 EXACTLY a year ago today, more than 40,000 Liverpool fans descended on Istanbul for the final of the Champions League. Back home, tens of thousands more gathered around TV screens in homes, bars and clubs. What they were about to witness was the greatest football comeback of all time - one of the most amazing episodes in world sporting history. Kopites at home and in Turkey, indeed all over the world, went from the depths of despair as AC Milan built up a 3-0 halt time lead - to the heights of ecst asy as Steven Gerrard inspired a dramatic red resurgence. Here, on the 1st anniversary of what has become known as 'The Miracle of Istanbul' Liverpool fans tell us their stories and recount their memories of a day and a night that will never be forgotten - May 25, 2005. WE ARRIVE in Turkey mid-afternoon but no time to visit Istanbul centre. Straight onto the coach for the stadium. Five minutes later our guide naively let us have a quickstop at the local SPAR for water. The whole street came out to see us, half-an-hour later the coach sets offagain full of 6-packs (leaving behind a very happy shopkeeper) This was a great journey to the stadium, all the locals came out to cheer us along the route from their houses, shops, office blocks,building sites, on the roofs, up the trees. It was really emotional. As we reached the start of the long, winding road leading to the Ataturk, we could see a sea of red ahead of us. After a couple of souvenir pics next to the rubble mountains we clambered forth to the heart of the action. Reds everywhere, great banners. On our customary walk around the ground chatted with afew Turkish army recruits dressed in red, white & blackbe-fore heading to our turnstile. Atmosphere absolutely brilliant, Reds everywhere. Kick off approaches, teams announced. Harry surprisingly starting second final of the season (hope he plays this time). Come on you REDS! Don't divein Djimi . . .Oh no! 1-0 (now they'll shut up shop for the next 87 mins. Just what we didn't want) He's done himself there, Harry departs, Smicer on, where's Didi? HAND-BALL! PENALTY! Play on? 2-0. Oh no that's a good ball, 3-0, let's sit down! Ratty's nerves have gone and quietly in shock he goes to the toilet. Dunc and I discuss what if there was the 'mother of all comebacks'. Rafa you must change it! Yes, Didi's warming up, we start singing YNWA again. Ratty returns looking like he needs to go back to the toilet so we reassure him about the 'mother of all comebacks'. Superb 3-1! Great header Stevie! Come on lads, Hit it Vladi - YES, YES - 3-2! He's given a penalty, Oh no I can't watchthis - YES YOU CAN - came the lad behind me and in a headlock I watched Xabi's kick saved and then him slam in the rebound. DELIRIUM 3-3. Ratty was crying and grinning wildly, no thought of the toilet now! THE rest as they say is history. What a 24hrs! WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL (that's 5 times). Duncan, Ratty & Dave >>> | 
