Caught the entirety of today's Champions League climax ... a rarity for me this season, getting to watch a complete match. The finale pitted this season's most consistent performers in the competition in a high profile encounter at Paris's Stade de France. Former European underachievers Arsenal, who despite winning a multitude of trophies in England have failed to make their mark in Europe, reached the final on a defensive high, having not conceded a goal in their last 900 minutes of Champions League play. Meanwhile the free-flowing attack of Barcelona, spearheaded by two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho, has catapulted the Catalans into the role of favorite this year. An epic matchup. On paper, at any rate. As usual, nerves and fear of losing stifled the beautiful game in a cup final. But that doesn't mean there wasn't anything to talk about. Quite the opposite.

The match opened brightly, with Arsenal focal point and all-world striker Thierry Henry forcing Barça keeper Victor Valdes into two brilliant saves, the first at point blank range when one-on-one with the keeper. On 18 minutes, the match was indelibly altered. Ronaldinho sprung Samuel Eto'o from the offside trap, leaving the deadly Cameroonian forward with only Gunners keeper Jens Lehmann to beat. He played the situation brilliantly, flicking the ball around a diving Lehmann at the top of the box. The big German keeper, beaten and flat on the ground, reached out and grabbed the passing Eto'o's ankle, bringing him down. The ball rolled to a free Ludovic Giuly, who slotted into the empty net. However the Norwegian ref had already blown for the foul, much to Barcelona's dismay as playing the advantage was in order and would've given the Catalans a 1-nil lead. The ref had no choice but to send off Lehmann for a foul by the last defender, leaving Arsenal to play 10 on 11 for the last 72 minutes. Arsenal were forced to take off prolific midfielder Robert Pires to bring on substitute keeper Manuel Almunia, ending both Lehmann and Pires's Champions League final dreams. Ronaldinho failed to convert the ensuing free kick, so Arsenal was down a man but level on the score sheet. Barça decided to use their man advantage to build their attack patiently, controlling the ball and probing for an opening. Arsenal reverted to playing defense and launching the occasional counterattack.

Eight minutes before the half Emmanuel Eboue won a very soft free kick for Arsenal after a phantom push by defender Carles Puyol. Thierry Henry crossed the free kick into the box, where Presas Oleguer had lost his mark Sol Campbell. Campbell headed the cross into the corner of Valdes's goal, giving undermanned Arsenal a 1-nil lead. Barcelona looked shellshocked, but didn't alter their patient approach. Eto'o executed a brilliant turn on Sol Campbell just before the half, but his fierce shot was diverted just enough by Almunia to bounce off the post out of play. The substitute keeper was looking stable in between the sticks, repelling what attacks Barcelona could muster.

By midway through the second half, the Spanish side looked reduced to a mid-table English team, showing little invention and squandering their overwhelming advantage in possession. Arsenal had several chances to get a killer second goal, but the usually lethal Thierry Henry wasted two one-on-one chances. He looked totally exhausted, operating the Arsenal attack by himself while the rest of the team retreated into defense. He was involved in an ongoing discussion with manager Arsene Wenger, apparently requesting that he take off the mostly ineffective Alexander Hleb and bring on Jose Antonio Reyes to assist him in the attack. Wenger didn't agree, and left Henry increasingly frustrated. And after 76 minutes and another weakly taken chance for Thierry Henry to put the game out of reach, Barça's vaunted attack found another gear, provided by substitute Henrik Larsson. Another probing Eto'o run was found, allowing the Cameroonian to slot home past Almunia from a tight angle. Arsenal claimed offside, but to my eye Eto'o was level with last defender when Larsson flicked the ball on.

The equalizer gave Barcelona new life and invigorated their game. Conversely, Arsenal suddenly looked completely exhausted. Playing against an extra man for so long had taken its toll, and apparently only the knowledge that they were protecting a lead was keeping them going. Four minutes later, the game was decided. Henrik Larsson again played provider, supplying substitute Juliano Belleti with a ball down the right, which he lashed at goal from an extremely tight angle. The previously competent Almunia was in the way of the shot, which was destined to fly wide. However, it careened off the inside of his far leg into the back of the net. 2-1 Barça. The last ten minutes were a study in possession football as the Spaniards effortlessly passed the ball around, while Arsenal were too tired and too broken to regain possession and search for a goal to force extra time.

Now that i've gotten my sports writing fix out of my system, my personal thoughts. Arsenal are now bemoaning the refs, with Thierry Henry claiming he was fouled constantly and that Eto'o was offside for the equalizing goal. A load of sour grapes. They can't argue Lehmann's sending off, that was a textbook red card. So they'll go with more intangible gripes. Thierry Henry can't complain, he missed a couple of sitters that would've sealed the title. Granted he had no support and was exhausted, but that's not the fault of the refs.

As i said when they beat Chelsea, Barcelona were the better team. A worthy European champion, even if this wasn't their most convincing performance. Ronaldinho was especially unimpressive, failing to conjure the magic for which he's become famous. Substitute Henrik Larsson deserved to be man of the match for setting up both goals and reversing Barcelona's fortunes, but the honor went to Samuel Eto'o who was a constant menace on Barça's front line.

In World Cup buildup, Matthew and i have been discussing England's chances over the last few days. Matthew contends that England are much stronger than four years ago, with the emergence of Chelsea boys Frank Lampard and John Terry as well as inspirational Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard. Which is absolutely true ... no scrubs like Danny Mills in the squad this year. However, i'm eyeing the loss of Wayne Rooney as a potentially fatal blow. Even with this talented squad, England failed to impress in qualifying. About the only consistent positive was Rooney's omnipresence and effectiveness in the attack, and now that's out the window. Their midfield is brilliant on paper, but has not truly gelled in competition. The bottom line is if they couldn't beat Northern Ireland with their full strength squad, what's going to happen without Rooney against Brazil, Argentina, or Italy? I'm also not at all sold on the bright side of hearing "starting at striker, Peter Crouch". Eek. Michael Owen has passed fitness for the Cup, but England remains dangerously thin at forward.

In other, less credible sporting news, it's TV sweeps time which means assorted reality shows are reaching their climaxes. Tonight winners were revealed on America's Next Top Model and the Amazing Race, and the American Idol field was narrowed to the final two. Facing an evening of reality TV, i buckled and followed a tip from my aunt. While Veronica caught an early evening nap, i logged on to a few message boards and got the night's results from east coast posters. The outcomes were generally favorable to my sense of justice ... the self-obsessed Jade got the early boot on Top Model, and the hippies beat the frat boys at their own game of trickery to win the Amazing Race. I mostly like the latter show, although some of the contestants have bizarre ways to rationalize screwing over their fellow racers while whining when they get the same treatment (eg, Mojo and the frat boys).

Only six days until the R01 must be finalized and submitting to Stanford research management for subsequent submission to the NIH by June 1. Which means six days of further slaving to work out every little twist and detail. I'm happy with how it's shaping up, and will be even happier when i regain some semblance of freedom.