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Celebration
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Filling Plaça Catalunya
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FC Barcelona fans
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Pride on fire
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Victory cheers
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Bartek Molga
Barça pride
Barça pride
FC Barcelona triumphed against Manchester United in the final of the Champions League in Rome last night, with an efficient show of football that ticked the right boxes just when it mattered. Manchester got off to a strong start and Cristiano Ronaldo had three or four early excellent chances to score. But he was unable to profit and in the 10th minute, Barcelona pushed forward for their first approach on goal and Eto'o scored. It was still early and both teams were clearly nervous, but gradually Barcelona started to feel more confident and managed to keep the ball for longer. There were more chances for both sides before half-time, but no goals appeared. After the break, Barcelona again just had the edge over Manchester, but it wasn't until Leo Messi headed the ball past the English team's goalkeeper in the 69th minute, leaping high to beat defenders much taller than him, that the team and their fans began to feel that victory really could be theirs. Manchester were clearly affected by the second goal, although they kept battling. However, it was Barça who had the clearest chances to score again, with Xavi hitting the post at one point. They held on, dominated possession as best they could and, after three minutes of stoppage time, became the champions of Europe for the third time in their history and won an unprecedented three titles in a season.
Match reports: La Vanguardia (Castilian), El Periodico (Castilian), Avui (Catalan), Mundo Deportivo (Castilian)
In Barcelona, euphoric fans flocked to the traditional gathering-place for post-match celebrations, the Ramblas and, specifically, the Font de Canaletes at the Plaça Catalunya end of the street. Unfortunately, too, the now also-traditional trouble between police and people vandalising shops and rubbish containers was a feature of last night's festivities. Almost 120 people were arrested following confrontations between the Catalan police and people who threw bottles and other items at the Mossos's vans (article in Castilian, La Vanguardia). Elsewhere in Catalunya, 15 arrests were made in similar incidents. In addition, more than 150 people received medical assistance with 23 taken to hospital. One man died in Martorell having suffered a heart attack while watching the match at the local FC Barcelona association (penya).
The victorious team will arrive from Rome at around 6 o'clock and there will then be a procession through the city's streets. It will start at the Plaça de Drassanes and move up towards the Camp Nou, where they are expected to arrive between 9.15 and 9.30. After that, there will be a big celebration in the football stadium, which will be open to all. Click here for a link to the FC Barcelona website with details of where the open-top bus will go on its procession.
