Old friends set for Paris reunion

FC Barcelona defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst was delighted at reaching the UEFA Champions League final at AC Milan's expense. With his old club Arsenal FC awaiting at the Stade de France on 17 May, the Dutch international is one of several players looking forward to taking on former team-mates.

'Amazing'
"Playing in the final is like a dream come true," the 31-year-old said, "especially against my former club, that makes it even more amazing." Van Bronckhorst left Highbury for the Camp Nou, initially on loan, in 2003 after a mixed two-season spell in England. A cruciate ligament injury and the coming of age of Ashley Cole both played a part in the €13.5m signing's troubles, but his fortunes changed at Barcelona.

Impressive start
Coach Frank Rijkaard was sufficiently impressed with the full-back's first term to award him a three-year contract and this season he has been ever-present in Barça's European adventure. The versatile Dutchman says there is no secret to his Spanish success other than good old-fashioned graft. "You have to work hard for success and the team worked very hard against Milan. In the end we were rewarded."

Unsung hero
Another player to gain reward for his efforts is French international Ludovic Giuly. One of the Blaugrana's unsung heroes, Giuly is often overlooked in favour of more illustrious team-mates such as Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Deco. Yet it was his goal that proved the difference against Milan, and if selected in Paris, the fleet-footed forward will be another encountering an erstwhile colleague.

French foes
Thierry Henry was at AS Monaco FC when Giuly arrived in the principality from Olympique Lyonnais in January 1998, and the compatriots are familiar with one other. "Arsenal are a great team with some great players, including French ones whom I know well," the 29-year-old said. "I think it will be a good, open final with great players and it's fabulous for all the Frenchmen who play for these teams."

Cesc good friends
The old boys' network does not end there. Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas came to London from Barcelona as a 16-year-old in September 2003. A lifelong Barça fan, who came through their youth system, he should know the opposition as well as anyone. Meanwhile, a second Camp Nou left-back, Sylvinho, will be on more than nodding terms with the Arsenal staff following his two seasons with the Gunners prior to transferring to RC Celta de Vigo in the 2001/02 campaign. The 32-year-old moved to the Catalan capital in 2004.

Mallorca team-mates
Another case of friends reunited will be Cameroonian international duo Eto'o and Lauren. Although the Arsenal full-back is out for the season through injury, he will doubtless exchange pleasantries with the striker with whom he shared the RCD Mallorca dressing-room during the 1999/00 season.

Cosmopolitan flavour
Nor will that be the only meeting of expatriates. Fredrik Ljungberg will renew acquaintances with Sweden team-mate Henrik Larsson, Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie will cross swords with fellow Dutchmen Van Bronckhorst and Mark van Bommel, while Highbury midfielder Gilberto faces Brazilian countrymen Ronaldinho, Edmílson and Thiago Motta. All in all, the UEFA Champions League showpiece will be a truly international affair, but for this most prestigious of finals, friendships will certainly have to be put on hold.