BankofAthletes - Investing in Talents

Bayern Munich's hat-trick hero Ivica Olic admitted he was shocked at the impressive style with which the German giants booked their place in next month's Champions League final with a 3-0 win over Lyon.

Olic hit all three goals in Tuesday's semi-final, second-leg win as Bayern went through 4-0 on aggregate to leave Louis van Gaal's side set to face either Barcelona or Inter Milan in the final in Madrid on May 22.

The Croatian also scored one of the crucial away goals at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the quarter-finals, but says the win over Lyon here eclipsed even his performance against Sir Alex Ferguson's United.

"I never thought we?d win like that," said the 30-year-old.

"It?s tremendous to score three in a game of this importance, it was easy for me up front because we played so well as a team.

"I thought Manchester United was the game of my life, but the semi-final has been a great match too.

"The vital thing was playing as a team. It means you can enjoy it as a striker."

With Bayern top of the Bundesliga and set to face Werder Bremen in the German Cup final on May 15, van Gaal, who is on course to win the domestic treble in his first season in charge, said Munich need fear no side.

"Bayern are capable of beating anyone, which is why we?ve come here tonight," he said, abandoning his usual post-match low-key style of appraisal.

"We've turned in a magnificent display. Making the final is terrific."

This will be Bayern's first Champions League final since 2001, when they beat Valencia 5-4 on penalties at Milan's San Siro, and captain Mark van Bommel was delighted with the performance.

"I?m proud of this team and of what we've achieved," said the Dutchman.

"It was a terrific performance, top drawer.

"We always had the game under control, because we pressed them high up the pitch and attacked.

"This is a very good team and we believe in ourselves. We?re all very hungry."

Bayern president Uli Hoeness said the German side's performance was almost flawless and promised a big party if Bayern win the Champions League/European Cup for the fifth time.

"The football we've witnessed was close to perfection," he said.

"It's a long, long time since I?ve seen that from a Bayern team in an important match.

"We've found the right path to pursue, and it's taking us rapidly upwards.

"Now we have to turn our attention to Bochum on Saturday.

"The players have to get through four more games, and then we?ll probably celebrate until the roof comes off."