Delight for Roman Abramovich as Blues Finally Deliver Holy Grail

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's financial backing and huge investments finally paid off when the Blues lifted their first ever Champions League trophy, following a dramatic penalty shootout win, over German club Bayern Munich. The game was played at the Allianz Arena, Bayern's home ground and one where the hosts boasted an incredible success rate before the defeat.

The Russian billionaire was full of smiles as he was handed the trophy by Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, who played an important role in ensuring the win, despite Chelsea conceding a penalty in extra time; which Cech fortunately saved.

The Bavarians dominated large parts of the game but, like Barcelona in the semi-finals, were unable to finish their chances and the game went down to spot kicks, where they lost 3-4. Incidentally, Bayern's route to the final included beating Spanish league champions Real Madrid on penalties, in the semi-final.

The win on Saturday will be all the sweeter for Chelsea and particularly their senior players, since they lost the 2008 final to Manchester United, on penalties. The game, played in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, saw Chelsea captain John Terry miss his kick. The captain was in the stands for this game, though, serving a suspension after being sent off during the game against Barcelona.

Abramovich took over the Stamford Bridge club nine years ago and has poured a considerable amount of money into the side and it must now be worth every penny, particularly since Chelsea are now the first London-based club to win the Champions League and have booked their place in next season's tournament despite finishing only sixth in the Premier League this season. The icing on the cake will be that the win pushes local rivals Tottenham into the Europa League, despite Spurs finishing higher than them in the league.

The game itself ended 1-1 after extra time, following Thomas Muller's 86th minute opening goal and Didier Drogba's equaliser two minutes later.

"It changed the game mentally. I'm very happy. Life is fantastic," said Drogba, on being asked about his equalising goal, according to a report in The Independent.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's captain for the night, Frank Lampard, said he could hardly believe the club had worn the prestigious trophy.

"I can't believe it. The season we have had, the determination and spirit we have shown... Our main man Didier Drogba has dug us out there. He is a hero. Without him we are not here. He scores the goals in the big games. This is the one we really wanted," The Metro quoted Lampard as saying.

Drogba, who thanked the heavens after scoring the equaliser, insists Chelsea's name had already been written on the Champions League Cup.

"It was [fate], I believe a lot in destiny. I pray a lot. It was written a long time ago. God is wonderful. This team is amazing," the Daily Mail quoted Drogba as saying.

"I want to dedicate this Cup to all our managers and players before," he said, according to a report in the BBC.

Meanwhile, Chelsea skipper John Terry, who was one of four players to miss the final, was seen in the Blues kit as soon as the celebrations started.

"The lads were fantastic. When our backs are against the wall we step up to the mark. You look at that trophy and that's what we have wanted and what the owner wanted, and Robbie [Di Matteo, the interim manager] has been superb," said John Terry, according to The Independent, adding, "We have won the FA Cup and the Champions' League and he can't do any more than that. It was do-or-die, win the competition or we would not have been in it next year, and that was enough to motivate us."