Before the game, a brief history of the previous meetings: 17 games played, 9 won by us, 4 draws and 4 losses. The last game saw us winning 4-0 at home but I remember that Arsenal were the first team (and one of the few) to beat us this season.
Vauxhall vs Arsenal (Champions League Final)
Venue: Swedbank Arena, Stockholm
Attendance: 50,000
Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Julian Marino, Danny Wilson, Marat Bykov, Pierre Touya — Leandro Velasco, Indio, Robert Ackermann, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Parana
Team Talk: For the fans!
I fielded my usual eleven with just one exception: Robert Ackermann instead of Marcos Fernandez in midfield. On the other hand Arsenal were also in good shape with the extraordinary Kadlec upfront and a great midfield behind him. Let’s see what happened, minute by minute…
2nd minute — Leandro Velasco bends in a corner kick cross, Marat Bykov gets in the header… over the bar!
4th minute — Kadlec spins past Bykov inside our penalty area… shoots… Luis Guilherme turns it behind!
6th minute — Grenier tries his luck from an acute angle… good save from my keeper.
10th minute — Kadlec tries his luck from out wide… Luis Guilherme tips it round the post.
13th minute — Grenier shoots from the edge of the area… the keeper beats it away.
19th minute — Zé Carlos is clean through on a counter attack, he’s free of the last defender and just inside the box… shoots… huge save by Oscar Ustari, huge!
21st minute — Tiago bends in a good cross inside the area, Zé Carlos heads it… over…
22nd minute — Great run from Velasco down the right flank, crosses towards the far post… Tiago attacks it… header… in! It’s in, great work from the two wingers! (click here to watch the goal)
27th minute — We’re on a counter attack, Parana squares it for Tiago inside the box… he’s one-on-one with the goalie… shoots… it’s out of the keeper’s reach… but it goes just wide! Damn, that was a great chance!
31st minute — Awesome through ball from Grenier for Kadlec… the striker advances towards the area… surprising shot from 20 yards… it’s in! What a goal, what a striker! (click here to watch the goal)
37th minute — Tiago skips past a defender, enters the penalty area… he’s tripped! Yes, the referee points to the spot! Robert Ackermann steps up, he rarely misses from the spot… shoots towards the bottom right corner… saved! Oh no…
39th minute — Kadlec unleashes an awesome shot from 30 yards… just wide…
42nd minute — Song header on a free kick… inches wide…
Half time score: 1-1
Half time team talk: For the fans!
Half time substitutions: none
Half time stats
48th minute — Holtby skips past Bykov, shoots from a tight angle… saved!
54th minute — Holtby looks lively again, passes through for Kadlec… great save from Luis Guilherme!
59th minute — Throw-in for us close to Arsenal‘s penalty area, Marino throws it long… intercepted… long ball for Ramsey… they are on the breakaway… wow, what a finish from Ramsey! What a shot! But still, what a stupid goal to concede, unforgivable! (click here to watch the goal)
64th minute — Tiago plays a nice through ball for Zé Carlos, he enters the area and shoots… great save…
65th minute — Radek Vecera in for Velasco, Marcos Fernandez in for Ackermann, Walid Mechergui in for Tiago. We had nothing left to lose at that point…
72nd minute — Danny Wilson gets in a corner kick header… saved…
81st minute — Radek Vecera makes a great run down the right flank, cuts inside, enters the penalty area… and he’s brought down! It has to be a penalty kick! And it is, well done ref! Zé Carlos steps up… come on… shoots… the keeper parries it! It bounces to Marcos Fernandez… shoots… get in! (click here to watch the goal) Holly mackerel, we missed two penalty kicks but thankfully Fernandez bagged that one on the rebound… My blood pressure is reaching dangerous levels…
84th minute — Vecera weaves his way past a couple of defenders again, he’s inside the penalty area… shoots… the keeper parries it and then the defenders cannon it away from danger…
90 minutes score: 2-2
90 minutes team talk: You can do it!
96th minute — Zé Carlos is looking determined to do some damage, he skips past a defender… enters the penalty area… rounds the onrushing goalkeeper… and stabs it home! Get in there! We’re almost there, almost there lads, just hang in there! (click here to watch the goal)
100th minute — Fabulous shot from the edge of the area… Luis Guilherme flies and turns it away! Brilliant save!
Half time in extra time: No substitutions left, no team talk available, I just switched the strategy from «attacking» to «counter». Come on lads, just 15 more minutes!
106th minute — Grenier gets sent off! He was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Fernandez, now things are really going our way!
107th minute — Indio curls in a vicious free kick shot from no less 35 yards out… it’s looking good… but thunders off the crossbar!
110th minute — Another phenomenal run from Zé Carlos, he enters the penalty area, then the six yard box… tries to squeeze it in… turned behind by the goalkeeper!
112th minute — Zé Carlos dazzles the defenders again, he’s inside the penalty area and shoots… just wide…
120th minute — Long throw from Julian Marino, finds Vecera inside the penalty area… he turns and shoots… saved!
121 minutes and 12 seconds — The ref puts the whistle to his lips… and it’s over! It’s over, the Motormen are the Kings of Europe! Haaaaleeelujah!
Full time team talk: Congratulations!
Man of the match: Luis Guilherme
Flop of the match: Robert Ackermann
Video Highlights
video
Match Stats
That is called a famous treble, I’d call it a thrilling treble!
Here’s a list of what we have won until now, everything except the League Two and Championship titles and the Club World Cup! It’s too late for winning those first two titles but the Club World Cup will be our priority next season.
My players were wonderful this season, I don’t know where to begin with the praises… It was a season that did justice to Parana, he had a rough time after joining the club with a couple of severe injuries hindering his progress but now he has finally shown what he’s made of! Danny Wilson, our most expensive signing ever, also had a pretty good season while Indio is beginning to show glimpses of his immense talent.
Our finances are not looking very well though, I spent a lot on new players and contracts and that might not give me a good transfer budget next season. Then again, I don’t really need too many new faces as there are a few youngsters in the reserves team that might be ready to join the big boys come July.
That’s about it folks, thanks a lot for reading this and for supporting the Motormen throughout this memorable season. As always, I’m looking forward to reading your comments but before you ask I’d like to let you know that there might be a while before the next update, I’m terribly sad at the moment (read about the reasons here) and I really don’t feel like playing FM these days. I’ll still be here to keep in touch with you though and I hope to bring you another episode soon enough.
Kevin
21 июля, 2011 at 21:15
Hello Johnny
I’m sorry I missed your last post though I think I’ve explained that away. So, congratulations on bringing us another exciting end to the season but this time your are crowned Champions of Europe so jolly well done!
This has been a superb story to follow (as they all are) watching you buy some great players along the way all building up from the BS Leagues to this major event of Europeam glory. Great stuff!!
Fully understand why you won’t be posting for a while but look forward to your return.
Johnny Karp
21 июля, 2011 at 21:23
Thanks Kevin, I’ve enjoyed every minute of this story and I’m sure I’ll enjoy the rest of it after a few days off, hopefully just a few days…
Darren Smith
21 июля, 2011 at 21:57
Well I’m sorry about your club Johnny, we’ve already spoken about it but I really do feel for you. All wounds heal eventually though mate, though they feel too fresh to realise so at the beginning…I just hope this is the case.
Back to FM and the best season to date though. A fantastic season, you slaughtered your way to the title and then won the CL by beating two of the best teams in Europe. The final was so entertaining too, to miss two penalties and still win must have been a rollercoaster ride. Well done mate.
Johnny Karp
22 июля, 2011 at 00:29
Thanks Darren, that final was a bit of a rollercoaster ride but thankfully the players managed to keep cool and prevail.
Birdy
21 июля, 2011 at 23:11
Very nice work Johnny. The CL final was amazing to watch and I would have been sweating if I was in your position. Unlucky with your club but like laxeyman said they could remake a club.
Good Luck in FM and your club.
Johnny Karp
22 июля, 2011 at 00:30
Thanks mate, I do remember that my palms were sweating during the second half and extra time :)
Lye
22 июля, 2011 at 05:59
Hi Johnny,
It was an epic final. You must have felt the worse when your players missed those penalties. It was a great season mate. I bet this will start the dominance of the motormen.
Sorry to hear about your beloved club. I am sure it won’t be the end. Can the fans combined together and do something?
Johnny Karp
22 июля, 2011 at 07:20
Hey Lye, it was a great final indeed, full of emotions. About Craiova, I doubt that the fans can do something about it but maybe they can support starting a new club.
Daniel
22 июля, 2011 at 10:47
hi jonny, i am Eastleigh in League 2 and struggling big time!!! I see you got promoted consecutively from the same level i started at so figured it must work in lower leagues as well, so with your tactic (i assume its the one you have provided for download) what are the specific attributes you look for in each position.
Cheers
PS: Great story btw, love your work haha
Johnny Karp
22 июля, 2011 at 11:23
Thanks for the comment, I have already answered your request on the tactic download post.
Desmo Wenning
22 июля, 2011 at 12:09
Really sorry for you Johnny about Craiova, why did it happen anyway? Financial problems?
Back to the story, amazing work winning the CL for the first time! Must have been one hell of a final with 2!!! missed penalty kicks. But in the end the Motormen did manage to get the good result :D Keep up the good work Johnny!
Johnny Karp
22 июля, 2011 at 15:42
Thanks Desmo, it really was a memorable final. About Craiova, the financial problems put the club into a difficult position and then the chairman did the rest as he appealed to a decision of the FA in a regular court, that’s against the rules and that’s why the club was disaffiliated.
Sears
22 июля, 2011 at 14:21
Shame about Craiova :-(
Brilliant season, congrats on the treble! I’m sure you can replica the form again next season, good luck!
Johnny Karp
22 июля, 2011 at 15:40
Thanks mate.
Timmy
22 июля, 2011 at 16:15
What a treble! well your team was impressive and that was great achievement
ps:how can one of the biggest club in Romania get a banned! feel sad for that :(
unbelievable!
ps:get back soon,and Good luck!
Johnny Karp
22 июля, 2011 at 20:05
Thanks Timmy, it was a great season. About the club, I can’t really believe it either but I’m starting to get used to the idea…
Stromson
22 июля, 2011 at 18:09
Ack! I’m sorry to hear that Johnny, that must be absolutely heart wrenching to lose your club like that. :( Small consolation that you managed to win the tremble with Vauxhall, but I doubt that does much to soften the blow. Is there any chance Craiova can be saved at this point?
Johnny Karp
22 июля, 2011 at 20:08
There is no chance mate, the club is dead although some people are still trying to postpone the burial. There is some chit-chat about making a new club but I don’t think I’ll support that new club if it will be made. It’s like, for instance, you love a girl named Paula and she goes away for some reason and never comes back. And then you find another one and name her Paula, but she’s not the same one, can’t be!
CsAtlantis
23 июля, 2011 at 03:29
Sorry to hear about your club Johnny, can’t they change their name and start again? a bit like Wimbledon last time, though I am not sure of the specifics
Congratulations on winning the treble by the way
Johnny Karp
23 июля, 2011 at 14:35
Thanks mate. I doubt that the same people would start another club, maybe some others will.
vaibhavc
23 июля, 2011 at 10:21
Hey Johnny
Great success! Great treble and well done. Something needs to be done about penalties, but it may also just be nervousness. Sorry to hear on your club, but take a break and hopefully you will come back soon.
Johnny Karp
23 июля, 2011 at 14:36
Thanks Vaibhav. We usually don’t miss penalties, at least Ackermann and Ze Carlos rarely miss but they did on that day… Anyway, all is well that ends well :)
Sayam Khan
23 июля, 2011 at 21:55
Hi Johnny, excellent season and your Vauxhall team really ticked this year. May have got a little lucky in the CL final but I guess you deserved it.
Feel sorry for you regarding you supported team. I can’t imagine what would happen to me if Arsenal and Bury were not a club anymore! ;-)
Anyway, have a good break, you will be fresh and eager to play more when you return (talking from experience ;-))
Johnny Karp
24 июля, 2011 at 10:56
Thanks Sayam. I’m not sure that we were that lucky in the CL final, we did miss two penalty kicks! :)
Sibo
23 июля, 2011 at 23:33
Well done mate! Great treble! :D
Shame to hear about your club, I don’t think I would be able to follow football at all if that happened to Aberdeen…
Have a good break. I hope you feel good again soon! :D
Johnny Karp
24 июля, 2011 at 10:56
Thanks Sibo. About my team, that is exactly how I’m feeling: the Romanian league just started this weekend but I couldn’t care less…
Jack
26 июля, 2011 at 00:44
That’s some bad news about your team Johnny :( I’ll second what Sibo said about loosing your team (however it would have to happen to Aston Villa) You never know what might happen though, hopefully something comes along, so chin up!
Anyway fantastic achievement with Vauxhall! It had to happen eventually. What’s the plan now? Are you going to go for more CL titles with Vauxhall? Or start a new story? Either way I hope you continue with your regular postings as I genuinely enjoying reading your stories :) Thanks Johnny.
Johnny Karp
26 июля, 2011 at 07:58
Thanks Jack, I still have to win the Club World Cup with Vauxhall and then try to win the World Cup with Argentina. Then we’ll see…