LONDON -- Chelsea has been defying expectations all season -- from the surprisingly poor domestic campaign to the astonishing humbling of Barcelona. Delanie Walker Womens Jersey . The obituaries that were written for an aging team have been ripped up and replaced with tributes to a fearless squad that defied the odds to reach the Champions League final for the second time in four years. Winning the European Cup for the first time had seemed an unlikely proposition when Andre Villa-Boas was booted out in March with the domestic campaign in turmoil and Chelsea looking to be headed out of the Champions League. It seemed even more unlikely when captain John Terry was sent off before halftime in Barcelona on Tuesday and the hosts took a 2-0 lead. But while the Blues continue to flounder in the Premier League, they managed to grind out a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou to eliminate the holders 3-2 on aggregate to the final. "Miracle Men," the Daily Telegraph called them on the front page of its sports section. Chelsea had to play with 10 men from the 37th minute when Terry was sent off for putting his knee into the back of Alexis Sanchez, and the captain will now miss the final. "For many teams it would be a killer," Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said. "But we showed great strength of mind and character not to lie down." Such fighting spirit has not always been evident this season. When Villas-Boas was fired, the Portuguese was widely reported to be at odds with his squad, which was facing Champions League elimination after losing 3-1 to Napoli in the last-16 first leg. Turning around that fixture provided Roberto Di Matteo with the ideal launch pad for his stint in the dugout until the end of the season. While the Premier League form has still not recovered, Chelsea is through to an FA Cup final against Liverpool and now on course for the cup double. "To be in the Champions League final, obviously, is a dream come true for all the Chelsea players," striker Fernando Torres said. "Its the second Champions League final for Chelsea. Everyone knows what happened in the past with the penalty shoot-out. "So, I think Chelsea deserved a second chance and we have the chance now." It was Terry who missed the decisive penalty in the 2008 final against Manchester United. But with Terry suspended for the May 19 final, there will not be a chance for the captain, seen by man fans as the beating heart of the team, to redeem himself in Munich. "Terrys brainlessness ends up damaging no one but himself," read a headline in The Times of London. Sergio Busquets had already levelled the series on aggregate when Terry was sent off and Andres Iniesta added a second goal for Barcelona to give the hosts the advantage. "It looked like everything was lost," Torres said. "After Ramires scored to make it 2-1, at halftime we started believing that we could do it. That goal made us believe. That was the key for us." With Lionel Messi blasting a penalty against the crossbar early in the second half, Chelsea started to believe it could pull off an unlikely comeback. Torres late goal added the gloss on an achievement Chelseas players expect to live long in the memory. "Its the greatest Chelsea match Ive been involved in and probably ever," midfielder Frank Lampard said. "I know its not the final, I know there are no medals on the table yet. As a one-off its absolutely huge." The victory also helped to pierce the mystique attached to all-conquering Barcelona, which overwhelmingly dominated the two legs but failed to complete its slick passing carousels with enough goals. "Footballs not just about beautiful stuff," Lampard said. "Its about doing the other side and weve done that." And they must do it again in the final without, not only Terry, but also midfielders Raul Meireles and Ramires and defender Branislav Ivanovic, who are also suspended because of bookings. "What can you do? We still have enough quality in the team and experience," Cech said. "So hopefully we will be able to compensate for that." In addition, the financial benefit of reaching the final could help to ensure Chelsea is not in breach of UEFAs new "financial fair play" rules after making losses of 67.7 million pounds (then $109 million) in the year to June 30. Chelseas earnings from the Champions League could hit C59 million if it wins this seasons competition. Beating Real Madrid or Bayern Munich could also be the only route back into the lucrative Champions League next season. Chelsea is sixth in the Premier League and must overhaul Tottenham or Newcastle to clinch the fourth qualification spot. "To find ourselves in the final has given the club a fabulous lift," chief executive Ron Gourlay said. "Financially, as well, it is a big boost for the club. It helps us continue our investment in the team as we go forward but we still have the challenge of making sure we are in this competition next year, and that is very important." Mike Iupati Womens Jersey . The Burnaby, B.C., native was elected the new president of the CSA on Saturday at its annual general meeting and said his vision is for a new culture within the sports national governing body. Roger Craig Jersey . The Winnipeg Blue Bombers sent defensive end Odell Willis to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday in exchange for Saskatchewans second- and fourth-round picks (8th and 23rd overall) in the 2012 CFL Draft as well as a conditional draft pick in the 2013 Draft. http://www.officialsanfrancisco49ersgear.com/michael-crabtree-jersey . The team said Morrow suffered a left oblique strain. Hes listed as day-to-day. Morrow felt something was not right after he threw ball two on a 1-1 pitch to Bryce Harper. Randy Moss Jersey . The two teams meet tonight at 9:30pm et/6:30pm pt on TSN and TSN Mobile TV. You can also join in our live Game Night blog and chat with your fellow hockey fans. Aldon Smith Pink Jersey . "Its been extremely frustrating for me. I dont think the negotiations should have been this difficult," Brees said on WWL radio in New Orleans. "Whats been a little frustrating on my end, or disappointing, is the lack of communication. Weve reached out on quite a few occasions and at times I know Ive been frustrated with the lack of response.TSN.ca NFL Editor Justin Boone runs down the top waiver wire pickups with a focus on the coming week and the rest of the season. QUARTERBACKS Carson Palmer (at Ravens)With bye weeks mostly over with, Palmer is exactly the kind of name you can find on the waiver wire at this time of year for a quick one-week start. The Raiders quarterback is coming off a 414-yard, four-touchdown performance against Tampa Bay last week. Palmer will travel to Baltimore, in a matchup that is far less scary than it was at the beginning of the season. With the injuries to the Ravens defence, and Darren McFadden likely sidelined for Oakland, Palmer is shaping up to have a nice week. Ryan Fitzpatrick (at Patriots)Fitzpatrick is not the Bills quarterback of the future. He may not even deserve to be their quarterback of the present, but he will be the one taking snaps on Sunday against a Patriots secondary that is generous against the pass. Fitzpatrick has had success against this group in the past, including earlier this season when he threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns in a losing effort. He may be the king of garbage time, but Fitzpatrick is worthy of a start this week. Others to consider - Ryan Tannehill (vs. Titans), Russell Wilson (vs. Jets), Jake Locker (at Dolphins) RUNNING BACKS Marcel Reece (at Ravens)With starter Darren McFadden going down with what seems like an inevitable injury, Mike Goodson was primed to step in and run away with the job. Unfortunately, Goodson was also hurt in last weeks game. Now the options are getting thin in Oakland, but Reece is a sneaky pickup who has shown flashes of his talent. The fullback is a solid pass catcher, with 26 receptions for 272 yards and a touchdown this season. Reece will likely share carries with Taiwan Jones, but Reece is the more valuable back in Oakland if McFadden and Goodson are out. James Starks (Bye)If you need help this week then Starks is not an option for you, but his 17 carries were eye-opening last week. Starks has served as Green Bays lead rusher before and is able to carry the load for respectable numbers. The Packers dont score many rushing touchdowns, and Alex Green will still be in the picture, but SStarks could be an interesting RB2/Flex option down the stretch. Kyle Williams Womens Jersey. Beanie Wells (Bye)Theres a good chance that Wells was dropped in your league(s). Now is the time to pick him back up. Wells is expected to return for Week 12 and he may be thrust right back into action for the Cardinals, who have yet to have a back step up in his absence. Stash Wells on your bench and he may come through for you in the fantasy playoffs. Others to consider - Bernard Pierce (vs. Raiders), Joique Bell (at Vikings), Mark Ingram/Chris Ivory (vs. Falcons) WIDE RECEIVERS Danny Amendola (at 49ers)Its easy to forget how well Amendola was playing before he was injured in Week 5. The Rams receiver had at least five catches in each game, averaging 87 yards per outing. Amendola also had found the end zone twice in those first four weeks. His first game back is against a 49ers defence that is tough, especially when it comes to delivering punishment to receivers over the middle. Regardless, Amendola needs to be picked up, even though I wouldnt blame you for waiting a week to start him, just see if hes back to full health. Danario Alexander (at Buccaneers)In Robert Meachems absence, Alexander took advantage with three catches for 61 yards. Meachem may miss another game this week, and even if he does play, head coach Norv Turner has said that Alexander has earned more playing time. Alexander is always an injury risk, but there is talent and opportunity here and that makes for a nice fantasy recipe. Others to consider - Emmanuel Sanders (vs. Chiefs), Ryan Broyles (at Vikings), T.Y. Hilton (at Jaguars), Golden Tate (vs. Jets) TIGHT ENDS Brandon Myers (at Ravens)Prior to last weeks game, the only issue with Myers was that he wasnt finding the end zone. The receptions and yardage were consistent, but his lack of touchdowns made him a TE2. Against the Buccaneers, he exploded for two scores and definitely won some people their weeks. Palmer has shown trust in Myers and that doesnt appear to be going away any time soon. Start Myers as a low-end TE1 in Baltimore. Others to consider - Dwayne Allen (at Jaguars), Dustin Keller (at Seahawks) ' ' '
