The Champions Blog

BARCELONA'S 2008-09 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNING SQUAD: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 27th May 2009: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United Barcelona were a phenomenal team in the 2008-09 season and completed something no Spanish team has done before, as they defeated the reigning European champions in Rome, to complete a historic treble and their third Champions League title in their history. They would then go on to win 6 trophies in a single calendar year, achieving something that no other club had done before. So where is this squad that guided Barcelona to European Cup number 3? 1) Victor Valdes (#1) Valdes is arguably one of Spain and Barcelona's greatest-ever goalkeepers. He was the man between the sticks for Barcelona in the Rome showdown and managed to keep a clean sheet. After the final in Rome, Valdes spent another five years with Barcelona, winning the Champions League once again, and domestic trophies in Spain such as La Liga, the Copa del Ray, and the Supe

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION (THE EURO BLOG) Another European Championship has come and gone just like that. Over the past month in Germany, fans all over Europe and the world we treated to some stunning goals, late drama, some surprising runs, and finishes, with another classic final being written in Berlin as the pinnacle of the tournament. For the final time this season, this is the Champions Blog.  After 53 teams started the qualifying stages in June of last year, 24 qualified for the finals in Germany. Since the finals started in mid-June, we were treated to some of the most entertaining matches in European Championship history. All the way from Germany's emphatic victory over the Scots on opening day to the final here in the famous Olympiadstadion, here in Berlin. Spain is looking to become the record champions of the competition and can surpass Germany if they were to win her in Berlin. Spain and Germany are currently tied with 3 European Championship wins each. Me

UEFA EURO 2024: FINAL PREVIEW 24 teams started this blockbuster of a tournament in June, and now, only two of the best teams remain. Luis de la Fuente's brand-new and revolutionized Spain is set to take Gareth Southgate's young and talented England side. Both teams with a vast margin of veterans and rising stars in this team are set to conquer the stage in the Olympiadstadion in Berlin. However, only one will prevail and become the new champions of Europe. Will it be England, at long last, or Spain, once again? Spain: Route to Berlin Group Stage: Croatia (Olympiadstadion, Berlin) 3-0 Italy (Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen) 1-0 Albania (Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf) 1-0 Knockout Stage: Round of 16: Georgia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne) 4-1 Quarter-Finals: Germany (MHPArena, Stuttgart) 2-1 Semi-Finals: France (Allianz Arena, Munich) 2-1 Spain was drawn into the alleged 'Group of Death' of this tournament, by being paired with high-fliers, Croatia and reigning European champ

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION (THE EURO BLOG) 24 teams started this tournament to remember, and now only 2 remain. 2 teams are set to light the stage up in Berlin. The final matches in Munich and Dortmund didn't fail to disappoint as we were treated to some unforgettable moments, such as Lamine Yamal's amazing goal against France and Ollie Watkin's late strike against the Netherlands. This is the Champions Blog: UEFA EURO Edition.  Day 25:  Spain vs France (Allianz Arena, Munich) The first semi-final took place in the Allianz Arena, with heavyweights, Spain and France lighting the stage in Munich. This is the first encounter between the two sides since the quarter-finals of EURO 2012, when Spain managed to overcome France 2-0, thanks to a brace from current Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso. This is France's first semi-final appearance since they hosted the competition in 2016, and their sixth overall. Only Germany has made more semi-final appearances, with

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION (THE EURO BLOG) Over the two days of the quarter-finals, we were treated to some of the best matches yet of the tournament. In four cities across Germany, we witnessed late drama, the nerve-recking spot kicks after extra time, and the shocking elimination of our hosts. That's right, Germany is out of the EUROs, and we're down to our final four. This is the Champions Blog: UEFA EURO Edition. Day 21: Spain vs Germany (MHPArena, Stuttgart) Portugal vs France (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg) The quarter-finals kicked off in Stuttgart, as the hosts took on the only team with a 100% record at the competition, Spain. This is their first meeting at the European Championship between Spain and Germany since the 2008 final when Fernando Torres scored for the Spanish to give them their first European Championship title since 1964, in Vienna. Both teams were favorites to progress and potentially win the whole competition, but only one could advance to the s

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION (THE EURO BLOG) The Round of 16 hosted some incredible matches over the last four days. We were treated to some incredible stunners, nerve-racking drama, and controversial VAR decisions, across Germany. Unfortunately, we've had to say goodbye to the reigning champions, but, the game only continues. Heavy rains flooded some games, but the show must go on. This is the Champions Blog: UEFA EURO Edition. Day 16:  Switzerand vs Italy (Olympiadstadion, Berlin) Germany vs Denmark (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund) The first Round of 16 match of EURO 2024 took place in the capital, Berlin with Switzerland hosting the reigning champions, Italy. Both teams finished as runners-up in their groups, with Switzerland narrowly missing the top spot to Germany, and Italy missing out on first place to Spain. Both sides have also met in the tournament's previous edition in 2021, with Italy winning 3-0 in Group A in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, courtesy of a brace

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION (THE EURO BLOG) The final round of group matches has come and gone just like that. Over the last four days, we were treated to intense moments, unexpected upsets, and brilliant displays of skill in the UEFA EURO Championship. The tournament has again shown us why it is one of the most thrilling and unpredictable football events. Whether it's the underdog victories or the stellar performances of the top teams, the EURO Championship never fails to keep fans on the edge of their seats. This is the Champions Blog: UEFA EURO Edition. Day 10:  Switzerland vs Germany (Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt) Scotland vs Hungary (MHPArena, Stuttgart) The final group of games started in Group A, with all teams aiming for a place in the Round of 16. The hosts and Switzerland faced off in Frankfurt while the bottom two teams, Scotland and Hungary faced off in Stuttgart. Germany had already qualified for the knockout phase after winning against Hungary, but to fini