If you believe in destiny, your belief will have only been reinforced by Chelsea’s dramatic penalty shoot-out win in this morning’s Champions League final over Bayern Munich.
Since arriving in south London nine years ago, Roman Abramovich has been trying to get his hands on “the trophy with big ears”, almost to an obsession in the early days, throwing money and coaches at it at will, and without any return.
Even Jose Mourinho, the man he brought in at the beginning of the era to transform the club and send it up the pecking order, couldn’t quite get him over the line.
Too often that has been a tale of heart-break, with more missed penalties and semi-final losses than any Chelsea fan would care to recall.
Now, ironically, in the most unlikely of circumstances, having sacked the latest coach he brought in to deliver the goods (Andre Villas-Boas), struggling domestically, and with an aging squad that has looked in urgent need of renewal for a few years now, Chelsea have their first European title.
Riding their luck throughout the knock-out phase, battered in a football sense by Barcelona in the semis, instilled with confidence by their make-shift manager, Roberto Di Matteo, this was a victory to savour.
Many might say it was deserved after all the ghosts of the past decade.
For the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, Salomon Kalou, Jon Obi Mikel and Petr Cech, everpresent throughout the Abramovich era, this was a reward for all their hard work.
Domestic titles they have won aplenty, but this was the one they have been chasing.
Summoning all their experience, showing a tactical maturity and discipline they have often lacked on their European adventures, and getting the luck they feel has often deserted them, this was the time it all came together.
Their time. Chelsea’s time.
Here, in the final, just as they did throughout the season, they rode their luck, hanging in, coming back, in normal time, extra time and the shoot-out, eventually finishing with the prize they coveted.
In normal time they were second best throughout and it looked like their defensive strategy had come back to bite them when they copped a late goal, Thomas Müller popping up at the back post to finally get one over the outstanding Cole.
But refusing to give-up, back came Chelsea. From a rare set piece they were able to find an equaliser, the prolific Drogba muscling his way to the near post to power a header through Manuel Neuer.
It was a Chelsea goal if ever there was one.
In extra time it was the same man at the centre of the action again, Drogba giving away a penalty for a clip on Frank Ribery.
But there would be another twist. Cech, such a hero throughout the campaign and again on this night, was up to it, moving swiftly to his left to deny Arjen Robben.
Coming on the back of Lionel Messi’s failed spot-kick in the semis, it appeared the destiny was all Chelsea’s.
This sense was only confirmed in the penalty shoot-out, with Bayern taking what looked winning lead when Neuer stepped up to make it 3 -1 .
Chelsea looked dead and buried, with the pressure on every spot-kick thereafter. David Luiz did his bit, just as he had done filling in for the suspended Terry in the final.
Fittingly, two of Chelsea’s greats, Lampard and Cole, also stepped up and kept their heads.
With Cech going the right way, time and time again, denying both Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger to his left, it was left to Drogba to take Chelsea’s fifth and final kick.
The Ivorian, who has come to symbolise the muscle and will-to-win that has often been associated with this Chelsea side, might have been forgiven for thinking back to February’s African Nations Cup and his miss in the final against Zambia.
But this was about Chelsea and their destiny, so it was fitting that Drogba converted, rounding out the work of Cech, Cole and Lampard before him, to give Roman his Big Ears.
Hop
Guest
Well if its in the sun it must be true :)
Clayts
Guest
Musn't watch much A-League or ACL because Brisbane utterly dominate most games they play and don't always win
Worlds Biggest
Guest
John, It was a great win by Chelsea, guts personified and as a Liverpool supporter hats off to them. We have been there before winning against the odds. I'm guessing a lot of the anti Chelsea sentiment stems from your skipper who is a first class bollox. Happy for Lampard who seems like a good fella. Well done, a great win.
Leslie
Guest
and I dont really care if u are impressed by Chelsea FC or not Chelsea FC is not exist to impress fans like you who dont know what is spirit, heart and determination shown by Chelsea FC players that is football, accept it
Mick
Guest
I can understand parking the bus against Barcelona but did not expect it against Bayern Munich as I thought Chelsea were on the same level.. I still remember 1994 AC Milan v Barcelona (Cryuff dream team) & Milan had 1st choice defenders injured or suspended including Baresi & put on 1 of the best displays in a champions league final.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Time to look forward to next season, and already 22 spots are decided, just read this tweet from FCBarca: Ja es coneixen 22 dels 32 equips que participaran a la fase de grups de la propera Lliga de Campions
John Seabrook
Guest
I sense a lot of anti Chelsea feelings. As a Chelsea supporter from way back, ie a few years in the Second Div, and the likes of Ray Wilkins and Kerry Dixon leading the charge, I still have to admit some dismay as to how they've actually achieved this milestone. Obviously being bank rolled by a billionaire is key. But to begrudge them this triumph is a hollow exercise. Supporters of Napoli, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich may well be spouting the well worn ' we was robbed routine', but I reckon it's down to the simple fact that they failed when it counted most. Having said that, it's still a bloody miracle! As always, our hearts go out to the Bavarians. Not!
Worlds biggest
Guest
Fussball, what it tell's us that England sucked between 1991-1995. The next opportunity for Pearce to redeem himself on the International stage was the Euro Champs semi final in 1996. It was an albatross around his neck for 6 years and he stepped up and nailed it. I agree taking penalties is not easy and requires courage and calm demeanor.
Banger
Guest
Actually, the suburb of Fulham is South West London, so ease up on Tony. Post code is SW
Nicholas Belardo
Roar Guru
I'm on your side... But thats Exactly the way I see it.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
No just a child craving for my attention perhaps Australian Rules... Why else would you be on the Football tab with a blog name like yours?
Australian Rules
Guest
"QSAF often presents lucid, objective and balanced arguments on the Roar". Now for the question: Did I use sarcasm in the above sentence or not? (I admit, without Kasey's font, it's difficult to tell straight away)
Midfielder
Guest
Remember Baggio U [my mate] if your reading this ... you cried for weeks.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voT5W9Doa-s Plus some of the great WC penalty misses.. http://www.worldcupodds.com/tops/world-cup-penalty-misses/25
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Robben has publicly admitted his mind wasn't right, hence he didn't volunteer to take a turn in the shoot-out. Robben has always been criticised for putting himself above the team - both at club & international level - so, for him to say "no" to the penalty shootout indicates, to me, he put the good of the team before his personal redemption. If Robben had taken a penalty - in one of the most important game in his club's history - knowing his mind isn’t 100% right, would have been a selfish indulgence.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
What does this tell us - other than it took 6 years for Suart Pearce to step up to the spot? Taking a penalty when your mind isn't 100% right is a selfish indulgence and Robben should be commended for saying he wasn't up to it. By contrast, Bayern's GK was all pumped & calmly slotted it home. One of the most technically-gifted players on the pitch that night, Juan Mata, missed with the 1st spot kick for Chelsea.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Stuart Pearce missed a penalty in the 1990 World Cup semi final ( Chris Waddle the other ) yet he had the kahunas to step up in the 1996 Euro Champs semi and nailed it. I remember the roar he got from the crowd at Wembley after he scored. Ironically both these games were against Germany who won both games and both tournaments.
King Robbo
Guest
Pity he didnt have the gumption to take a penalty in the shootout. Olic was always going to miss. Players like baggio, maradona, beckham, pearce have all missed penalties at world cups/euro cups but they would never shy away from taking another one. Good players have a little less to lose (as they have helped the team get to the point eg italy would of struggled to qualify if it wasnt for baggio in 94) than make a bit player take the responsibility and miss. Troy halpin in 2000 nsl gf was a disgrace, 8 penalty shots and still didnt step up.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Johnno, as a Liverpool supporter I'm delighted you brought up Istanbul ! One of the great comebacks in Football !
King Robbo
Guest
Least it happened in Turkey though. You know its not going to be your night, when shevchenko misses from a metre out. I am an ac milan/glory fan, and funny thing when glory lost to wolves in the 2000 NSL grandfinal I remember my brother saying - an italian team would never lose after being 3 nil up in a final. Well it did and still can not believe it. I felt a bit better in 2007 when milan redeemed themselves after being outplayed against Liverpool for most of the game.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I'm a big fan of Arjen Robben but anyone, who has ever taken a penalty in any meaningful match - at any level - will understand it's not as easy as it looks. In the 2010 FIFA WC finale, I think Cassilas is to be commended for making a terrific save rather than Robben blamed for missing. Should be mentioned that Robben scored from the penalty spot a week ago in the DFB Pokal.