From Depths Of Despair To Lasting Legacy...One Year Ago, This Very Day...

Remebering 25/05/05: Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey

Liverpool vs AC Milan

Halftime : 0 - 3
Fulltime : 3 - 3

We all know time flies. It has already been a year since Liverpool was crowned Champions of Europe. Although we have already lost the title to Barcelona of Spain, we are still the only British team to win a European Cup in the 21st Century, a proud record. I cannot believe that it was last year's this time, when every Liverpool fans alike, went through a emotional rollercoaster, waking up at 3.30am to catch your favourite team play in the biggest match of the season. And to your horror your team went 3-0 down at half time and all hopes seemed lost. Some fans switched off their TV and went back to bed. To me, it was all so blurry. I was more shocked and stunned then being disappointed. I just sat there looking at the TV during the half-time break, all the commercials didn't matter and I was just staring blank. What made me stay and watch the match, I have no idea. But of course, I never did regret it and you don't know how much it has impacted my life.

'You guys got to do some damage limitations in the 2nd half then.' - Michele Platini

'We are Liverpool, you are playing for Liverpool. Do not forget that. You have to hold your heads high for the supporters. You have to do it for them. You cannot call yourselves Liverpool players if you have your heads down. If we create a few chances we have the possibility of getting back into this. Believe you can do it and we will. Give yourselves the chance to be heroes' - Rafa Benitez's Half-time team talk.

How powerful are those words? These are the few words that sparked the greatest sporting combacks of all time and made everyon a hero. Walking out of the tunnel at half-time must be a very difficult thing for the players to do. Seeing the smug faces of the Milan players and having to endure another 45minutes of who knows what. But Liverpool fans, continued to sing their heart out and never let their heads drop. All the above mentioned are the catalysts of the comeback.





We brought on Dietmar Hamann and vaguely remembered the commentator questioning the substitution. "Why bring on a defensive midfielder when you need to score goals?" Maybe that's the beauty of the game. Unpredictable. Led by skipper, Steven Gerrard, we fought tooth to nail for every ball in the 2nd half and finally got the breakthrough. And then it's said, the rest is history.



How this game have changed lives out there. I might sound very stupid saying this, but trust me, it did. It's how we found ourselves dead and buried sometimes. But come what may, always give it a try and if there's a will, there's a way. Thsi game has given people inspirations and something to look upon. Like the recent Champions League Finals, Eto'o was quoted saying they drew the inspiration of the Istanbul comeback. No matter what, I believe that this spirit of determination will never die. This season we saw the reminsce of Istabul when we were 3-1 down to Luton and went on the win 5-3. Not too long ago in the FA Cup Finals, we once again showed that we will never surrender till the whistle blows. This spirit will transcend and passed on and on. And this story, will always be passed down and will live on, as a legacy.




































Match Highlight (1min 42sec)
Here are some videos for you guys to reminsce on, and for those who have missed out of the game.



Fan Made Video (6min 6 sec)



Trophy Presentation & You'll Never Walk Alone (10min 10 secs)



Final Montage By SkySports (2min 2secs)



5 Times European Champions Montage (2min 12secs)



So I hope these pictures and videos brings back memroy of this day, last year. Fight on and don't give up. So I'll leave you with the lyrics of the inspirational song that has been sang by Liverpool fans for decades. Here it is:

You'll Never Walk Alone

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone.

Tags: Champions League Final 2005, Liverpool, AC Milan, CL Finals Match Highlight, Trophy Presentation, YNWA, You'll Never Walk Alone