Its 9 at night in John Lennon Airport on the 24th May 2005

I am checking in & collecting my tickets to go to THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Pinch me I am still dreaming finally after all the ups & downs of my trip being on then off & then on again & having to get my passport renewed

I am all sorted on my way

Me & My Mum are off to Istanbul

After an over night flight full of fellow Liverpool Supporters we arrive about 6 & jump on the bus again full of fellow Liverpool supporters to Taksim Square where we arrive a little while later

Istanbul is just waking up so we found a lovely little café for some breakfast

By the time we got back to the square more fellow fans with their banners have arrived & started decorating the square - our home for the day

Also there are some ex-Liverpool legends to do news broadcasts. We met & had photographs with Alan Kennedy, David Fairclough & Mark Lawrenson

More supporters arrive by the minute & soon the square is just a sea of red jumping with excitement

By lunchtime the Red Army has taken over the entire square & surrounding areas & is in full voice soaking up the sunshine

We stayed in the square enjoying the amazing atmosphere & party till late afternoon when we travelled over to the ground

Again the ground is a sea of red as far & wide as you can travel

Even more singing, dancing, banners & numerous games of football happening

We stayed around the stage joining in the party till just after the gates had opened when we went in to find our seats & get sorted for the game

We had great seats behind the goal so take full advantage of the view

The atmosphere & tension continue to build until kick off when the whole stadium is jumping

I have never experienced an atmosphere like this before

I knew at the Semi Final against Chelsea & UEFA Cup Final that I had seen something special but this was something else again

The memories & emotions of the rest of the evening will remain with me forever

No words can some up the game or celebrations

I was shell-shocked at half time & in a state of disbelief & awe at what had gone before by the end of the night

Players & fans enjoy a victory party as one to celebrate the European Cup coming home to stay

As a Vladi Fan who has been since he arrived at the club & will remain so I was ecstatic when he came on after 20 minutes & have never been more proud of him

So finally its all over - still on cloud nine & the reality of it all not sinking in we leave the stadium & jump on a bus to head back to the airport & our trip home

All I can say is I am honoured & proud not to mention privileged to be able to say I was there

Hels Smicer (Helen Thompson)