PLENTYof Updates

Yes, there are PLENTY.

PLENTY of events happened during these crazy few weeks. Of course, let's start off first with this.

I think ALL of you expected this. XD

AFTER BEING CROWNED AS CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND, MANCHESTER UNITED ARE NOW CROWNED AS CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE FOR THE 3RD TIME IN HISTORY.

You have NO idea how jubilant I was, and AM now after that victory over perennial English rivals Chelsea in the Luszniki Stadium in Moscow.

On a night full of pride and expectations, Manchester United and Chelsea trudged out towards the pitch full of hopeful fans from both bases in the first-ever all English final in the Champions League. Man Utd started as slight favourites after winning the Premier League, but pundits predicted that the physical strength of Chelsea might edge United to the European title.

As unexpectedly, a cagey affair as predicted by pundits did not materialize, as both sides started strongly in the first quarter of the match, with Man United getting into 3rd gear as the minutes went by, pressing Chelsea to their own half. "Sexy" football was what that described United given by pundit Paul Masefield of ESPN, and there were there to be seen as United played brilliant attacking football.

Perhaps the first, and real chance was the making of the goal in the first half, as the ball went out of the byline. A slick 1-2 play between Wes Brown and Paul Scholes was wonderfully done near the byline, and Wes Brown surprisingly crossed into the penalty box with his left foot for star-man Ronaldo, who leaped to flick a fantastic header past Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. No keeper in the world would have saved that, as the header was inch-perfect.

1-0 United. (of course I'm screaming already =P)

United continued their fine attacking display, with Rooney crossing a half-field ball towards the rushing Ronaldo, who crossed in with his left foot to Carlos Tevez. Petr Cech saved brilliantly from Tevez's header, and he again denied Michael Carrick's rebound with a superb reflex-save.

Perhaps that save sparked a revival from Chelsea, who themselves got back the rythym of the play. Michael Essien, who was left with plenty of running space in midfield, shot weakly which fortunately deflected twice off Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, the Man Utd defenders' shoulders and landed fortunately for Frank Lampard to score from close range. A shaky Van der Sar could have done better in goal, but it was then 1-1 as the first half completed.

*&#@(^@*(^#@&^@*&@^%*&#@%#@^%@^#@$^@$#@&$#@&$@&$$

The second half was Chelsea's turn to dominate, as Chelsea looked to kill off United with a second goal. It was nearly done as Didier Drogba, the so-called "actor" of football (yes he truly is) hit the post with a wonderful curling shot from outside the penalty box. United survived, and me too. XD

As the second half wore on, United rediscovered their tempo of the match, and attacked during the final quarter of the match, with the introduction of Ryan Giggs and Nani who brought life to United's attack. But that was to no avail, as the match went to extra time. United once again started the extra time brightly as they piled up the pressure. The best change came for United as Rooney chipped delicately towards the path of Patrice Evra who darted towards the penalty box. He skipped past the Chelsea defence brilliantly before crossing to the path of Ryan Giggs. His instant touch on the boal was goal-bound but would not materialize with the timely interception of Chelsea's skipper John Terry off the goal mouth.

United nearly conceded a goal when a neat 1-2 between Drogba and Lampard left Lampard with some space, before Lampard turned and shot at goal instinctively. Fortunately, the ball hit the post once again, and finally, it went to the heart-stopping penalty shootout. At the end of the first time, Drogba spoiled the beauty of the game by slapping Vidic on the face during a fracass, and he was deservingly sent off by the referee. Boo.

By then I was already biting my fingernails. Claryn was so happy at this point. *(#*#@()*&@&#&@*#&@*@

Tevez started the shootout with a brilliant shot towards the low-right corner of the goal. Michael Ballack of Chelsea replied with a thunderous penalty of the right-hand corner as well. Michael Carrick followed up before being equalized by Belletti. And then, the shock of the match came when the scorer of United's first goal, Ronaldo MISSED the penalty as his weak shot was saved by Petr Cech.

HE FREAKING SCUFFED IT.

At this point, I thought it would be Chelsea's luck.

Now 2-3 down in the shootout, Hargreaves scored with a thunderous spotkick towards the high left-hand corner, giving hope to Man United. Ashley Cole responded, and now it was down to United youngster Nani to shine in Europe's biggest stage in football. Duly he did by thumping another high-corner shot past Cech. Then, for all of Chelsea's luck in the match, justice came as John Terry slipped during his spotkick and the ball hit the post, MUCH to the delight of MU supporters (EG ME)

Came the drama of the sudden-death, as Anderson, another wonder kid from MU, scored from the penalty spot followed by Solomon Kalou's shot. Then, came the hero, Ryan Giggs, who today beat Sir Bobby Charlton's record of appearances for Man United, calmly slotted in a penalty to the left hand corner of the posts.Then, another unsung hero, keeper Van der Sar, who had been shaky all night, came up with a match-winning save as he saved from Nicholas Anelka's gracious (Y-han 2008 XD) penalty.

TRIUMPHANT MANCHESTER UNITED IN THE END ON A GLORIOUS EUROPEAN NIGHT.

This sent a strong statement to the world, that after spending years to rebuild his team, Alex Ferguson has finally built a team capable of being the reigning champions of Europe after winning the domestic title for the last years.

All in all,

SING UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND AND EUROPE =D =D

Manchester United - UEFA Champions League winners 2007/2008

A heroic night for the players and staff.

Van der Sar the hero saving the penalty.