Reuters

April 27, 2006

Barcelona reached the Champions League final for the first time in 12 years on Wednesday after a goalless home draw with six-times winners AC Milan sent them through deservedly 1-0 on aggregate.

Leading 1-0 courtesy of Ludovic Giuly's goal in the San Siro, Ronaldinho-inspired Barcelona squandered a host of chances in each half as Dida saved well from Samuel Eto'o and substitute Henrik Larsson while Juliano Belletti failed to connect in front of goal.

The misses did not matter however, as Milan, seeking their third final appearance in four years, looked second best and had only a disallowed 69th-minute Andriy Shevchenko header to show for their limited efforts.

In the May 17 Paris final Barcelona will meet Arsenal, who also advanced 1-0 on aggregate after a goalless draw at Villarreal on Tuesday.

Barcelona's last final appearance was the 4-0 defeat by Milan in 1994, two years after they had beaten Sampdoria for their solitary success in Europe's top competition.