So here we are, with our newly acquired Atletico shawl, on which is printed: "Never stop believing". It gives a double feeling to cheer for the club which kicked out our club PSV Eindhoven in an earlier stage of the Champions League competition, but for some reason Atletico is a club simpatico and we hope they win this match. The text ‘never stop believing’ on the shawl is well chosen. Two years ago, Atletico lost in the final from Real Madrid while Atletico was actually the better team of the game. So tonight must be the night that they win their first Champions League competition in the club history. There is a lot at stake and we would love it if there is finally a new club that wins this price, rather than an established name like Real Madrid. The crowd around us believes that it is possible tonight. They sing their lungs out of their bodies, clapping their hands, and whistling on their fingers when a Real Madrid player appears on the big screen. A strange sensation: singing in front of screens for a game that is played thousands of kilometres away. But the atmosphere is fantastic. Goosebumps!

However, after fifteen minutes, fate strikes; Real Madrid scores. The objective viewer would probably say that Real is the better team on the field at this stage of the match, but our new Atletico friends are devastated. But not for long. They start singing and clapping louder, and occasionally cross themselves to try to turn the tide. Also the trainer Simeone on the screen tries to motivate the fans in Milan to support the team even more. The Argentine has a long history at the club as a player and now as the coach, who brought the team this far. Atletico does not play the prettiest game, but they play with passion, and that means according to Simeone: "Play every game like it's your last." Simeone appears often on the big screen when he tries to inspire the players.

The game goes from one magical moment to another, until Atletico gets a penalty. The fathers in front of us cross themselves again, and turn around with their shawls before their eyes because they do not dare to look. But the Lord does not answer their prayers; the penalty is missed. The two sons must fight to keep their tears away. But just before the end of the match the tide turns and Atletico equalizes. The hall explodes! In the extra time none of the teams score which means that penalty kicks must decide who wins the 2016 Champions League. The nerve-racking penalty shoot must have cost the fans a few years of their lives. Singing, whistling, nail biting, cheering and cursing: it's all part of the rituals of football religion. But at the end, Real Madrid is the winning team when Ronaldo kicks in the fifth penalty while Atletico missed one.

The Real Madrid players celebrate on the pitch in Milan that they crowned themselves for the eleventh time champions of Europe, while the disillusioned Atletico fans leave the Palacio Deportes in Madrid. Mothers, fathers and children, everyone is trying to bear this loss as good as possible. A few still sing Atletico songs, but most just stare to the ground while leaving the stadium. How long will it take before they finally take this biggest prize in European club football?

In the metro, the Atletico and Real Madrid supporters meet again. Spain has no real history with football hooliganism and also now, fans of both teams respect each other. Of course some Real fans celebrate their win, but none of the Atletico supporters is provoked. Eventually, both fans follow the same religion; they only admire different gods. On one of the stations in the city centre, a girl in her late teens comes into the metro, dressed in a Real Madrid shirt and wrapped in flags. It's 01:00 at night and she goes home after a beautiful football evening for here. She first wanted to sit next to a few very disappointed Atletico fans. But when she see their faces, she decides to sit a few seat further away. The loss is still too fresh!