Reuters
Wednesday, May 15, 2002; 5:35 PM

_____Champions League_____ Draws/Tables/Fixtures: • Final • Semifinals • Quarterfinals • Second Phase • First Phase

GLASGOW, May 15 – Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane played down his stunning strike that helped the Spaniards beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 to win the Champions League on Wednesday and joined fellow goalscorer Raul in praising the whole team.

"The important thing is that in the end we won," Zidane told Spanish national television. "We're the champions.

"It was about all the players, from both teams. I'm very happy and I dedicate this win to the fans."

The France midfielder fired a left foot volley into the top corner of the Leverkusen net in the last minute of the first half to seal Real's record ninth European Cup title.

Raul, who scored Real's opening goal, was celebrating his third Champions League final success after playing in wins over Juventus in 1998 and Valencia in 2000, when he also scored.

"This is something great that we've achieved," he told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

"This is the third European Cup win in five years and it's a tribute to all the hard work done by the squad."

As he was speaking, car horns were blaring in the Spanish capital as Real fans made their way down to the Cibeles fountain in the centre of the city.

"I'm sure they'll be celebrating in Cibeles by now," Raul said. "People will be cheering in the rest of Spain as well. Everyone has been behind us."