Thursday, April 29, 2010

Massimo Busacca, Frank De Bleeckere Reach Champions League Final

De Bleeckere, or possibly Busacca


Swiss referee Massimo Busacca will meet Belgian referee Frank De Bleeckere in the UEFA Champions League Final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, on 22 May.

Busacca advanced after defeating Bayern Munich and Lyon, while in a clinical display, Belgian veteran De Bleeckere dispatched Barcelona and Inter Milan.

"We lost to the more powerful opponent," Inter manager Jose Mourinho said. "What can you do? My players tried, but always, De Bleeckere was there."

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola could only agree. "Jose and I discussed it, and I said to him, 'If he (De Bleeckere) needlessly sends off one of your players, surely he will disallow a goal by one of mine.' And that's what happened."

Busacca's performance was less showy but just as effective, as he demoralized players from both teams and efficiently silenced the fans at Lyon's Stade de Gerlande.

Oddsmakers have made De Bleeckere and early favorite.

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