I still can't bring myself to rewatch the final!

[Dhav]

I haven't watched it since, not even highlights.

Not starting Crouch that night was a huge mistake.

Playing Kuyt upfront by himself with Gerrard in support was a big mistake. Not bringing Crouch on sooner was another one. I am convinced Rafa got it tactically wrong that night.

But then again, Stevie sticks that chance away and it's a different game.

[anfieldanfield]

Playing Kuyt upfront by himself with Gerrard in support was a big mistake. Not bringing Crouch on sooner was another one. I am convinced Rafa got it tactically wrong that night.

But then again, Stevie sticks that chance away and it's a different game.

Absolutely.

[Marky]

For some reason, I was sure we wouldn't, even though I tried to tell myself otherwise



So true. In 2005 you just had the feeling. You knew it was meant to be. Before the Chelsea second leg I KNEW with 100% certainty we were going to get through to the final. And I was so calm about the final facing Milan. But that was lacking in 2007. I was so nervous throughout in 2007. It just didn't seem destined to happen, circumstances weren't right. I think from the moment Milan were allowed back into the CL via the back door, it was always going to be their yr.

I'm usually a 'glass half empty' man myself but for that final i was convinced we would beat them for some strange reason.

[Dhav]

In Istanbul I was watching it thinking how great Milan were and just hoped we wouln't lose 6-0. Last time I couldn't believe how **** they were. We would never have lost the second goal if Masher was on the pitch. Kaka was his bitch that night.

Kaka was hardly in the game. It seemed a deliberate ploy by Milan that they weren't going to go for it, and sit back and wait for us to make a mistake so they can pounce. They were unambitious that night, but the way they played it worked for them. I think if we retreated as well we'd have had more success in the game. But we took the game to them in a manner of speaking and could not break them down or get in behind them (with one notable exception).

IMO as poor as they were, they were worthy winners.

[loco_law]

On the other hand, I hada great time in Athens. Was there for a week before and a week after the match and we totally enjoyed ourselves.

[Dhav]

Absolutely.

You could see pretty early on the Kuyt lone-striker role and Gerrard support-striker thing wasn't going to work. Kuyt was getting the ball in such deep and wide positions that there was no one in advance positions to sustain any real attacks. Whenever Gerrard got it in an advanced position he had no one to look for and didn't know where to go. And then you have Pennant (who to his credit played quite well) knocking crosses in seemingly aiming for the far post and Kuyt was constantly at the near post with no one else round, and thus opportunities were wasted. No wonder for all the play we had we never really threatened Milan.

Kuyt and Crouch up front, Gerrard in central mid or even on the right would have brought us more joy.

[Iceman]

I still have one night in may on my sky plus................... was there another European cup final?



seriously losses are banished from the memory (and Hard drives erased) pretty quickly









yes I am one of the bottle half full brigade

























Why is my bottle of wine half empty?

[desertscouser]

I was there and I have never rewatched the game or seen any coverage of the final. The match has been erased from my memory.

[loco_law]

What match?

[jayjay]

I was there and I have never rewatched the game or seen any coverage of the final. The match has been erased from my memory.

Wish it were that simple. Don't want to talk about it.

[Gingawaria]

My lasting memory of that final, won't actually be losing it. I just remember being sat in the pub with a few Liverpool fans and a few people scattered about with Milan shirts, as soon as the final whistle blew, I went up to one of them and congratulated him. Next thing I see is him getting up and leaving without even watching the trophy presentation.

What an absolute c unt.

[Red_Al_77]

My memory of the final is and will remain seeing it live and meeting all the Est members in Athens. The result itself has been forgotten. I have moved on in footballing terms. On the other hand Istanbul still reminds me when I think about it how much pure joy you can get from being at a football game.

[lfcruleus]

I was there also, and havent even seen the goals back, never watched the game or any highlights, not really arsed now, its gone. Yes tactically we went wrong but you cant knock Rafa for one game, we were unlucky, but i always thought we would lose for some reason, probably the bad atmosphere in the city clouding my memories.
I actually hope we dont make Moscow, too many things will go wrong.

[RedProf]

I still blame Ken and Deidre *******s

[reddragon]

After 3 months, I still can't even bring myself to watch the goals it still makes me sick. Is this normal for anyone else? I have seen us lose the 96 FA cup final and the 2005 League cup but I can watch the goals of those with no trouble, I just feel sick thinking about Athens. I don't think I could ever go on holiday there it just brings back to many bad memories, and I wasn't even there!

i've never seen it and i probably never will

as a side note i have NEVER seen Cuntona's goal in the 96 Cup Final - thats 11 years and 23 million replays of it