Larsson Sets Up Victory

 Barca lift the trophy after a spectacular four minute span in the second half.

With all the talk on world player of the year Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry, it was a substitute who stole the show in the final of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.  Former Celtic star Henrik Larsson came on in the 61st minute to set up two goals in the final fifteen minutes to give Barcelona a 2-1 win over a 10-man Arsenal side.  Arsenal goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, was sent off in the 18th minute after taking down Barca forward Samuel Eto'o.  Although down a player Arsenal still took the lead in the 37th minute on Sol Campbell's header. 

 Eto'o celebrates the equalizer.

Barca look stuck in quicksand until the arrival of Larsson in the second half.  In the 75th minute, Larsson made mince meat of Arsenal's defense, flicked a pass to Eto'o who beat Almunia, brought on after Lehmann's sending off, with a great shot at the near post.  Four minutes later Larsson set up teammate Juliano Bellitti for a goal through Almunia's legs that gave the Catalans their first Champions League title in 14 years.

Arsenal's Thierry Henry could have scored four or five goals for the Gunners but was constantly denied by Barcelona's goalkeeper, Victor Valdes.  Henry was furious after the game at the officiating, calling it 'horrendous.'  Henry pointed the finger squarely at referee Terje Hauge.  Shaking his head as Hauge received his medal for the game, Henry couldn't help but be upset for the constantly kicking he had to endure throughout the game by Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Rafael Marquez saying '"It was more than difficult. Next time I'm going to learn how to dive maybe."

*  A couple quick notes from the game:

     -- This was Larsson's last game for Barcelona.  He will end his career playing in his native Sweden.  Not a bad way to finish as a Barca player.  The win also gave Celtic a spot directly into the group stages of the Champions League instead of having to qualify.  Thank you Henrik.

 Larsson was a God in Glasgow for Celtic.

     -- Henry said after the game about his future "I'll start to think about it tonight."  Think about a Barcelona side with Henry and the Cameroon international Eto'o with Ronaldinho slotted right behind them.  Not many defenses in the world can stop that.

 Ronaldinho and Henry shake hands before the game

     -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger realized the team's future lies with the signing of Henry in the summer.  Arsenal's young squad will suffer deeply if they lose the Frenchman to Barcelona this summer.  Wenger said "We have many young players in our team. We have a big future as a big team but we need Thierry Henry to achieve that.  He has such an influence on our side and can help us become a major force in the world. He said he would sort it out before the World Cup and there's not long to wait now."

 Henry doesn't look satisfied with that second place medal around his neck