What have we got to look forward to in the 2009 sporting calendar?
There seems to be a general air of gloom and despondency around at the moment brought on by the global financial situation. So if you are feeling a bit like that why not lift your spirits by looking forward to the great sporting events that await us during 2009?
Okay it may not be a year for European Cup or World Cup football but that doesn’t mean that 2009 won’ t have a lot of action for soccer fans to get excited about. The English Premier League looks likely to produce the tightest competition for many years at both the top and the lower positions in the table. The top four clubs are also in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and are looking to maintain their stranglehold on the tournament. Four Spanish teams are still in the competition and are confident that they can give the English clubs a run for their money. In Europe the Spanish Liga and the Italian Serie A have the usual suspects vying for honours with the continent’s billionaires, Real Madrid, never out of the transfer news.
Football on the other side of the Atlantic may seem insignificant to British fans but Major League Soccer is now being embraced by the US public in growing numbers. This is due in no small part to the European talent being drafted into some MLS teams; probably the most famous of these is David Beckham. Having played for the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United Beckham is now maintaining his fitness with AC Milan in order to be ready for a possible recall to the England national squad. This should also benefit the US fans and his major employers Los Angeles Galaxy; an on form Beckham will hopefully give them success in the Western Division of the MLS.
Ice Hockey, a sport long established on the continent of North America, will in 2009 see the 73rd year of the World Ice Hockey Championships in Zurich and Berne in Switzerland. The usual heavyweights; Russia, Canada, The Czech Republic and the USA are amongst the 16 teams contesting the tournament from the 24th April to 10th May. In June the Stanley Cup final will bring the National Hockey League to a close.
Tennis fans will certainly have a lot to look forward in 2009 with scores of events all over the world. There will be the big four Grand Slam competitions starting with the Australian Open in January. In May and June the Stade Roland Garros will be the setting for the French Open, closely followed by the blue riband of tennis events at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – Wimbledon. The Grand Slam quartet finishes with the American football fans are gearing up for Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa on February 1st with the Titans looking to be the form team in a season of surprising results. In September, the 90th season of the National Football League will kick off and this will be the last time that both New York teams play at Giants Stadium.
In the world of Golf, despite his injury problems in 2008 Tiger will still be the man to beat in 2009. The Masters will be played at Augusta in April, with the British Open at Turnberry in July. Padraig Harrington will hope to successfully defend the US Open in June and the PGA Championship in August.
Quite possibly the most famous horseracing event in the world, the John Smith’s Grand National is on April 12th and as always this will be something of a lottery. There will of course be a favourite but most of the 40 horses will be in with some sort of a chance due to the demanding jumps.
In the world of motor sport Lewis Hamilton will defend his Formula One title with McLaren Mercedes at the first Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia on the 29th March.
Reversing the Englishman in Australia theme, the old rivalry will be resumed when the Australians attempt to retain the Ashes in England. Given their latest results one has to assume that the tourists will be the favourites. After England’s display in India this winter it is obvious that they have a lot of work to do if they are to have any hope of claiming the Ashes back.
In the sport of Rugby Union the cycling is in rude health with the UK Olympic team winning virtually everything in Beijing. Given the drug scandals that have dogged Le Tour de France in recent years, I am sure that the professional riders hope that this positive image created by their amateur counterparts is reflected upon them when the tour starts on the 4th July. Whatever happens the event will be a great spectacle full of thrills and spills!
Here’s to a great sporting 2009!
If you enjoyed this post then try these:
- Messi & Xavi Offer Barca Straight Forward Win
- Manchester City’s Forward Power Can Secure Premiership Fourth Place
- The Premiership Review 2009/10
- England New Away Top – Is This It?
- Whatever Happened to the Great English Goalie?
