May 22nd, 2008
Dry your eyes, John Terry…
Yes, it’ s cruel image (rapidly circulating today, no doubt), but in the absence of any penalty footage - which UEFA have very kindly pulled from YouTube - it works. But then football is the cruellest of games, especially when it ends the way it did last night in the Champion’s League Final. I watched the game with my dad and brothers in a local pub thinking that either way, the outcome would be known by 90 minutes. United should have been three goals up in the first half, but it wasn’t to be, and the Chelsea managed a deflected equaliser right on half-time. Another 45 minutes followed of Chelsea nearly going ahead a couple of times, and by the time we hit Extra Time, I had started on the nail-chewing. I knew it would penalities, and on paper, many would say that Petr Cech is the better keeper. Unlike some people around me, I managed to watch them all. I couldn’t bear to look away, especially when John Terry missed the chance to win it by slipping on the wet pitch. Edwin Van Der Saar, I salute you, Sir. Delighted for Giggs and Scholes too, who were in the United squad for the last Champions’ League win, even if Scholes wasn’t on the pitch in 1999.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
I’m burying the blue shirt in the back of the wardrobe for the next few months.
Well done United.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
It was the first mail I got this morning. People can be so, so cruel. Fnaar Fnaar! Couldn’t happen to a nicer chap. Really thought we’d blown it when Ronny missed but when Terry missed I had a feeling it was ours for the taking. How apt that Anelka, having played for Arse, Pool and City should hand it to us. Van rocks too!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Now I’m thinking it’s a pity we didn’t beat Portsmouth and go on to win the FA Cup for the treble but I think I’m just getting greedy…
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
The idea of John Terry, Cashley Cole and Nico Anelka feeling rather upset today just makes me weep inside, it really does.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
TheMissus made me put a bet on United so that I might feign some interest in the game. I still didn’t win for some reason. Fairbet isn’t fair. I don’t understand all this betting and sport stuff. I think I’ll leave it to you ladies.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I didn’t think I’d bother watching it, but I did. Was a very good game for a final. The neutral in me enjoyed it, as the neutral in me shall enjoy every game in this summer’s Euro Champs. I can’t wait.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Hargreaves peno was my favourite,the way he just twatted it right in with proper conviction. No better way for us (spot the bias..) to claim the Cup than to have Drogba sent off for a sissy-slap and Terry to land on his arse. I feel nothing but utter delight that we deservedly won and it really is sweetened by it being Chelsea we pipped. Scholes and Giggs are the most deserved recipients of all too.Woohoo!
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I spent the evening in a Portuguese bar surrounded by idiots with southern English accents in Manchester United shirts. I still don’t get how that works. When I lived in England, all southern-born people were utterly scathing of anything that happened north of Watford, yet here are these drunken buffoons whooping and cheering (in the manner of United’s American owners, no doubt) at the success of their “chosen” side against what is a relatively local team to them. Am I missing something here? Is this how Fianna Fail keep winning elections, people just can’t bear to be on a losing side? Can you imagine if the GAA panned out this way? “Yes, I KNOW we’re from Galway but my family have ALWAYS been Kerry supporters”. Anyway, isn’t this the time of year when everyone in Ireland puts away their United jerseys and changes into their equally red Munster shirts? OK, enough cynicism, what do I care, I’m Scots, we never win anything except curling and snooker and sometimes we’re even proud of it…
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
After seeing this footage of him sneakily landing a spit on Tevez’s neck I can honestly say I have never been so happy to see someone miss such an important.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
that last post is obviously missing the fnal word “penalty”.
Hangover is not conducive to producing coherent sentences.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
in a house full of united fans…. boy, was that loud!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
What’s with John Terry crying like a baby when he missed the penalty? Get a grip. Yes, it’s tough but crying into your manager’s shoulders like that? Embarrassing.
People have mentioned that we were lucky that Terry slipped but don’t forget Van Der Sar slipped when Lampard shot for goal so it’s all evened out. Man U brilliant in the first half, to be fair, Chelsea the better team in the second half but United deserved it in the end. They’ve been the better team throughout the tournament and the premier league, they have flair and are great entertainment for the neutrals..Chelsea are dull and negative. They fully deserve the double and they will win at least two trophies again next year. Arsenal and Liverpool will be hungry for the title next year. It’s going to be tough in 08/09. Consistency is the key.