[versa]

Telegraph


Edwin van der Sar couldn't contain himself after he was asked on national television what if felt like to save the penalty which clinched the Champions League final for Manchester United.

Trouble is, an audience of millions were tuned in when the adrenaline-fuelled Dutchman had a microphone shoved under his nose by a reporter immediately after the game.

"DELETED hell!", he said disbelieveingly, before quickly apologising for his gaffe.

Having had more time to reflect on the triumph, United fans used less colourful language to describe their emotions as the club celebrated a third European Cup success.

"I have been a United fan since 1965 when I was seven," said a reader on the Telegraph message boards. "In all this time I have witnessed the greatest club in the world pass from glory to the second division, to a half decent side to even greater glory. All the time, no matter what, they have played as entertaining football as anyone on the planet. and, usually with home grown talent. What a team. What a club."

"United deserved to win because they created the better chances, and Nemanja Vidic had Didier Drogba in his pocket," said another. "Sir Alex is the better manager, I knew that when he got into the ears of the players extra time would be a breeze."

Chatrooms were awash with jibes from United fans who couldn't resist taking a pop at Chelsea's tearful captain John Terry for the penalty miss which cost his club the trophy. Terry, who slipped as he struck his kick and watched in horror as the ball hit the post, was inundated with messages of support but found little sympathy from those cheering Sir Alex Ferguson's side

"I hear that Chelsea are launching a John Terry vodka - bottled in Moscow," joked one supporter.

"It was a glorious sight to see Terry break down after the penalty shoot out," said another. "Could not have happened to a nicer man. He was ungracious in defeat - he turned his back on United as they prepared to raise the cup aloft. This shows a lack of humility, that will have been noted by Fabio Cappello, and is just another reason why he will not be given the England captaincy."

One fan scoffed at the Chelsea players who described Terry as an honest professional.

"Isn't this the same guy who wanted a 10-year ten year contract with the right to be manager at the end of the period? He'll get over it once he's bought a bunch of gold jewellery with his £130,000 per week," said another.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, who left United to take up the post at Stamford Bridge, was also taregeted for some stick.

"Chelsea had the chance to win the game when they were on top in the second half, but they blew it. That's sport. Highlight of the evening for me was the sight of Peter 'Lifelong Red' Kenyon looking as white as a sheet as he sprinted up the steps to collect his losers' medal.

"Let's hope that taking Roman's roubles compensates him adequately for leaving one of the world's greatest clubs to join a small outfit in west London that has finished the season with nothing. Nice one Peter."

Some Chelsea fans simply refused to accept defeat.

"Not wishing it to sound like sour grapes, because it isn't, but we didn't lose the game - we just lost the shoot out," one said. "It's no way to settle a match of this calibre. To my mind the 'golden goal' was the best way."

One neutral was disappointed that the contest deteriorated into a fractious battle in extra-time with the match on a knife edge.

"What a laughing stock football is this morning. Yes, yes if you are one-eyed follower of either team and the 'great' game you'll see it differently. However, if like me you are a sports fan in general and tuned to see two English teams in the final you'll be left sour by it all.

"Cheating, theatrics, sulking, girlie slapping and acts of cowardice in the tackle - this game had the lot. If football fans and commentators think this game was a great advert for English football, their arrogance knows no bounds.

Far from it, the game actually showed that it's a sport where cheating and lying is tolerated and where unacceptable behaviour is the norm, all played out behind the smokescreen of 'passion'. If you want to see passion in sport go and watch a rugby match."