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'When you win it is happy days'

Published: Thursday 18 May 2006, 0.02CET
Giovanni van Bronckhorst was still coming to terms with FC Barcelona's triumph as he spoke to uefa.com about a "very close final with some strange moments".
by Adrian Harte
from Stade de France

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Published: Thursday 18 May 2006, 0.02CET

'When you win it is happy days'

Giovanni van Bronckhorst was still coming to terms with FC Barcelona's triumph as he spoke to uefa.com about a "very close final with some strange moments".

Former Arsenal FC player Giovanni van Bronckhorst got one over his old side as FC Barcelona came from behind to defeat the Gunners for the club's second European Champion Clubs' Cup triumph.

Barça delight
The attacking full-back has excelled at the Camp Nou after a disappointing spell at Highbury. But the Dutch international was only thinking of his current employers as he spoke to uefa.com after the match. He said: "I am very delighted with the win, for the team and everyone involved with Barcelona. It was a great final for us. It was a very close final with some strange moments. But in the end, when you win it is happy days."

Keeper praise
Yet Van Bronckhorst admitted he was getting concerned as time began to run out for the Spanish champions, trailing to Arsenal's first-half goal. "Yes, with 15 minutes to go you start thinking ... With the 1-0 you keep pressing forward, and they had chances on the counterattack to make it 2-0, but I think our goalkeeper did great. The turning point was the equaliser. I think, mentally for them, it was a big blow and it changed the game."

Greatest moment
The 31-year-old, a regular visitor to the uefa.com chatroom, was looking forward to basking in glory. "Yes, it is the greatest moment of my career. Winning the Champions League is fantastic. I am happy now, but I only think I will realise later what I have achieved tonight."

Last updated: 18/05/06 15.46CET

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