Euphoria. Complete and utter euphoria. Stina Blackstenius’s second-half goal stunned the three-time European champions Barcelona to deliver Arsenal’s second European title. On the final whistle it was red and white pandemonium as stunned Gunners seemed to not know what to do with themselves – hugs, tears, disbelief.
They started so brightly, playing with the freedom and joy that they had not afforded themselves until they had reached this final. There is nothing to lose once you pass that semi-final hurdle and everything to play for in a one-off game and a free-scoring Barcelona, who scored 128 goals in 30 league games this season, looked slightly shocked by the resistance they faced.
