TONIGHT IN WEMBLEY, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out for the biggest prize in club football.
At the moment, Munich are slight favourites but, if the messages coming in to TheScore.ie twitter feed are anything to go by, the majority of neutrals are siding with Dortmund.
Given both teams’ styles of play, this has the potential to be a Champions League classic.
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That got us talking in the office about our favourite European Cup final memories.
“For me, it’d have to be Zizous’s volley or Danielle Massaro humiliating the Dream Team”
- Adrian Russell
“For Liverpool’s win in Istanbul I, thankfully, wasn’t in the pub to see it, but a mate of mine defiantly took bets off anyone with Liverpool 3-0 down at half time. He was later spotted dancing on the bar Coyote Ugly style at 4am - probably still came out a hundred quid down.
- Sean Farrell
“For me, 1995 was the greatest European Cup final ever. It was like someone got at the Championship Manager editor and put together two dream teams. van Gaal v Capello, Overmars v Maldini, Davids v Desailly and Simone v Blind. Amazing stuff.”
- Steven O’Rourke
“Legging it out onto the main green in our neighbourhood to celebrate like lunatics in 1999 when Teddy Sheringham equalised for United. By the time most of us were shuffling back in the hallway, United had another corner. In it swung and Solskjaer did the rest. I can still remember running back out to the green, as other stragglers were coming back in, half-screaming, half-laughing ‘We’ve done it again. We’ve done it again!’”
- Patrick McCarry
“Basile Boli scoring the winner in the ’93 final, have no idea what he did with the rest of his career.”
- Fintan O’Toole
” Cursing Lars Ricken when he scored in the ’97 final. I had actually cried when Borussia Dortmund knocked Manchester United out and was siding with Juve on the night.”
- Ben Blake
But that’s enough about us, we’d prefer to know what you think.
What was your favourite Champions League or European Cup final memory and why?
Istanbul 2005 greatest European cup final of modern times the night is still a blur,but going from being utterly destitute to euphoria in the space of 120 mins still get goosebumps watching the repeats on sky sports….
Too young to remember 1997, but 2002, the overhead kick from Zidane was pretty much my first memory of a champions league final. Not a standout game really, but that was something special.
Beyond that, hard to look past 2005, had everything. The comeback, the unlikely hero, something everybody tries to recreate when playing socially. Great game, and that double save from Dudek to deny Scevchenko was something else, never mind the Jelly legs. I think it’s the milestone any exciting final has to be marked against these days in terms of excitement.
My 14 year old bro running to his room crying at half time and every time Liverpool scored I screamed and he made his way slowly back to the tele with both of us running around the room screaming as the Italian maestro Pirlo buckled under pressure to send the Reds to a 5th European crown #greatestmomentofmylife
First final I ever remember watching – the 1992 decider, Sampdoria v Barcelona at Wembley.
In the days before saturated TV coverage of football, this was a rare treat. The game itself was in alot of ways forgettable, but Koeman’s late free-kick was worth waiting for – and Pagliuca lying down in the turf after it’d gone always stuck in my head.
Some useless trivia, game was also notable for the fact that Barca, who wore their gaudy orange away kit for the game (having lost a coin toss, I think) quickly changed to their traditional home red/blue stripes for the trophy presentation. Also, I’m sure then Barca manager Johan Cryuff was sucking a lollipop all through the game because he was trying to give up smoking at the time?? Could be dreaming there, though…
Has to be Zidanes volley versus Leverkusen. Time seemed to stop the moment he connected with the ball. It’s the most magical, audacious piece of skill Iv ever seen, on the grandest stage by the greatest player of all time IMO.
Favorite final is a final that hasn’t got any Brit teams involved.The pub is free zone of ole west Brit polyester armchair filth.
Cracker of a final this weekend and watching Teutonic efficiency and hoping we see at a future date with 2 League of Ireland teams in such a final. Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians would be superb Champions League final.
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1999. Fantasy land. Once in a lifetime
Istanbul 2005 greatest European cup final of modern times the night is still a blur,but going from being utterly destitute to euphoria in the space of 120 mins still get goosebumps watching the repeats on sky sports….
Messi destroying Man U.
2005
1999 and 2008 United lucky both times But name still on the Cup, Happy Days
Too young to remember 1997, but 2002, the overhead kick from Zidane was pretty much my first memory of a champions league final. Not a standout game really, but that was something special.
Beyond that, hard to look past 2005, had everything. The comeback, the unlikely hero, something everybody tries to recreate when playing socially. Great game, and that double save from Dudek to deny Scevchenko was something else, never mind the Jelly legs. I think it’s the milestone any exciting final has to be marked against these days in terms of excitement.
Watching john terry fall on his arse!!!!
Being convinced to not go studying for my finals at half time in the Istanbul game by my da. What a wise man.
Solskjaer’s goal, Zizou’s volley, van der Sar’s save and though I’m a proud United fan, the Scouser’s comeback in 05 was great to watch!
Yep found myself willing Liverpool on in 2005. Actually cheered when they equalised. Great entertainment. Disgusted with myself for weeks after.
My 14 year old bro running to his room crying at half time and every time Liverpool scored I screamed and he made his way slowly back to the tele with both of us running around the room screaming as the Italian maestro Pirlo buckled under pressure to send the Reds to a 5th European crown #greatestmomentofmylife
First final I ever remember watching – the 1992 decider, Sampdoria v Barcelona at Wembley.
In the days before saturated TV coverage of football, this was a rare treat. The game itself was in alot of ways forgettable, but Koeman’s late free-kick was worth waiting for – and Pagliuca lying down in the turf after it’d gone always stuck in my head.
Some useless trivia, game was also notable for the fact that Barca, who wore their gaudy orange away kit for the game (having lost a coin toss, I think) quickly changed to their traditional home red/blue stripes for the trophy presentation. Also, I’m sure then Barca manager Johan Cryuff was sucking a lollipop all through the game because he was trying to give up smoking at the time?? Could be dreaming there, though…
Koeman’s goal: http://youtu.be/4jOa88mXhUA
Bruce doing the knee shuffle in Rome in 84,
AC Milan 4 Barcelona 0 in 94, Savicevic ran the game and scored a class goal against a very good Barca team.
Has to be Zidanes volley versus Leverkusen. Time seemed to stop the moment he connected with the ball. It’s the most magical, audacious piece of skill Iv ever seen, on the grandest stage by the greatest player of all time IMO.
Favorite final is a final that hasn’t got any Brit teams involved.The pub is free zone of ole west Brit polyester armchair filth.
Cracker of a final this weekend and watching Teutonic efficiency and hoping we see at a future date with 2 League of Ireland teams in such a final. Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians would be superb Champions League final.
Hahaha…. They give you guys internet access at mental ward?
Lisbon 1967. Enough said. HH