UEFA Champions final an incredible example of European soccer

The Union of European Football Associations' Champions League Final, the most sought-after title in European soccer, was played on May 22 between Manchester United and Chelsea - the first time two English teams had met in the finals.This is the championship of the tournament of the best of the European club teams. How do you confine your thoughts on one of the biggest soccer games of the year to just 800 words? I decided to talk about what I felt were the 10 most important moments of the game.

1. Wes Brown and Paul Scholes worked a beautiful one-two pass, got some space and sent it skyward towards Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo found the ball, rose and put a beautiful header into the net. This was a huge goal for Ronaldo, arguably the best player in the world, who had never scored against Chelsea and had a reputation of not showing up in the big games. 1-0 Man U.

2. Chelsea was threatening to tie, when Wayne Rooney took the ball and sprinted down the right side. He launched a 60-yard pass (one of the best I've ever seen) right ahead of Ronaldo, who ran to it and centered it for Owen Hargreaves. Hargreaves' header went right to Peter Cech who knocked it away, but it went to a streaking Michael Carrick. Carrick's kick went back to Cech again who knocked it out of play. Cech may have saved the game. Manchester United doesn't give up goals, and 2-0 would have been a huge lead.

3. The first half was almost over when Frank Lampard scored, what was described by Tommy Smyth as, a "very important goal" (no really?). An Essien shot was deflected twice and came to Lampard who just solidly put it into the net. Very fluky goal, but it counted just the same. Tied at one.

4. Didier Drogba got a moment of separation in the 77th minute and just took a rip. Incredible shot, but it hit the right post. It was amazing that he even got it there with the little space he had.

5. Four minutes into overtime, Lampard got the ball in the box about 12 yards away. He spun and fired.and hit the crossbar. Beautiful turn and fire, but once again Chelsea was denied.

6. Now 10 minutes into overtime, Patrice Evra controlled the ball and made a brilliant run up the left side along the edge of the box. Cech was forced to come off his line and get in his way, so Evra centered to Ryan Giggs. With the net open, Giggs gave it a great kick, but John Terry found his way into the perfect position and headed it away. Terry saved the game for Chelsea.

7. Ten minutes into the second overtime a little shouting match developed between Terry and Carlos Teves. Drogba went for a cheap and girly slap on Nemanja Vidic. Subsequently, he received a red card and was sent off.

If you're going to get sent off, do it like a man (like Zinedine Zidane's infamous head-butting in the World Cup). Be smart, keep your hands down and this won't happen. Dorgba got sent off making it 11 vs. 10, but this isn't a huge deal with 5 minutes left, right? It was a huge deal though, as heading to penalties this would mean Drogba, one of Chelsea's best weapons, can't kick.

8. Ronaldo was taking his penalty kick with his stutter step, but stuttered into a place where he was about one step from the ball. He couldn't drive through like he'd have liked, and ended up giving Cech a great chance to read him. Reading him correctly, Cech blocked the shot (there's question as to whether it would have been allowed had it gone in). The best player in the game was now the goat, as Chelsea has to put 3 kicks in to win the Champions League.

9. Everything seemed right. The captain, Terry, saved the game earlier and now was the final penalty taker. The rain was pouring down. He stepped up to the ball. He just needed to put it in and then the celebration could begin. He started his run, planted his foot.and slipped. He still managed to strike the ball, but it sails to a wide right. The look on Terry's face told it all.

10. The final kick for Chelsea belonged to Nicolas Anelka, a substitute brought in during extra time. He kicked it right (but not far enough right) with Edwin van der Sar guessing it right and stopping the ball. Manchester United won the title. The scapegoat is Drogba, not Terry. He should have been taking that kick.

All in all, it was an amazing game. It gave us everything we asked for and more. There was great drama, some great plays and an amazing ending. It's a shame someone had to lose. If you haven't followed European soccer, do yourself a favor and start next year!