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It's gone midnight UK time, Sunday 20th May 2007. In just under 14 hours the biggest club game in English rugby union history will kick off. For the first time ever the European Cup Final will be fought between two English teams.
The first of the finalists are the most successful English team of the professional era, the Leicester Tigers. Before the 1996/97 season rugby union was (theoretically) an amateur game. Since the game went professional Leicester have won 5 of the 11 English Championships (including this years). They have also twice been European champions. This year they have also won the EDF Energy Cup, a competition involving the top 12 English teams and the top 4 from Wales. If Leicester win they will have achieved "the treble" winning all three major competitions open to an English professional rugby union side.
The other finalists are the second most successful English side of the professional era, my beloved Wasps. In the professional era Wasps have won the English title 4 times and were the 2004 European champions.
Wasps are clearly the under dogs this year. Leicester are back to their brilliant best. Many people are writing Wasps off. I think that is a foolish thing to do. Wasps were expected to be beaten in at least 2 of their English championship finals as well as their previous European cup final, yet they won.
I believe that Wasps can win tomorrow, I'm not sure that I believe they will win. Win or lose I shall be there, at Twickenham, shouting my loudest and willing them towards victory.
There is still 14 hours to go but I can already feel that mix of nerves, excitement and anticipation I always get before a big game.
COME ON YOU WAAASSSSSSPS!!!!
The first of the finalists are the most successful English team of the professional era, the Leicester Tigers. Before the 1996/97 season rugby union was (theoretically) an amateur game. Since the game went professional Leicester have won 5 of the 11 English Championships (including this years). They have also twice been European champions. This year they have also won the EDF Energy Cup, a competition involving the top 12 English teams and the top 4 from Wales. If Leicester win they will have achieved "the treble" winning all three major competitions open to an English professional rugby union side.
The other finalists are the second most successful English side of the professional era, my beloved Wasps. In the professional era Wasps have won the English title 4 times and were the 2004 European champions.
Wasps are clearly the under dogs this year. Leicester are back to their brilliant best. Many people are writing Wasps off. I think that is a foolish thing to do. Wasps were expected to be beaten in at least 2 of their English championship finals as well as their previous European cup final, yet they won.
I believe that Wasps can win tomorrow, I'm not sure that I believe they will win. Win or lose I shall be there, at Twickenham, shouting my loudest and willing them towards victory.
There is still 14 hours to go but I can already feel that mix of nerves, excitement and anticipation I always get before a big game.
COME ON YOU WAAASSSSSSPS!!!!
I saw that, on Sports Center! (American Cable). I semi-follow rugby, played alittle "club" rugby myself, tuff sport!
That was me this February with the Chicago Bears, lost $100.00(American)....stupid Bears!