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The 13th of February was the date in 2000 when, in front of a crowd of 9500, Arild Stavrum tucked the ball away after a period of sustained United pressure in the 78th minute. The Dons went on to lose the final 2-0 to Celtic, but we won't bother going into that. Instead, as a preview of tonight's game, we will take a look at five Dons stars from the cup run of 2000 and compare them with five current players who could have a big impact tonight.
2000
Jim Leighton
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 41
At Pittodrie after an absence of nine years at Manchester United, Dundee and Hibs, Leighton played in the all-conquering Aberdeen side of the 80s. He also collected 91 caps for Scotland in an illustrious international career before retiring from the international scene in October 1998. Big bandy Jim did much to help settle an inexperienced Dons defence in Ebbe Skovdahl's first season in charge, and despite his years had a splendid display in the semi-final tie with United making several crucial saves. Sadly his playing career ended that very season due to Rod Wallace's sickening and unpunished late challenge after only two minutes of the Scottish Cup final that year.
2008
Jamie Langfield
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 28
Jamie Langfield's first couple of seasons at Pittodrie marked him out as a bog-standard SPL keeper - solid enough shot-stopper, flapper at cross balls and terrible distribution. However this season he has reduced a number of these flaws without cutting them out completely, and has added to this a number of outstanding saves - particularly during a couple of match-winning performances against Dnipro. While he has picked up a couple of Scotland call-ups to both 'A' and 'B' squads, there is no chance of Jamie copying his current goalkeeping coach's international feats, but he may yet play a big part in Aberdeen's cup ties this season.
2000
Russell Anderson
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 21
The emerging young defender was one of the few successes of Aberdeen's poor season in 2000. Anderson earned a call-up to the full national squad in this year, having represented his country at under-16, under-18 and under-21 level. Having replaced former captain Stewart McKimmie at right back, Anderson went from strength to strength despite the Dons' dreadful goals against column. The question was: would he continue to progress as he had done? If so, international caps were sure to come his way…
2008
Zander Diamond
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 22
Since Russell left to join Sunderland in the summer of 2007, the captain's armband was given to Scott Severin but the leadership in defence has undoubtedly passed to Zander. Diamond is unarguably a finer player than Anderson at the same age, and has far more obvious leadershiop qualities. While Russell led by example, Diamond does this but adds a combative, almost feral attitude that has been missing from the Dons team for a number of years. All he needs to add to this is a little more composure and spades more organisational skills and and surely full Scotland caps are set to follow his captaincy of the Under-21s.
2000
Andy Dow
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 26
Another of the few successes at Pittodrie during this season, Andy Dow earned the adulation of the Aberdeen fans by breaking the club's scoring duck in the seventh match of the season. He scored vital goals throughout the campaign, including the winner against Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup and the equaliser in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs. He possesses an excellent left foot which he used to great effect on foraging runs up the wing and at dead ball situations. A bit of a one-season wonder at the Dons, for in the following seasons Dowser failed to live up to his hero status in 2000. Still fondly remembered.
2008
Ricky Foster
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 22
While Dow was the left-side outlet for many of Aberdeen's moves in 2000, that task has been handed to Foster in 2007/08 with mixed success. At the end of last season and the beginning of this, the signs were good. Foster's defensive side was improving, and his explosive, direct style perfect for the counter-attack - see his two outstanding goals against Motherwell and Hibs last term, and the build-up to Mackie's goal against Dnipro. However, an injury has put him out for a month or so, and already this season he is suffering from Calderwood's tactical tinkering. The jury is still out on Foster, but with a number of players leaving the club this year it is time for young Ricky to stand up and be counted - starting tonight.
2000
Eoin Jess
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 29
The underused Scotland international was often the key to how Aberdeen performed. At his best, Jess could turn matches, but when not on form, he could be highly frustrating. He should definitely have made much more of his career than he has done, with moves to middling English clubs blighting his progress. Despite Pittodrie legend status, it is fair to say that Jess has criminally underperformed in his career. A standout in this Dons team, Eoin scored the winning goal at Tannadice in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup to help take the Red Army to Hampden for a second time this season.
2008
Barry Nicholson
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 29
A very different type of player to Jess, Barry Nick is a powerhouse of box-to-box running who tracks back diligently while also providing goals at the other end. The comparison is apt simply because each player is key to how the Aberdeen team of their era performs - if they are hot, then the team generally wins - in style.
2000
Arild Stavrum
Nationality: Norwegian
Age: 28
Arild Stavrum was in good scoring form in 2000, with 11 goals to his credit. Stavrum joined the club in November 1999 from Swedish side Helsinborgs where he had been top scorer for three seasons. He is another player who pitched in with a number of vital goals in this year, including the goal against Hibs which put the Dons in the Scottish Cup final. Known as much for his penchant for reading Dostoeyevsky and painting as he is for goalscoring, Arild scored the winning goal against the Arabs.
2008
Lee Miller
Nationality: Scottish
Age: 24
While it is doubtful that he curls up with Crime and Punishment of an evening, Miller possesses the ability to become the poacher that Aberdeen have lacked since Arild left. A more robust and aggressive player than Stavrum, Lee likes to mix it with opposition defences and while he perhaps lacks Stavrum's thinking and touch, he is not far off it. His goals this season have been a welcome addition to his all-round play, and there is no doubt he has learned from Craig Brewster in his brief spell at the club. A winning goal tonight would make him a hero even amongst the doubters.
The Managers.
2000
Ebbe Skovdahl
Nationality: Danish
2008
Jimmy Calderwood
Nationality: Oompa-Loompa...er, I mean Scottish
Ebbe had a terrible first season at Aberdeen, finishing bottom of the SPL with well-documented losing runs and goalless runs. But it must be remembered that this was the start of major change at the club instigated by the boardroom, and this is partially the reason why Aberdeen Football Club are not in the same state at the likes of Livingston and Dundee just now, or placing themselves in the hugely perilous position of Hearts. Jimmy Calderwood has much to thank Ebbe for, in bringing through and nurturing youngsters such as McNaughton, Clark and Anderson who played important roles under Tango - and even Derek Young.
The managers have much in common - experience, particularly of European football, excellent reputations, and a fondness of media soundbites (some more successful than others - perhaps Jimmy could take a leaf out of Ebbe's book here). There is one main difference that has worked for Jimmy though - experience and knowledge of the Scottish game itself. Jimmy has not endeared himself to the Dons support despite success in terms of league results, but if he mirrors Ebbe's run to the CIS Cup final, he will go a long way to earning the fans' respect and admiration.
For tonight's game, the Dons are suffering a fair old injury crisis. Scott Severin, Derek Young and Jamie Smith are all a doubt after coming off injured on Saturday against Falkirk. Steve Lovell and Dan Smith picked up knocks in training, Hart, Aluko and Byrne are definitely out, and Stuart Duff is ineligible for the game.
Calderwood said: "It is not the ideal preparation but we just have to get on with it.
"I feel (as a management team) we have done well since we came here. All that is missing is a cup final appearance so hopefully we can change that tonight."
Come on you Reds!
Stand Free Ed