FCBARCELONA.CAT

06.05.2009 22:57

The sixth final

www.fcbarcelona.cat

FC Barcelona will play in the sixth European Cup final when they appear in Rome later this month when they will be attempting to win the trophy for the third time in the club's history.

Following their successes in Paris and London and the defeats in Berne, Sevilla and Athens, the final in Roma will give Pep Guardiola's side a chance to write their name into the Blaugrana's history books with a famous win against Manchester United.

The second in Paris: 2-1 (2005-06)

Barça won the trophy for the second time in the French capital as they came back to beat Arsenal in the Stade de France. After 12 years without playing in the final, Frank Rijkaard's side completed a glorious season by winning through to play in what proved to be a dramatic encounter.

After going behind to a goal from Sol Campbell, Barça then saw their oponents reduced to ten men as Jens Lehmann was sent off after 18 minutes. In the second half Samuel Eto'o levelled matters before substitute Juliano Belletti netted the winner to give Barça a 2-1 victory.

The end of a era: 0-4 (1993-94)

Johan Cruyff's Dream Team travelled to Athens aiming to put on a great display of football as they had been doing throughout that season and were keen to win the European Cup for the second time in three seasons to add to their four consecutive league titles.

Despite naming his strongest side for the game, that included Ronald Koeman, Pep Guardiola, Hristo Stoichkov and Romario, Cruyff's side were to be undone by Fabio Capello's AC Milan as they lost 4-0. Daniele Massaro netted twice, while Dejan Savicevic and Marcelo Desailly scored one apiece.

The trophy arrives: 1-0 (1991-92)

Hvaing lost two finals, Barça were to end that run by lifting the trophy at teh mythical Wembley Stadium against Sampdoria. The Dream Team were at their best and they produced a great performance, but had to be at their best against a strong Italian outfit in the English capital.

Coach Johan Cruyff ensured that his side maintained their style and their spirit, but even he would not have thought that the game would be so close. It was won in extra-time by a stunning free-kick from Ronald Koeman.

A lost opportunity: 0-0 lost on penalties (1985-86)

After 25 years without playing in the final of the European Cup, Terry Venables took his title winning team to the Sánchez Pizjuán in Seville to take on Steaua Bucharest in a game in which they were clear favourites to win and become the best side on the continent.

But it was not to be as the Blaugrana's opponents played very defensively and were able to keep Barça out as the game ended goalless. Urruti did superbly in the resulting penalty shot as he stopped two of the four penalties in the Andalucian capital. But at the other end Helmuth Duckadam saved all four spot-kicks and earned his side their one and only triumph of the trophy.

Bern - the first disappointment: 2-3 (1960-61)

After Real Madrid had won five consecutive finals, FC Barcelona took on Benfica in Berne with the chance to break los Merengues' hegemony and become the first other team to win the continental trophy.

Luck however was not on Barça's side as Enrique Orizaola's side hit the woodwork on no less than four times in the Wankdorf Stadium. Things started well as Sandor Kocsis put Barça ahead, before Jose Aguas, and Mario Coluna netted and Antoni Ramallets scored an own goal as Benfica went two ahead. Zoltan Czibor did reduce the arrears with 15 minutes left, but it was not enough.