LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed Liverpool's dramatic Champions League victory against AC Milan on Wenedsday, labelling it "unbelievable".
"Unbelievable. Incredible. Brilliant. The whole country is very proud of you," Blair said in a brief message to manager Rafael Benitez and his team, a spokeswoman for the prime minister's Downing Street office said.
Blair - officially a Newcastle United fan - was understood to have been at a private dinner on Wednesday night, but was kept informed of the score and managed to catch the final few minutes of the game.
In a match of huge excitement in Istanbul, Liverpool fell 3-0 behind to the Italian side in the first half, but drew back to 3-3, inspired by captain Steven Gerrard.
After extra time failed to produce a goal, Liverpool won a penalty shoot-out 3-2 to claim their first European Cup title in 21 years and fifth in all allowing them to keep the trophy permanently.
05/25/2005 22:34 GMT