Charlie Klein
Not really a final to remember unless you are a Catalan die hard, as the match in the Eternal City failed to live up to the ludicrous hype given to it. Two weak goals conceded by an uncharacteristically sloppy Manchester United defense was all that was required for FC Barcelona to claim their third European Championship in the club's illustrious history.
The first ten minutes proved to be as misleading as George W. Bush's pledge not to nation build in the 2001 general election. United came out like a house on fire and looked as though they were going to be the team lifting old big ears as the trophy is affectionately referred to in Europe. A Ronaldo free kick that Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes could only fumble awkwardly away into the path of Park who was unable to snatch the first goal for United. At the ten minute mark Samuel Eto'o made Nemanja Vidic look like a sunday leaguer and fired a shot past a helpless Edwin Van Der Sar and Barcelona never looked back.
Sir Alex Ferguson tried to inject some energy into the side by substituting wantaway striker Carlos Tevez for the ineffectual Anderson. Aside from the first few minutes of the second half, Tevez was as unimportant as Jamie Foxx in Stealth, killed off before he could be useful. Messi added a goal in the 70' to put the icing on the cake for Catalonia as they were not to be denied.
Barcelona were worthy Champions in the Eternal City. One only hopes that next year's final, whoever is involved, makes for a better contest.
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