Celebrating AC Milan fans party long into the night

MILAN, May 24 (Reuters) Italian car horns honked long into the night in celebration of AC Milan's seventh European Cup triumph, even if many Rossoneri fans accepted that Liverpool had dominated the final.

Milan's main square, Piazza del Duomo, was packed with supporters last night who watched the 2-1 victory on a giant screen.

Filippo Inzaghi's two goals in Athens were greeted by enormous cheers, the lighting of flares and the waving of huge flags in a square turned red and black for the evening.

Dirk Kuyt's late header for Liverpool brought a sudden hush to the throngs of people who feared another comeback from the English side, who famously won on penalties in the 2005 final after drawing 3-3 with Milan having been 3-0 down.

But it was not to be for Liverpool despite manager Rafa Benitez bemoaning the lack of time added on, and one half of Milan could celebrate.

Without an Inter fan in sight, the main square became a giant dancefloor complete with mini-bonfires and fireworks. Fans also whizzed round the city on mopeds with flags draped round their shoulders, blowing their horns as loud as possible.

''We did not play very well and maybe Liverpool had more chances but it is not important because we deserve to win after everything that has happened,'' AC Milan fan Fabio Mauro said.

European soccer's governing body UEFA had been reluctant to let Milan take part in this season's Champions League after their role in last season's match-fixing scandal in Italy.

Their initial points deduction took them out of a Champions League place but a reduction of the penalty on appeal put Carlo Ancelotti's side back in the competition.

They started this season poorly in Serie A and were hampered by an eight point deduction but slowly recovered their form to rise up the table and also progress in Europe to win yet another Champions League crown.

REUTERS DKS PM0532