UEFA Champions League Final

It all goes down in Moscow tonight as Manchester United and Chelsea attempt to claim the top prize in club football. If you're in the United States, you can catch all the action in HD on ESPN2 beginning with a preview show at 2 pm EDT. The match should kick off sometime around 2:45pm. For those of you who can't get out of the office this afternoon and don't have access to Tivo or a DVR, the Deuce will show the match again beginning at 7pm. Alec (a.k.a. Tracksuit Bottoms), SSN's Englishman in Hamburg, has compiled all the info you need below. Let's hope for a cracking affair! -Ed.

The gloss of a Champions League final is certainly missing when both teams taking part come from the same country. Hopefully the quality of the game will make up for it this time round. Manchester United are traditionally an attacking team and Chelsea have, over the past few weeks at least, opened up a bit. That said, finals are usually cagey affairs, United's flair often seems to get left in Manchester during the CL, and Chelsea remain Chelsea. So don't hold your breath for a goal-fest.

The all-English final will be a stirring affair: Chelsea stir respect but Manchester United stir the soul
It's United's artistry v Chelsea's muscle

According to World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi, the all-Premier League final is not a reflection of the strength of the English game.
Lippi: Final does not reflect English strength

Never mind the perils of the pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium, Ashley Cole was the victim of a challenge by Claude Makelele last night that has thrown Chelsea's plans for the Champions League final against Manchester United into confusion
Cole and Vidic injuries add to the intrigue as United chase history

According to Professor Chadwick, the event will boost the clubs, the host city and the location of the winning team
Moscow final to have £210m economic impact

Tonight's game of contrasting arguments and interpretations may not be entertaining but it should be intriguing
Ferguson seeks to crack Chelsea code

On the one hand, he is branded a diver and a cheat; on the other, he is Chelsea's key man, a destroyer of defences. Tonight the 30-year-old has the chance to be remembered for the brighter side of his game
Drogba the man of two halves set for defining test

Of course there was no way Don Howe or David Pleat would fail to produce their a-game for such an important match. Strangely they both have chosen the key theme for their articles: for Dave it's key clashes but for Don it's key battles. Young Turk Alan Smith has moved into their turf a bit with a piece in which he assess every player: GameZone

Mihir Bose's Column
How Moscow is handling the English invasion

Lawro and Hansen
Comparing the defenses