MOSCOW, Russia - Whichever team wins tonight's Champions League final, the victory will be historic. Chelsea are playing in the finals for the first time, while Manchester United's appearance in Moscow coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash, a disaster that killed 23 people including eight of the team's stars.

Football fans are gluttons for omens and for United the disaster is such an intrinsic part of the club's history that it would be fitting if the Reds lift the European Cup on a significant anniversary.

Chelsea's fans also believe that victory is on the cards. Their benefactor Roman Abramovich is Russian and the game is being played in his homeland.

Much has been made of the high cost of flights and accommodation for the fans and for some it will have been too much. But the tens of thousands that have made the trip are being treated like celebrities – posing for photographs and even signing autographs for the locals.

Chelsea supporters in particular have told CNN that they couldn't have missed Chelsea's first ever European final although some took a bit more persuading than others.

Ian Spillett from London told us that his wife encouraged him to make the trip because she knew what it would mean to him. "But I think she's hoping to get a new set of patio doors to the house, I've backed the team to win 3-1 because that result would offset the cost of my trip," he said.

Very few are expecting so many goals though. The teams know each other intimately and it is expected to be a tight game. But remember, two of the most exciting finals in recent memory involved English teams – United in 99 and Liverpool in 05 - so the optimist in me is holding out for a thriller.

MOSCOW, Russia - There had been fears here in Moscow that the English invasion of football fans could bring with it destruction and chaos. But so far everyone has been well behaved and I have only seen a festive atmosphere leading up to the big kickoff.

Thousands of fans keep flocking to Red Square, one of Moscow's main attractions, to savor the build-up to the most important match of the season. Draped in their teams' colors, they sing, chant and dream about a victory here tonight.

Some of the more decorated fans have enjoyed celebrity status among the Muscovites, with photo requests in abundance. The lucky few have even been asked for autographs!

Everything is moving along smoothly as kick-off approaches. So far, so good.

MOSCOW, Russia – In the world of TV jargon we have a phrase called the "beauty shot": essentially this is a camera position which shows a geographical location in all its glory. That's exactly what CNN found for our live coverage of the Champions League Final between Chelsea and Manchester United.Perched atop Sparrow Hills, across the road from Moscow State University, our position affords a spectacular view of the Luzhniki Stadium - but that wasn't the only "beautiful" thing about it.

As we set up to commence broadcasting this morning we discovered that we were sharing our spot with a Russian music video shoot. I must confess that it was something of a distraction trying to talk about Ashley Cole and Ryan Giggs when dozens of glamorous young actresses were skipping directly through my eyeline.

Of course they were as intrigued by us as we were by them and we soon discovered that the best way to impress them was to predict a Chelsea win. Since the blues are owned by the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, the London side have plenty of local support.

The Russian connection has meant that Chelsea have been nicknamed "Chelski" back in England but apparently that doesn't translate very well here. "Chelski? Sounds more like Polish to me!"

Anyway, one thing led to another and we were soon dining on the food prepared by the film crew's catering department: kidney beans and... skewered chicken hearts.

With such a late kick off (10.45 pm) many of the fans are spending the day sightseeing, and those that want to avoid the risk of trouble are steering well clear of Red Square. We have already encountered plenty of supporters who want a photo of the stadium which they hope will be proudly displayed after a victorious mission to Moscow.

MOSCOW, Russia - It's an overcast day here in Moscow but nothing will dampen the spirits of the Chelsea and Manchester United players and fans who are preparing for the biggest club match of the season -  and for many a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

Kick-off for the European Champions League final, the first ever between two English clubs, isn't until 10.45 this evening (local time) so it will be a long day for the teams who will try anything to make the hours pass quicker.

But while the fans will enjoy the sights and sounds of the Russian capital, the players themselves will probably spend the day cooped up in their hotels. Chelsea players tried a walkabout in Red Square yesterday but were mobbed by supporters and had to seek refuge back at base.

It's hard to recall a match with so much hype and intrigue, which will be watched in 230 countries and by more than 150 million people.

But much of the talk has been dominated by the state of the pitch relaid over Luzhniki's artificial playing surface less than three weeks ago and by all accounts not looking too good. Chunks were coming up during training last night and if it rains during the day, then there could be problems.

But everyone is trying to stay positive and enjoy the build-up - because only one team will be able to enjoy the long ride home.