We're the pride of Europe!!!
Manchester United - Champions of England and Europe!!!!!
Wow! What an unbelievable feeling! I still can't believe we made it! It was such an amazing game, full of ups and downs! And people thought it would be boring! Dear God, were they proven wrong!!! I'll go as far as to say that this was the best final I've ever watched. And that we won it in the end is what makes it so much sweeter!
My boys, I love you so much! And I'm so damn proud of you! Everyone was absolutely brilliant! Honestly, I don't know how to express just how much I love this team. When I started watching them in 2006, United were apparently a side in decline. It was said that our two best players would never be able to play together again, with one of them almost certain to leave. We had won just the Carling Cup the season before, and gone out of Europe in the group stages. We were a huge way behind Chelsea in the League. We'd sold our top-scorer, and got just a quiet, underrated, and overpriced (according to some) midfielder in his place. Nobody gave us a chance. And look at us now! We've won back-to-back Premier League Titles. We've won the Champions League. We've done the double!!! It makes me so proud, honestly, I could start crying! I nearly did yesterday, the only thing that stopped me was that my friend was there with me, and I didn't want her to think I'd gone crazy. I still jumped all over the place when Edwin made that save, though!
About the game last night, oh god! My heart is still racing, and it's nearly been 24 hours. I've never seen such a crazy game. I was totally floored by the formation because I was almost 100% confident that he would go for a 4-5-1, with Park and Ronnie on the wings, and the midfield trio of Owen, Mike and Scholesy. And even when I saw the teamsheet, I expected Wayne to play on the left, Cris on the right with Tevez up front on his own. But it was such a tactical masterpiece from Sir Alex, putting Owen on the right. And it paid off brilliantly, because Owen was almost flawless over there. He got forward at every oppurtunity, even got the better of Ashley Cole a few times. And was always willing to get back and give Wes a hand with Malouda. Plus, he tucked in too, and helped out Mike and Scholesy deal with Lampard and Ballack. And strangely enough, at times, he and Cris were the two men up front, with Carlos and Wazza, moving to the wings. It was just brilliant to watch, and we totally controlled the first half. I loved the football we played then, Chelsea didn't have a clue how to deal with it. The goal was beautifully worked, Scholesy showing his wonderful quick thinking, Wes putting in a brilliant cross, and Cristiano showing everyone why he's scored so many goals this season. In fact, Cristiano was brilliant the whole of that half. I loved the way he floored Essien so many times to put in such wonderful crosses, which were just missed by his teammates. Especially the one which Carlos headed straight at Cech, and he somehow managed to save the rebound from Mike. If only that had gone in! I would have screamed with delight if Mike had scored! He and Scholesy were brilliant in midfield, totally dominated over the famed Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack. I especially admire Scholesy's courage, after getting his nose broken, he still came back to play through the pain barrier and pulled the strings in midfield.
Mikey!!!!! So sexy!!!
Wazza! And Fletch! So cute!!!
Look at Cris! Isn't he happy! Everyone is so serious, and he looks like Christmas has come early!
This was just too cute for me to not include!
I was so gutted when Lampard scored. It was such a fluky goal, taking two deflections and then Edwin loosing his footing at the worst possible moment.(He kept on slipping and sliding whole game, the pitch was truly horrible!) Honestly, we should have been 3-0 up by then. Instead we went into the break at 1-1. And I knew then that it would be difficult for us, because Chelsea are so resilient. They would be determined to play better in the second half, and they did just that. We were totally under attack, and it was only marvellous defending from the back four and Mike that helped keep the score level. As it is, they hit the post twice, so we were a bit lucky then. But I think that considering the easy chances we missed in the first half, it was all fair and square.
I was really, really disgusted with the behaviour of the Chelsea players. They kept on surrounding the ref after each decision. Okay, he gave a few calls in our favour as far as corners were concerned, but that doesn't give them the right to keep moaning at him. Joe Cole's hysterical reaction after the assistant gave a goal kick to Edwin was really hilarious. You'd think we'd been awarded a penalty or something, the way he was gesturing! Pity, because I kind of like Joe Cole. And whenever any one of our players went down with cramp and they had to put the ball out, they never gave it back to our keeper. They always kicked it out again and forced us to take the throw-in, which we did without complaint. It was so hypocritical of them to get mad at Tevez for doing the same to them. Not so nice when it's against you, eh? They really went over the top there. Ballack looked so incensed, like we'd commited some unpardonable sin or something. And Drogba was so stupid to slap Vida right in front of the ref. He had no reason to get involved, it was just silly. I don't want to sound bitter, but he deserved the red card, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person! And Terry actually seemed to spit at Tevez after the incident! How sick of him!
Giggsy came on and was so unlucky not to score, with Terry heading off the line, when Pat had set him up beautifully. Honestly, if we'd taken those chances, it could have been so much more comfortable! But a Manchester United game without drama? Impossible! We never do it the easy way!
I have to confess, I couldn't watch the penalties. I squeezed my eyes shut everytime the player began his run-up and only the crowd's reaction told me whether he had scored or not. With Cristiano, I had this horrible feeling right from the moment he placed the ball. I was actually surprised to see him take the 3rd one, I would have expected him to be last. But, I don't know, something just seemed off. Why did he have to stop for such a ridiculously long time after he'd started to run? Cech knew what was happening. he just waited until Cris had hit it, to go the right way. Oh god, I was so gutted then! Poor Cristiano, after being the hero for so long, to make a mistake like that, it was so unfair. Thank god for Owen! His penalty was briliant, the best of the lot. So powerful and straight into the top corner! I can't imagine the pressure he must have been under, especially after the previous one had been saved. I love him so much for keeping a cool head. I thought Edwin should have saved Lampard's and Cashley's shots, he was just whiskers away! When it was Terry's turn, I really thought that it was over. I mean, they were just one kick away from winning it. I was trying to get to terms that we'd lost. But call it Karma, or Fate, or Destiny, or whatever you like, we were meant to get a second chance. Terry slipped, and I started to believe again. Kudos to Nani and Anderson for scoring theirs, it must be difficult handling so much pressure when you're so young. And Giggsy was never going to miss, he's far too experienced for that. When Anelka came up, the commentator said "It's a short run-up, I never like a short run-up" , and I was praying he would be right. Edwin pulled off a fantastic save, and everyone just went crazy!! Oh god, seeing Cristiano crying made me want to cry too. The poor boy, it would have killed him if we'd lost because of his mistake. Sorry for being selfish, but I'm so glad it was Terry and not him. The celebrations were so lovely! I think even the players couldn't quite believe they'd pulled it off. And then seeing Sir Bobby Charlton leading them to collect the medals, and seeing Rio and Giggsy lift the trophy, it made me tear up too!
So very nervous!!!
They can't even bear to look!
Edwin the hero!!!
Owen wants to get there first!!
I don't like those compression shorts! *pouts*
My poor baby!!! And Gaz being so wonderful!!! Love them all !!!
Aww, Fergie loves him too!
We've got our trophy!!!! She's so beautiful!!
*dies* So gorgeous! I love him!
And now, the kiddies pics!!!
Aaron is so cute! Just like his daddy! Sign him up Fergie!! We need another Scholesy!!
Wow, she's really gorgeous!
Awww!!
*sighs* Aren't they just gorgeous??? Look at Mike and Owen!!
Anderson!!! Awww, he's like a kid too!
I see Owen!!!!
All pictures from Redcafe, credit to the people over there! Thank you so much!
And I know I shouldn't be saying this right now, but Real Madrid can just fuck off! He's not going anywhere. Straight from his mouth-
BBC TV presenter : Are you going to stay at Man United or are the rumours about you going to Real Madrid, are they true?
CR : I stay.
I love how much class our players showed yesterday. I've heard that after Edwin saved the penalty, Scholesy didn't even celebrate. He straight away went over to the Chelsea players and consoled them. Wow, what a legend! I can't believe there is a single person in this world that has something bad to say about him. Wonderful gesture, and I'm sure it was appreciated. And when Cris missed his penalty, I think Gaz came on to give him a pat on the back. Also, having Sir Bobby lead the players, it was so fitting. A true tribute to our rich history, and the memory of the Babes. Whereas Chelsea were led by Peter Kenyon, who jumped ship because of Roman's roubles. Says everything really.
But I did feel a bit sorry for the Chelsea players. Honestly, I'm too soft to be a football fan! Seeing Terry cry like that, it was horrible. I don't like the guy much, but you can't help but wonder if he'll be able to recover from it. I hope he does. I hope his fans and teammates support him, because it's really unfair to lay the entire blame on his head. And I don't know why no one is blaming Anelka. That was a truly horrible penalty. He didn't even look interested!
Oh well, that's their problem. Right now, I just want to enjoy the feeling! We're the Pride of Europe!!! Woo hoo!