July 9, 2006. The venue was Berlin's Olympiastadion and the occasion the final of the 2006 World Cup. On the pitch were 22 men representing France and Italy in the first all-European final since Italy defeated West Germany in 1982. And after 90 minutes, extra time, controversy galore, and a tense spot-kick shootout, the Azzurri were celebrating their fourth World Cup win - and their first in 24 years.
The win for Italy could not have come at a better time for the country and their footballers as their domestic league was in turmoil due to the Calciopoli scandal. The whole affair resulted in Juventus, widely regarded as Italy's most "Italian" team and long-serving as a feeder of players to the national set up relegated to Serie B as the Bianconeri received the harshest punishment out of all sides accused of wrongdoing.
On June 6th, two teams will again take to the pitch in the very same stadium. Thsi time, the occasion will be yet another final which is arguably the biggest tournament in club football. For Juventus and Barcelona, featuring in a Champions League final is not a first-time occurence. Nor is it unfamiliar territory for many of the players who will be taking to the pitch for their respective sides.
However, three players - Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, and Andrea Pirlo - will be more familiar with the Olympiastadion than the others. And for one - current Azzurri and Bianconeri skipper Buffon - this final will evoke quite a bit of memories from that evening nine years ago.
Buffon celebrated winning the World Cup at this very same stadium nearly a decade ago in July 2006
One of the few stars to remain with Juventus after their humiliating relegation to Serie B, Buffon's choice certainly appears to have been vaildated. After easily securing promotion following the 2006/2007 season, la Vecchia Signora experienced some growing pains and adjustment difficulties, but now have re-established themselves as Italy's top team.
The iconic goalkeeper has been part of a squad that has conquered Italy again with four straight Scudetti in the past four campaigns
However, with domestic dominance well secured, Juventus will obviously need to match this on the continental front if they want to be fully recognised as one of Europe's most premier clubs. And for Buffon, on a personal level, having made it to a Champions League final a dozen years ago, only to have it end in heartbreak as Juventus were defeated by AC Milan, the time may have finally come for him to add the one medal that has eluded him during his glittering career spanning nearly two decades.
It will be a case of the continent's best attack against the meanest defense as Barcelona face Juventus on June 6, 2015. Both sides will be fighting for a season-defining Treble, and for the Bianconeri, the first in their history. Will the very same venue prove to be the place where Buffon can add club football's biggest trophy to his already prize-laden cabinet?
When asked about his thoughts after Juve powered past reigning champs Real Madrid 3-2 on aggregate to book their spot in Berlin, Buffon's response was quite simple:
"It seemed like [our] destiny [to be there in Berlin]. [And] I am so proud of my teammates, of all the work we've done and the journey we've made."
It certainly appears to be coming full circle for Italy's most capped player and one of Juve's most loyal servants. Back in 2006, Italy were not viewed as favourites by some due to their disappointing showing in the 2002 edition and and despite solid performances in 1990 and 1994. The same can be said about Juventus, who, despite dominating in Italy have not been able to replicate this same success in Europe in their past attempts and last featured in a final back during the 2002/2003 season.
However, as Dortmund and most recently Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid learned: underestimate Juve at one's own peril. The Bianconeri, and their veteran captain obviously know that they face a tough task ahead in facing Barcelona. But there is something said about the power of belief, and Buffon feels that it indeed was his - and his teammates' - destiny to return to the very same ground where he (alongside Barzagli and Pirlo) won a World Cup.
Berlin served as a good luck charm for Buffon and Italy, but can it again provide the same blessing of good fortune this time for him and Juventus?
Will the Olympiastadion again be the site of a magical night for a more experienced, yet still ambitious 37-year-old Gianluigi Buffon?
It will not be easy, but given that they have made it this far, it is certainly within the realm of possibility. And one can guarantee that Buffon will be feeling quite the same emotions and experiencing the same thoughts as he did on that July evening, regardless of the tournament change and different opponent. Juventus and Buffon have been waiting a dozen years for this opportunity, and as this season's dark horses, Bianconeri fans and neutrals alike will be hoping to see him make it two in two: Two trips to Berlin, two of football's biggest trophies nearly a decade apart.
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