Who ever said “perfect preparation prevents piss poor performance” had never herd of Vladimir Smicer.
Smicer had been relegated to the Liverpool bench for the 2005 European Cup Finial in favour of perennially injured Australian Harry Kewell. When after a few minutes of the first half Kewell predicable limped off manager Rafael Benitez decided to send his Czech star into battle. At which point Smicer had to admit that he had forgotten his boots! Benitez gave Smicer the old “I’m going to send you to Bordeaux on a free transfer in the summer, you Muppet!” look, why had this man who was about to play in the biggest game of his career decided that he was going to wear his trainers!

Anyway Boots were found from somewhere, probably the Liverpool grot box, and Smicer could play. The Czech went on to score a goal in normal time and converted one of the penalties, in the shout out, to give Liverpool the cup.

I do feel sorry for AC Milan they trained hard for weeks and all there player remembered boots, shin pads and shorts but none of there meticulous preparation could help them over come the “hand-me-down” shoe wearing Smicer.