AWAKING WHITE GHOSTS!

It has just turned 8-30pm at Hampden Park on 15th May 2002 and Real Madrid's extravagantly talented Frenchman Zinidane Zidane has just produced a moment of genius that has awoken White ghosts. A sumptuous left-footed volley from the penalty area edge that soared high into the net leaving Bayern Leverkusen keeper Hans-Jorg Butt nothing to do but simply watch and curse.
Zizou's stance in preparing himself for Roberto Carlos' cross was ballet-like as he readied in arc-style position to fire a ferocious but beautifully aimed shot goalwards.
From the instance Zidane let fly glorious echoes of past deeds at this grand old stadium, the scene of Real Madrid's greatest night chilled the Glasgow air.
The White ghosts that flitted with such grace, pomp and style over the Hampden turf thirty year previous and forever immortalised in their epic 7-3 final win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Los Madrileno's. Di Stefano, Puskas and Gento. Wonderful names that have become ensconced into Scottish folklore are now joined by another. The imperious Zinidane Zidane.
Today's keepers of the flame are left in no doubt of the legacy they defend and men such as Raul, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos can more than hold a candle to their illustrious predecessors. But above all there is the Frenchman. Zidane's wonder strike has put Real Madrid 2-1 ahead and on course for a record ninth European cup title.
The love affair Real have enjoyed with this competition will surely continue to endure as a new generation of Madrileno strive for footballing perfection. Here tonight the bar has once more been raised and If '˜Zizou's' goal is ever bettered ,odds are it will be by someone wearing white.

Cfieldsoffire@aol.com