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12 Years Ago Today, John Terry Slipped In The Champions League Final

12 Years Ago Today, John Terry Slipped In The Champions League Final

Oops.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Can you believe it's a whopping 12 years since John Terry slipped on his backside and missed 'that' game-winning penalty against Manchester United?

Terry, pushing up his captain's armband as he walked towards the penalty spot, had the chance to provide Chelsea with a historic Champions League final victory in Moscow.

But the wet surface meant that Mr. Chelsea himself miscued his shot in one of the most infamous moments in European football history.

If you can't quite remember the incident, don't worry. Here's a clip to jog your memory:

Plenty has happened since but Terry will forever be haunted by the goalkeeper who stared him right between the eyes on that famous night in Moscow.

All those years after he watched history unfold, former United keeper Edwin van der Sar revealed his thoughts before, during and after the dramatic 2008 CL Final shoot-out, giving a brilliant insight into his methods.

Including the secret behind his game-winning penalty.

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

In an interview with FourFourTwo, the 46-year-old said he studied around 40 of Frank Lampard's penalties before the game.

Van der Sar also notes how former Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka always aimed his spot kicks to the goalkeeper's right, knowing that despite the fact Chelsea had done their homework, the Frenchman would eventually go with his favoured side.

"I remember studying a lot of Chelsea's penalties on DVD before the match." van der Sar said.

"So, for example, I think I probably analysed about 40 that Frank Lampard had taken in the past. I had made plenty of notes and noticed that Nicolas Anelka would almost always take his penalties to the goalkeeper's right."

"I analysed about 40 that Frank Lampard had taken. I made plenty of notes and noticed Anelka would almost always take his to the keeper's right.'

"Later on, I heard that Chelsea had also done their homework on me and learned that I usually dived to my right. So I think their players were told to shoot to my left, which most of them did [they all did, bar Anelka]. I'd anticipated Anelka would shoot to the other side, and thankfully that is what happened."

He continued: "After I had pushed away Anelka's penalty, I feel like I was separated from the world for a couple of seconds.'

I don't think I'll ever experience a more ecstatic moment than when I realised we'd just won the Champions League final and noticed all my team-mates running towards me. It was the highlight of my whole career.'

Can you remember the moment?

Let us know your memories in the comments.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: John Terry, Football News, Chelsea, Football, Manchester United, Champions League