Not Goodbye, Just Au Revior For Now

Gerrard eyes the trophy he expects to have back in his arms next year.

The new European Champion Clubs' Cup has made its maiden public appearance at the traditional handover ceremony that took place ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final and semi-final draw in the Salle des Fêtes, at the Hôtel de Ville, in Paris.

It is the sixth model produced after Liverpool claimed the fifth one for good after that amazing night in Instanpool. AC Milan (6) and Real Madrid (9) also have one for winning the trophy more than 5 times, while Bayern Munich (1974-76) and Ajax (1971-73) have one for winning the competition three-times in-a-row. Both Bayern and Ajax have won the trophy a total of four times, although only the later has a chance of being the first club to own two trophies, as Bayern were knocked out in the last round.

Of the other teams left AC Milan lead the way with six trophies, Benfica and the other two remaining Italian teams (Juventus and Inter) all have two each, while Barcelona (rather surprisingly) only has the one, although they did win the now defunct Cup Winners Cup a record four times. Lyon, Villarreal and Arsenal have yet to win the biggest European trophy, although the later won the European Cup Winner's Cup back in 1993.

Personally I'm expecting the trophy to be in new hands come May 17, 2006 as I predict an Arsenal v Lyon final.