Champions League: 1/4 Finals (first games)

Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Liverpool, and FC Fenerbahce Istambul are all close to the semi-finals of Champions Leauge of the 07/08 season.

Manchester, "The Red Devils," were drawn with a familiar Italian side, AS Roma, in the first quarter final pair. Last season, Manchester played Roma as well. The most memorable thing that comes up right away is the destruction of the Italian team at Old Trafford where they lost 7 to 1!!! The "Red Devils" emerged victorious from that encounter last season and advanced to the semi finals. This season, when the teams were drawn again, the fans of Roma had high expectations for their players, once again, however, the players did not rise to the challange. AS Roma lost their first home game, 0-2, and will have to put up a performance of their life in the next game at Old Trafford, Manchester where Manchester doesn't lose this season.

Game two, where the Spanish runner-up, FC Barcelone faced german Schalke 04 Gelserkirchen at Arena Auf Schalke in Germany, the spaniards won thanks to a goal from their 17 year old midfielder, Bojan. Barcelona needed this win, after a disasterous game in the Spanish Premier League where they lost their chance for the Championship. Schalke pretty much lost their chance for any trophy this season, and winning at Comp Nou in Barcelona will be quite a challenge.

The biggest surprise was the loss of Chelasea London to Fenerbahce in Istambul. The English side lost, 2 to 1, because they simply underestimated the Turkish champions. Chelsea, a team with the biggest bugget in the tournament, was expected to "devour" the Turks with no trouble at all. As we can see, money does not play, and the ambitious players of Fenerbahce beat the English team after demonstrating great tactical discipline. The two team will meet again in London, where it is expected that Chelsea wins and advances to the semi final, but Fenerbahce can surprise us again and eliminate the giant. This is definatelly a must-see.

Liverpool and Arsenal, two English teams were drawn against eachother for the second time in a row. Last season, Liverpool eliminated "The Gunners" and advanced to the semi-final. After the first game, where Arsenal only tied the Liverpool side 1 to 1 at home, Liverpool is again closer to the semi-finals. Arsenal demonstrates great performance when playing under pressure this season, they have won many important "last-chance" games and it will be very interesting how they motivate themselves for the second game against Liverpool.

The second set of games is scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday, where it will be determined which teams advance to the Semis.