It's a funny old game for a reason

I think I just finished watching one of the best games of football I've ever seen. No, I'm not talking about Origin I (although that was pretty fun). I'm referring to the Champions League Final that was played this morning between Liverpool and AC Milan.

At the end of the first 45 minutes, I was really regretting getting up at 4:30am to watch it. Liverpool were down 3-0, having conceded the first goal within two minutes of the start of the match and a further two more before the end of the half. Milan had really given Liverpool a masterclass in football, blowing them off the pitch with their pace and accuracy of passing. To make matters worse, one of Liverpool's best attacking players, the perpetually crocked Harry Kewell had barely lasted 20 minutes before limping off with another groin injury.

At the end of the first half, I'd resigned myself to sitting through the second half of the match as Milan continued to dominate a distinctly lacklustre Liverpool team. But following the break, something miraculous happened. In ten frenetic minutes, Liverpool managed to claw back Milan's three goal lead and tie the game up at 3-3.

The rest of the half was a bit of an arm wrestle. And the subsequent 30 minutes of extra time seemed to leave the players physically exhausted. In all honesty, Milan should have won the game in the final minutes of extra time if not for a miraculous double save by Liverpool's keeper Jerzy Dudek from Andriy Shevchenko, European Footballer of the Year, from barely a metre out.

So on it went to penalties - one of the cruelest ways to end a match that had been running for 120 minutes. Unlike their triumph two years ago, AC Milan were unable to come out on top, leaving Liverpool to to win on penalties 3-2, and giving them their fifth European Cup.

From dead and buried to European Champions in a 75 minute turn-around. What a game. The only problem now is that UEFA have to decide whether Liverpool will be allowed to defend their title next season. Logic would dictate they be allowed to do so, but as the rules currently stand, no nation can have more than four teams in the Champions League and Liverpool finished the domestic campaign in a disappointing fifth place. But then again - as the result of the game would indicate, logic has never really played a part in football.

Update - I love it when it all goes wrong for the bookies.

ENGLISH bookmaker Ladbrokes has been hit hard by Liverpool's Champions League triumph.

More than 100 people backed the Merseysider at 100-1 to win at half-time when it trailed AC Milan 3-0.