By Mr Cheeky Monkey
April 26 2002

For me the main prize from the semi-final on Sunday is the opportunity to erase the nightmare that was the European Final of 1997.

I’m used to my fair share of sporting failure being a follower of Northampton Town as well as Tigers but the years of humiliation at the County Ground weren’t even close to that day in Cardiff.

The difference between the two sports was that I would go and watch the Cobblers fully expecting them to get beaten and would often go away reasonably happy if it had just been by the one goal. But with the Tigers I felt victory versus Brive was a certainty.

Tigers had already won

In my mind the Cup had been won as soon as Steve Hackney had scored his try early in the semi final against Toulouse. I had gone to that game full of apprehension (back then defeats at Welford Road occasionally happened). Toulouse were the defending champions and had a team full of talent, including exciting backs such as Emile Ntmack, but on a freezing cold day they were swept aside 37-11. This set up a final against Brive, the quarter final conquerors of Llanelli.

Even though the Heineken Cup was in its early stages and not attracting the interest that it does now I was extremely excited about the prospect of Leicester being crowned the European Champions. Part of the reason for this was that we would be the first English team to achieve such an honour and managing it before Bath would be a great accomplishment.

Looking at the teams for the final I felt no cause for concern. Leicester were clear favourites and had on paper a much stronger side. The likes of Dean Richards, Martin Johnson & John Wells were sure to provide enough possession for Rory Underwood to score a few.

The only area of anxiety was again that flyhalf spot. Joel Stransky was unavailable for the final having joined after the deadline so Rob Liley was at 10 with service provided by Austin Healey (who back then was just a scrumhalf/winger). Despite Liley not having the international experience of Stransky he had more than enough ability to carry the team to victory. On the day the problem wasn’t Liley – it was the entire team.

Amnesia is a wonderful thing

Fortunately I can remember very little of the game. My mind must be blanking it out as some kind of protection mechanism to prevent me going insane. I can remember quite a lot about the day but only one Brive try and a lineout from the game. The team, apparently suffering from the same overconfidence that I was, were flattered by a 28-9 defeat.

If the two tough pool games against Llanelli aren’t enough inspiration then surely the prospect of such great professionals as the Tigers left from that team in 1997 should be able to lift their performance to earn the opportunity set the record straight in the same spot as their greatest rugby embarrassment.

It is mainly to make up for this dismal day 5 years ago that I am hoping for a chance to return to Cardiff. Last year was an adventure travelling abroad to win the Cup in Stade Francais’ own backyard. Whilst the prospect of going to Cardiff doesn’t quite have the same appeal, despite the chance to make history by retaining the trophy, it still beats going to Twickenham – winning it there wouldn’t pose the challenge that European competition should.