Yes, the Russian Army recently paraded tanks and soldiers in Moscow. But, I am talking about the world's best Red Army, Manchester United Football Club.
Wow! You may have heard by now that Man U traveled to Moscow this past Wednesday for the Champions League Final against Chelsea. It was so classic that ESPN Classic made it an Instant Classic.
Man U struck first blood with a goal in the 26th minute. Tevez almost scored on a crossing pass and made it 2-0. Chelsea countered late in the first half to tie the match at 1.
Both teams had their opportunities in the second half but it went to extra time.
Chelsea's Drogba drew a red card after he slapped Vidic in the 117th minute, or late in the
extra (over) time. Vidic took one of best penalty kickers out of the match as we went to penalty kicks.
I was nervous going to penalty kicks as Chelsea's Cech is a better goalie than Van Der Sar.
Penalty kicks brought back memories as my Central New York Team Handball Club won the U.S. Team Handball Federation Division II Championship on penalty throws in 1994 in Hotlanta. I was named Most Valuable Goalie.
Back to Moscow. It was the fourth Champions League final in the last eight years to go to penalty kicks. Some of my reactions are below:
Tevez - Gol!
Ballack - Darn it!
Carrick - Yes!
Chelsea player - Darn it!
Ronaldo - You stutter stepping idiot! Cech easily caught his classically weak penalty kick.
Lampard - Ah! Just beyond Van Der Sar's finger tips
Hargreaves - Whew!
Ashley Cole - Darn it! Just hit Van Der Sar's finger tips
Nani - Wow! Nice fake move by Cech
Down to Terry. What? He missed! Terry was more wide right than Scott Norwood - OMG!
It's tied at 4 after 5 penalty kicks.
Anderson - Yes!
Kaku? - Ouch!
Giggs - Yes!
Carvahlo - Blocked by Van Der Sar.
Manchester United won 6-5 on penalties. Yes! The Red Army rolls again. I jump up and down and high five total strangers. Others look on in disbelief.
Ronaldo lives. So does Rooney who had no shots on goal.
I felt bad for Chelsea's Lampard after his Mom recently passed. R.I.P.
Posted by a psyched up Tank reporting live from Jake's Saloon on 57th Street and 10th Avenue.