Further thoughts on the 2nd Leg of the UCL semis..

A few after thoughts to the previous post.... unfortunately, the English club will have to face repercussions for the post-match antics of some of it's players. While I totally sympathize with Chelsea fans (being one of them myself) , it'll be unfortunate that Drogba might face penal action. Ballack too, for his part, had a shot in the last minute handled by Eto'o inside the penalty area, and this was one of the four or five penalty decisions waved down by the referee. Now Tom Ovrebo - he's had experience of 205 matches under his belt in the Norwegian League, and Wednesday's clash was his 7th UCL duty of the year. Was he the best qualified to take up the reins at a Champions League Semi Finals?? Chelsea will obviously not think so. And added to this the fact, that Ovrebo has already been bogged down by conspiracies, and the fact that he'll officiate the finals in next year's World Cup - is enough for any neutral pundit to raise his hands in the air in exasperation.

This said, my respect for the Englishmen in the Chelsea team
increased tremendously in the way they handled themselves in the post match hysteria. While both fans and a few players alike were totally agitated by the Norwegian referee's decisions, Lampard, Terry and Cole, though equally agitated, managed to keep their cool on the pitch. Does it go to show the strength of an English footballer? Probably. But they deserve an ovation for amazing sportsmanship. Especially Terry who later went down to Barcelona's dressing room to congratulate them personally.

Obviously, the Chelsea players will stick together in this situation to come through without any major scandals... Both Hiddink and Terry have already stated that they support Drogba. Although the chance of a repeat final of last year ( where Chelsea lost on penalties to ManU ), a feat that has never been achieved in the Champions League, might have slipped through their fingers, Chelsea will have to be content with the prospective FA Cup final on 30th of May against Everton.

Pics ( courtesy of espnstar.com ) - from top to bottom:
1. The under-fire Tom Ovrebo
2. Essien celebrates a text-book left volley.
3. Messi was kept quiet for the most part by the splendid Chelsea defense (in pic: captain John Terry)
4. Guus Hiddink can't believe some of the decisions.
5. Lampard looks at the heavens to find solace.
6. Barca fans are ecstatic. Rome, here we come.