Back in May Arjen Robben scored a late winner to exorcise the demons that have haunted him and German champions in the Champions League, as Bayern won a pulsating all-German encounter against Borussia Dortmund.
Looking back at the tournament's recent history, there has been little but unrelenting misery for Robben and Bayern - but the pain ended after a energetic, engaging final that confirmed Germany as the leading country in European football.
Bayern had lost two finals in three years, including the defeat to Chelsea on penalties in their own ground 12 months before. Many will also remember the injury time defeat to Manchester United in 1999, however on this occasion they finally claimed the top prize.
Only Real Madrid (nine) and AC Milan (seven) have won this tournament more times and the taste of victory was even sweeter for 29-year-old Robben and veteran Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes who left to be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.
Robben, was the central figure as he set up Mario Mandzukic's first for Bayern on the hour but Dortmund, under the guidance of charismatic coach Jurgen Klopp, quickly equalised through Ilkay Gundogan's penalty after Dante fouled Marco Reus.
Bayern were not to be haulted, as Robben finally had his revenge on a competition that has been unrelentingly cruel to him in the past, he showed composure and class to take Frank Ribery's flick in his stride in the 89th minute and beat Dortmund's keeper Roman Weidenfeller.
Bayern had lost two finals in three years, including the defeat to Chelsea on penalties in their own ground 12 months before. Many will also remember the injury time defeat to Manchester United in 1999, however on this occasion they finally claimed the top prize.
Only Real Madrid (nine) and AC Milan (seven) have won this tournament more times and the taste of victory was even sweeter for 29-year-old Robben and veteran Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes who left to be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.
Robben, was the central figure as he set up Mario Mandzukic's first for Bayern on the hour but Dortmund, under the guidance of charismatic coach Jurgen Klopp, quickly equalised through Ilkay Gundogan's penalty after Dante fouled Marco Reus.
Bayern were not to be haulted, as Robben finally had his revenge on a competition that has been unrelentingly cruel to him in the past, he showed composure and class to take Frank Ribery's flick in his stride in the 89th minute and beat Dortmund's keeper Roman Weidenfeller.
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