Soccer: First the World Cup final, now the Champions League showpiece – Arjen Robben proves that he is a big-game choker - by Stefan Coerts

Very few will disagree with the notion that Arjen Robben has been one of the world's best attackers over the past half-decade. The Dutchman has won league titles with PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, while lifting several more trophies at club level.

Additionally, the former Groningen star has been capped 54 times by the Netherlands, and at the age of 28 has already featured at two European Championships and two World Cups.

However, the fleet-footed winger has not enjoyed much luck on the biggest stage. Robben has lost the last four finals he has played in: Inter proved too strong for Bayern in the 2010 Champions League final, Spain beat Netherlands at the 2010 World Cup, Borussia Dortmund defeated FCB in this year's DFB Pokal final, and Chelsea emerged victorious in this season's final of European club football's elite tournament.

The Oranje international has, unfortunately, played a key role in a number of these big-game failures, and the outcome could often have been very different had Robben been more decisive at the critical moments. This has led to the ex-Real Madrid star being labelled by some as a big-game choker. 

For more: First the World Cup final, now the Champions League showpiece – Arjen Robben proves that he is a big-game choker - Goal.com

Chelsea Beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on Penalties, Win the UEFA Champions League

Roman Abramovich’s $2.86 billion ambition has been fulfilled. Chelsea have won the Champions League. They walked the most tenuous of tightropes, but they  beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 in regulation. This was perhaps the worst and the ugliest team of the Abramovich era, but, ultimately, it was the most successful.

Bayern dominated the match statistically. They did not hold as much possession as expected, just 56 percent, but they outshot Chelsea 43-9. Bayern had 20 corner kicks to Chelsea’s one. Chelsea scored on that one. It was just that sort of night.

The real loser here may be Tottenham. The fourth place finisher in the EPL will not take the final Champions League place (Chelsea get one automatically). With financial fair play going into effect next season, the lost funds could cripple their ability to compete at that level in future years (and help Chelsea).

Chelsea Beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on Penalties, Win the UEFA Champions League | The Big Lead

European Soccer Championship: Bayern Munich vs Chelsea - by Cheyenne Hollis

The one thing Chelsea do have in its favor is the fact the team have flourished in Europe, especially under Di Matteo. The Blues have tripped over every hurdle in the Premier League this season but look a different class in the Champions League since that dreadful February night in Naples.

Everyone at Chelsea knows the final will define their legacy at the club and shape the future of the Blues.

Chelsea can overcome Bayern Munich in the final, however, the team is going to need to improve.

Read more: Bayern Munich vs Chelsea: 4 Things Blues Must Improve for Champions League Final | Bleacher Report

Britain - Soccer: John Terry barred from lifting European Cup if Chelsea win final UEFA European Cup - by Dominic Fifield

John Terry is set to be denied the opportunity to lift the European Cup should Chelsea triumph in Munich next month because Uefa is reluctant to permit a suspended player from joining in the post-match presentation ceremony on the pitch.

The England defender was dismissed for violent conduct 37 minutes into Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Barcelona after kneeing Alexis Sánchez in the back of his legs. Uefa's control and disciplinary body will decide the length of the ban when it meets on 31 May but the offense carries a minimum one-match sanction, meaning the 31-year-old will miss the final against Bayern Munich in their Allianz Arena on 19 May. The governing body has the power to extend the punishment into next season.

Although Chelsea expect Terry to attend the game in Germany, he will not be permitted to sit on the bench and will have to watch from the stands, just as Paul Scholes and Roy Keane did with Manchester United in 1999 when the midfielders were serving one-match bans. The vice-captain, Frank Lampard, if available and selected, will lead out the team in Terry's absence in Germany and Uefa expects the winning side's captain on the night to mount the podium and accept the trophy. Any proposed change to that arrangement would have to be sanctioned by the governing body's disciplinary committee, but Chelsea are currently relaxed on the issue.

For more: John Terry barred from lifting European Cup if Chelsea win final | Football | The Guardian

UEFA Champions League Soccer: Bayern Munich to play Chelsea in Champions League final

Bayern Munich reached the Champions League final beating nine-time champions Real Madrid 3-1 on penalties after the two-legged match finished 3-3 on aggregate.

Bastian Schweinsteiger slotted home the winning penalty in a thrilling shootout which saw Bayern lead 2-0 at one point after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka missed theirs for Real.

However, Toni Kroos and captain Philippo Lahm then missed theirs with Xabi Alonso getting one back for Real but Sergio Ramos blasted his effort high into the stands and Schweinsteiger made no mistake.

EU-Digest

Soccer: European Champions League: Gomez's late goal leads Bayern past Real 2-1

Mario Gomez scored in the 90th minute Tuesday to give Bayern Munich a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal.

Gomez's 12th goal of this year's competition boosted Bayern's hopes of becoming the first team to play the Champions League final at its own stadium, and earn its fifth title.

Franck Ribery opened the scoring in the 17th minute for Bayern Munich and Mesut Oezil equalized in the 53rd.

The second legof the two teams is next week in Madrid.

For more: Gomez's late goal leads Bayern past Real 2-1 - Boston.com