Lionel Rio Grande

Manchester United and Barcelona Clash for European Cup; Barca Brought it Home

Tens of thousands flocked to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico for Wednesday night’s clash between England’s Manchester United and Spain’s Barcelona Catalans. A UEFA Champion’s League victory is the most prestigious prize in European football, and both clubs were aching for it.

Only one team, however, would bring the title home, and it was not the favored English team.

Barcelona defeated United 2-0 on Wednesday with an uncommon headed goal from Lionel Messi. The Catalans first gained their lead in the tenth minute with a goal from Samuel Eto’o; they gained their second in the 70th from Messi. It was Messi’s 38th goal this year.

The Catalans entered the championships having defeated Chelsea – Manchester’s 2008 championship rivals – along with Bayern Munich and Lyon; United had routed Arsenal, Porto, and Inter Milan, winning the Premier League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the League Cup. Both teams had claimed their domestic leagues.

And more interestingly, both teams boasted world-class players – United’s world footballer of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s thrilling forward, Lionel Messi.

Manchester United, which had been considered one of the top football teams in the world, was looking to defend its title. The team had hoped to make history with two consecutive victories, the first time such a feat would have been accomplished since the institution of the modern league. The title would have been the team’s fourth overall.

Barcelona, however, not only had an equally impressive record, but brought a stronger game to Wednesday’s championship. The Spaniards had last claimed a European cup in 2006, but 2008-09 was a magical season for the Catalans. The team has garnered an impressive 153 league and cup goals this year, entering into the Champions League with the Spanish Cup and League already in hand. The win gave the team its third overall championship victory.

United had also played an incredible season, with an outstanding defense that should have posed a formidable obstacle to the Catalans. Park Ji-sung and Michael Carrick had been able to provide the athleticism and know-how that brought United a strong line of defense. In fact, prior to entering the championship, United had been able to limit the Premier League’s goals against them to just 24. The team used the same formation it used in the semifinals in the championship game, with Ryan Giggs replacing the suspended Darren Fletcher.

And yet, somehow, United’s defense stumbled. Sir Alex Ferguson pointed to “shoddy defending” in addition to Fletcher’s suspension as the causes. United hadn’t planned on allowing the early goal by Eto’o and the team was unable to recover.

“The first goal didn’t help,” Ferguson explained. “It gave them the opportunity to keep possession. We didn’t plan to lose a goal early and we didn’t deal with it well enough. That was the story. To lose a goal like that was a bad goal.”

United player Rio Ferdinand corroborates: “To play a team like Barcelona you need your A-game. We didn’t have it.”

“[W]e gave away two soft goals at crucial points in the game and didn’t put away the chances we had. In a Champions League final, if you do not play well, either as individuals or a collective unit, you do not deserve to win.”

Barcelona, on the other hand, played a superb game, easily outplaying their English rivals. After ten minutes of little success, the Catalans launched a first attack that gained them a goal and changed the dynamic of the game. The Spanish club was able to settle into its mesmerizing passing patterns, with Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez prowling for openings that Messi and Eto’o were able to seize upon. United offered little threat.

The victory was a triumph not only for Barcelona’s players, but for its new coach as well. This season was Pep Guardiola’s first as a head coach, and the European Cup made a grand finale in an already-incredible year.

“When I won as a player I was young and it was magnificent,” Guardiola said. “But now winning the treble at the first attempt is marvelous.”
About the Author

Cindy Ferguson is a high-ranking sports writer, currently writing reviews on European Football for the sports betting industry. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

LIONEL 6-9112 D&RGW RIO GRANDE COVERED LONG HOPPER $10.99

LIONEL BOX CAR # 9705 , RIO GRANDE 0-027 $14.50

LIONEL #24526/24527 RIO GRANDE PWC A-B F-3 $399.95

LIONEL 6-16206 Denver & Rio grande Box Car NIB $19.99

Lionel Classic 1 Series Model Rio Grande F3 Diesel $15.00

Lionel Rio Grande General Set 6-30168 $239.00

Lionel Postwar O Rio Grande Caboose #6657 Antique Train Railroad RR lot Vintage $32.01

Lionel # 6- 17880 LCCA Denver & Rio Grande Western Wood-sided Caboose BLT. 1990 $49.99

K-LINE by LIONEL – O GAUGE RIO GRANDE DRGW RAILROAD BOXCAR WITH BOX 6-21365 $11.75

Lionel 17617 Denver & Rio Grande Standard O Coboose NIB $29.50

LIONEL D&RGW RIO GRANDE BOXCAR up d&rgw box car train O GAUGE 6-30128-B $9.60

LIONEL DENVER RIO GRANDE, RG BOX 6-9706 D & RGW CLEAN WITH BOX $21.99

Lionel 18107 Denver & Rio Grande PA-1 A-B-A Set $565.00

VINTAGE ~LIONEL TRAIN 9077 CABOOSE “RIO GRANDE”-O SCALE, MINT CONDITION $5.95

NEW LIONEL 6-34545 Rio Grande F3 LEGACY RailSounds B-Unit $269.99

NEW LIONEL 6-14559 Denver & Rio Grande F-3 A units $699.99

Lionel Rio Grande Ski Train Streamline Baggage Car 6-35203 $59.95

Lionel – Rio Grande $249.99

Lionel Denver & Rio Grande PA-1 ABA $400.00

LIONEL POSTWAR TRAIN 222 ‘RIO GRANDE’ ALCO EXCELLENT ORIGINAL CONDITION $68.00

LIONEL #24528 PWC RIO GRANDE F-3 DUMMY A UNIT $199.95

Lionel Denver & Rio Grande Waffle-Side Boxcar $10.00

Lionel #17008 Denver & Rio Grande Stnd O 2 Bay Hopper $49.95

Lionel/AHM HO Rio Grande Lines Operating Crane Car $9.99

Lionel 8464 Rio Grande F-3 Powered A Unit w/Original Box $79.99

Lionel 8465 Rio Grande F-3 Dummy Non-Powered A Unit w/Original Box $54.99

Lionel 8474 Rio Grande F-3 Dummy Non-Powered B Unit $49.99

Lionel RIO GRANDE TENDER sound ~ fits WOOD TRAIN TRACK $17.99

Lionel Rio Grande Animated Caboose 6-36814 $75.99

Lionel 9077 Rio Grande Caboose O-Gauge $9.99

LIONEL 52118 TCA RIO GRANDE BOX CAR NIB $36.99

Lionel original Rio Grande 8459 shell. $49.99

Lionel 9077 Rio Grande Caboose O-Gauge $9.99

Lionel 6-8464 Rio Grande F-3 “A” diesel $150.00

Lionel O Scale 8602 Steam Locomotive with Rio Grande Tender Mt. Clemens MI. $49.99

Lionel #27434 Rio Grande PS2CD Hopper Standard O $79.95

Lionel 8464/8465 Rio Grande F-3 AA NR $11.50

Lionel 8474 Rio Grande F-3 B NR $15.50

1974-75 Lionel Rio Grande F-3 “A” Diesel 6-8464 & 6-8465 SET! NEW! $249.99

LIONEL 221 RIO GRANDE Alco Diesel Locomotive – EXC $105.00

LIONEL 18107 DENVER & RIO GRANDE PA-1 ABA ALCO DIESEL SET & OB, ORIGINAL $295.00

NEW Lionel #28377 Rio Grande UP Heritage LEGACY SD70ACe #1870 $499.99

LIONEL #6-17008 DENVER RIO GRANDE STD.O 2-BAY HOPPER LNIB DIE-CAST SPRUNG TRUCKS $17.99

Lionel Parts: Snowplow for the 53 Denver and Rio Grand Switcher Ex++ $8.50

Lionel RIO GRANDE Tender Fits wood track Battery operated** $9.99

Lionel 17008 Rio Grande D&RG Standard O 2bay Grey Covered Hopper DieCastTrksCplr $59.99

LIONEL TRAINS RARE DENVER & RIO GRANDE SD-50 ENGINE DUAL MOTOR LOCOMOTIVE BOXED $142.50

LIONEL 31727 RIO GRANDE PWC FREIGHT W/ 24528 ADD-ON A . $795.00

LIONEL-DENVER & RIO GRANDE WAFFLE-SIDED BOXCAR MINT $11.99

Lionel Rio Grande 7 Car Lot for Wooden Track Retired! $9.99

nib LIONEL RIO GRANDE set~batt. operated~fit WOOD TRACK $53.99

Lionel 9406 Denver & Rio Grande West Box Car $29.95

Lionel 6-18221 Rio Grande SD50 Railsounds II TMCC Directional Lighting LN/OB $289.00

HO Scale Lionel Denver & Rio Grande Western Cattle Car $20.00

HO Scale Lionel Denver & Rio Grande Gondola with a Gravel Load $20.00

American Flyer S Rio Grande 4-6-6-4 Challenger 6-48085 D&RGW Legacy by Lionel $999.99

Lionel #17617 Denver & Rio Grande Standard O Caboose $64.95

Lionel 6-30168 Lionel Rio Grande General Set with Sounds. $239.95

Lionel Denver & Rio Grande Std O Caboose 6-17617 NIB $45.00

LIONEL 6-8474 RIO GRANDE F3 DUMMY B UNIT….CLEAN $94.00

LIONEL RIO GRANDE BATTERY OPER. MOTORIZED TRAIN ENGINE + CAR Learning Curve $15.95

Lionel O Gauge Yellow and Silver Rio Grande 6464650 Box Car $10.00

Lionel Rio Grande Snow Plow 53 $25.00

Lionel 9044 Rio GRande Box Car L@@K $7.99

LIONEL RIO GRANDE NO. 53 SNOWPLOW POST WAR…NICE! $26.00

Original Lionel postwar 53 RIO GRANDE SNOW PLOW Unit w/original blade $69.00

LIONEL 35214 RIO GRANDE SKI TRAIN ADD-ON DINER PASSENGER CAR O GAUGE WINTER PARK $27.99

Lionel – Denver and Rio Grande 1990 LCCA Western loco and tender mob $235.00

NIB! – Lionel 6-17617 – Denver & Rio Grande Standard Caboose – NIB! $39.95

NIB!!! – LIONEL 6-15000 DENVER & RIO GRANDE WAFFLE-SIDE BOXCAR – NIB!!! $14.95

New Lionel Rio Grande Rotary Snow PWC RPRODUCTION OF #58 NEW # 6-8459 $99.00

1974 Lionel 6-9739 Rio Grande D&RGW Box Car B3901L $37.00

LIONEL 6-24500 DENVER AND RIO GRANDE ALCO PA AA DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE SET $400.00

LIONEL POSTWAR 53 RIO GRANDE MOTORIZED SNOW PLOW $225.00

LIONEL DENVER & RIO GRANDE WAFFLE SIDE BOXCAR MIB $29.95

Lionel Denver Rio Grande 2-Bay Hopper 6-17008 $50.00

LIONEL RIO GRANDE train ONLY~batt.oper.~fits WOOD TRACK $26.99

LIONEL POST WAR EMPTY BOX FOR no. 2379P DENVER & RIO GRANDE F-3 LOCO $595.00

Lionel Denver And Rio Grande “G” Scale Old Time Wood Sided Gondola!!! $49.99

Lionel 27477 Rio Grande Hopper $64.99

Lionel 6-17187 Rio Grande ACF 4-Bay ACF Hopper New $45.00

lionel postwar # 53 rio grande snow plow with the reversed A $179.95

LIONEL RIO GRANDE 40′ BOX CAR NEW IN BOX $34.99

LIONEL RIO GRANDE GENERAL ENGINE & TENDER TRAIN SOUNDS LOCOMOTIVE 6-30168 $150.00

LIONEL OPERATING RIO GRANDE 4 HORSE CAR 37037 MINT $49.00

LIONEL#6-18458 PWC RIO GRANDE #53 SNOWPLOW TMCC NIB $199.99

LIONEL 6-1450 RIO GRANDE SERVICE STATION F3 ABA DIESEL FRIEGHT SET W/OB $275.00

Lionel O Rio Grande FT Diesel Non-Powered Loco 38216 $119.99

NEW Lionel RIO GRANDE Boxcar 6-29268 D&RG $39.99

Lionel O Rio Grande FT Diesel B-Unit Non-Powered 38214 $119.99

Lionel New 6-36846 Rio Grande coal dump car $58.00

NEW! Lionel Rio Grande General Set 6-30168 NIB $284.99

Vintage HO Lionel Rio Grande snowplow unit 0560 with plow $117.50

LIONEL 6-18107 DENVER & RIO GRANDE PA-1 ABA ALCO DIESEL SET W/ RAILSOUNDS NIB $429.99

LIONEL DENVER & RIO GRANDE SD-50 COMMAND CONTROL $225.00

Lot of 5 Lionel Train Cars & Engine 8500, Rio Grande Tender, 6456, 6357, 6462 $9.99

Lionel 221 Rio Grande Powered Alco Diesel Engine $44.99

Lionel 6-18090 Denver & Rio Grande 4-6-2 Steam Locomotive (LCCA) EX+/Box $11.50

Lionel 6-29268 Rio Grand Box Car 1999 NIB $49.99

lionel # 6-35205 rio grande ski train coach car $59.99

Bachmann Trains Durango and Silverton – Freight Ready-to-Run Large Scale Train Set $224.35 After founding the town of Durango, Colorado in 1880, then Denver and Rio Grande Railway began construction of a rail line the following year that connected their new community to nearby Silverton. Designed primarily to haul gold and silver from the San Juan Mountains, it is estimated that more than $300 million in precious metals have traveled the line throughout its history.Features include: &bu…

Lionel Rio Grande Train Set $243.00 Lionel Trains Rio Grande General Set. This Rio Grande train is known to thunder across some mighty harsh terrain out west. Led by a 4-4-0 American-type locomotive, the Lionel Rio Grande General Set includes both passenger and freight cars, typical of trains in the 1800s. Features: Transformer controller forward, neutral, and reverse operation TrainSounds sound system in tender with steam chuffing,…

Williams by Bachmann Trains – Up Heritage – Rio Grande Locomotive $185.99 Union Pacific SD-90 Missouri Pacific heritage series diesel locomotive.Features include: •Union Pacific SD-90 diesel locomotive – Numbered and decorated to honor the year this railroad became part of the Union Pacific system•Features: 6 wheel power trucks with traction tires, dual motors, flywheel coasting action, all metal gears•True Blast II digital horn and bell, dual headlights…

The Authentic Lionel Engineer Hat and Whistle For workin on the railroad, an authentic engineers hat and whistle by Lionel Trains. Child size hat adjusts for a good fit. Qualitycrafted multi-tone whistle made of wood. For ages 4+…

Brief history of both banks of the Rio Grande and the San Antonio rivers: 450 years of history and genealogy of the ascendants and descendants of Mucio Garza and Romana Barrera …