The Holy Grail

Chelsea and Roman Abrahomvich have finally taken hold of their holy grail, winning a dramatic UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Munich. Didier Drogba, a longtime Blues fans favorite, was the hero, tying the game in the 88th minute by heading in the Londoners ONLY corner of the game. Drogba came up big in the penalties again, converting the game winner. Roman Abrahmovich has his cup and Terry, Lampard and Drogba have completed the quest.

The game was played on Munich's pitch, which complicated things even more fore a deprived Chelsea, who had 4 players out of the final due to yellow cards/red cards. John Terry, the captain, was a notable missee, while Ramires was probably the most missed of the players. The game was dominated by Bayern. DOMINATED! Bayern controlled possession with 56 percent, won the total of shots and shots on goal 43-9 and 7-3. The Bavarians also led the corner count 20-1. How did they not win? Indeed, for the whole game, as a Chelsea fan, (yes, I will admitt that I'm a Chelsea fan) my only thought was when; when would Munich score. It only seemed inevitable. In fact, the pregame lineups seemed to show that Roberto Di Matteo feared Arjen Robben and Bayerns speed more than anything; he started Ryan Bertrand, whose speed he needed, even though he had never played in a Champions League game before. Good time to make your debut, eh? Anyway, the Bavarians seemed to be in control. As most thought, though it came much later than most would have believed, Munich drew first blood; in the 83rd minute of course. Thomas Muller headed the ball into the ground and above Petr Cech. The Bavarians looked sure to win the Cup on their home ground.

After Muller scored the goal, I could barely breath. I could only think of the lost chance. Fernando Torres came on, and immediatly won a corner for Chelsea. "He's got some use yet," I thought to myself. Mata took the cross, and Drogba sprinted to the near post, put the ball past Manuel Neuer, and continued his run towards Chelsea fans. The stadium, the blue side at least, erupted, and indeed it looked good for the Londoners. Thomas Muller had been taken off to bring an extra defender on, which, looking back on, was an idiotic move. A couple minutes into extra time, Drogba clipped Frank Ribery's heels in the box, giving the ref no choice but to award the penalty. Ribery eventually had to be taken off the pitch, but the time he took to get off the field allowed Arjen Robben to think; and think he did, for he surely got psyched out by the pressure. Petr Cech came up big again, saving the second penalty in their last two UCL games, stopping a Messi penalty in that infamous 2nd leg at Barcelona, which was also caused by a Drogba foul.

Now the game is in penalties. Phillip Lahm, the captain, drove a penalty past Petr Cech to put Bayern up 1-0, and it stayed that way when Juan Mata's shot was saved. Mario Gomez and David Luiz both scored, before Manuel Neuer stepped up, and put HIS shot past Petr Cech. I couldn't believe it. The goalie converted a penalty! 3-1 Bayern. Frank Lampard now stepped up, and scored to make it 3-2. Olic, in his last kick for Bayern, took a weak, weak, weak penalty, that was easily stopped by Petr Cech. This left it open for Ashley Cole to tie the game, and he did. Bastian Schweinstager, the Bavarian of all Barvarians, now took to the spot, looking to put Bayern up 4-3. He failed. Your heart just broke for him; then you came back to your senses, and laughed at him. Didier Drogba, the hero, the savior, stepped up. He converted. Chelsea won. The team went crazy. I think the only person associated with Chelsea who wasn't crying or yelling was Roman Abramovich, the owner. Surprising, because he was the person who persued it the most. The game was incredible.

Now that Roman has his European Cup, he can focus on his final goal; build a new stadium for Chelsea. Even though through the years Blues fans might have found the Russian annoying, he has indeed poured his heart and soul into this club. An estimated $3 billion dollars have been put into the finances of the club by the Russian oil tycoon. He loves this club, and will do anything, almost anything at least, for it.

Didier Drogba has announced that he will part ways with the club. It will not be a bitter parting for the club and player, who has forever been faithful to the west Londoners. He is rumored to go to China or the USA, which would be great for either of those bustling markets. Chelsea have also reportedly struck a deal with Lille star Eden Hazard.