The enthusiastic and overflowing crowds of Old Trafford had plenty to cheer for this past year. After holding off Chelsea down the stretch for a second consecutive Premiership title, Manchester United closed out the Champions League on a victorious note as well, knocking out Barcelona in the semis before defeating Chelsea in thrilling penalty kick fashion in the finals. As Edwin Van der Sar and the rest of the reds celebrated on the pitch in Moscow, fans worldwide revelled in the glory of their beloved United, as they secured the European Double for the first time since 1999 (as part of The Treble). There are no doubts that next year will bring more success to the club, and more fans eager to get their hands on those precious Manchester United tickets.
In the meantime, United fans will have a chance to cheer on a handful of their players who will be looking to continue their dominance as they make their way to Austria and Switzerland for Euro 2008. The aforementioned Van der Sar will be writing the final chapters of a phenomenal international career as he leads a talented orange-clad team in to battle in the “Group of Death.” Matched up against quality squads in Romania and Italy, the Dutch captain will also see a familiar face across the field when Holland take on France and fellow United star Patrice Evra. Dubbed as one of the best left-backs in the world, the speedy Evra will be teaming up with an array of talent, including the likes of Franck Ribery and Thierry Henry, in an attempt to survive this dreaded quartet of teams and advance to the knock-out stage.
The Portuguese national team looks to build on its recent success in Euro Cup action, having reached the semis in 2000, and losing on their home soil to surprise victor Greece in the 2004 final. Leading the way for Portugal are the duel threat package of young and electric talents who call Old Trafford home, two-time reigning Barclays Player of the Season, Cristiano Ronaldo, and recent signing, Nani.
The performance of each of their respective teams could depend directly upon their individual successes on the pitch. All eyes, fans of United and national teams alike, will be focused on these four as they attempt to advance to the last matches of the competition in Basel, Switzerland at St. Jakob Park and Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna, Austria.
Of course, no sooner will Euro 2008 conclude, than talks of the World Cup will ensue. For the first time in the history of the event, Africa will be aglow with football talent, as 32 national teams from across the globe converge on the country of South Africa in 2010. Tens of millions will be watching worldwide, but for those willing to make the journey, you can always travel to Johannesburg with World Cup tickets or a 2010 World Cup package and experience the sites and sounds of this colorful competition firsthand. And if the last two contests in Germany and Japan are any indication, there are bound to be an abundance of quality matches to take in over the course of the month.
