Hello Celebritys

Well, today is the day for the UEFA Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona. This is MUST SEE TV and I have been waiting weeks for this! It will be LIVE from Rome on ESPN at 1:45 central time.

If Manchester United defeats Barcelona they will become the first team since the Champions League began in 1992-93 to retain the European Cup. The last team to do so was AC Milan in 1989 and 1990. This is United's fourth European Cup final, and they won each of their three previous appearances in 1968, 1999 and 2008.

Barca has two European Cup titles to their name, and has been runner up twice. This will be Barcelona's fifth European Cup final. They won two of their previous appearances in 1992 and 2006, but lost in 1961 and 1994.

Man U will be missing Darren Fletcher due to suspension and could also be without Rio Ferdinand. Barcelona has their own issues also as they will be without the injured Rafael Marquez and suspended Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves. Barca is also sweating whether or not Thierry Henry will be ready to go. Henry has been sidelines since May 2^nd.

This should be an absolutely, fantastic soccer match. You have two of the most well known, highest supported teams in the world, fighting it out for the championship. Plus, you have two of the best players the world has ever seen play soccer in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Each team has already locked up their league, so there should be no holding back.

Quick Notes

- Wednesday's final, the 54th since the competition started in 1955-56, will be the last final played on a Wednesday. Starting with next season's final in Madrid, the culmination of the Champions League will be played on a Saturday.

- The 2009 final marks the fifth successive season that an English club has reached the final after Liverpool (winners 2005), Arsenal (runners-up 2006), Liverpool (runners-up 2007) and last season's all-England final between Manchester United (winners) and Chelsea (runners-up).

- This year marks the fourth time Rome's Stadio Olimpico has staged the European Cup final, after finals in 1977, 1984 and 1996.

- While still with Arsenal, Thierry Henry scored his first ever Champions League hat-trick in the Stadio Olimpico against Roma in November 2002.

If this wasn’t enough to get you prepared, then check out all the great links/previews below.

SoccerLens: Breaking down the Manchester United/Barcelona Champions League final

ESPN’s Man U/Barca Preview

Stadio Olimpico: A Storied Stadium

The Dream Final?

Champions League Fact Sheet

Stadio Olimpico in Rome