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Journalism of Courage
AMSTERDAM, May 21: Real Madrid ended a 32-year wait to be crowned European Champions for the seventh time when they defeated Juventus 1-0 in a tough, uncompromising European Cup final here last night.
The only goal came after 67 minutes when Yugoslav striker Predrag Mijatovic took advantage of a momentary breakdown in the Juventus defence to make time and crack the ball home from an acute close-range angle.
Christian Panucci made the initial breakthrough, crossing for Roberto Carlos to shoot. The ball came off a Juve defender, before running loose to Mijatovic who rounded the last line of defence to score.
Juventus wasted a tremendous opportunity to equalise soon after when Dutchman Edgar Davids found himself with only goalkeeper Bodo Illgner to beat, but fired straight into his arms. That was Juventus best and last chance to rescue the tie and win the Cup for the second time in three years. Instead, they became the first club to lose two successive European Cup finals in the competition8217;s 43-yearhistory.
Real8217;s ecstasy knew no bounds at the final whistle, the players were besides themselves with joy, diving on the pitch and hugging each other in celebration. The victory should also end speculation that Real8217;s German coach Jupp Heynckes, who has faced mounting criticism after the club8217;s poor form in the league and run of 17 away matches without a win, will be leaving after only one season.
The performance was watched by Alfredo di Stefano 8212; kingpin of their glory days of 1950s, and all the 1966 winning team. And while their victory in a futuristic stadium only 18 months old had little in common with the innocence and attacking exuberance of their wins in their golden era of European domination, it was no less valid for that.
With Fernando Hierro dominating in the Real defence and effectively eliminating much of the influence of Juve8217;s French playmaker Zinedine Zidane.
CELEBRATIONS LEAVE BEHIND 170 INJURED
Clashes between Spanish Police and Real Madrid fans celebrating their team8217;svictory in the European Championship final last night have left 170 wounded, according to the medical services.
Included in this tally were two policeman suffering serious injuries following the riots at the Plaza de la Cibeles in the centre of the Spanish capital where 500,000 fans had gathered after Real Madrid8217;s 1-0 victory over Juventus in Amsterdam.
Trouble started when a small group tried to scale barriers to take the traditional bath in the fountain. Police fired rubber bullets after coming under attack from supporters throwing bottles and beer cans. Five people were taken into custody.
