Leading up to that huge night in Istanbul I was a mixture of anxiety and quiet confidence. The lads, after all, had made it to the final through a combination of steely determination, timely goal scoring and a fair rub of the green. We had seen off some impressive opponents and had refused to accept that we were a team in transition that could not mount a serious challenge for the European Cup. All of our performances leading up to the final underscored to me that we had what it took to do it on the night.
Yet, if I'm honest, I was dead anxious in the days leading up to May 25th. We were stepping out on the biggest stage in world club football. Against the venerable force of AC Milan. With Djimi Traore as our left back and Milan Baros as our lone striker, for Chrissakes!!!
I figured we'd make a game of it but there was a strong possibility that Milan would find another gear in the final and put us in the shade with the entire world watching. The thought of that had me more than a little uptight.Looking back, it's easy to spout the standard platitudes: "it was fate, destiny...our name was on the cup" etc. I've never quite believed that, though, despite the comeback, despite watching Jerzy save that Sheva double strike in extra time, despite the penalty shoot-out heroics. We'd put together a fantastic European run--much to the cost of our league form--and clawed our way the finals but it could have so easily ended in tears of anguish rather than tears of joy. How differently would this season have gone as a result?
No, there was no feeling of fate, no sense of destiny for me this time a year ago. Just a supersized case of nerves threatening to overpower a modest sense of belief that it could be done. I had no idea what I was in store for when I took my seat at my local that afternoon of the 25th--the rollercoaster of emotions that I was about to ride! Now, one year on, I can still say it was one of the greatest rides of my life.
How I'd love to jump in Peewee's time machine now and revisit that pre-match moment in the pub. I'd swagger in with a massive grin on my face, buy a round for my sweaty-palmed Red mates and tell each and every one of them to settle in and enjoy the ride...it'll be a little rocky for the first while but good god will it be a rush at the end!
Thanks for the memories LFC 2004-2005...the word "Istanbul" will forever bring a smile to my face!
Walk on!
.
?? 
. I am shouting in hebrew to the crowd "come on! start suporting the team!!!!!!!!" . My friend tells me "they dont understand your hebrew" 
