So who does a self-respecting BundesBear support on such an occasion? Decisions, decisions. Had the game taken place a few weeks ago, my mind would have been quite clear. My affection for Porto goes all the way back to…um-er…last year's UEFA Cup Final. Obrigado again guys!!! And being a big admirer of how Jose Mourinho handled himself when Sir Greetin Face was going off the deep end in March, I have a big soft spot for those men in blue and white.
But two things changed my mind, first with Dado Prso having said some very nice things about Rangers, even before he'd put pen to paper for Big Eck, second the Monaco red and white shirts reminded me of former Cologne FC European glory .-. so two reasons I was hoping he'd do well. And when he was brought on I noticed the more than friendly reaction of the Monaco supporters. The positive rating was underlined by many French journos and punters I spoke to, they all were sorry to see him go.
Next to the footie it was interesting to see how the Monaco support reacted to Porto´s opening goal. Usually branded as posh, arrogant and a wee bit subdued, they really got behind their team. The blue and white corner always a little bit louder and with many more impressive organized banner displays, though.
Monaco looked the part for the early stages of the second half and it was good to see Prso putting himself about and always making himself available for the ball. But some iffy offside decisions broke up a couple of promising attacks and it has to be said that Dado had an infuriating tendency to get himself caught on the wrong side of the Porto defence's offside line. How do you pronounce Prso? Just say Mr Offside! And I was far from impressed when one attempt to fire the ball across the face of the goal ended up in the stand. Dare I say it was like a Bert Kontermann cross on a bad day? No more of those please, Dado.
As so often happens on such occasions, Monaco's failure to make their pressure count was punished big time. The longer the game went on, Porto looked more and more capable of breaking away and adding to their lead and late strikes from Deco and Alenitchev wrapped things up, although it gave a somewhat flattering look to the scoreline.
So just as they had done in Seville a year ago, Jose Mourinho's men were up on the podium for the silverware but, guess what, although the Monaco fans were undoubtedly very disappointed with the result, there was no bitter booing of the winners. Plus dozens of Porto supporters seated right inside the Monaco end celebrated without causing any unfriendly reaction.
Same can be said for the way home, both sets of supporters celebrating side by side. I wonder what award the Monaco fans will get for that. Over to you UEFA, you set a precedent last year when you added to the Mhanky Mhob's mythology so, having praised bad losers, how will you recognise sporting losers?
All in all, it was an excellent day. It was good to have my Rangers badge spotted by fellow Bears and some Chelsea Blues Brothers, - and the football was very enjoyable too. I'm looking forward to next year already. Istanbul here we come!!!