UEFA Champions League 2008/09

Who wins the Title?

The first official game of European Champions Cup, today UEFA Champions League, was played on September 4, 1955 between Portuguese Sporting and Partizan, Belgrade. The first final was played in Paris, Stadium Park d'Princes, and the first winner of the most important trophy, also the club with nine titles, was Real Madrid


By MILOŠ JEREMIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


New, 18th chapter is opened since the football rivalry among the best (read: richest) European clubs - was named Champions League. The new European campaign and fight for the popular trophy has started with 32 teams, headed by defender of the title won in Moscow this May, English Manchester United.

After six years without success in Champions League, Real Madrid is ready again to run for the 10th trophy. The first five they won in first five years, 1956-1960. After a decade, the sixth crown has come in a final match against Partizan Belgrade, played in Brussels. Then comes one break, and in 1998 occurred Amsterdam Arena, Juventus and off-speed shot directed by favorite of Madrid fans, Predrag Mijatović. Two years later they defeated Spanish Valencia, and then German Bayer Leverkusen.

Kings for jubilee

Today Real Madrid looks like never been stronger, since the last European title celebrated in Glasgow 2002. After two rounds played, the first place of Group H seems to be reserved for machinery from Madrid. Two secure victories against the representatives of former Soviet school - 2-0 against Belarus Bate Borisov, and triumph against Zenit, with plenty of luck in St.Petersburg - are good and strong base for the continuation of the European odissey.

It seems like there is no poor position, starting from goalkeeper Casillas, over the granite defense commanded by pair Ramos-Pepe, with addition of the Dutch turbo-machine Sneider and very sure strikers Raul and Van Nistelrooy. After start like this it's already feeling the golden jubilee dust.

Atletico Madrid and "outsiders"

Freshness, this year brought to Champions League by Anorthosis from Cyprus, Belarus Bate Borisov, Romanian Cluj and Atletico Madrid, with its come-back among the best, already felt in the beginning of group phase. Ciprians didn't lose against favorite from Bremen, Cluj has scared and defeated "Wolf" in Rome, Bate Borisov kicked out "an Old Lady" from Turin. Perhaps it looks like a dream, but these results are proof of high investments in development of the most popular game in the world, in some countries that were almost unknown to wider sports audience only few years ago.

On the other hand, great Spanish and European team of Atletico Madrid, slowly returns to the winners road. After several years of poor results, Atletico entered the 18th season of Champions League armed with high-quality players, footballers with no lost ball, pressing opponents from the first minute, and secure victory comes as a logical consequence. Everyone who underestimates Aguerro, Maxi Lopez and his namesake Rodrigez, keeper Frank Leo, and in addition to these great Argentinians, Dutch Hejtinga and strong Czech Ujfalusi, will have very much trouble to stop the fast train from Pirinei. Weaknesses? For the young team, fear they will be delighted with victories, and then fall down on the ground. Something like that already happened last weekend in Primera, against Barcelona. Atletico was losing 1-4 already in 18th minute.

"Devils" want the fourth title

Since 1990 and Milan's win over the Portuguese Benfica, Europe is awaiting the moment when a club will defend the title of European champion conquered the previous season. This opportunity, in season 2008/09, will have footballers of Manchester United. Led by experienced, but still very young stars - Rooney and Ronaldo, protected by defense consisted of "Flying Dutchman" Van Der Sar, Ferdinand and Vidic, backed by experience of Ryan Giggs and still not fully expressed talent of "Gauchos" Tevez, army of Alex Ferguson has set great goals and hopes. However, already in the first round it was obvious that the way to the final ceremony will not be easy at all. But it's not recomended to play with Manchester Utd, and specially not to underestimate them. Because you will make a great mistake, and then it's hard to believe you are going to runaway from the "Red Devils".


(Published: 10.10.2008.)