FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.05.2007 10:20

17th May: A date for the history books

Sergi Nogueras

Today it is exactly one year since Barça won the second European Cup in the Club’s history in a memorable final against Arsenal in Paris.

On 17th May 2006, Club captain Carles Puyol lifted the Champions League trophy in the Saint Denis stadium in Paris after the team had beaten Arsenal 2-1 in a thrilling final. On that day, Saint Denis joined the now disappeared old Wembley stadium in the hearts of all Barça fans.

A difficult start

It certainly wasn’t plain sailing on that night in Paris. Despite going down to 10 men when goalkeeper Lehman was sent off, the Gunners opened the scoring in the 36th minute thanks to a powerful header from England centre half Sol Campbell.

Belletti’s goal

In the second half, Barça piled on the pressure and Arsenal were forced onto the back foot, hoping to use the pace of Thierry Henry on the counterattack. However, Valdés was in splendid form that night and stopped everything the French striker could throw at him.

A heavy rain fell on Paris in the closing minutes of the final and added an even more epic tone to the Barça fight back. Eto'o made it 1-1 in the 76th minute and then, just five minutes later, Belletti clinched the match with a wonderful second.