LIVERPOOL TAKE HOME FA CUP!

Dolly and I went to Scotsman Pub this afternoon at 1.30 to secure seats for the FA Cup final between Liverpool and West Ham. The game started at 4.00, but it was necessary to be there so early to get the best seat, which we did. We saved a seat for our French friend Loic, who came at quarter to 4.

The pub was packed, already an hour before the game! And 99% of us were Liverpool fans, most of whom were wearing the red shirt.

The room was filled with nervous tension and excitement. The FA Cup is probably the most prestigious and reknowned domestic Cup in the world. The final is an important annual tradition in England (though this year's final was played at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales). The players wear fashionable tailored suits, songs including the national anthom are sung, and the 60,000 + spectators bring an ocean of banners, flags and scarves, paint their faces in their team's colors and make a load of noise! The Royal Family participated this year in the form of Prince William who has taken over as the President of the Football Association (FA). He shook hands with all the players before the game, and the Captain of each team followed him to introduce the players of their team.

This year's final was absolutely exceptional. It reminded of last year's Champions League final in which the score was 3-3 after full time and Liverpool won after extra time and penalties.

West Ham would score first, after an own goal by Scouser (native Liverpudlian) Jamie Carragher. A few minutes later, a bad mistake by Liverpool's Spanish keeper Pepe Reina resulted in a 2-0 lead for West Ham after 26 minutes of play. Fortunately, Liverpool quickly responded and a sublime pass from Scouser, Captain and one of the world's best players Steven Gerrard found French Djibril Cisse with a perfect 40-yard pass who volleyed home a fantastic goal. Half time score was 2-1.

Eight minutes into the second half Steven Gerrard smashed the ball into the top of the net from 12 yards, to make it 2-2. Later on West Ham scored after a 30 yard cross that went over goalkeeper Pepe Reina and straight into the net! And for long it seemed as though the game would end 3-2.

Then the Giant struck; a ball landed in front of Steven Gerrard at 30 yards away from the goal in the last minute of the game. What a strike! With awesome pace, the ball flew into the bottom right corner leaving West Ham's goalkeeper helpless. It was an incredible moment! I was banging my hands into the ceiling and shouting a variety of words of celebration. The pub was boiling!

Extra time ensued, and West Ham were extremely close to a winner in the last minute of the game. But Pepe Reina managed to dive high and slightly tap the ball after a header, making the ball hit the inside of the post and going back out in front of goal. Finnish Sami Hyppia attempted to clear, but mishit and West Ham player Harewood had a golden opportunity to score the winner. He completely scuffed it, and the game had to be decided with a penalty shoot-out!

Liverpool took the first, and German Dietmar Hamann scored nicely. Then Pepe Reina saved, but Liverpool's Sami Hyppia missed his penalty. Then 41-year-old (!) veteran Teddy Sheringham scored to make it even. Captain Steven Gerrard expertly shot his penalty in the top corner to put Liverpool ahead once again. Then West Ham, with several young players, missed another, and the score was 2-1 for Liverpool after 3 penalties for each team. Norwegian John Arne Riise was up next for Liverpool, and fired a shot in the middle of the goal. It was a close call, as the ball almost hit the goalkeeper's legs. 3-1 for Liverpool, and they would be Champions if West Ham missed. And Pepe Reina saved once again! Liverpool could celebrate as winners of the FA Cup for the first time in five years!

Picture: Skipper Steven Gerrard with the FA Cup, 2006!