The 21st of May will be a magic day. I’m not referring to the last tour of Bruce Springsteen or anything about magicians, I’m talking about football, about european football (well in this occasion, in English football). The 21st of May is going to be the major event of the European Champions League, the final! This year’s edition will take place in Moscow.
The summer is really near, you are starting to feel that spring is finishing, you are looking forward the summer holidays, and you are looking forward traveling… now is your occasion to combine tourism and football at the maximum level. Visit Moscow, a very nice city, and enjoy the Champions League final.
Chelsea and Manchester United will fight the second round of a combat (Manchester United won the first round (Premier League)). The best teams in Europe will offer a spectacular match to decide who brings to England the cup. If Manchester United wins the match will be the 3rd Champions cup, if on the other hand Chelsea wins the match it will be the first. “Chelski” will play at home, with the presence of Roman Abramovich and his compatriots. Abramovich is extremely happy, because after 5 years of spending huge amounts of money in building a team finally he has succeed in achieving the Champions League final, now we’ll see if Chelski can defeat the Premier League’s champion. Wayne Rooney vs. Ricardo Carvalho, Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Essien, Drogba vs. Ferdinand, Scholes vs. Lampard, Cech vs. Van der Sar,… The best players of the world in the best match of the world, buy tickets!
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) with 31 goals scored (62 points) during season 2007/08 in the Premiership (England) is the new winner of the European Golden Boot, the prestigious trophy awarding the top scorer of European National Leagues. Cristiano Ronaldo is also maximum favourite to obtain the ‘Golden Ball’ and ‘FIFA World Player’ of this season. After Cristiano Ronaldo, in the Top Scorers list in Europe this season, other important players have been qualified: Dani Güiza (Mallorca) with 27 goals scored (54 points), Klass-Jan Huntelar (Ajax) with 33 goals scored (but only 49,5 points because the league in Holland has a lower coefficient) and Adebayor (Arsenal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) and Luca Toni (Bayern Munich) all with 24 goals scored (48 points).But let’s go also to see the statistics of this trophy only referred to the Premiership in England since season 1994/95. 1994/95 A. Shearer (Blackburn), 34 goals scored; 1995/96 A. Shearer (Blackburn), 31 goals scored; 1996/97 A. Shearer (Newcastle), 25 goals scored; 1997/98 D. Dublin (Coventry), M. Owen (Liverpool) and C. Suttun (Blackpool), all with 18 goals scored; 1998/99 D. Yorke (Manchester United), M. Owen (Liverpool) and J. F. Hasselbaink (Leeds), all with 18 goals scored; 1999/00 K. Phillips (Sunderland) 30 goals scored; 2000/01 J. F. Hasselbaink (Chelsea), 23 goals scored. 2001/02 T. Henry (Arsenal), 24 goals scored; 2002/03 R. v. Nistelrooy (Manchester United), 25 goals scored; 2003/04 T. Henry (Arsenal), 30 goals scored; 2004/05 T. Henry (Arsenal), 25 goals scored; 2005/06 T. Henry (Arsenal), 27 goals scored; 2006/07 D. Drogba (Chelsea), 21 goals scored.
Few days before the opening of the Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland and just looking at the Euro Cup history it is easy to understand why it has become so popular. The European Championships were first held in 1960 and were originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup. Initially it was hard to get many teams to compete, but by 1968 the tournament when it changed its name to the European Football Championship becomes very popular.
Since its creation the team winners have been: 1960 USSR, 1964 Spain, 1968 Italy, 1972 Germany, 1976 Czechoslovakia, 1980 Germany, 1984 France, 1988 Holland, 1992 Denmark, 1996 Germany, 2000 France and 2004 Greece.Let’s go now through some remarkable facts along the 12 championships played until now. 1960: Spain was eliminated from the tournament when General Francisco Franco’s government refused to let the Spanish team travel to Moscow. 1964: Largest crowd in championship history — 125,000 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the final match (Spain-USSR). 1968: Name was changed from the Nations Cup to the European Championship. 1976: Czechoslovakia won on penalties. 1980: The final field was increased to eight teams from four. 1984: Spanish ‘keeper Luis Arconada knocked the first goal over his own line. 1988:Only three of the eight finalists from ‘84 qualified, including France. 1992: U.N. sanctions forced out war-torn Yugoslavia. 1996: First Golden Goal in a major international championship. 2000: Sylvain Wiltord shocked Italy by scoring the game 3 minutes into injury time when the Italians were leading the whole match with David Trezeguet scoring the Golden Goal winner 13 minutes to win.
As for all sports competitions related statistics are very appreciate because they permit to know exact records and any other details of all participating players. Basketball is one of the important sports where players can achieve different records in each match and each season. As any other leagues in the world, ACB Basketball League in Spain, where a lot of foreign players (specially from USA) play in each team of this category, the statistics are quite relevant. We are going to have a quick look to these statistics refereed to Play-Off of this competition.All figures refers to one single match of Play-Off. Points: 43 – David Rusell (Estudiantes, 1987)3 Points Shooting: 10 – Cicho Sibilio ( FC Barcelona, 1986)Blocks: 8 – George Singleton (Manresa, 1994) and Derrich Alston (Manresa, 1998)Rebounds: 21 – Arvydas Sabonis (Real Madrid, 1993) and Fernando Romay (Real Madrid, 1987)Steals: 14 – Andres Jimenez (Joventut, 1985)Assists: 13 – Michael Anderson (CS San Fernando, 1996), Elmer Bennett (Tau, 2001) and Andre Turner (CS San Fernando, 1996)Another important individual title along the regular season is the MVP (Most Value Player) and the last five winners have been: Juan Carlos Navarro (Barcelona, 2003/04 and 2005/06 Seasons), Luis Scola (Tau, 2004/05 Seasons) and Marc Gasol (Akasvayu, 2007/08 Season).
Zenit St. Petersburg became the second Russia squad in the last four seasons to win football UEFA Cup, defeating Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers 2-0 in the final match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.
Igor Denisov staked Zenit to a 1-0 lead in the 72nd minute and Konstantin Zyryanov completed the scoring in injury time.It marked the first UEFA Cup for Zenit coach David Advocaat, who, ironically, coached Rangers from 1998 to 2002. “I feel very happy winning the prize like this,” he said. “The way we played in this tournament, we really deserved this.”Glasgow Rangers has failed to win a European championship since capturing the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972.”Over the tournament, we have worked very hard to get to the final,” Rangers coach Walter Smith said. “There was not that much in it overall and we had a few chances ourselves. Zenit looked the more offensive team. But obviously, at this stage, I’m disappointed to have lost.”Zenit controlled the first half, but Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander kept it scoreless with saves on Anatoliy Tymoschuk, Radek Sirl, Zyryanov and Alexander Anyukov. Zenit attacked more and when they were successful against their opponent’s goal, it was quite clear that they will maintain this advantage. Anyway was Zenit who controlled all the match from the very beginning and everybody was convinced that finally Zenit would win.CSKA Moscow was the first Russian team to win the UEFA Cup in 2005.
In all European countries the second important competition, after the National Leagues, is the Cup. This competition is not only closed to First Division clubs but it is open to clubs playing in Second and Third Division Leagues.
In three of the most important European Football countries – Spain, Germany and Holland – the final match of their respective National Cups have already been played and therefore they already have the winners of their Cup.
So let’s go to check what has already happened in the Cup competitions in Spain, German and Holland.
Spain – After winning in the semi-finals matches to FC Barcelona (4-3 aggregate) and to Racing Santander (4-2 aggregate) respectively, Valencia CF and Getafe CF played the final match in Madrid on 16th April where Valencia CF defeated Getafe CF (3-1). Therefore Valencia CF, that has been fighting this season to avoid relegation to Second Division, will play the UEFA Cup competition next season.
Germany – After winning in the semi-finals matches to Wfl Wolfsburg (2-0) and FC Carl Zeiss Jena, last in the 2.Bundesliga (3-0) respectively, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund played the final match in Berlin on 19th April where Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund (2-1). As winner of the 1.Bundesliga, Bayer Munich will play the Champions League next season whilst Borussia Dortmund – number 13 in the table – will play the UEFA Cup competition.
Holland – After winning in the semi-finals matches to NAC Breda (2-0) and Heracles Almelo (2-2 p) respectively, Feyenoord Rotterdam and Roda JC Kerkrade played the final match on 27th April. Feyenoord Rotterdam who defeated Roda JC Kerkrade (2-0) will play the UEFA Cup competition next season.
When the European Football 2007/08 season is almost finishing, different things can be analysed to check how the season has developed and which have been the most relevant facts during the nine months of competition.One of the most important facts are the goals scored, both in the domestic leagues and in the Champions League. In this aspect there is a name leading both tables: Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United with a total of 37 goals scored followed by Fernando Torres from Liverpool with 29 goals scored. But let’s go to the tables to see all details of the goals scored: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) National LeaguesCristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United 30 3 88 38 33 20 3Daniel Güiza - Mallorca 24 0 115 38 34 18 1Emmanuel Adebayor - Arsenal 24 3 118 32 35 17 1Luis Fabiano - Sevilla 23 2 93 33 28 16 4Fernando Torres – Liverpool 23 0 106 35 32 17 4Luca Toni – Bayern Munich 21 0 117 34 29 15 3
Marco Borriello – Genoa 19 5 146 43 33 14 4
David Trezeguet – Juventus 19 1 152 27 34 14 2
Mario Gomez – Stuttgart 18 0 100 32 23 13 2
Alessandro del Piero – Juventus 18 2 143 26 35 13 3
Kevin Kuranyi – Schalke 04 15 0 171 28 30 10 1 Champions League Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United 7 1 128 36 10 6 3Steven Gerrard – Liverpool 6 2 182 20 12 6 0Didier Drogba – Chelsea 6 0 151 31 10 4 2
Fernando Torres – Liverpool 6 0 145 20 10 5 1
Lionel Messi – FC Barcelona 6 1 121 33 9 5 1
(1) Goals Scored
(2) Penalties
(3) Minutes per Goal
(4) % of Team Goals
(5) Appearances
(6) Games Scored
Crucial Goals
Referees at Euro 2008 will come down hard on players who use excessive force or show dissent if they follow instructions they were given on Thursday. The 12 referees who will officiate at the June tournament in Austria and Switzerland were handed a six-point list of instructions at the end of a four-day workshop at their Euro 2008 base near Zurich. The instructions, compiled by European soccer’s governing body UEFA, order referees to ‘act firmly (red card) against challenges involving excessive force…including the illegal use of arms and elbows.’ UEFA said that players would also be expected to respect officials’ decisions. ‘Referees can accept a spontaneous expression of frustration from players,’ the instructions state, ‘but will firmly sanction players who show dissent to the referees by word or action.’ The referees have also been instructed to control holding or pushing in the penalty area prior to corners and free kicks and to punish ’simulation intended to deceive the referee’ with yellow cards. The list ends with a note to team coaches, advising them that they will be ‘left to do their jobs’ in the technical area immediately in front of the team bench provided they act responsibly. ‘If a coach openly criticises the referee, action will be taken to curb his behaviour,’ the instructions add. The list of the 12 Euro 2008 referees is the following: Konrad Plautz (Austria), Frank de Bleeckere (Belgium), Howard Webb (England), Herbert Fandel (Germany), Kyros Vassaras (Greece), Roberto Rosetti (Italy), Pieter Vink (Netherlands), Tom Henning Ovrebo (Norway), Lubos Michel (Slovakia),
Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain), Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden) and
Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).
Directly upon his return from Shanghai to Barcelona, Jorge Lorenzo was taken to the Spanish city´s Institut Universitari Dexeus by ambulance for further inspection of the injuries suffered in Grand Prix of China last Friday in a huge highside crash.
The man in charge of the Fiat Yamaha rider´s medical issues, Dr. Xavier Mir, submitted Lorenzo to an examination of both his left and right ankles, and found a further fracture of the right astragalus and a broken ligament in the left ankle.
Lorenzo –who was last operated on by Dr. Mir for a compartmental syndrome in his arm after victory in Portugal- will not be required to go under the knife for his latest injury. However, he will be confined to a wheelchair in order to immobilise both ankles, with particular attention needed for the right hand side.After confirming that Lorenzo’s right ankle injury was more serious than previously though, Dr. Mir explained the next step in supervising the recovery process.During the next days Dr. Mir will carry out more tests, and make a more detailed evaluation of the injuries suffered on both sides. Whilst the MotoGP rookie was able to ride to fourth position in China race, the nature of his injuries means that participation in the Grand Prix of France on May 18 at Le Mans and in the Grand Prix of Italy on June 1 at Mugello are still in doubt.
But what is practically sure is that Jorge Lorenzo will be totally recovered to face the Grand Prix of Catalunya at Montmeló Circuit on June 8.
When many European Football Leagues have not yet finished, specially in Eastern countries there are 10 clubs already qualified for the first phase of the competition and 21 clubs also qualified for the preliminary phase. The 10 clubs already qualified for the first phase of the competition are: Real Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich (Germany), Manchester United and Chelsea (England), Internazionale and Rome (Italy), Olympique Lyon and Girondins Bordeaux (France), Porto (Portugal) and PSV Eindhoven (Holland). Another 5 clubs will join the above 10 as soon as their national leagues finished: 1 club from the following countries: Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal and Russia.The 21 clubs already qualified for the preliminary phase of the competition are: Arsenal and Liverpool (England), Juventus (Italy), Sparta Prague and Slavia Prague (Czech Republic), CFR 1907 Cluj and Steaua Bucarest (Rumania), Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine), Standard Liege (Belgium), FC Santa Coloma (Andorra), Rapid Vienna (Austria), CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria), Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus), Lanelli AFC (Wales), Dinamo Tiblisi (Georgia), Linfield Belfast (North Ireland), F91 Dudelange (Luxembourg), Valetta FC (Malta) and Wisla Krakow (Poland). But still other 50 clubs will join the 21 above clubs when their domestic leagues completed.Spain, England and Italy (4 clubs each country), France, Germany, Portugal, Holland, Greece and Russia (3 clubs), Scotland, Turkey, Czech Republic, Rumania, Ukraine and Belgium (2 clubs) and other 39 countries (1 club each).In total it will be 81 clubs that will fight for the Champions League 2008/09. But let wait for the complete list and the preliminary qualification phase results to know the last 32 clubs which will go into the draw next September to conform the eight definitive groups.