AC Milan vs Liverpool in the Champions League final is one of the most memorable Champions League finals in history and because of that the second occasion is one of the most forgotten editions of European football's showpiece event.
But not for Dirk Kuyt, who nearly missed the big game, in Athens.
You've no doubt read about the 2005 Champions League final a million times, and it's no wonder why because it truly is one of the most remarkable comebacks in a final, with a Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool coming back from a half time 3-0 deficit to level the match at 3-3, before finally
Steven Gerrard kissing the Champions League trophy, better than kissing the camera Stevie. Image: PA Images
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Two years later and the two teams met once again in the final, this time in the Olympic Stadium in Athens. This time the Italian side went 2-0 up and, despite a late goal from Dirk Kuyt, Filippo Inzaghi's strikes were the difference.
Jesus became very rich when Real Madrid broke the transfer record for Kaka. Image: PA Images
However Kuyt nearly missed the final because of a ridiculous injury. Talking to FourFourTwo the PSV forward revealed how teammate Peter Crouch nearly kept him out of that game.
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"I was happy that I was playing in that match at all, as before the final there had been an incident that almost prevented me from taking part. When we were in the training camp before the final, the squad went go-karting. I didn't join in, as I wanted to rest a small injury, but I went along to watch and picked a safe-looking spot to stand beside the track with Rafa.
"Out of nowhere, Peter Crouch drove straight at me at roughly 35 mph. He couldn't brake! The only thing I could do was to jump in the air, and in the end I just managed to jump over Peter, and he crashed into cardboard boxes behind me.
"I was within a whisker of having my ankles torn to pieces, and would surely have missed the Champions League final. It was incredible that I saw him just in time and could jump over him! Crouchy's face was as pale as death, he'd had some kind of blackout. Fortunately everything was alright."
It's a good job Crouchy was sat down because Kuyt can't even jump above his waist! Image: PA Images.
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The most incredible part of the story is that he managed to hurdle over Crouch's head. That's no mean feat!
Kuyt had a handy knack for scoring important goals for the Reds and famously scored the winning penalty in the heated semi-final against Chelsea earlier in the tournament that knocked Jose Mourinho's side out.
Remind me to never go go-karting with Peter Crouch!
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Peter Crouch, Football, Dirk Kuyt, AC Milan, Champions League, Liverpool FC