Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the showpiece to the 2011-12 European season - the Champions League final, between Bayern Munich and Chelsea, in Munich, kicking off at 7.45pm UK time.

Superb cross from Ribery aimed at a flying Gomez but - with Luiz right on him - the Germany striker heads well over. Half a chance.

Luiz gives away a free-kick as it all gets a bit scrappy, Mueller was backing in to win that.

shY on the message board below asks where all the Chelsea fans are - in the pub, or in Munich I would hazard. That is the English way after all.

Kalou trips Ribery on the edge of the Bayern box as the France winger tried to clear - didn't seem to touch him but Ribery is 'clever' like that, winning little free-kicks to break up the play.

Ribery is confused at being called up but the whistle had long gone for a trip on Drogba, he just couldn't hear it in the din. And it is some din.

Bayern counter but Robben skies his shot after cutting inside from the right. That was classic Robben, surprised to see him waste it.

Cole to Mikel, fine turn around Kroos and now Bosingwa comes forward, Mikel back on the ball, Bosingwa runs inside and finds Kalou wide right, he finds Mata but the cross is poor, too short and Lahm heads clear - he had three men free at the far post.

Ribery tries to slip Gomez through but Cahill is well-placed to intercept. Lahm comes forward now but he gives it away, Mikel stays cool to pass it clear. Now Kalou turns and he frees Drogba on the right. He crosses but beyond both Kalou and Bertrand and out for a throw.

Bright start for Bayern. I'll tell you this for free Chelsea fans - the best way to beat Bayern is to attack them as they are shaky defensively. You can't be cagey against them - just as Dortmund. Drogba a bit isolated but he only needs half a chance...

Chelsea fail to clear their lines from the corner, it's played in to Schweinsteiger who lays it off for KROOS but his savage low drive spins wide!

Mueller slips it to Schweinsteiger on the edge of the D, and it opens up for him but Cahill dives in to block the shot! It flies over for a corner.

Ribery and Mueller exchange passes on the left and Ribery takes on Bosingwa - only to fall on his hind. The Chelsea fans greet him with a 'wahey'.

Handball by Schweinsteiger and the ref - who likes a card - books him.

Robben to take from the right, will be an inswinger but it's poor and Bosingwa heads to safety. Still with Bayern though.

Cole slides in and catches Kroos a bit late. Early free-kick to Bayern out wide...

The first half of the 2011-12 Champions League final is underway!

Lahm wins the toss, Lampard stand-in skipper in JT's absence, and he'll take the end, Chelsea to kick off.

FACT: Only one side has ever won both the FA Cup and Champions League/European Cup in the same season: Manchester United in 1998-99. And guess who they beat in ze final?

Bloke playing violin on the pitch looks a lot like Robbie Savage. The teams are out now, as the Champions League anthem plays. That will be a hit when they grime it up in a few years.

Right, the last five minutes will be a bit more 'regular' as we count down to the kick-off. I'm shaking with excitement still, get me an ambien! FACT - This will be the third European final for Heynckes as a manager, 32 years after his first one. He lost the UEFA Cup final with Borussia Moenchengladbach in 1980 before winning the Champions League with Real Madrid in 1998.

Jupp Heynckes: "Is this the biggest day of my management career? Let's waut until after the game. We must be patient tonight, stay calm and play smart. We can't just run at them, we have a clear strategy."