As the pub started to fill, you could feel a nervous anticipation for what was about to happen. Nearly 300 cules packed Rugby House Pub in Frisco, along with a handful of loyal Manchester supporters, to watch the 2011 Champions League Final.
David Villas and Lionel Messis and Carles Puyols could be seen everywhere, singing the Barca anthem, having drinks and waiting on the game to start. At the first kick, a sort of calm came over the crowd as the teams began to feel each other out and try to gain possession of the ball.
Manchester was pressing high and staying on the ball well. They forced some mistakes and uncharacteristic clearances from the back, but after 10 minutes Barca started to settle into their rhythm. Xavi and Iniesta got on the ball more and Messi began running at defenders, trying to get space.
The pace of the game was good, and the referee really allowed a nice flow. You could tell both teams came out looking to score and dominate the possession. Once FCB withstood the good spell from Manchester, you could feel the goal coming. At the 34th minute, after receiving a ball from Don Andres, Xavi impossibly found Pedro in between teo defenders and Pedrito obliged with a clinical finish. The place erupted... I lost my glasses... my cousin and I grabbed each other and we screamed what could only be described as caveman-like grunts and yelps and hand/back slaps. It was beautiful.
Within seven minutes, Ferguson's team equalized with a great run from Rooney. He beat Victor Valdes at the far post with a great finish after a nice one-two with Ryan Giggs... silence. Almost like a funeral parlor... although a funeral parlor doesn't have 10 or so people yelling and clapping and dressed in red. Barca created a couple more chances to end the half, but the score remained level after 45 minutes.
I needed a smoke break... so did more than half the place. Even though Manchester had evened the game, there was still a sense of optimism in the fans. I think we could all feel more goals were coming, and that this team was in the mood.
The second half started, and Messi and the boys were on the front foot. It was a much different start than the first half. The chances came early and unexpectedly as Mascherano earned a corner off a nice run. It wasn't long before Messi got the ball from Iniesta with enough space to set up a strike that tipped Van der Sar the wrong way and got passed him.
Seeing the ball hit the net was instant insanity and bliss. I wish I would have had two voices so I'd been able to scream louder. Messi's celebration equaled the emotion everyone supporting Barca today felt: pure, unadulterated joy. Fists pumping, emblem shaking and feet kicking, Messi charged toward the sidelines to share it with the fans. The entire team then proceeds to mob the messiah as chants of 'Messi, Messi, Messi' erupt around the bar.
Even the English, Chelsea supporter sitting next to us appreciated the goal... by the time Villa's precise shot went past Van der Sar, he was chanting 'Campeones, Campeones, ole ole ole' along with 200+ cules. 3-1 and the game looked bossed.
The rest of the 20 or so minutes saw more good futbol from both sides but neither could finish. Keita came in for Villa, Affelay for Pedro, and la Capita was given the last 5 minutes to join his team in celebration as Busquets caught the ball as the final whistle was heard (not really, too much screaming).
As the player jumped and hugged on the pitch, we jumped and hugged in the bar. The Champions League... the best trophy in club football... the unquestioned kings of Europe and Spain... our beautiful team, playing our beautiful game, led by our beautiful little magician.
What Pep has created with this Barcelona team is simply amazing, and their desire to win and play well is intoxicating. They always work hard, the always play for each other and they always celebrate as if it's the first goal, the first win, the first championship.
It's a great time to be a fan of this team, and we should all cherish these moments we get because they won't last forever.
3 comments:
Beautifully written. Scott, you captured the bliss of another championship. It was a beautiful game and a well-deserved victory. Thank you, tots els cules that celebrated with Barca Dallas; it was an amazing experience that I won't soon forget.
A few stats from the 2011 Champions League Final:
Barcelona had 19 shots on goal, 12 on target.
Man United had 4 shots with 1 on target.
Barcelona made 772 passes, completing 86% (663). Iniesta and Busquets completed 45 passes while the trio of Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi completed 305.
Man United made 419 passes and completed 301.
Barcelona had 63-70% possession, depending on where you read.
And the score was only 3-1.
Ahh, an article written as beautiful as the game we all witnessed. Bravo, very well done. (Don't forget that cheeky little move Messi put on down the sideline to indirectly set up Villa's strike. Words cannot describe that Little Wizard...)
p.s. Side note, here are some other amazing statistics about the game that left me floored. :)
->http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/05/28/2507888/the-10-stats-with-which-barcelona-battered-manchester-united
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