro2004 tournament was full of amazing matches and the World Cup next year won't dissapoint either...I feel bad for those haters because they are missing out on the greatest sport in the world.
Here is what went wrong in those 6 min No ball pressue on Millan's part. Liverpool got the favor of god on the 2nd and 3rd goal. But those 6 minutes defense of Milan was atrocious to say the least. 2 out of 3 Liverpool's goals came from that left side, Risse blew open Cafu's defense. Total collapse.
Anybody got a torrent of this? Or anyway i can get the game off the internet somehow. I must watch this.
i'm very happy liverpool won. i do not like Milan, and i like dudek(like Ace said he used to be with feyenoord). Unbelievable game, and i missed it
Dudek at times looked like he is the best keeper in the Europe, but at other times you just wish this guy never made it to your team. I guess he shined big time yesterday, but Liverpool needs to get rid of him, coz he is not going to put miracles for all season long.
I watched it on the big screen together with some friends, one of them a huge Liverpool fan - when they won, I wanted to "high five" him, but he kinda jumped towards me screaming, kind of gave me an uppercut that made my mouth bleed like hell, I fell backwards, narrowly missed a sharp corner of a table and fell hard on my elbows. Believe me, the guy had to buy a lot of beers afterwards! Anyway, it was an awesome game and I am glad Liverpool won. Dudek really made me laugh with his little dances in the penalty shootout.
SJC, you are from Australia right? Were you pulling for Kewell. I thought Smicer replacing him was the turning point mainly he wasnt suited to go from the beginning. What happened to other Aussies that played for Leeds U?
I'm pretty sure that SJC is German. Regarding the Aussies at Leeds, I know that Mark Viduka is now at Middlesbrough.
