By Tonte Davies
The Real La Décima
It was another crunch weekend for the UEFA Champions League: the final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal. For a final which averaged over 150 million global viewers last year, according to SB Nation, you’ll understand the importance of this year’s edition. For the tenth time, Real Madrid clinched the European Cup much to the agony of local city rivals Atletico Madrid who were playing in a final for the first time since 1974. “The 4-1 scoreline was the second biggest win in a UEFA Champions League final after AC Milan’s 4-0 win victory over FC Barcelona,” according to UEFA.
A 36 minutes goal by Diego Godin appeared to do damage to Real Madrid’s La Décima dream. Los Merengues last won the title in 2002 which had the likes of Zinedine Zidane in their fold. The fortune however, was reversed for Real Madrid by Sergio Ramos’ header from a Luka Modrić corner in added time. Extra-time goals by Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo ensured Los Blaugrana held tight to the trophy a record tenth time.
“On my first day, when I went to the Santiago Bernabéu trophy room, I said to the president that there was one cup missing and that we should try to get it this season. We’ve managed to do that,” Carlo Ancelotti said on UEFA’s website. Carlo Ancelotti is the most decorated coach and player to win the finals medal a record five times. Ancelotti is not the only one breaking records; Cristiano Ronaldo broke a record tally of goals in a single European Cup campaign, scoring 17 goals.
Nico’s Grand Monaco Win
Though Nico Rosberg won at Monte Carlo in Monaco on Sunday he is still not on talking terms with Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. Tension brewed between the two World Championship contenders after Rosberg failed to make the Mirabeau turn driving into an escape road, in the final lap of qualifying on Saturday. Rosberg’s action led to yellow caution flags resulting in Hamilton aborting his attempt to take pole position. Incidentally, Rosberg was exonerated by investigating stewards led by a veteran Derek Warwick of 146 grands prix.
Regardless of the frosty nature of their relationship, Rosberg was able to channel his focus on the main race. Ending after 78 laps, Nico was 9.2 seconds ahead after a brave and persistent challenge from Hamilton faded after 65 laps. It is reported Lewis Hamilton lost out while trying to “fish” out dirt from his left eye in slow corners. Rosberg regained the world championship lead by four points ahead of Hamilton making Monaco his [Rosberg] second win of the season.
Return of the ‘Mac’
Described as a week of “hell” after calling quits with his tennis star fiancée Caroline Wozniacki, Rory Mcilroy appears to have bounced back. In an attempt to put events of the past week behind him, the young Irishman probably in a manner of ruse, came back to win BMW PGA’s Classic on Sunday. Mcilroy’s win shoots him up the world ranking table from tenth position to sixth. This development may be interpreted by some section of golf and media analysts that Miss Wozniacki was [probably]a distraction to the 25 year old. The current world number six was due to marry his ex-fiancée in November this year but ended the relationship just after invitations were sent out. Mcilroy is quoted as saying: he “is not ready for marriage.”