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Tuesday, 22 May, 2001, 18:55 GMT 19:55 UK
Are Bayern fitting champions?
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The San Siro hosted the Champions League final and Bayern Munich emerged victorious.
After a see-saw final, the German champions came out on top but do they deserve the title of best team in Europe? Effervescent Stefan Effenberg lead Bayern from the front, scoring from the spot in normal time to keep his side in the game. He then smashed in a bullet-like penalty in the shoot-out to crown his side's win. Valencia's Gaizka Mendieta didn't deserve to finish on the losing side and Valencia battled bravely to the end. Was it a classic final? Or was a match between two great counter-attacking teams destined for penalties from the kick-off? Are Bayern Munich fitting champions of Europe? Send us your Champions League final verdict.
Mike Ellis, USA
If Real Madrid had won this years competition, then nobody would have thought of asking such a stupid question. Bayern were desperately unlucky to lose in '99, made the semis last year (losing to the eventual winners) and beat Real on the way to the final this year. They are clearly the side to beat if you want to win this competition. So I can't see how their triumph can be considered anything other than deserved.
Bayern played the better football, as they did against Real and Manchester United. Moreover the disgusting gamesmanship of Canizares in particular showed that Valencia knew that they could not win honestly.
It was a fantastic final with the best defence of the competition playing. Bayern certainly deserved to win after a close look at their route to the final, embarrassing Manchester United and humiliating Real Madrid. I feel sorry for Mendieta but that's all part of it!
Certainly the final was tough with both Valencia and Bayern hoping to emerge as European champions. But unlike in 1999 when Bayern lost to Man Utd, this year they took every precaution knowing that being self-confident is not enough and that you also have to work hard. They did exactly that this year and won in the end. Bayern deserve the title.
Bayern clearly
deserve the title. However, I still think Man Utd are a better team, they just played poorly in this year's competition. If Bayern and Man Utd both played their best I think United would come out on top. However, Bayern beat the two best teams in Europe, Real Madrid and Man Utd.
Sean, UK
Do you really need to ask this question? Having beaten Manchester United, Real Madrid and Valenica I can only congratulate Bayern but hope it will be an English team that wins next season!
All in all, I thought this final was a big let down. The way Valencia played in the Champions' League this year, I thought they would win. I don't know why but Hector Cuper seemed to change his tactics to a more cautious approach in the final this year, as he did last year -he should have just let them play like they did against Leeds.
I do not believe Bayern were worthy champions. I think they had a lot of luck and Oliver Khan! They won`t get very far next time - as next year will be Manchester United's!
I think Bayern deserved to win. They had to win the cup after a quarter of century of failure. And the awesome Kahn helped them to see this dream come true.
Bayern are certainly not loved by most German football fans. Their mixture of ugly-effective play, coolness, arrogance and success seem unattractive to non-Bavarians. But their 1999 defeat by Man Utd in Barcelona changed many Bayern players. This time, they just desired victory more than their opponents. That's what football's about.
Bayern were worthy winners last night although it was unfortunate the competition had to end in the lottery of penalties. But the team that deserved the prize came out on top.
It was great to see such a wonderful final between two very powerful defensive sides. The turning point of the match was the second save by Oliver Kahn in the penalty shoot-out.
I would definitely rate Bayern Munich as the best team not only in Europe but the world. With their motivated captain in Steffen Effenberg and superb coach in Hitzfeld, Bayern will go a long way.
Hopefully this is just the beginning of a new era at the club.
Fred Webb, Russia
Although a fan of neither team, Valencia would not have been worthy winners as a result of their constant harassing of the referee to book Bayern's players at every opportunity. Canizares will also go down in the European finals hall of shame for his disgraceful gamesmanship. Last night was a victory for fair play.
Bayern dominated the opening half, had more possession and looked more imposing in attack. They also had a bit of luck in the shoot-out. For a side to beat Man Utd and Real Madrid and then Valencia, they truly deserve the Cup.
Do you really need to ask this question? Having beaten Manchester United, Real Madrid and Valenica I can only congratulate Bayern but hope it will be an English team that wins next season!
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