UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Former Manchester United and Barcelona stars face each other in legends match and make their predictions just a few hours before the Champions League final

Record ID: 738108

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Former Manchester United and Barcelona stars face each other in legends match and make their predictions just a few hours before the Champions League final
  • Date: 29th May 2011
  • Summary: VIEW OF CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL AREA IN HYDE PARK, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY ON STAGE
  • Embargoed: 13th June 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA6T6ZZZWZ17MEZGP0U8ABEKFQU
  • Story Text: Football fans from around the world converged to London's Hyde Park on Saturday (May 28) for the Champions festival organised by UEFA ahead of the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.
    Veteran players from both teams got together for a five-a-side challenge between England and a World select.
    Former United striker Teddy Sheringham, who scored the equaliser when United beat Bayern Munich in the 1999 final in Barcelona, was joined by old teammate Andy Cole and Liverpool's hero John Barnes in a team managed by Gary Lineker, who played for Barca and was a UEFA ambassador for the final.
    The World squad featured no less than five Barcelona players and legends like former Brazilian captain Cafu and JJ Okocha who showed plenty of skills.
    With the international side beating the English by almost 10 goals, 2010 World Cup referee Howard Webb agreed to change the rules to give the win for the team who scored first after the announcement.
    And it was former England leftback Chris Powell who beat French midfielder Christian Karembeu, playing in goal, to bring the party to a festive end.
    Dwight Yorke, the Trinidad & Tobago striker who played for United, said the talent of United and Barca's biggest players will decide the outcome of the final.
    "We are expecting a very competitive game but it would take the brilliance of Messi or Wayne Rooney to score a goal," he said.
    Giovanni Van Bronckhorst was one the Barcelona players in the world team also featuring fellow Dutchmen the de Boer brothers Frank and Ronald, Phillip Cocu and Sweden's Patrick Anderson.
    "We want them (Barcelona) to win, of course we have good feelings about Barcelona and hopefully they win because I have old teammates playing it tonight," said Van Bronckhorst retired after losing the 2010 final to Spain.
    Brazilian Cafu, who ended his career at Milan after winning the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, explained that if Messi is on his day, he can win the match for Barca.
    "Barcelona's strength without any doubt is their passing game and that little gem called Messi - one of the best players in the world today that can unbalance any match," he said.
    The Champions League trophy has been on display for a week and was seen by thousands of visitors before being sent to Wembley.
    United could have the advantage of playing at home and their fans were in confident mood.
    "I think this year we have a better chance. We got solid, not relying on Ronaldo. I think we are going to keep it tight, efficient and win 2-1."
    Another fan with the face covered in red to show his allegiance said the two best teams in Europe deserved to be at Wembley.
    "As long as it is a good game and being fair looking at the teams, you could not wish for two better teams in this final. So let's hope it is good advertisement for football and European football."
    For the visiting Catalans, the football fiesta can only end with Barca winning in their usual style.
    "Playing their own game, tiki taka, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Pique, Alves, taka tika," Ramon said.
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