Chelsea FC won Maiden Champions League Title

English Giant Chelsea have for the first time won the Champions League, European soccer's premier club competition, as they disappointed German  Bayern Munich in the penalty shootout 4-3 after tying 1-1 in the 120 minutes of real play.

Didier Drogba may have played his last game for Chelsea and the 34-year-old from Ivory Coast put his stamp on the victory Saturday.
 Playing at home in Munich, Bayern dominated most part of play and looked like wrapping it up when they took a 1-0 lead with less than five minutes to go in normal time. Drogba turned it around, nodding home from an acute angle a corner kick by Mata to make it 1-1.

Chelsea Player showing their Happiness with cup

Then there was another twist in the drama. Fifteen minutes into the extra time, Drogba brought down Bayern's Franck Ribery in the box. As the Frenchman limped off the field, Arjen Robben's penalty kick was stopped by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

After a few skirmishes in the remaining period of overtime, it was time for shootout.

Bayern again forged ahead 3-1, but Chelsea again restored parity 3-3. The teams were ready with their final kicks. Bastian Schweinsteiger muffed, finding the post and in walked Drogba. Without any hint of nerves he coolly beat Manuel Neuer, giving Chelsea the title they failed to win in a similar shootout to Manchester United in 2008 in Moscow. 

Bayern Players looks Sad after Unexpected Defeat

"This was not about who won in the penalties," Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes told reporters after the game.

"This was about us not using our chances to win the game. It is purely our fault that we did not use our many chances. My team played an outstanding game against an opponent who played as we expected them to do," Heynckes, who coached Real Madrid to the title in 1998, was quoted as saying by Deutsche Welle

Frank lampard with Cup

For Bayern the defeat was particularly bitter as they not only squandered the rare chance to win a Champions League final on their home ground, but also because this was their last opportunity to make amends for what by their high standards had been a disappointing season. Not only have they failed to win the Bundesliga, but they also badly lost the German Cup final to Dortmund.

Chelsea's stand-in captain Frank Lampard hailed Drogba as the hero.

"We didn't play fantastic but the main man Didier dug us out of trouble there," said Lampard, who captained the side in the absence of the suspended John Terry.

"He's a hero. Without him we're not here. He scores the goals in the big games."

Drogba was no doubt the Man of the Match.

Man of the Match Drogba

Drogba ran to the side and threw himself onto the ground. Then, he held Cech in a long embrace, thanking the keeper for saving Chelsea's night.

"When we have this guy in goal you have to believe," said Drogba.

"It was written, I think, along time ago. I want to dedicate this cup to all the managers we've had before, all the players I've played with before...They (Chelsea players) never give up until the end. This team is amazing."

Drogba's contract expires this summer, but Lampard said he would love him to stay.

The result:

Bayern Munich 1 (Mueller 83), Chelsea 1 (Drogba 88)

After extra time, Chelsea won 4-3 on penalties.

Teams:

Chelsea: Petr Cech, Jose Bosingwa, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Salomon Kalou (Fernando Torres 84), John Obi Mikel, Juan Mata, Frank Lampard (Captain), Ryan Bertrand (Florent Malouda 73), Didier Drogba.

Coach: Roberto Di Matteo.

Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer, Philipplahm (Captain), Jerome Boateng, Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Diego Contento, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller (Daniel Van Buyten 87), Toni Kroos, Franck Ribery (Ivica Olic 97), Mario Gomez.

Coach: Jupp Heynckes.

Referee: Pedro Proenca (POR)