Rome soon fell, but the eastern capital flourished for centuries. The magnificent Hagia Sophia (built in the 6th century; now a museum) still constantly reminds the people of the city's halcyon days. Crusaders in the early 13th century captured and ravaged the city; the Greeks vainly tried to take control after the World war I. Although the capital of Turkey was shifted to Ankara in 1923, Constantinople, named Istanbul in 1930 is still the heart of modern Turkey. Standing at a point where Europe meets Asia, it is a splendid blend of two different cultures. Another page to the history of Istanbul will be added on May 25th, as the city hosts the Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool FC.

And as if to keep up with the city's tradition of both glory and gloom the finalists have seen the highs and lows. Milan have won the European Cup six times. They won back-to-back Cups in 1989 and 1990. The nineties were a golden era with four Scudettos and the European Cup in 1994. Their last triumph came in 2003.

With 18 League titles and six F.A. Cups, Liverpool are a big force in English football. They became a major power in the sixties, under the guidance of Bill Shankly. But it was under his successor, Bob Paisley, that they became a superpower.

Three of Liverpool's four European titles came under his management (in 1977,78, and 81). Their last success was back in 1984. But it was in Europe that the first major tragedy involving the club's fans took place. The club lost the 1985 European Cup final to Juventus at Heysel, Belgium. Yet, the football on that night was overshadowed by the death of 39 people, mostly Italian supporters before the game as a result of violence between rival fans.

Milan were comfortable winners of Group F with 13 points from six games. In the next stage they ended Manchester United's challenge. The quarterfinal featured a mouth-watering tie between the Milan giants. Milan won the first leg against Inter 2-0. The second leg had to be abandoned with 19 minutes to go because of crowd trouble. The biggest scare came in the second leg of the semifinal, against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

Milan were leading 2-0 from the first tie. But PSV won 3-1 at home and Milan only went through on the away goals rule.

Liverpool had to come thorough the qualifying rounds. Little known Austrian team Graz AK gave them an early scare winning 1-0 at Anfield although Liverpool won over two legs (2-1). It was in the knockout stages, that the Reds found their form. After seeing off Germany's Bayer Leverkusen, they were pitted against Juventus in the quarterfinals.

For the first half an hour Liverpool played their best football of the season against Juve in the first leg. They were leading 2-0 but Juve got a vital away goal in the second half. The Liverpool defence held out in the second leg to gain a goalless draw and passage to the semis against Chelsea. They managed to contain the Blues. The only goal of the two legs came at Anfield.

Well, what about the final itself? Big finals often produce scrappy games. With too much at stake defence rather than attack seems to get the priority. Also, with the brilliant defensive record of both the sides, can't expect too many goals. The overall quality of Milan should help them prevail over the 90 minutes. But, then, not too many people gave Benitez's side much of a chance against Juventus.

Contributed by Rafiqul Ameer through email