D is for ...

As uefa.com Action's A to Z countdown to the UEFA Champions League final on 25 May continues, it is time for some memorable Ds.

Didier Deschamps knows all about drama and despair in the Champions League. A winner with Olympique de Marseille and Juventus FC in 1992/93 and 1995/96, the player unflatteringly dubbed the 'water carrier', also experienced defeat in the showpiece of Europe's premier club competition with Juve in 1996/97 and 1997/98.

His first taste of coaching in the European Cup was certainly a rollercoaster ride, as he guided the Monaco past RC Deportivo La Coruña, PSV Eindhoven and AEK Athens FC in least season's group stage before edging out FC Lokomotiv Moskva and Chelsea FC en route to the final, where Monaco lost 3-0 against FC Porto.

Deschamps remains philosophical and knows that his Champions League experience can only help his team in the future. "The advantage I have as a manager is to have so much experience as a player," he said. "So I am able to know what my players feel on the pitch, because I have been lucky enough to play Champions League finals, a [FIFA] World Cup and some [UEFA] European Championships."

Second only to goalscoring on every football spectators' wish list, the art of dribbling has been attempted by many, but only truly mastered by an élite few. This season's Champions League has once again brought Europe's finest dribblers to the fore, and their exhibitions of individual skill have been one of the highlights of another magnificent tournament.

Seasoned European Cup veterans like Manchester United FC's Ryan Giggs and Real Madrid CF's Zinedine Zidane have continued to impress, but a new breed of talent is now emerging and they are saving their very best for the biggest European club stage of all.

FC Barcelona's Ronaldinho, AC Milan's Kaká, United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Chelsea's Arjen Robben and Panathinaikos FC's Ezequiel González have all made an impact while FC Internazionale Milano striker Adriano's incredible reverse nutmeg against Valencia CF's David Navarro looks likely to be remembered as the best piece of individual skill from this season's Champions League.

D is also for delegates. They are among the unsung heroes when the spotlight falls on the Champions League final for one night every year. Making sure that the final reaches those who want to see it, hear it, or read about it takes months of planning.

UEFA media officer Frits Ahlstrøm explained: "Based on experience, the TV audience worldwide will be about 200m - 100 channels or TV stations will take the signal. Of those, approximately 80 will show it live. I only hope that we will have two teams, promoting the game in the best possible way."