I don't know exactly if it was on this boards included, but ever since the UEFA Cup reached more or less interesting stages I made no secret of my preference for CSKA Moscow as winners. (the ones that don't believe me and think I'm gloryhunting here: if you can read Dutch check
www.fans-talk.com where I stated already weeks ago that CSKA had my support)
It was a terrible day for me. A virus keeps me in bed most of the time, burning headache... Then I decide to despite illness get myself in front of the TV to see the final, at half-time it seems it's all lost, and then one marvellous 45 minutes later and CSKA lifts the trophy. No better way of getting a frustrating day off your system than a wonderful night of football
It was fully deserved. Sporting, who got the home advantage (should NEVER be in a final), did have more possession but apart from a few half chances they did not have big opportunities in the first half. Akifeev had nothing to do, the goal was not really a chance but an individual class act, and CSKA already had the better chances with a header just over the bar and a huge miss just before halftime...
Not good play from Moscow though, I must say. But they played a very good second half. From the moment they equalised on I felt like it would be a good night after all. You could see how they took control, Sporting could not create any actual chances (except for a shot stopped by Akifeev) while every counter from the Russians was dangerous. The 1-2 was a great counter.
Then the 1-3 was what makes football such a beautiful game... (at least when the team of your choice is on the winning side
). Sporting has a chance which is goal in 90% of the cases but the ball bounces off the post. One minute and a very fast counter later the ball lies in the other net and the trophy goes to Russia...
Congrats to CSKA !
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