Real Madrid is back!

Last night, Real Madrid won the Spanish Royal Cup against F.C. Barcelona. It was an amazing match with 30 minutes extra-time. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal of the game and gave Real Madrid the 18th Spanish Cup title, a title that breaks the hegemony of Barcelona during the last years.

Now there still remain two more mouth-watering matches between the two rivals in the Champions League on April 27 and May 3. Last weekend we saw the first of the four matches that they are playing in a month. I bet the next two matches are not suitable for the fainthearted.

The anecdote of the final is the fall of the cup from the top of a double-decker bus, which in addition ran over it. The cup slipped from Sergio Ramos' hands when they were approaching the Cibeles fountain, the place where Real Madrid followers gather to celebrate their victories. An identical replica of the cup has been given to Real Madrid so that it can be shown to the fans.

Congratulations Real Madrid!!!

World Cup 2010: Official Anthem: "Waka waka"

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

"One World One Dream" fully reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit -- Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream. It expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of Mankind. In spite of the differences in colors, languages and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of Mankind for peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams.

"One World One Dream" is a profound manifestation of the core concepts of the Beijing Olympic Games. It reflects the values of harmony connoted in the concept of "People's Olympics", the core and soul of the three concepts -- "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics". While "Harmony of Man with Nature" and "Peace Enjoys Priority" are the philosophies and ideals of the Chinese people since ancient times in their pursuit of the harmony between Man and Nature and the harmony among people, building up a harmonious society and achieving harmonious development are the dream and aspirations of ours. It is our belief that peace and progress, harmonious development, living in amity, cooperation and mutual benefit, and enjoying a happy life are the common ideals of the people throughout the world.

"One World, One Dream" is simple in expressions, but profound in meaning. It is of China, and also of the world. It conveys the lofty ideal of the people in Beijing as well as in China to share the global community and civilization and to create a bright future hand in hand with the people from the rest of the world. It expresses the firm belief of a great nation, with a long history of 5,000 years and on its way towards modernization, that is committed to peaceful development, harmonious society and people's happiness. It voices the aspirations of 1.3 billion Chinese people to contribute to the establishment of a peaceful and bright world.
The English translation of the slogan is distinctive in sentence structure. The two "One's are perfectly used in parallel, and the words "World" and "Dream" form a good match. The slogan is simple, meaningful, inspiring, and easy to remember, read and spread.

In Chinese, the word "tongyi", which means "the same", is used for the English word "One". It highlights the theme of "the whole Mankind lives in the same world and seeks for the same dream and ideal".

Source: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Now, you can listen to the theme song for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games "We Are Ready". Watch the video and enjoy China's beautiful places, buildings and landscapes.



If you want to, you can play these official Olympic Mini-Games. Have fun!

Nadal wins Wimbledon

Congratulations Nadal for the impressive match and victory last Sunday!

Nadal's epic five-set win over Roger Federer in Sunday's Wimbledon final saw him become the first Spaniard since 1966 to win the title.

Federer was gracious in defeat, but admitted that the fact he had played in what is already being spoken of as possibly the greatest final in Wimbledon history was little consolation for the pain of losing.

Former three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker said Nadal's win confirmed his status as the world's best player. "Whoever wins the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year for me is the number one in the world," he said. This year's final was the longest in history, beating the record set by John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors in 1982, and McEnroe said it was "the greatest match I have ever seen." And Wimbledon legend Bjorn Borg was also lavish in his praise. "I have just witnessed the greatest match I have ever seen. The drama, the quality and the way it ended when it seemed as though no more tennis could possibly be played was remarkable, to put it mildly."

For more information, read here. Click on this link if you want to listen to Nadal's interview after the match.

Nadal's championship-winning moment, here.

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Spain wins the Euro 2008

Congratulations Spain!!!
Spain claimed their first major title for 44 years after winning Euro 2008 with a deserved victory over Germany.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was Spain's goal hero, striking after 33 minutes when he cleverly lifted Xavi's pass over Germany keeper Jens Lehmann.
Spain dominated the final throughout, with Torres heading against the post and Marcos Senna almost adding a second from close range after 80 minutes.
Spain have long had a reputation as under-achievers on the big occasions, but this was a richly-merited victory for veteran coach Luis Aragones and a team that played outstanding football throughout the tournament.

TRIVIA

Spain have won the European Championship for the second time. In 1964, they also lifted the trophy after beating the Soviet Union 2-1 in the final. In 1984, they also reached the final but lost 2-0 against France.
Just as Greece four years ago, Spain have kept clean sheets in all three knock-out rounds after the group phase.
As well as winning the European Championship three times (1972, 1980, 1996), Germany have now also lost three European Championship finals (1976, 1992, 2008).
With four goals, David Villa has become top scorer at Euro 2008 without having played in the final. That is the fewest goals for a European Championship top scorer since 1992, when Dennis Bergkamp, Tomas Brolin, Henrik Larsen and Karl-Heinz Riedle all scored three goals.
At the age of 38 years and 232 days, Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann became the oldest player ever to appear in the European Championship final, breaking the record set by Arnold Muhren (37 years, 23 days) in 1988.
At the age of 69 years and 337 days, winning coach Luis Aragones has become the oldest coach ever to appear in the final of a European Championship. Aragones is more than four years older than Otto Rehhagel (65 years, 327 days) was four years ago when Greece beat Portugal in the Euro 2004 final.

For more information, click here.
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Ancient football players ...

So, according to this picture ... football was not an English invention ... or was it?

The contemporary history of the world's favourite game spans more than 100 years. It all began in 1863 in England, when rugby football and association football branched off on their different courses and the Football Association in England was formed - becoming the sport's first governing body.

Read the complete history of football here.

Is the goalkeeper Iker Casillas?

Congratulations Iker and congratulations Spain!!!

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UEFA Euro 2008 Austria-Switzerland

For football lovers again... Did you think that football was over this year with the end of our National Leagues or Championships? It wasn't, it isn't in fact. Yesterday the UEFA Euro 2008 was inaugurated!!! We now have nearly a month of interesting national teams football matches!!! So, get ready, steady and go!

Here you can see the four groups and the participating national teams.


For more information on the tournament, click here, the official Euro 2008 site.

If you want to read Alex Ferguson's team guides, click on this link. What is Ferguson's bet for the Euro 2008?

And what is yours? What team do you think will will the Euro 2008 Cup? Post your comments with your answers!!!

MANCHESTER UNITED'S heroes are returning home in glory today

Alex Ferguson's Double winners are set to touch down after winning the European Cup in Moscow last night.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co are basking in the spotlight after their epic victory over arch rivals Chelsea in the Champions League final.

United edged the Blues in a dramatic penalty shoot-out 6-5, leaving skipper John Terry and his players to fly back empty-handed into Gatwick today.

For more information, click here.

2008 UEFA Champions League Final: Manchester United versus Chelsea

Calling all football fans! It's time to get ready to watch the UEFA Champions League Final taking place in Moscow, Russia, on 21st May at the impressive Luzhniki Stadium, which once hosted the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

The Champions League is the most important and the most prestigious European football cup arresting millions of football fans to their TV screens and drawing thousands of supporters at the stadiums. Scores of clubs from 53 UEFA associations fight for the right to play in the Champions League, but only 32 teams reach the main stage. It's a seasonal tournament - it starts in the end of summer and ends in the end of spring.

The 2007–08 UEFA Champions League is the 16th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since it was rebranded in 1992, and the 53rd tournament overall. The Final will be played on 21st May 2008 and, unlike the other knockout rounds, it is played in only one match with extra time in case of a draw after 90 minutes. If the teams are still level following the extra time, a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner. For the first time in the history of the European Cup, the final will feature two teams from England: Manchester United will play against Chelsea, making it an all-English club final.

UEFA made football history when they announced earlier on in the year that they plan to hold club football's most prestigious event in Moscow, the furthest East the cup final has ever been played. What a chance then for Moscow and Russia to showcase not just the two best teams of 2008 playing for glory, but also this vast and beautiful metropolis we know as Moscow.

Enjoy the match and may the best one win!

Manchester United wins the Premier League

CRISTIANO RONALDO has set his sights on the Double after Manchester United wrapped up the title.

The Red Devils pipped Chelsea to the Premier League crown by winning at Wigan yesterday.
And they have now turned their attentions to facing the Blues in the Champions League final in Moscow in nine days's time.

Ronaldo, who opened the scoring in the 2-0 win at the JJB Stadium, said: "This season has been good for me because I've scored many goals, the team have played fantastically to win the Premier League and we're in the final of the Champions League.

"It's going to be fantastic if we win the Champions League. The feeling is going to be amazing if we win."

"In the final you never know, it is 50-50. I'm very happy and proud to play in the final, this is my first time."

"I feel very excited, the lads have belief and it is a great opportunity for all of the players."

For more information, read today's article of THE SUN.

By the way, congratulations to Manchester United supporters!!!

Task: Turn Ronaldo's statements into Reported Speech.

Real Madrid wins the Spanish Football League 2007-2008

Congratulations to Real Madrid and its supporters!!!

With three games remaining, Real Madrid has won its 31st Spanish league title.

As usual when winning a title, the club will celebrate it with captain Raúl González set to tie the club's scarf around the downtown

statue of the goddess "Cibeles", the traditional scene of Madrid's triumphs.

David Beckham

David Beckham is nowadays one of the most famous football players in the world. He was born in England in 1975. He currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the USA.

His career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons. In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid and sign a five-year contract with Los Angeles Galaxy.

In 2004 he was the world's highest-paid footballer. Such global recognition has made him an elite advertising brand and a top fashion icon.

More details on David Beckham's biography.

How much do you know about Beckham? Find out by doing this quiz.

Video from yappr.com: Interview to David Beckham.

The commentary box: Beckham on England.

You'll never walk alone

For football lovers ...

I hope all of you who like football enjoy this video: The best momments of 2005 Champions League final with "You'll never walk alone" as music theme.
AC Milan versus Liverpool FC. A really astonishing match!!!

Liverpool FC anthem: You'll never walk alone

When you walk through a storm hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never, ever walk alone.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never, ever walk alone.

For more information about English football teams or the Premier League in general click here.

Football vocabulary and football games.