Senin, 16 Juni 2008

Euro 2008 Soccer

The Euro 2008 or UEFA European Football Championship was organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), one of the six continental federations of the FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association). It's the 13th in the series of championships that occur every 4 years in Europe. It is, fairly to say, one of the most exciting important football competitions, apart from the World Cup, which all of football fans look forward to see.
UEFA regulates the football associations in Europe. The UEFA European Championship has become a very successful tournament and has become one of the world's major events in sports. With this popularity sprung the popularity of the Euro 2008 soccer jersey.
This year's event was hosted by Austria and Switzerland and it ended on June 29th. Greece was the defending champion but Spain won the title over Germany in a score of 1-0 during the finals. There were a total of 16 teams, which made it through the qualifying matches that started in August 2006. The teams that made it to the Euro 2008 are:
• Austria • Croatia • Czech Republic • France • Germany • Greece • Italy • Netherlands • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Turkey
Each team, of course, has their own soccer jersey to identify them with. There are jerseys for games held at home and there are jerseys for games held away from home. Every single one of these shirts is a true witness to the courage and valor of the players on the field. Fans everywhere root for their favorite players and for the entire team that represents their nation. These fans wear soccer jerseys too, so they can show their support for their country and team.
The soccer jerseys of the participants of the Euro 2008 are now famous since they have been paraded on the fields for the entire world to watch as their wearers flaunt them while doing their moves to win over their opponents. Mostly imprinted with logos of sponsors and the insignias of the teams, the Euro 2008 soccer jersey of a key player of a particular team could be bought from their official stores or online via the Internet shops of these same traditional stores.
For those who want to get their hands on a specific Euro 2008 soccer jersey, they can log on to many of online shops and has a selection of soccer jerseys for several leagues like Bundesliga, Calcio Serie A, Spain League, Premier League, and other national teams. What they are offering now includes the uniforms used by all 16 teams. Just click on the jersey you want and add it to your shopping cart. You can pay in US dollars, GBP, Euro, or AUD via a secured credit card system.
It could be the most convenient shopping experience for you since you no longer have to walk from store to store or browse one catalog after another just to look for the Euro 2008 soccer jersey you want to own. At Shop Soccer Jersey, you can click the league you want and you can choose from there.

Spain Win Euro 2008

Qualification for the Euro 2008 football tournament began in August 2006 after the FIFA World Cup. Groups A, B, C and D, consisting of 16 teams, battled it out on the field to find out who would be going to Vienna for Euro 2008. Spain became the first team to win all matches in the group stage since France's accomplishment in 1984.
In terms of international competitions, Germany is considered one of the most successful teams. They have won six distinguished titles, three World Cups and three European championships. Germany is also the only nation to have both men's and women's teams win World Cups.
In the Euro 2008 final, Spain and Germany faced off at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna, Austria on June 29. Full of confidence and excitement, both teams were welcomed by grandstands full of cheering fans. In the final, Spain defeated Germany 1-0. Adidas produced the ball used in the final and named it Europass Gloria. Europass Gloria is a version of Europass which was the 14-panel match ball used during qualifying games.
Spain's David Villa injured his right thigh muscle during the semi-final win over Russia and was unable to compete in Euro 2008. "I'm a little sad that I won't be there to take part, but it's better that a teammate who is fit plays instead of me, particularly as my injury has left me limping quite badly," Villa said before the game.
New Euro 2008 Trophy Style
The new trophy awarded to the winning team was almost an exact replica of the original that was designed by Arthus-Bertrand. The revised design no longer has the small figure juggling a ball on the back or the marble plinth. The new trophy is made of sterling silver, weighs 8 kilograms and is 60 centimeters tall. The silver base was enlarged, and the names of the winning countries were engraved on the back.
Euro 2008 Entertainment and Closing Ceremony
The championship's closing ceremony featured Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias, who sang the tournament's official song "Can You Hear Me" composed by Rollo Armstrong. Iglesias is a Madrid native with 18 No. 1 Spanish singles on the Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks.
Some of the nearly 400 artists and performers included Shaggy, Christina Sturmer, Rawbau, The White Stripes and others. The German dance group Bellini performed after each goal scored during the competition. Euro 2008 official mascots were named Trix and Flix after the names won 36% of the vote.
Welcome Home Celebrations
The Euro 2008 champions Spain were greeted by thousands of still-excited fans as they returned home.
During the final itself the bars and hotels in Barcelona and the capital Madrid were packed with jubilant supporters.
The team was paraded through town in an open-top bus as fans lined the streets, cheering them on. Coach Luis Aragones describes his team as "the best team in the world."
Euro 2008 was Spain's first European championship since 1964. A fitting official end to the celebration, a rendition of "We Are The Champions" was played over loudspeakers while red and yellow confetti showered party-goers - and the party began throughout Spain

Euro 2008 - It's Why The NFL Will Never Be A Global Passion  

June 2008 saw Spain take victory in the European Soccer Championships. Late 2007 saw the first regular season game from the NFL take place outside the american continent, as Miami played New York Giants as Wembley Stadium in London, England...
The tickets for the NFL game sold out quickly, and the NFL was so impressed it immediately set up next year's regular season game, and Commissioner Roger Goodall said he wanted the NFL to be a global passion, played all over the world. That will never happen and here's why...
The Euros 2008 had 4 groups of 4 teams, that's 16 countries. But let's nor forget, those countries came through 2 years of qualifying from over 40 countries! In each country, anyone can start a team and join their football association. There is nothing to stop them developing and going all the way to the top of their national game.
This can never happen in the NFL. Quite apart from the US college system, the NFL is a business operated a franchise model. You can't just start a team, you have to buy a franchise! This ties you in to how the parent company chooses to run itself.
It's why there will never be a World Cup in American football, and it doesn't help when the NFL calls the national champions World Champions! This is seen as jaw dropping arrogance, and is yet another reason why it won't be played globally.
The sport does have a following in many countries. I'm a fan myself, and the London game showed the popularity, but even when the NFL tried to expand abroad, NFL Europe was no more than a feeder series to the 'main' event - as such it would never take off at grass roots support level, and the idea was folded last season.
So to sum up, while it may be watched in many countries, the Euro 2008 soccer championship showed just why the NFL will never be played as a global passion.

The Benefits of Online Betting at Euro 2008

Were you impressed with Manchester United two goals win over Bayern Munich during two minutes injury time in the final of UEFA 1999? Perhaps, you were impressed only because you won thousands and thousands of dollars on that match. You might place your bet online and earn such a big amount at the shortest possible time. Now, Euro 2008 is approaching and the tournament will host sixteen European nations to crown the king of the European football. If you are a football enthusiast, why not back your favourite team to win the European Championship title? Get better odds of Euro 2008 soccer and win maximum prizes.
Betting at soccer is a form of investment in which the return on investment is relatively higher. As a result, people are making beeline for laying bets on their favourite players, teams, scores of the game, and the list goes on. There is always a little bit of controversy and plenty of drama during the Euro Cup. With so much on the line and the fate of each country on each team back, the Euro 2008 will exhibit some truly mind-boggling performances that will be probably backed by bettors and punters. But before you place your bets, make sure you are well adapted to the betting details and guidelines for betting on the Euro 2008.
Keeping the bettors and punters in mind, various online vendors have introduced websites pertaining to Euro betting 2008. You can find all the latest information about Euro betting 2008, odds and free bet offers for the 2008 European Championships. These websites can guide you to the best online bookmakers for placing your bets with your favourite player or team. Moreover, you find exclusive betting odds and unbeatable promotions at competitive prices. It is pertinent to note that some websites will provide complete statistical analysis and reviews of each match to maximize your chance of wining the bet.