Grant proud of Chelsea achievement

Chelsea FC manager Avram Grant said he was proud of his side after they lost a thrilling UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United FC on penalties.

'Dominated'
The two sides played out an eventful 1-1 draw and Chelsea had the chance to win the match in the penalty shoot-out only for captain John Terry to slip and skew his effort against the wrong side of the post. Two kicks later Edwin van der Sar saved from Nicolas Anelka and United were European champions for a third time. "It's very hard to lose on penalties," Grant said. "Other than the first 30 minutes we dominated the game. We hit the post, we hit the bar, we had many more shots than them, but we lost."

'Great captain'
Terry cleared off the line from Ryan Giggs in extra-time when the Welsh midfielder looked certain to score and Grant had words of praise for his captain's efforts throughout the season: "[Terry] didn't say anything. He was sad, he cried, but he is the main reason we are here. It was not a normal season for our team. Man United from the beginning were good, we had many problems. He was there whenever we needed him as a captain and he took responsibility even today to take the last penalty. It happens unfortunately, but he is a great captain and a great player and he was fantastic today. He was the reason why they had so few chances."

'Good things'
Grant replaced José Mourinho as Chelsea manager in September and though he has finished the season empty handed, he drew strength from how close his side came to catching United in the Premier League, as well as reaching the UEFA Champions League final for the first time. "I'm in my first year in English football and in the first year we have done so many good things and one of them is to be in the final," he said.

'Optimistic'
"I am very, very proud of what we did until now. I'm proud of the way we played the final, the spirit of the team was great the quality was good. Penalties are penalties. I think it was a terrific season. In the league we made a very good recovery and came close and this is the first time Chelsea have been in the Champions League [final] so I think we have done a good job this year. Unfortunately we lost the final but I think everybody at Chelsea can be optimistic about the team."

'Proud'
Grant also praised Sir Alex Ferguson after the United manager had joined a select band of coaches to win the trophy twice. "I want to congratulate him – he is a great manager," Grant said, before admitting it would take a long time to get the disappointment of defeat out of his system. "We don't have a game now so it will take a long time I think. One penalty can make the difference. I cannot say I am happy now and I don't think I will be happy in the next days, but on the other hand I am more than proud of what we have done and in the way we did it."