Sporting News and Events

In reviewing the football played throughout 2008, one can aptly say that it the year that selective teams dominated. Starting from the front, Sir Alex Ferguson had a great run as Manchester United took top honours by becoming English Premiere League Champions and European Champions. It was also a heartbreaker for local rivals Chelsea as Captain John Terry missed out on a penultimate penalty, a deadly mistake that cost Chelsea their first ever Champions League trophy. What followed was an emotional John Terry weeping and howling like a mutt all over the ground showing his ridiculously emotional side. So anyone sporting a Nike Manchester United Home Jersey clearly had a year to remember. But the team wasn’t done either, as the year ending FIFA Club World Cup also saw Manchester United coming out on top as a 73rd minute Wayne Rooney strike gave the team a victory over Liga de Quito of Ecuador.

Spain finally got its due as it got rid of the tag of not being a ‘big time player’ and an under achiever by winning the Euro 2008, which many thought rightfully belonged to them. It went passed World Champions Italy in the penalty strikes with ease, tore into Russia 4-1 courtesy a hat-trick by David Villa and defeated traditional foe Germany 1-0 through the lone goal of the match scored by Liverpool’s showstopper Fernando Torres. So flawless was their game that they went undefeated throughout the tournament. Other things that made headlines were Cristiano Ronaldo’s foot injury which made him go on an extended vacation and socializing with celebrities, again Ronaldo winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or and finally Liverpool leading the charts now halfway the Champions League season.