Finished, burnt out, spent—were the adjectives that could describe him.Well,that was last year.

Last week, at Wembley, the balding Robben scored one of the finest goals of the UEFA Cup competition when it mattered most—one minute to full time in the UEFA Cup final. It was from a back heel pass from another veteran striker, Frank Ribery who also seemed consigned to the dump of football history when his club, Bayern failed to win either the UEFA Cup or the German bundesliga (premier football league) last year.

The victory run which became obvious from the semi-final when Bayern thrashed Barcelona once considered the best football club in the world, by7-0 aggregate in two-legged encounters, shows just how much Hyneckes and his team had re-invented their game since last year’s harrowing loss.

In terms of football strategy and the sheer energy the Bayern team put into their games this season, they clearly stood heads and shoulders above all other teams in Europe this season.

A Robben that could not hit any target last year is this year’s toast.His slick winning goal against Burussia Dortmund, the result of experience and expertise rather than brute force. Suddenly, Aryen is the hero at Bayern. This year, he looks very fit, very radiant and even boyish. His celebratory gesture after scoring Bayern’s winner at Wembley is so compelling: in a victory signature slide, he clenches his fists, eyes closed, feeling to awesomeness of the moment—of victory.

Coach Hyneckes may have decided like Mancester United legend Ferguson to leave Bayern when the ovation is loudest. Hyneckes 68, a former German World cup player, former Bayern striker and coach for several years, has many laurels under his boots. He would savour the moment --the sweet taste of victory, after several years of near misses and frustration.

It couldn’t be any other way.