Emirates Cup 2008

Following last year's Emirate Cup, I have received an email notification few months ago for Emirates Cup 2008 featuring the host Arsenal, Hamburg, Juventus and the star-packed Real Madrid.

Unlike last year where I bought the first row tickets behind the goal which allowed me to take some nice pictures, this year we bought the middle tier for an overview of the pitch, more expensive seating but I don't quite like it coz even my longest zoom can't reach the distance effectively.

First match was Juventus vs Hamburg, don't know any of the Hamburg players except for the Dutchman Van der Vaart who wasn't in the line-up. Juventus were a different team after the relegation crisis two seasons ago which seen many new faces in the team. Anyway still glad to see Del Piero, Camoranesi, Jaquinta the world cup winners playing.

How many of them do you recognise?

Del Piero is old but still good.

Claudio Ranieri the familiar face in English football, coaching Juventus now.

Olic scored two goals and eventually Hamburg beat Juventus 3-0

Arsenal played Real Madrid in the second match.

The bright young gunners and the new Zidane - Samir Nasri, he's very good indeed.

The gunners.

Real Madrid players warming up.

Another young star Carlos Vela showing off some skills.

Gunners in colourful boots - Diaby in yellow, Van Persie in blue, Adebayor in green and Sagna in white.

The ex-MU player Gabriel Heinze was the boo-boys target of the day.

Adebayor scratching his butts before the match.

Guess who's back? Eduador who had a terrible injury last year is back to the Emirates.

First team line-up, probably not the real first team for Real Madrid but it's still packed with stars.

Adebayor and Van Persie kicked start.

Sagna headed off a high ball to Robinho.

Even though Arsenal lost two key players before start of the season but it's still a team to watch with all the young gunners rising.

It's Jerzy Dudek! Didn't expect the ex-Liverpool goalie to play for Real.

Van Nistelrooy came on second half.

Van Persie brought down, Adebayor stepped up to take the penalty and scored the only goal of the match.

Arjen Robben came on! He was one of my favourite who has wasted his time at Chelsea before moving to Spain.

Eventually Hamburg won the Emirates Cup 2008.

See you at the Emirates next year!