Round 1: Group A

Switzerland


Czech Republic


Portugal


Turkey

Round 1: Group B

Austria


Croatia


Germany


Poland

Round 1: Group C

Netherlands


Italy


Romania


France

Round 1: Group D

Greece


Sweden


Spain


Russia

Bonus: Who will win it All?

Pool Standings: Final

With four teams picking United for their Bonus Pick, the resulting extra 3 points created some separation in the final standings:

Eastern Influence retain their title as they pick up their second consecutive CL Pool championship. Looks like this win was a combination of them knowing their football and the fact that their fav's United were ultimately the victors. Congrats once again on holding the bragging rights until next May.

New-comers Cantona and JonnyRay United made strong debuts by picking English sides through much of the tournament. In fact JonnyRay United was primed to split the first prize spoils with EI, but was foiled by the fact that EI and Cantona are die-hard Red Devil supporters who picked United to win-it-all at the start.

Big Bend and the Continentalist both made respectable showings in this year's contest having fought their way up from last place after Round 1 to finish firmly mid-table. Big Bend recovered quickly after an initial absence on the blog (the first batch of pool emails were buried in his Junk Mail folder) to provide some of the most colorful commentary of the pool. With the Continentalist having won first and second in the last two pools, you can bet he'll be training hard in the offseason to regain his competitive edge.

Banana Island made a solid debut as she was in contention from the beginning and at least finished satisfied that United won the title... though with Ji-Sung Park inexplicably watching the Final in a suit from the stands she described the feeling of winning the championship like "drinking champagne without the sparkles".

SaMo came a long way -- both in terms of his futbol knowledge and his place in the standings -- from the previous season's last place finish. He'll be happy to have his boys from Bayern back in the tournament next season (steins, fräuleins, and all) to challenge the English for at least a spot in the Last 4.

Team Jerusalem picked well (10-5) but in the final analysis was perhaps a product of his surroundings as he tied his fate to the luckless Avram Grant for the title. Had Chelsea won, Team Jerusalem would have won the pool as no team above him had picked the Blues. Unfortunately his prize slipped with John Terry on that slick Moscow turf. Impeccable timing on his move though as this was arguably the most intriguing year to be following the CL from Israel.

In a clear indicator of the weighty-ness of the last 3 picks, the Terrible Twos fell all the way to the 9th spot despite their stellar 11-4 record (the same as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd). Soccer can be a cruel game and no one was stung more than the Twos as they toppled from their lofty first place perch. Still... kudos for a pool well played and an unprecedented 11-1 record through the first two rounds. Will that mark ever be bested?

Lastly, Marin County put in an unbecoming performance in this year's pool with Team EC and Real Marin tied for last with a meager 12 points apiece. Team EC was strong out of the gates (2nd place after Round 1) but a tendency to pick Continental sides worked against them as three of the Last 4 turned up English. As for us? The last place finish is simply insult to injury as we spent this entire futbol season watching Barça tragically implode in slow-motion. We're just happy it's done and already looking to a fresh start in August.

It's United!

Manchester United (6-5 pen.) 1-1 Chelsea

In the wee hours of a cold rainy night in Moscow, Manchester United edged out their league rivals Chelsea in penalty kicks to claim the 2008 Champions League title. A tense night of energetic football came down to the dreaded shootout amidst a steady downpour. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo looked to be the goat when he overcooked his attempt with a stutter step that allowed keeper Petr Cech time to save his shot. With the chance to win it all, Chelsea captain John Terry stepped up to take the last try but he slipped on his approach and pushed the ball wide. An Edwin Van de Sar save of Nicholas Anelka's attempt was enough to secure United the double. Congrats to all you Red Devil fans in the pool!

As for the pool, well... the top three teams all picked United to win the final against Chelsea... so this year the 3 bonus points from the beginning of the pool figured prominently. On the strength of having picked United to win it all way back in February, Eastern Influence repeats as Pool Champion and Cantona pips JonnyRay United for second place. Congrats on a pool well played, your prizes will be forthcoming.

More to come...

Final: Manchester United v. Chelsea

Blues v. Red Devils: Take 2

The Underdog's Underdog: Avram Grant celebrates Chelsea's famous semifinal victory over Liverpool.

They say a picture's worth a 1000 words... where to start? The much-maligned Avram Grant's victory pose? On his knees and without a smile. No one is even looking at him. Grant celebrates his team's achievement alone in a crowd. Despite all the turmoil and criticism, the Blues are comprised of consummate pro's who've gotten to the Final because of their individual excellence and staunch pride in their game. If Grant pulls off Chelsea's first CL title, half of Europe will dine on crow that night.

Europe's Darlings: Manchester United celebrate their second consecutive EPL title.

Having just held off Chelsea for the league title in the last match of the season, United are riding high as a new golden era under Sir Alex Ferguson is ushered in. Cristiano Ronaldo has been showered with individual awards over the last month and would like nothing more than to cap off this amazing season with his first-ever CL trophy. Do the Red Devils have one more magic night up their sleeve?

Brackets: Final

Click to enlarge.

Round 3: Pool Standings

With each Round 3 pick worth 6 points, those who correctly predicted a United v. Chelsea final now occupy the top three spots of the table. It should be noted that if two teams should finish tied for 1st place, there will be no second place prize, and the spoils will be split evenly among the two. This year the 3 bonus points for picking the overall winner at the start may be a deciding factor. Manchester United had a heap of early support with Banana Island, Big Bend, Cantona, the Continentalist, and Eastern Influence selecting them to win in Moscow. Once again, the Terrible Twos prove themselves to be cagey mavericks as they were the only team to pick Chelsea to win it all. As for those of us who are mathematically eliminated from the competition... I guess we just hope for an entertaining match to wrap it up. I will publish the post for the Final Pick a week or so before the event which will be played on Wednesday, May 21st.

Round of 4: Leg 2, Day 2 Result

Frank Lampard kisses his black armband as he dedicates his extra-time penalty goal to his recently deceased mother.

Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool {Agg: 4-3, Chelsea advances}

Chelsea finally shook the Liverpool monkey off their backs as they vaulted to the CL Final on a famous night in Stamford Bridge. The Reds had eliminated the Blues in the semifinal stage in two of the the last three seasons but could not complete the treble in what proved to be a highly emotional match for the home side. Chelsea's veteran midfielder Frank Lampard was playing with a heavy heart due to the untimely passing of his mother to pneumonia last Thursday. Indeed it was questionable as to whether he would be present at all, but the star proved to be a deciding factor in the match. Didier Drogba opened the scoring by beautifully one-timing a rebound off a Salomon Kalou strike with deadly force and accuracy. Chelsea enjoyed the run of play through most of the first half, but Liverpool came out determined in the second. In the 64th minute the visitors found the equaliser when Fernando Torres deftly converted a Yossi Benayoun pass after the young Israeli skillful dribbled through four defenders. Locked at 1-1, the tie headed to extra time where the highest drama of the night occurred. A heavy Sami Hyypiä challenge on Michael Ballack awarded the grieving Lampard a chance to score on a penalty which the veteran cooly converted. After the score Lampard broke down in tears surrounded by his teammates. Didier Drogba all but finished off the tie with his second goal of the match in minute 105. Substitue Ryan Babel brought Liverpool tantalizingly back in the 27th minute of extra time, but the comeback was not to be. With the win, Chelsea's much maligned Israeli manager accomplishes what Jose "The Special One" Mourinho never did, a first-ever appearance for the Blues in the CL Final.

Round of 4: Leg 2, Day 1 Results

Paul Scholes celebrates his 14th minute strike.

Manchester United 1-0 Barcelona (Agg:1-0 Manchester United advances)

In the end the only thing that separated Manchester United from Barcelona was a Paul Scholes cracker off a botched clearance from Gianluca Zambrotta. Unable to score a goal in 180 minutes of play despite world class talent in their attack, Barcelona return to Catalunya faced with their second consecutive trophy-less season and an almost definite end to the Frank Rijkaard era -- a five year period of prosperity which produced two Spanish League titles and a Champions League trophy. United advance to Moscow where they will compete in the first-ever all-English CL Final against Chelsea or Liverpool.

Is this supposed to be fun?

Seriously... the anxiety that comes with watching these matches (if your club is in it) is almost unbearable. I think it's the lack of commercial breaks. C'mon now, Barça!

Round of 4: Mid-Tie Power Rankings

1. Eastern Influence, JonnyRayUnited
2. Cantona
3. The Terrible Twos, Team Jerusalem
4. SaMo
5. Big Bend
6. Banana Island
7. The Continentalist
8. Team EC, Real Marin

Those who picked a United v. Chelsea final have leaped to the top of the table in this edition of the Power Rankings. The Terrible Twos have perhaps tragically tied their fate to that of lowly Team EC and Real Marin in picking a Barca v. Liverpool final. While three of the four possible final matchups were evenly represented among the picks of the pool teams, only SaMo picked a Barça v. Chelsea final. If this is in fact the matchup, he will jump to sole possession of first place. In any case, we'll soon know who'll be the home side representative at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on May 21st as Barça and United clash tomorrow/today at Old Trafford.

Round of 4: Leg 1, Day2 Result

Cristiano Ronaldo launches a penalty kick wide left to start the game.

Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

It appears that the last minute scratching of United central defender Nemenja Vidic from the lineup due to stomach ailments may have changed the tactics of Sir Alex Ferguson as the Red Devils dropped unexpectedly back into a defensive posture for almost the entirety of the first leg of their tie against Barca at Camp Nou Wednesday night. Perhaps the complexion of the match would have changed had Cristiano Ronaldo converted his hand ball penalty kick at the 2nd minute mark. Instead the ball sailed safely outside the left goalpost of Victor Valdes' net, much to the relief of the 90,000+ who witnessed the game firsthand, and United appeared content to play for the 0-0 draw for the ensuing 90 minutes. The match encapsulated Barca's 07-08 campaign, all possession and no bite, as they dominated with 65% of the play, but precious few gilt-edged chances on net. Lionel Messi was in sparkling form though only recently back from injury, but could not finish any of his chances. Samuel Eto'o should have done better on at least two occasions. Credit United's backline and midfield, in particular Patrice Evra, for absorbing wave after wave of Barca attack. United must be tipped with the slight advantage as the tie heads to Old Trafford next Tuesday, though their failure to secure an own goal gives Barcelona the edge should the Catalans manage to score.

Dare we dream?

Round of 4: Leg 1, Day 1 Result

Didier Drogba in ecstasy over John Arne Riise's agonizing own goal in minute 90+5.

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

The match at Anfield proved every bit as cagey and tactical as was expected; the atmosphere both electric and oppressively tense as these old foes squared off. If Chelsea had the run of play in the beginning, the tide slowly turned to Liverpool as the first half wore on, and Dirk Kuyt was rewarded for his work rate with a 43rd minute goal to break through the stalemate. The Reds, backed by the ever-vocal Anfield faithful, looked to build upon their momentum in the second half pressing forward again and again, while the Blues seemed to resort to a half-hearted attempt at the equaliser with aimless long ball volleys at a lonely Didier Drogba. Already in the fifth minute of overtime, Liverpool appeared assured of the victory when an unlikely Solomon Kalou cross from the left corner was awkwardly headed by the Reds' John Arne Riise past Pepe Reina for a shocking last-second own goal... a moment that will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it. With that precious away goal Chelsea snagged the advantage as the tie heads to Stamford Bridge next Wednesday. How will Liverpool respond to the demoralizing lighting strike that saw their fortunes turn on a dime?

Round of 4: Liverpool v. Chelsea

April 22

Round of 4: Barcelona v. Manchester United

April 23