Nice article on the Uefa site today.
I didn't realise Garcia won the India title or that Smicer was in politics.
Decent article although Finnan was injured in the final not subbed for a poor performance
Liverpool FC return to the scene of their 2005 UEFA Champions League final on Thursday: Istanbul's Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium. We find out where the heroes of that night are now.
Trailing AC Milan 3-0 at half-time in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, the writing seemed to be on the wall for Liverpool FC. What followed in Istanbul was a quite remarkable comeback. Rafael Benítez's side stormed back with three goals in seven minutes to set up a dramatic penalty shoot-out triumph. Andriy Shevchenko, scorer of the winning spot kick in the 2003 final, was denied by Jerzy Dudek to give Liverpool a famous victory.
That Istanbul final is one of UEFA's 60 Legendary Moments – watch now, like your favourites and be in with a chance of winning a trip to this season's Berlin decider (including the opportunity to play on the Olympiastadion pitch).
1. Jamie CarragherA one-club man, Bootle-born Carragher made over 700 Liverpool appearances between his 1997 debut and his retirement at the close of 2012/13. Istanbul was the high point of a career that brought two FA Cups, three English League Cups, the UEFA Cup and two UEFA Super Cups. Winner of 38 England caps, he was tempted out of retirement by Fabio Capello to go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has proved equally assured as a television pundit and columnist.
2. Xabi Alonso
After forging a reputation as a fine ball-playing midfielder at Real Sociedad de Fútbol, Alonso moved to Liverpool in 2004 and was key in Istanbul, scoring the third. He excelled throughout his five-year spell at Anfield before heading to Real Madrid CF, where a Liga title, two Spanish Cups and a UEFA Champions League crown followed. Alonso was part of the Spain team that monopolised the international stage for four years, winning two EUROs and the World Cup. Now at FC Bayern München.
Highlights: The Miracle of Istanbul
3. Steven GerrardSynonymous with the club and particularly the 2005 final, the ex-England captain ends his 16-year Anfield career in the summer with a switch to the United States. Man of the match in Istanbul (his header sparked the revival), Gerrard had dragged the Reds into the last 16 with a late matchday six thunderbolt against Olympiacos FC. He scored twice in the following year's FA Cup victory and has won it all for Liverpool except the Premier League – having been a runner-up three times.
4. Jerzy DudekA stunning double stop at the death to deny Shevchenko, and shoot-out saves from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko, sealed glory in Istanbul – but the keeper's greatest moments in a Liverpool shirt were among his last. Losing his place to Pepe Reina, the former Feyenoord man – he won the Eredivisie in 1999 – joined Real Madrid in 2007 and spent four years understudying Iker Casillas. Capped 60 times by Poland, he is ambassador for this season's UEFA Europa League final ... and plays a lot of golf.
5. Igor Bišćan
A versatile player who could cover a number of positions in defence and attack, Bišćan was not always the most popular of figures during his time at Anfield. Though an unused substitute in Istanbul, the former Croatian international had nine appearances in Liverpool's 2004/05 UEFA Champions League campaign. He left the club in summer 2005 for Panathinaikos FC, before returning to home-town club GNK Dinamo Zagreb to finish his career. He retired in 2012 and has since dabbled in futsal, newspaper punditry and amateur tennis.
6. Djimi Traoré
Landing in Merseyside in 1999, it was not until Rafael Benítez's appointment five years later that the Mali defender became a regular. He played his part in Istanbul, making a goal-saving clearance from Shevchenko, but opportunities dried up the following term. Stints at Charlton Athletic FC, Portsmouth FC and Birmingham City FC followed before a return to France with AS Monaco FC and Olympique de Marseille. After a couple of seasons in the MLS at Seattle Sounders FC, he quit the game in November.
7. Luis GarcíaScorer of the only goal of the semi-final tie against Chelsea FC, FC Barcelona-product García played all 120 minutes of the final. An industrious left-footed midfielder who was surprisingly strong in the air given his height, he was a popular figure at Anfield, earning his own song to the tune of 'You are my Sunshine'. He left in 2007 for Club Atlético de Madrid, plied his trade in Greece and Mexico, and recently participated in the inaugural Indian Super League, skippering Atlético de Kolkata to the title.
Gerrard's screamer against Olympiacos
8. John Arne RiiseThe most-capped Norwegian of all time, Riise came to Anfield in 2001 from Monaco and impressed with his fearsome left foot. The only Liverpool man to miss their spot kick in the final, he remained a firm fixture until signing for AS Roma in 2008. First-choice in three years in Italy, he headed back to England with Fulham FC but suffered relegation last May. A part-time pundit, Riise's next stop was Cyprus where the 34-year-old turns out for APOEL FC.
9. Harry KewellA surprise starter in Istanbul, the Australian's final lasted 23 minutes before injury forced him off. A purchase from Leeds United AFC – whom he had helped to the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League semi-finals – things never quite worked out for Kewell during an injury-ravaged Anfield sojourn. He departed for Galatasaray AŞ in 2008, spending three seasons in Turkey before going home to Australia for spells with Melbourne Victory FC and Melbourne Heart FC. He retired last March and now runs his own academy.
10. Milan BarošThe Czech led the line for 85 minutes of the final, one of his last significant acts for Liverpool. Within months he transferred to Aston Villa FC, then on to Olympique Lyonnais where he won Ligue 1 in 2006/07. England beckoned again and he lifted the FA Cup with Portsmouth FC before four campaigns at Galatasaray. An emotional return to boyhood team FC Baník Ostrava came about in 2013 (Baroš donated his salary to the youth side), and the UEFA EURO 2004 top scorer is there again after six months at Antalyaspor.
11. Dietmar HamannThe German was introduced at half-time for Steve Finnan to get Liverpool on the front foot and was a key catayst for the comeback. He converted the Reds' first penalty of the shoot-out and enjoyed one more season before spells at Manchester City FC and Milton Keynes Dons FC. He called time on a stellar career – which included two Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Cup at Bayern, plus 59 Germany caps – before trying his hand at coaching. Now works as a columnist and TV pundit in Britain and Ireland.
The making of Vladimir Šmicer
12. Vladimír ŠmicerThe Czech stalwart's last Liverpool outing turned out to be his most memorable. Brought off the bench for Kewell midway through the first period, he scored Liverpool's second goal and final penalty. He left for FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France, where he had won the championship with RC Lens, before collecting back-to-back titles at first club SK Slavia Praha. He worked as assistant to Czech coach Michal Bílek on retirement, and has since become involved in politics, standing for EU elections in 2014.
13. Steve FinnanThe winner of 52 caps for the Republic of Ireland, the full-back began his career in non-league football and made his name at Fulham, gaining two promotions before moving to Anfield in 2003. He appeared in every game in the run to the 2005 final but endured a torrid evening and was substituted at the break. He lifted the FA Cup the following year and had stints with RCD Espanyol and Portsmouth, retiring after losing the 2010 FA Cup final to Chelsea. He is now in the building trade.
Out of shot: Sami Hyypiä
The heart of a defence that conceded just six goals en route to the final, Hyypiä arrived from Willem II in 1999 and became a fans' favourite over the next decade. He had two seasons at Bayer 04 Leverkusen before retiring in 2011 and moving into coaching with Bayer, initially alongside Sascha Lewandowski, guiding them to third in the 2012/13 Bundesliga. He then took sole command, before returning to England with Brighton & Hove Albion FC last summer. He resigned in December.
Out of shot: Djibril Cissé
Cissé was hailed as France's next great striker when acquired by Liverpool from AJ Auxerre in 2004, but a broken leg stalled his progress. He was an 85th-minute substitute in Istanbul and scored a penalty in the shoot-out, two goals in the ensuing UEFA Super Cup final victory and again in the 2006 FA Cup win. Famed for quick feet and outrageous hair, the man capped 41 times by France had two years at Marseille yet struggled to settle after that. Various stops later, he has made his way to Corsica with SC Bastia.
Out of shot: Rafael Benítez
Having steered Valencia CF to their first Liga title for 31 years and the UEFA Cup, Benítez ended his first term at Anfield in fine style in Istanbul. He led Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League final again in 2007, where Milan got their revenge. The Spaniard departed in 2010 for a brief interlude at FC Internazionale Milano, then guided Chelsea to the UEFA Europa League crown in 2013. He has been with SSC Napoli since May 2013, landing the Coppa Italia in his first campaign.
I didn't realise Garcia won the India title or that Smicer was in politics.
Decent article although Finnan was injured in the final not subbed for a poor performance
Liverpool FC return to the scene of their 2005 UEFA Champions League final on Thursday: Istanbul's Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadium. We find out where the heroes of that night are now.
Trailing AC Milan 3-0 at half-time in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, the writing seemed to be on the wall for Liverpool FC. What followed in Istanbul was a quite remarkable comeback. Rafael Benítez's side stormed back with three goals in seven minutes to set up a dramatic penalty shoot-out triumph. Andriy Shevchenko, scorer of the winning spot kick in the 2003 final, was denied by Jerzy Dudek to give Liverpool a famous victory.
That Istanbul final is one of UEFA's 60 Legendary Moments – watch now, like your favourites and be in with a chance of winning a trip to this season's Berlin decider (including the opportunity to play on the Olympiastadion pitch).
1. Jamie CarragherA one-club man, Bootle-born Carragher made over 700 Liverpool appearances between his 1997 debut and his retirement at the close of 2012/13. Istanbul was the high point of a career that brought two FA Cups, three English League Cups, the UEFA Cup and two UEFA Super Cups. Winner of 38 England caps, he was tempted out of retirement by Fabio Capello to go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has proved equally assured as a television pundit and columnist.
2. Xabi Alonso
After forging a reputation as a fine ball-playing midfielder at Real Sociedad de Fútbol, Alonso moved to Liverpool in 2004 and was key in Istanbul, scoring the third. He excelled throughout his five-year spell at Anfield before heading to Real Madrid CF, where a Liga title, two Spanish Cups and a UEFA Champions League crown followed. Alonso was part of the Spain team that monopolised the international stage for four years, winning two EUROs and the World Cup. Now at FC Bayern München.
Highlights: The Miracle of Istanbul
3. Steven GerrardSynonymous with the club and particularly the 2005 final, the ex-England captain ends his 16-year Anfield career in the summer with a switch to the United States. Man of the match in Istanbul (his header sparked the revival), Gerrard had dragged the Reds into the last 16 with a late matchday six thunderbolt against Olympiacos FC. He scored twice in the following year's FA Cup victory and has won it all for Liverpool except the Premier League – having been a runner-up three times.
4. Jerzy DudekA stunning double stop at the death to deny Shevchenko, and shoot-out saves from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko, sealed glory in Istanbul – but the keeper's greatest moments in a Liverpool shirt were among his last. Losing his place to Pepe Reina, the former Feyenoord man – he won the Eredivisie in 1999 – joined Real Madrid in 2007 and spent four years understudying Iker Casillas. Capped 60 times by Poland, he is ambassador for this season's UEFA Europa League final ... and plays a lot of golf.
5. Igor Bišćan
A versatile player who could cover a number of positions in defence and attack, Bišćan was not always the most popular of figures during his time at Anfield. Though an unused substitute in Istanbul, the former Croatian international had nine appearances in Liverpool's 2004/05 UEFA Champions League campaign. He left the club in summer 2005 for Panathinaikos FC, before returning to home-town club GNK Dinamo Zagreb to finish his career. He retired in 2012 and has since dabbled in futsal, newspaper punditry and amateur tennis.
6. Djimi Traoré
Landing in Merseyside in 1999, it was not until Rafael Benítez's appointment five years later that the Mali defender became a regular. He played his part in Istanbul, making a goal-saving clearance from Shevchenko, but opportunities dried up the following term. Stints at Charlton Athletic FC, Portsmouth FC and Birmingham City FC followed before a return to France with AS Monaco FC and Olympique de Marseille. After a couple of seasons in the MLS at Seattle Sounders FC, he quit the game in November.
7. Luis GarcíaScorer of the only goal of the semi-final tie against Chelsea FC, FC Barcelona-product García played all 120 minutes of the final. An industrious left-footed midfielder who was surprisingly strong in the air given his height, he was a popular figure at Anfield, earning his own song to the tune of 'You are my Sunshine'. He left in 2007 for Club Atlético de Madrid, plied his trade in Greece and Mexico, and recently participated in the inaugural Indian Super League, skippering Atlético de Kolkata to the title.
Gerrard's screamer against Olympiacos
8. John Arne RiiseThe most-capped Norwegian of all time, Riise came to Anfield in 2001 from Monaco and impressed with his fearsome left foot. The only Liverpool man to miss their spot kick in the final, he remained a firm fixture until signing for AS Roma in 2008. First-choice in three years in Italy, he headed back to England with Fulham FC but suffered relegation last May. A part-time pundit, Riise's next stop was Cyprus where the 34-year-old turns out for APOEL FC.
9. Harry KewellA surprise starter in Istanbul, the Australian's final lasted 23 minutes before injury forced him off. A purchase from Leeds United AFC – whom he had helped to the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League semi-finals – things never quite worked out for Kewell during an injury-ravaged Anfield sojourn. He departed for Galatasaray AŞ in 2008, spending three seasons in Turkey before going home to Australia for spells with Melbourne Victory FC and Melbourne Heart FC. He retired last March and now runs his own academy.
10. Milan BarošThe Czech led the line for 85 minutes of the final, one of his last significant acts for Liverpool. Within months he transferred to Aston Villa FC, then on to Olympique Lyonnais where he won Ligue 1 in 2006/07. England beckoned again and he lifted the FA Cup with Portsmouth FC before four campaigns at Galatasaray. An emotional return to boyhood team FC Baník Ostrava came about in 2013 (Baroš donated his salary to the youth side), and the UEFA EURO 2004 top scorer is there again after six months at Antalyaspor.
11. Dietmar HamannThe German was introduced at half-time for Steve Finnan to get Liverpool on the front foot and was a key catayst for the comeback. He converted the Reds' first penalty of the shoot-out and enjoyed one more season before spells at Manchester City FC and Milton Keynes Dons FC. He called time on a stellar career – which included two Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Cup at Bayern, plus 59 Germany caps – before trying his hand at coaching. Now works as a columnist and TV pundit in Britain and Ireland.
The making of Vladimir Šmicer
12. Vladimír ŠmicerThe Czech stalwart's last Liverpool outing turned out to be his most memorable. Brought off the bench for Kewell midway through the first period, he scored Liverpool's second goal and final penalty. He left for FC Girondins de Bordeaux in France, where he had won the championship with RC Lens, before collecting back-to-back titles at first club SK Slavia Praha. He worked as assistant to Czech coach Michal Bílek on retirement, and has since become involved in politics, standing for EU elections in 2014.
13. Steve FinnanThe winner of 52 caps for the Republic of Ireland, the full-back began his career in non-league football and made his name at Fulham, gaining two promotions before moving to Anfield in 2003. He appeared in every game in the run to the 2005 final but endured a torrid evening and was substituted at the break. He lifted the FA Cup the following year and had stints with RCD Espanyol and Portsmouth, retiring after losing the 2010 FA Cup final to Chelsea. He is now in the building trade.
Out of shot: Sami Hyypiä
The heart of a defence that conceded just six goals en route to the final, Hyypiä arrived from Willem II in 1999 and became a fans' favourite over the next decade. He had two seasons at Bayer 04 Leverkusen before retiring in 2011 and moving into coaching with Bayer, initially alongside Sascha Lewandowski, guiding them to third in the 2012/13 Bundesliga. He then took sole command, before returning to England with Brighton & Hove Albion FC last summer. He resigned in December.
Out of shot: Djibril Cissé
Cissé was hailed as France's next great striker when acquired by Liverpool from AJ Auxerre in 2004, but a broken leg stalled his progress. He was an 85th-minute substitute in Istanbul and scored a penalty in the shoot-out, two goals in the ensuing UEFA Super Cup final victory and again in the 2006 FA Cup win. Famed for quick feet and outrageous hair, the man capped 41 times by France had two years at Marseille yet struggled to settle after that. Various stops later, he has made his way to Corsica with SC Bastia.
Out of shot: Rafael Benítez
Having steered Valencia CF to their first Liga title for 31 years and the UEFA Cup, Benítez ended his first term at Anfield in fine style in Istanbul. He led Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League final again in 2007, where Milan got their revenge. The Spaniard departed in 2010 for a brief interlude at FC Internazionale Milano, then guided Chelsea to the UEFA Europa League crown in 2013. He has been with SSC Napoli since May 2013, landing the Coppa Italia in his first campaign.
