UEFA Finals
It was a competitive and exhausting season. We have seen good games and boring defensive matches; surprises and frustrations. We cheered for the teams we supported and warmly applaud them for the feelings they gave us. It was difficult to accept losing when you play good. Certainly there will be plaints and self-criticism to make, but now it is time to enjoy the finals!
Champions League
This year’s final will take place at the temple of football, at Wembley Stadium on 25th of May. It will be the first all-German final as Borussia Dortmund meet FC Bayern München in the UEFA Champions League final.
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This is the fourth UEFA Champions League final between teams from the same country. Real Madrid beat Valencia CF in 2000, Milan overcame Juventus in 2003, and Manchester United FC beat Chelsea FC in 2008. Of the three winning teams only United had finished above their final victims in their domestic championship. Bayern will step on the field as the Bundesliga Champion. Bayern are seeking to join Liverpool FC on five European Cup wins and become the joint-third most successful club in the competition’s history behind Real Madrid CF and AC Milan. On the other hand Jürgen Klopp’s enterprising Dortmund outfit overcame Real Madrid CF in the last four and are bidding to repeat their 1997 triumph in their only previous UEFA Champions League final appearance.
Europa League
When it comes to the UEFA Europa League final, SL Benfica will meet Chelsea FC, at Amsterdam Arena on 15th of May.
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On Wednesday Chelsea will appear for its fifth European final. This will be their third major European final in six seasons. The Blues had only twice before reached the denouement of a UEFA competition. On the other hand, Benfica had eight appearances previously and only two of those ended in victory. Now they are back in a European final for the first time in 23 years.
For more information about finals visit the UEFA webpage here.
Ergun UNUTMAZ, 13/05/2013