European Champions :

"fucken brilliant...Sir Alex Ferguson does it again..signed NANI and ANDERSON...oh i just cant wait for the next season to start."
This was the message I received from a real close friend of mine at the start of the Barclays Premier League 07 - 08. As it turned out, these two were the late late substitutes who had no experience of a Champions League final penalty shootout, thus the pressure was rested on their young shoulders. Boldly, both of them stepped up to take their spot kicks and dislodged them with fierce accuracy and tremendous composure. It seems just like yesterday, that all of them were up there, holding the trophy triumphantly in there hands, dancing and smiling, but the build up to this event was one roller coaster ride you would love to ride. Having scored in the 26'Th minute, United were leading 1-0 (C. Ronaldo the man who magnificently headed the ball goal wards), but as luck would have it, just before the half time mark, Chelsea drew level with United when Frank Lampard scored, what seemed to be an extremely scruffy goal, as Van Der Saar slipped while trying to close him down. All the exhilaration from the Ronaldo goal had vanished by now, and it seemed as if Chelsea were dominating the proceedings. A beautiful opportunity was created by Patrice Evra in the 11'Th minute of extra time, displaying superb ball control and pace, but it went begging as Ryan Giggs failed to get the ball past "Mister Chelsea" who cleared off the line. Penalties seemed inevitable, when a scuffle broke out for what seemed like failure to return the ball (from Tevez) as it was put out of play. As it so happened , Didier Drogba, lost his nerves and took a nick at Nemanja Vidic, who seemed murderous, but "Mister Chelsea" held him back. Sadly though, Drogba received a Red card for taking a nick at a player right in front of the referee. It was to be decided on penalties. Carlos Tevez stepped up to take the first penalty for United. Calmly he put it past Petr Cech, United 1 - 0 up. Ballack stepped up for Chelsea, and the penalty machine scored (as usual) ... it was now time for Carrick, who seemed to effortlessly put the ball in the back of the net, Belletti scored as well, 2 - 2. As the tension was rising, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up for the spot-kick. As he kissed the ball and placed it on the spot, it seemed that he would surely score, but, as he moved towards the ball, he paused for a second to disorient Cech, who stood his ground, and as he took the shot, Cech saved. My stomach lurched, it was scary. Up next was Lampard, who scored, chelsea 3 - 2, leading and it was now time for sudden death. All the pressure was on the shoulders of Hargreaves, for if he missed, United would have to face humiliation at the hands of 'chelsea, but fate had different plans, for he dislodged the kick (with a brilliant technique) past Cech to keep United in the match. Most fans had lost their nails by now and there was no signs of a winner. Ashley Cole was next, as kicked the ball, it seemed for a moment that Van Der Saar had got enough of his gloves on it to save, but the ball went past him. 4 - 3 to Chelsea. Heaven overflowed with prayers from millions of Fans worldwide. That was when Nani stepped up, and scored, 4 -4. Solomon Kalou, made up for a mediocre performance by putting the kick past Van der Saar. 5 - 4. The young Brazilian, Anderson stepped up, commentators were muttering about him never having scored, but, he scored, calmly and without hiccups. It now rested on "Mister Chelsea" (John Teary), and as he stepped up, thousands of televisions were on the verge of being switched off (United fans), but he missed, and embarrassingly slipped at the crucial moment. "Yes, C'mon C'mon!!" Ryan Giggs, stepped up, 752 appearances for United, and he was not done yet, he scored past Cech, United were ahead. 6 - 5. It was now on Nicolas Anelka, the man who had played for twelve clubs, to put his experience into it, but as he stepped up, there was no sign of conviction on his face, he seemed to be doing it as a formality. It showed, and he missed. Van der Saar saved, and Cristiano Ronaldo was flat on the ground, his back to the sky, I was shouting at the top of my voice, millions were, its at moments like these when the word "One United" really makes sense. Fuck you Chelsea, and fuck all those glory hunters who thought Sir Alex Ferguson was "Scottish piece of shit". Chelsea will always remain second best ... United are the Champions of Europe again ...