A European final we never expected

On Saturday May 25, at 1945 hrs, in London's Wembley Stadium, two teams will fight for the right to be described as the best football club in Europe. The UEFA Champions League 2013 final promises to be an absolute cracker, none more so for the surprise element. Back in September 2012, when 32 European clubs began their group state campaigns to secure a place at Wembley, there weren't many among the footballing fraternity who would have predicted that two German clubs, namely Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund would compete for the honour. On paper, Bayern are favourite, due to their considerable experience of the big European occasion. The Bundesliga winners have lost two of their past three Champions League finals, and are still hunting from last year's dramatic penalty shoot out loss to Chelsea at their very own Allianz Arena. Outgoing manager Jupp Heynckes has done sensationally well in his final season, considering the deal to bring former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola to Germany was agree at the start of the year. Credit must also go to Heynckes motivates starts, who are keen to bid farewell to the veteran with an almighty treble. On their way to the final, Bayern got the better of Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona - three European heavyweights in their own right. If on Saturday night, they secure another crown to add to their illustrious trophy cabinet, the purists definitely won't be complaining. Standing in Bayern's way are surprise package Borussia Dortmund, runners-up to Bayern by some way in the league but a growing force nevertheless. Their boss, Jurgen Klopp is probably the most underrated manager in the world. The 45-year old brought stability to home club Mainz 05, before taking over at Westfalenstadion, and what a team he has built. I look at Klopp and think he's like the David Moyes of German football, consistent, hard-working and someone who has a real footballing brain. Dortmund play the traditional way, wingers cross, strikers finish. In Robert Lewandowski, Klopp has unearthed a real gem, a player who would turn the game on its head in an instant. Add to that the quality of Neven Subotic and Sven Bender, and you've potentially the next champions of Europe. On paper Bayern wins, on the pitch at a Wembley packed with Germans, who knows? All I'm hoping for is a thrilling finale, a German masterclass - and may the best team win. Genießen Sie die Fahrt. The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent or reflect the editorial policy of Arabstoday.