Second place is first loser.

Barcelona win the Champions league thusly crowned the Kings of European football and deservedly so.   They thoroughly deserved to win this tournament as they were the most dominant side in the championship.  It is hard not to love the brand of football Barcelona exhibit....Barca Que mes un club indeed!!!  In my opinion, as a relative new comer to football, they truly make the so called beautiful game beautiful.  It is how the game should be played and evidently it is a winning formula.  It may very well be a cliche but, they are without shadow of a doubt the greatest all round team of our generation.  They set the bench mark and everyone - amateur or professional - admires their style of play.  I also find it baffling that Lionel Messi is head and shoulders above his outstanding team mates.  Everybody who wears a Barca jersey can make a difference in any 11 they play for....but to be the player that everyone looks to for something special is extraordinary.  53 goals in 55 games this season says a lot.  A conprehensive performance from Barca to secure a 3-1 win.  Manchester United, a team rarely on the receiving end of a monsterous hiding, came up far too short despite being level (1-1) at the break.

The best team of our generation, Barcelona, with the greatest football trophy in Europe.

In other sports news, Leinster listed the Heineken cup - Rugby's equivalent to the Champion's league - in a dramatic final at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff.  A tremendous feat for premiership side, Northampton Saints, who started very brightly.  The Saints were heavy underdogs going into the game but a team never to be written off and as it was - they looked to cause one of the greatest upsets of recent rugby history with what looked like an emphatically comanding first half performance.  With 3 tries, 2 from England players, Ben Foden and Captain Dylan Hartley and one from Phil Dowson put the Saints 22-6 up at the interval.  It looked ominous for the experienced Leinster team.

With nothing to lose, Leinster came out and played the brand of rugby that everyone knows and loves to secure a second Heineken cup TRYumph in 3 years.  Leinster Fly Half Jonny Sexton hit an overall of 28 points (including 2 tries - granting him man of the match status) and a try from Scotland international, Nathan Hines to give Leinster 33-22 scoreline at the final whistle.  Belief, resilience and 27 unanswered points in the seconds half from Leinster's part gave them the distinction of Champions.  Or maybe it was complacency from Northampton's part? An enthralling game for the neutral. 

Jonny Sexton kisses the trophy after his defining performance.

Also, in the rugby world, the Saracens secure the premiership title this year after beating Leicester Tigers 22-18 and brushing aside the cruel memories of a last minute defeat at the hands (or paws) of the Tigers last season.  I was pleased for them as it means the days of the Tigers' powerful authority in the English rugby premiership.  It was an ugly play off final but, good for the Saracens and a great way to erase memories of the heartache of the year before for the fans. 

Sarries take the Premiership title. 
It is rather depressing not having any sports to look forward to at the weekend anymore - well, for at least the next 2-3 months but it is the year of the Rugby World cup which will be fantastic this year.  I also really enjoyed being more involved in the football and watching all the drama, twists and turns and other (anti)climaxes unfold.  I guess we have the transfer mayhem to look forward to?

It will be a good year next year for sport.  I can hardly wait!!! 

Much love,

Jackson L.