Today marks the 15th anniversary of one of the most spectacular finals in the history of the UEFA Champions League.
English squabbles in the heart of Russia
We have been preparing for the decisive match of the main club tournament of the Old World in Moscow since 2006. It was then that our capital was chosen as the venue for the 2008 Champions League final. Luzhniki chose stadiums in Berlin, Seville, Rome and London.
If the latter were chosen, Chelsea would have been waiting for the home final, and then, probably, we would not have seen the most dramatic moment in the Champions League in the XXI century.
You will hardly forget that penalty shootout
It seemed that the first Champions League Cup was already in the hands of the Londoners. After accurate strikes by Carlos Tevez, Michael Ballack, Michael Carrick and Juliano Belletti, Ronaldo headed to the point. The Portuguese could not cope with the nerves — the experienced Petr Cech took his blow, bringing the blue half of the Luzhniki into ecstasy. «Chelsea» did not miss from the point, and the final blow was entrusted to captain Terry.What happened next is history. In the pouring rain, Terry's leg treacherously went at the most inopportune moment, right on the backswing. The ball went wide of the gate, and the leader of the «Chelsea» in impotence bowed his face to his feet, sitting on the lawn. A minute later, an elated Edwin van der Sar parried Nicolas Anelka's shot to give United their third Champions League title.
«I'm not ashamed of my tears»
Terry's tears were shocking then. The unshakable captain did everything that was required of him — only circumstances let him down … By the way, the lawn in Luzhniki caused serious concerns of experts: for a long time there was an artificial surface on the arena, on which it was forbidden to play in the Champions League. The new lawn began to be laid at the end of April — a month before the final. The quality of the grass purchased for 3 million dollars did not suit the officials, and the long-suffering surface was changed more than once before the match.
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"When I went to the point, I knew that this blow should bring us victory. That slip will haunt me all my life. I've already watched a million replays, but I still can't believe it… After the game, I cried because I let everyone down, and it hurts me so much. So I'm not ashamed of my tears,» Terry said after the final, admitting that he had only slept a few hours a couple of days after the match.
Terry wasn't the only one crying on the field that day. After Van der Sar's decisive save, the Mancunians rushed to celebrate, but without Ronaldo. The Portuguese collapsed on the lawn in exhaustion and burst into tears. One can only imagine what was going on inside Cristiano, playing his first Champions League final — after all, it was his unrealized penalty kick that could deprive the team of the trophy.
However, nothing happened. And if it hadn't happened, Ronaldo would still have to raise the «big-eared» cup over his head four times … True, not with Manchester United, but with Real Madrid.
But Terry still came to his cup
No drama anywhere. The captain got a red card in the second leg of the semi-final against Barcelona and was forced to miss the 2012 final. Perhaps Terry would blame himself again if the Blues lost, but we will never know. In the final, the «aristocrats» beat Bayern, and this time the penalty shoot-out did not stop them.
