The ANNOTICO Report

AC Milan was ahead at half time, 3-0, then were tied by Liverpool by the
end of Regular time.
Liverpool won on Penalty Kicks 3-2,  at Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadium in
Istanbul, Turkey.

Liverpool FC became only the fifth team to win the Cup outright after the
most astonishing comeback in the 50-year history of these finals led to
extra time and then a dreaded penalty shoot-out victory against AC Milan.

In taking their fifth European title, and their first for 21 years, the
English club joined Real Madrid CF, Milan themselves, FC Bayern München and
AFC Ajax in being awarded the trophy to keep.

Goals at 1' Maldini (R), 39', 44' Crespo (R), 54' Gerrard (L), 56' Smicer
(L), 60' Xabi Alonso (L)

If it's any consolation, Liverpool needs a boost.It is such a dreary city,
known only for it's Albert Dock, as the home of The Beatles, and it's
raucous night life. An industrial town. Think of Cleveland OH, or Detroit
MI :(

Guardian Unlimited, UK
Barbara McMahon in Rome
Friday May 27, 2005

Italy was yesterday in mourning, not quite able to take in the extent of
its defeat in the European Champions League.

Football fans seem stunned, senses dulled, as if someone had hit them on
the head with a heavy instrument. Normally the game would be the subject of
noisy debate in bars across Italy but yesterday morning, as people drank
their cappuccinos, they silently, glumly read the newspapers instead.

"A night of humiliation; an incredible and bitter epilogue for Milan," said
La Stampa. "What a disappointment!" exclaimed Corriere della Sera. "Mad
Milan gave away the cup to Liverpool," said La Repubblica. Every newspaper
had the story on its front page accompanied by photographs of the Milan
players, heads bowed in disappointment or looks of disbelief on their
faces.

To twist the knife still further, there were pages and pages of
soul-searching analysis inside and photographs of jubilant Liverpool fans
and players with the cup.

For Italian football fans this was not, of course, just a game for AC Milan
supporters. National pride was at stake and people the length and breadth
of the country had gathered to watch the game on TV in bars, cafes,
restaurants and at home.

Giant TV screens were set up in the piazza in front of Milan's cathedral
and a party atmosphere reigned.

By half-time, with the score 3-0 in their favour, fans had already begun to
celebrate, according to a reporter from La Repubblica who was in the crowd.
But as Liverpool roared back, the joyous revelling ground to a halt and
everyone's eyes were glued to the screen, with fans clutching each other
fearfully. After the penalties, there was incredulity, disbelief and tears.
People abandoned the celebrations and sadly made their way home.

There was confusion in Italy about whether Liverpool's three goals happened
within the space of six or seven minutes but everyone agreed that the
English side staged an incredible recovery.

"The cup seemed to be in the hands of Italy after the first half," said La
Stampa, "but then there was the inexplicable collapse of the 'rossoneri'
[the red and black], followed by the errors at the penalty spot."

To a man, Italian sportswriters believed Milan had been the better side
throughout the match, producing move after move, except for those six or
seven minutes of "madness" when Liverpool were allowed to get back into the
game.

The prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, was resigned. "Incredible. But
soccer is like politics, one minute you think you've won, and the next ..."

The 68-year-old prime minister, who bought AC Milan 20 years ago, watched
the game in the stadium and apparently lost his famous aplomb in the last
tense minutes. As Andrei Shevchenko made to take the penalty, he turned
away and said: "I can't look."

He had to comfort his son Luigi, 16, who burst into tears when the penalty
was saved.

In newspapers yesterday Mr Berlusconi quashed speculation that coach Carlo
Ancelotti would have to pay for Milan's defeat with his job. "Poor guy. I
never sack anyone," he said.

Ancelotti, who was pictured with his head in his hands, gave interviews to
Italian sportswriters saying, "The better team lost" and adding that he and
his team would put the disappointment behind them and look to the future.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/
story/0,3604,1493543,00.html