606: DEBATE Comment on the Champions League final throughout the day

By Ian Hughes

1825: Right then. It has a been a pleasure reading your texts and emails (mostly!) Thanks to those of you who ridiculed me for being rubbish with the cute girl at college and apologies to those who could not care less.

Enjoy the game, wherever you are - at the ground, or in the pub in Athens feeling filthy rich, or at home in front of the TV. That's where I'm headed now, so I'll hand you over to Charlie for the rest of the evening. Goodnight, and good luck!

1821: "Come on Liverpool! we're going to win this! Six-time champions by 10.30pm tonight! You'll never walk alone! Come on the Reds!"
via text on 81111

1814: "Good luck to AC Milan, from all Evertonians."
via text on 81111

1810: "Wonder how many of these texts are touts inflating prices?"
via text on 81111

1808: "My mate has just sold his ticket for 5000 Euros. Thats proper crazy money people are paying. But he found another one cheaper."
via text on 81111

1759: "A straightforward win for Milan. Liverpool have shown that cup competitions can allow weaker sides to occasionally triumph by use of defence and organisation backed up by good fortune. But this is unlikely to happen a second time, and it will be for the good of football if it does not."
From 606

1745: Be warned that there does appear to be a lot of forged tickets out in Athens. A police spokesman on BBC Five Live says he estimates the number of forgeries runs into thousands.

1735: Just over two hours to go now before kick-off. Tickets seem to be changing hands in Athens for crazy amounts. It remains to be seen whether those who took the money will regret it.

"My friend just sold his ticket for 4,000 Euros. Only three of us going to the stadium now!"
"Someone just offered 9,000 Euros for me and my friend's tickets! We could not resist it so accepted. At least that pays for the New Year's trip to Sydney!"

1719: Money talks....

"My mate just sold his ticket for Euros 3,500 Euros. I will be going to the stadium by myself. My mate is going to a pub in Athens. Unbelievable!"
Via text on 81111

For all those in Athens: If you see a Liverpool fan with a pitch-wide grin on his face in a bar near you, the drinks are on him!

1715: "I had a premonition that I will be repeating these words tonight: Carlo Ancelotti, Prime Minister Berlusconi, Dino Zoff, Roberto Baggio, Enzo Ferrari, Leonardo da Vinci, Christopher Columbus, Luciano Pavarotti, Don Vito Corleone, Tony Soprano... your boys took one hell of a beating."
From 606

A lesson in how to twist one of the most famous sporting commentaries. Oddly, no mention of Rocky Balboa - the Italian Stallion. Missed a trick there, fella.

1705: More from the great ticket debate:

"My husband has just been offered 3000 Euros for his ticket and he turned it down."
"My mate bought a ticket for 700 Euros from a guy he sat next to on the flight out there. Bargain." Both via text on 81111

1651: "Which team has home colours?"
Via text on 81111

AC Milan won the toss and are the home team, technically, but they chose to play in play in white, so Liverpool will play in red.

It has made a Liverpool-supporting colleague here very happy, as he says Liverpool have a good record against teams playing in white in European finals - and in fact, all five of their victories came against opponents in white!

However, Milan have won five of their six European titles while wearing white. So something has to give.

1645: "Just offered �2,000 (seriously) to a Liverpool fan with a ticket and he rejected it. Should I offer more or would that just be ridiculous? Give me your thoughts."
Via text on 81111

1636: "I'll be watching the match with all the other English ex-pats in the Robin Hood pub in Bermuda! Just need to come up with an excuse to get out of the office at 1500. Any recommended excuses would be appreciated!"
Via text on 81111

Just how appreciated? The best excuse is rewarded with an all-expenses paid trip to Bermuda, perhaps?

1635: "Just sold my ticket for �2,500. I hope we lose now."
Via text on 81111

Charming. I doubt the buyer agrees with your sentiments.

1630: "The atmosphere here in Athens is amazing. The place is buzzing, all here to see the mighty Reds come through. Word is, Kewell is starting."
Via text on 81111

1623: "�2 was the maximum bet allowed on a repeat of the 2005 final, although most of the bookies have stopped taking bets on that. Lucky I got mine on in time!"
Via text on 8111

Possibly, but you have to win first. However, �2 is not a lot to lose - and some punters won a lot when they came up trumps after betting on Craig Bellamy's goal celebrations against Barcelona earlier this season.

1620: "John Terry has failed a fitness test. Someone has wasted �1950!" Via text on 8111

1618: "Liverpool may think they are the best team in Europe but they haven't won a league title for 17 years and have never won the Premiership. So what right do they have to play in the Champions League? Forza Milan!"
From 606.

1615: Still no team news yet. The managers of both teams have insisted that they will not make their line-up publicly known until about an hour before kick-off.

Until then, it is a bit of a guessing game - although, as said before, the smart money seems to be on Liverpool starting with Gerrard playing behind Kuyt in a 4-4-1-1 formation. What do you think?

1611: "2007-1 are the odds on a repeat of what happened in the 2005 final."
Via text on 81111

Thanks for the clarification on that one. Does not seem such a good bet after all.

1610: "Just paid �1950 for one ticket. It hurts, but the pain will go when we win. I just hope John Terry lasts the 90 minutes." Via text on 81111

Someone is either very confused, or going to be very disappointed. More money than sense?

1605: "I'll be watching it in Mumbai where I've been posted for the last year and a half. Last year I watched the Arsenal v Barcelona match here and I was gutted by the end of the game. This time, though, the stakes are much higher as I'm a Liverpool fan!" From 606

1550: I heard earlier that someone has a bet on Liverpool to win the Champions League on penalties and that they got odds of 2007-1 on it. Now, when did they place this bet? And who with? And why, oh why, did they only put �2 on? Still, if it comes up they should still have a little left over after deducting the price of a match ticket.

1540: "Forza Milan! Hands are trembling, so that's all I can post for now." From 606

Well, there are TWO team in this final, you know.

1530: How much would you pay for a ticket if you were in Athens?

"Just bought a ticket off a Swiss banker in Athens for �800." "Just got my golden ticket. Been here two days and paid a fortune. Just hope its not fool's gold and I've been conned."
Via text on 81111

1517: "I'm sitting at my computer in Washington DC, and my hands are occasionally shaking. Just two and a half hours to go before I have to "leave for my doctor's appointment" at 1300 (local time), almost two hours before kick-off, to meet the lads to watch it at the Lucky Bar on Connecticut Avenue." From 606

MIHIR BOSE BLOG Liverpool's owners also justify the fact that of their 17,000 tickets, only 11,000 went to fans BBC Sport editor Mihir Bose

1507: There are more than 40,000 Liverpool fans in Athens - and the ticketless, which is the majority, are so far remaining just that. There are going to be many, many disappointed fans in a few hours time, and let us hope that all remains peaceful in Athens.

1500: "It's going to be a very early morning here in Perth, Western Australia. Kick-off is scheduled for 0245 local time. If the game goes to extra-time and then penalties, I'll just have time to see the medal presentations, then dash off to work. Go the mighty Reds!"
From 606

1452: The stranded fans have been given a letter that says that "due to unforeseen circumstances their flight has been cancelled." Understandably, they are distraught.

The flight was scheduled to leave at 1000 this morning and was delayed and delayed until the fans were finally given the terrible news 10 minutes before they were eventually due to board.

1446: You have got to feel for those Liverpool fans who cannot get to Athens after their flight was cancelled because of technical problems with the aircraft. Some of those fans say they paid up to �500 for a ticket. It is not ironic as Alanis Morissette might have you believe, but it is massively more disappointing than a black fly in your chardonnay.

On a serious note, I am genuinely gutted for them.

1440: As security is stepped up ahead of the match, riot police begin to arrive at the stadium. The 500-strong force is on standby and will hopefully not be needed. But if they are called into action, they are under orders to fire paintballs.

1435: I do not know about you, but I am feeling pretty nervous about the game. I am not a Liverpool fan, but I do want them to win.

At least, I think it is nerves that I am feeling but I am very, very hungry having been sat at my desk for six hours and only eaten humble pie so far. Early followers of this page will know what I mean. I'm mightily relieved Jose Mourinho's dog is no longer in the news and I do not have to report on that.

1430: There is increasing speculation that Liverpool will line up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Steven Gerrard playing just behind striker Dirk Kuyt. If that is the case, do you think it is the right tactic?
Have your say on 606

1426: "I'll be watching the game here in Texas. Hopefully, Liverpool will bring the trophy home again. Now we have a local guy as co-owner, I'm sure it'll get plenty of attention here, especially as Tom Hicks finally has a team that can win something." From 606

1415: Reports on BBC News 24 have confirmed that the last charter flight carrying fans from Liverpool to Athens has been cancelled. About 150 fans are stranded and now have no means of getting to the game.

1355: There has been much talk of the threat posed by AC Milan's Kaka, and many Liverpool fans are singling the Brazilian out as the player their team must stop to have a chance of winning the final.

However, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insists he has no plans to man-mark the player. Is that the right decision?

1345: "Thousands of Reds fans in every inch of the city centre and not a hint of trouble. A great example of English fans behaving well abroad."
Kev via text on 81111

1325: "The atmosphere is electric here already. Roll on kick-off!" Via text on 81111

If you are in Athens text us to tell us about the atmosphere, the fans and your experience of the day so far.

1310: Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has vowed that Liverpool will return home from Athens as heroes after winning the Champions League final.

He said: "To win one final was absolutely magnificent - to do it twice would be really special. It will put us up there with the great European teams."

1230: "I liken Milan to a cultured boxer, a Muhammad Ali perhaps, and Liverpool to a strong puncher who knows what his attributes are, maybe a Mike Tyson. Liverpool are not as technically adept or as pleasing on the eye style-wise as Milan, but head to head there isn't much in it."
From 606

1200: Fans are finding it very, very difficult to get tickets out in Athens.

"Following a rumour, about 4000 of us queued for tickets for four hours and have only just been told there are none. Not much information coming from Uefa."
Steve, via text on 81111

1115: If you are in Athens, we are keen to hear from you. What is the atmosphere like? Have you got a ticket? There is a fierce debate raging on BBC Five Live concerning ticket touts. Have you seen any? And how much is the going rate for a ticket? Text me on 81111 and tell me what is happening out there, in the thick of it. Remember I'm in the office and I am keen to live vicariously through you!

1105: "The biggest stage is set for the biggest footballer. Make no mistake, Peter Crouch will have a giant impact on this game." Via text on 81111

Sounds like a tall order to me. Anyway, former Liverpool star Jan Molby told this website he wants to see the big man up front.

Molby said: "It is a one-off final and you know what Crouch will give you. With Crouch, Liverpool know they have an outlet if they are in trouble. They can play the ball up to him and he will hold it, which will be very important."

1100: As I sit here, in the office, typing away, I cannot help feeling a little jealous of those fans heading to the match. This time last year I was on board the Eurostar and heading for Paris to see Arsenal take on Barcelona.

I think it was the most excited I had been since I somehow managed to secure a date with the best-looking girl at college. Sadly, Arsenal lost last year and I was gutted.

And all those years ago, the date went badly, too, when a bigger, cooler bloke whisked her away. I'd forgotten about that until I heard the Arctic Monkeys song "Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts" - "...they've got engaged, no intention of a wedding, he's pinched your bird, and he'd probably kick your head in." Sums it up well.

1040: "I think it will be a tight game. But if Liverpool can stop Pirlo, they will also stop Kaka."
Sameer, via text on 81111

BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson agrees that Liverpool must stop Kaka. In his tactical analysis of the match, he highlighted the midfield area as being a key battle ground. He believes that if Liverpool if are to be successful in Athens, they will need to be at their most competitive and keen.

1030: You certainly cannot accuse BBC Sport football expert Alan Hansen of sitting on the fence ahead of tonight's match. Earlier this week he made the following bold prediction on this website: "Liverpool are going to win the Champions League final - I am absolutely 100% confident of that."

So, call off all bets. And AC Milan fans trying to overcome the airline and air traffic control strikes to make it to Athens, forget it - your team is absolutely, 100% going to lose, apparently.

Is Hansen right? Do you have his confidence? Or are you wary of tempting fate?

1015: These days, everyone seems to be a star. And here is how you can brush aside the next set of Big Brother contestants, upstage the YouTubers and move the myspacers out of the way for your moment in the spotlight.

Whether it is during the day itself, at the match or afterwards, we want you to send us your thoughts and experiences.

Send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 07725 100 100

At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.

1005: Reports from Italy are suggesting that AC Milan fans are having trouble leaving the country because airline Al Italia is on strike.

"It would be absolutely ridiculous to have fans stuck in Italy with their tickets and not be able to reissue their tickets to Liverpool fans. That would be terrible. We're going to talk about it, it's in Uefa's hands."
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks

0955: Good morning all. We are just under 10 hours away from AC Milan v Liverpool going at it again in the Champions League final, this time in Athens.

In 2005, these giants of European football served up one of the best finals of all time as Liverpool lifted the trophy in Istanbul, winning on penalties after an astonishing comeback, having trailed 3-0 at half-time.

So, two years on... will it be just a little bit of history repeating? And will you be there, in Greece, to see the action? If so, send me a text on 81111 and tell me what it is like.

If you just fancy joining in the build-up, regardless of where you are, and discussing everything from lucky omens to the best boozer to watch the game in, then head over to 606.