Smashing Spanish football

He played a very large in David Beckham being sent off at the World Cup in 1998, but Diego Simeone has emerged as a coach of quite exceptional talents.  Winning La Liga for Atlético Madrid for the first time in 18 years, when the late, flamboyant Jesús Gil was owner (Gil, in Roman tradition, had a triumph involving an elephant).  In seeking to break the duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid, the title had come down to the final day - a clash where if Barcelona won they would be crowned champions.  Atlético hung on to draw the match, levelling after going behind.  Shamefully, no trophy was handed out as the head of the Spanish Football Federation was elsewhere (I bet he would have been there if Real had been playing a match to clinch the title).
Now onto Lisbon, where Atlético face their city rivals, bidding fair to win their first European Cup against Real's aim of a tenth.  Normally, I would go for Madrid to complete a round '10' but they have undermined all romance of that by looking beyond to claim an 11th.  Such arrogance typifies Real and that is why I really hope Atlético break their duck and the hearts of Real supporters.
I probably won't be able to see the Champions League final as, with Michele Platini's insistence on being on a Saturday for (rich) families, this year that date clashes with my wedding anniversary.  Looks like late-night highlights for me.