This is one of the reasons why I am one of the rare americans that love European Football ie "Soccer." Imagine if the NBA had something thats bigger than the NBA finals itself. Imagine if the top four teams from the NBA (out of the East and the West) squared off against the top four Basketball teams in other countries of the Western Hemisphere, like from the Argentine leagues, Brazillian leagues, and any other country that has the Basketball leagues. This is what Champions League is all about - the top teams (in Europe they're called clubs) in ALL OF EUROPE, meaning you will see a top team from Spain square off against a top team from Italy, etc, etc... This is quite possibly one of the biggest sports events in the world that saw MANCHESTER UNITED crowned the winners of the Champions League cup last night at Luziniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.
The final was between Chelsea and Manchester United - the top 2 ENGLISH clubs. That's right. Out of all the clubs in Europe (including the great clubs from Spain and Italy), it is 2 English clubs that made the final. Keep in mind that Spain boasts one of the best clubs (Real Madrid and FC Barcelona) and Italy as well (Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma). At the same time in Football season, Manchester United and Chelsea were duking it out at the top of the English League which saw Manchester United maintained the number one spot and Chelsea coming in as number 2. YES. MANCHESTER UNITED won the League cup AND Champions League, serving them the DOUBLE, making them the best in England, and the best in Europe IN THE SAME YEAR. While it may sound amazing, they pulled off a bigger feat almost 10 years ago. Alongside the England League (it's called the Premier League btw), there is also a tournament in England called the "FA Cup" in which the whole Premier League participates in a tournament against the lower league clubs (imagine MLB teams facing off against the minor league teams in a tournament) and clubs in Wales and Scottland. Manchester United would be the only club to win the "Treble" back in 99 - capturing the League, FA Cup, AND Champions League the same year. And for some interesting trivia, DAVID BECKHAM played on that Manchester United team that won the treble 10 years ago. Yes, this was David Beckham before he married Posh Spice.
So European Football season comes to a close. In Summer, there is a FIFA Club world tournament in which the winners of each continent play against each other to determine who is the best in the world - and Manchester United will be representing Europe obviously. For 2008, the year belongs to Manchester United. Glory Glory MAN UNIIIIIIIITTTTEEEEEED!
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