2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League
The title was won by Hekari Souths United, who won their third consecutive title. The side were awarded the title after several postponements and the eventual cancellation of the Grand Final, by virtue of their superior regular season finish compared to Rapatona Tigers, who they were due to face in the final.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Teams
Eight teams entered the competition, an expansion of one from the previous season's seven. Previous season's runners-up Gelle Hills, and bottom two clubs Madang Fox and Besta Madang Fighters, all withdrew.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Teams
Of the four new teams, only University Inter had any sort of previous history, having been founded in 1969 and having won five national titles before the induction of the National Soccer League. Eastern Stars, Sepik and Nabasa United were all newly formed teams ahead of the 2008–09 season.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Teams
1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2006 Port Moresby Premier League: Champions


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Format
In the regular season, each team played each other twice. The team at the top of the league after all matches were played was crowned 'Minor Premiers' and secured qualification for the 2009–10 OFC Champions League. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams advanced to a knockout competition, the winners of which were crowned Champions.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Summary
Fourteen rounds of action were scheduled, with this season being the first in the competition's history to have an even number of sides taking part and therefore no need for the usage of byes.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Summary
On the opening day of the season, on 8 November 2008, reigning champions Hekari United secured a last-gasp victory over Rapatona after a late goal from Fijian import Lorima Dau gave them a 2–1 victory, but it was Gigira Laitepo who led the league thanks to a 4–2 victory over newcomers Sepik. Thanks to heavy rain, University Inter and Eastern Stars had to wait until the following weekend for their season to kick-off.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Summary
However, it was Hekari who led the way early on, leading the league after four rounds despite having a game in hand on most of the teams directly below them thanks to a postponed fixture against University Inter, who were level on points in second place alongside Welgris and Eastern Stars, with seven, two behind Hekari. Heading into Christmas, Hekari led the table by one point from University Inter, with 15 and 14 respectively, with both sides unbeaten and Hekari with a game in hand, and the two sides' rearranged fixture still to be played.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Summary
On 17 January 2009, Hekari took a huge step towards OFC Champions League qualification with a 3–0 victory over University Inter, putting them four points clear. This gap would widen to seven after the side won their game in hand against Eastern Stars, ensuring they secured a 100% record in the first half of the season.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Summary
With Hekari and Inter clear leaders, it was the battle for playoff qualification that was the most closely fought. After the eighth round of fixtures, Welgris and Gigira Laitepo were joint third with 11 points, with Rapatona on 10 and Eastern Stars on 9. On 21 January 2009, Welgris secured a massive 2–1 victory over league leaders Hekari United, not only inflicting Hekari's only defeat of the season onto the reigning champions, but also boosting their own playoff hopes in the process.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Summary
However, the following weekend, Welgris would suffer a damaging 2–1 defeat against fellow playoff chasers Gigira Laitepo, who leapfrogged them into the playoff places alongside Eastern Stars, who secured a narrow 1–0 win over struggling Nabasa. Welgris responded in style, however, securing a 4–0 victory over Eastern Stars on 14 February, returning to third place, with Rapatona now in fourth after two consecutive victories against the bottom two clubs. Fortune shifted again the following weekend as the four sides played each other, with Eastern Stars defeating Gigira Laitepo 2–1, and Rapatona securing a 2–1 victory over Welgris, putting Rapatona and Eastern Stars in the driving seat with two fixtures remaining.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Summary
Ahead of the penultimate weekend of the season, Hekari United led the league by six points from Inter, meaning they just needed one draw from their final two matches to secure a third successive OFC Champions League campaign. As it happened, Inter fell to a surprise 2–0 defeat to Welgris Highlanders, gifting Hekari the title even if they hadn't defeated Eastern Stars 3–0 that same day. Rapatona secured their playoff status with a 2–1 win over Gigira Laitepo, while Welgris' shock win meant they just needed victory over 7th-placed Sepik on the final day to join them, a result they were easily able to secure, 3–0.


2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League, Summary
In the playoffs, Hekari secured a 1–0 victory over Welgris thanks to a Michael Foster goal, while Inter suffered a surprise 2–1 defeat at the hands of Rapatona, with goals from Richard Auram and Raymond Gunemba overhauling Tau Winnie's early opener for the university-based side. However, after two postponements, the NSL board decided on 4 April 2009 that the final two games – the Grand Final and the Third-Place Playoff – would be cancelled entirely, granting the title to Hekari United by default after they secured the best regular season record.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season
The 2008–09 season was French football club Paris Saint-Germain's 10th season in Division 1 Féminine and their 8th consecutive season in the top division of French football. PSG was managed by Éric Leroy - in his second season since replacing Cyril Combettes. The club was chaired by Alain Gobert. PSG was present in the 2008–09 Division 1 Féminine and the 2008–09 Challenge de France. Paris Saint-Germain reached the target set by the club last season after finishing 5th.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season
Additionally, the fact that PSG became Challenge de France runners-up, the club's biggest honour to date, after being defeated by Olympique Lyonnais in the Final at the Stade de France set the bar even higher for the capital club. As seen in Éric Leroy's words, PSG started the campaign with the prospect of matching last season's heights by finishing between the first four in the league and pulling something off in the Challenge de France:


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season
Do as well as last season! To do this, I have a more comprehensive workforce with 22 girls at my disposal to work. The backbone of the group stayed unchanged, while some experienced new players will help us. My team is still young, but I think this season will be interesting.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Squad
French teams are limited to four players without EU citizenship. The squad list includes only the principal nationality of each player; several non-European players on the squad have dual citizenship with an EU country. Also, players from the ACP countries—countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific that are signatories to the Cotonou Agreement—are not counted against non-EU quotas due to the Kolpak ruling. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Division 1 Féminine
Having defeated Paris Saint-Germain in last season's Challenge de France final with three unanswered goals, defending league and cup champions Olympique Lyonnais dominated an extremely defensive capital side which had to wait until stoppage time to record their only shot of the match. After the break, "Les Parisiennes" scored twice in two minutes and Vendenheim never recovered, conceding two more late in the match as Ingrid Boyeldieu grabbed a brace.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Division 1 Féminine
Goals in each half from Sophie Perrichon and Nora Coton-Pélagie turn the tables on a combative Yzeure side that managed to rescue a point and could have won it in the last-gasp. Juvisy had the chance to get revenge as Paris Saint-Germain defeated them for the first time in six years and left them out of the 2008 Challenge de France Final. Juvisy got their sweet revenge and climbed to second place after a highly contested match decided by two consecutive goals from the visitors in the dying stages. PSG produced a dominant display away to Soyaux which both Ingrid Boyeldieu and Candice Prévost seized to seal the capital's victory. PSG and Saint-Étienne ended with a scoreless draw.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Division 1 Féminine
Ingrid Boyeldieu's strike midway through the first half equalized the score, but only served as consolation for the capital club against a Condé side which dominated the match from start to finish. In the absence of nine injured players, Paris Saint-Germain showed a seductive game but could not get the victory over Hénin-Beaumont at the Camp des Loges. Under the watchful eye of France manager Bruno Bini, it seemed "Les Parisiennes" were getting back on track after Ingrid Boyeldieu opened the score. Just a minute a later the visitors equalized before taking the lead.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Division 1 Féminine
Paris Saint-Germain, however, didn't gave up and Boyeldieu completed her brace. Hénin-Beaumont responded quickly again and Rachel Saïdi netted a brace. After the break, Madina Frarma reduced the advantage and staged a failed comeback as Hénin-Beaumont killed off any remaining hope for Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain could not be separated from Saint-Brieuc as both sides were condemned to a scoreless draw. Montpellier scored three times as Paris Saint-Germain finished 2008 one point from relegation and stretched their negative run to five matches without victory.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Division 1 Féminine
Paris Saint-Germain returned to winning ways with a crushing victory against Yzeure thanks to Caroline Pizzala's hat-trick. "Les Parisiennes" recorded their first back-to-back victories after they went past a Toulouse side thanks to second-half goals from Stéphanie Hoffele and Laure Lepailleur. Candice Prévost scored an amazing 20-yard shot to give Paris the lead in the derby. Juvisy, however, took the derby honours thanks to Laëtitia Tonazzi's brace. PSG bounced back with a hard-earned victory over Soyaux thanks to Nonna Debonne's strike.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Division 1 Féminine
"Les Verts" claimed victory and climbed over PSG in the standings to reach safety in a match which saw Saint-Étienne players Jessica Houara and Kheira Hamraoui being sent-off after an altercation. Paris Saint-Germain made the trip to Vendenheim with just twelve players and could only save a point thanks to Candice Prévost's fourth goal of the season. During the final minutes of the match, "Les Parisiennes" were forced to play with ten players as an injured Élodie Monteiro, who had to left the field, couldn't be replaced after the capital club had already introduced Laure Boulleau, their only replacement available.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Division 1 Féminine
Paris Saint-Germain returned to winning days inspired by Cindy Thomas who netted a hat-trick and laid on a fourth to condemn Condé to a sixth consecutive defeat. PSG, however, lost against a Hénin-Beaumont side which reached safety after being in relegation prior to the encounter. Paris Saint-Germain took the lead through Nora Coton-Pélagie's superb free kick, but "Les Parisiennes" were condemned to a draw against Saint-Brieuc at the Camp des Loges. After grabbing the lead thanks to Candice Prévost, it took Montpellier just three minutes to equalize.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Division 1 Féminine
PSG defeated Toulouse by the same score after a rampant two minutes, which saw strikes from Candice Prévost and Cindy Thomas, sealed the victory. PSG withstood the French champion during the first half, but Lyon dominated an extremely defensive capital side which conceded two goals in the second period. After a disappointing campaign marked by numerous injuries and where Paris Saint-Germain finished eighth and was prematurely eliminated from the Challenge de France, Éric Leroy handed over the job to manager Camillo Vaz and assistant coach Karine Noilhan in June 2009.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Challenge de France
Paris Saint-Germain entered the 2008–09 Challenge de France season having reached the final last season where they fell to a 0-3 defeat against Olympique Lyonnais. Paris Saint-Germain entered the competition during the Round of 32 phase. The last-32 were drawn and "Les Parisiennes" were pitted against second tier Le Mans. On paper, Paris Saint-Germain was favourite to beat D2 side Le Mans, however they disappointed as the capital club crashed out of the last-32 after being defeated on penalties.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (Ladies) season, Challenge de France
Le Mans opened the hostilities through Cindy Dufeu's powerful shot and Paris Saint-Germain reacted immediately, taking control of the game and creating a host of chances which Laura Guilleux, the host's goalkeeper, managed to deflect. After the break, Nora Coton-Pélagie took advantage of a defensive error and scored the equalizer for "Les Rouge-et-Bleu", which could have won the match if it wasn't for Guilleux's save in a hand-to-hand against Cindy Thomas. With the final whistle, the penalties had to decide the fate of the game and eventual runners-up Le Mans came out victorious from the shootout as they left Paris Saint-Germain empty handed.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was French football club Paris Saint-Germain's 36th professional season, their 36th season in Ligue 1 and their 35th consecutive season in French top-flight. Paris Saint-Germain was managed by Paul Le Guen. The capital club was chaired by Charles Villeneuve until Sébastien Bazin took over. Paris Saint-Germain was present in the 2008–09 Ligue 1, the 2008–09 Coupe de France and the 2008–09 Coupe de la Ligue. Last season's League Cup win allowed the capital club to participate in the 2008–09 UEFA Cup. Paris Saint-Germain's average home attendance for the 2008–09 season was 40,902, the second-highest in the Ligue 1.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season
Last season, Alain Cayzac resigned with four games remaining and Paris Saint-Germain was in the relegation zone. Cayzac was temporarily replaced by Simon Tahar, then succeeded by Charles Villeneuve, days after Paris Saint-Germain maintained Ligue 1 status and was defeated in the French Cup Final by Lyon. He had relatively high ambitions for Paris Saint-Germain and stated his expectations from coach and former player Paul Le Guen. Villeneuve declared that Paris Saint-Germain started the season with the prospect of regaining success and stability:


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season
Sébastien Bazin, head of Colony Capital and shareholder of Paris Saint-Germain, offered me the presidency of the club and I accepted. Today, the day of my appointment, I had lunch for the first time with Paul Le Guen and told him that his place as coach was secured. I hope to build the team on a budget of 30 million euros. With some departures we would like to hire a great goalkeeper, one or two great strikers and a libero, and hopefully a good midfielder. My dream team would be like that of Chelsea's. They play very good and I hope Paris Saint-Germain can be like them.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, News
City of Lens Mayor Guy Delcourt wanted the match to be replayed after PSG fans unfurled a racist banner midway through last season's League Cup Final. The match was not replayed, but Paris Saint-Germain were fined and banned from next's year edition. The measure was later overturned on appeal. Charles Villeneuve replaced Simon Tahar as president days after the club maintained Ligue 1 status and was defeated in the French Cup Final by Lyon. Charles Villeneuve announced that the Presidential Tribune was renamed the "Tribune Francis Borelli" to honor the former President.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, News
Pauleta, PSG's all-time top scorer with 110 goals, announced his retirement from professional football. Paris Saint-Germain announced that Lilian Thuram would not play for the capital club. His medical examination revealed heart abnormalities. Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes decided, by mutual agreement, to terminate discussions and negotiations concerning Jimmy Briand's transfer. Jérémy Clément signed a one-year contract extension until 2012. Guillaume Hoarau received the "France Football Golden Star" trophy for his performance in Ligue 2. Paris Saint-Germain refused a €0.3 million offer from Real Madrid for Yannick Boli as he was determined to succeed at Paris. Apoula Edel signed a new one-year contract extension until 2011.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, News
The renovations of the Camp des Loges were completed on 4 October 2008. The entire process cost €5 million and was inaugurated on 4 November 2008. Guillaume Hoarau was named Player of the Month for October by the UNFP with 55% of the votes. Charles Villeneuve announced that Pauleta would become ambassador and supervisor of the capital club. Paul Le Guen won the UNECATEF Fidelidade Mundial "Le Coup du Coach." Stéphane Sessègnon was named Player of the Month for December by the UNFP with 55% of the votes.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, News
Paris Saint-Germain announced that Charles Villeneuve would resign from his mandate as president-general manager ahead of the General Assembly. The Camp des Loges was recognised by the FFF as one of the best pre-training centers in France, being classified as Elite, Class 1 and Class A in recent seasons. Sébastien Bazin was named the new president of Paris Saint-Germain. Péguy Luyindula was named Player of the Month for January by the UNFP with 55% of the votes. Guillaume Hoarau was named Player of the Month for February by the UNFP with 71% of the votes. Paul Le Guen left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season after the capital club decided not to renew his contract. Jean-Eudes Maurice signed a new three-year contract extension until 2012.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Kit
Nike manufactured the kits for Paris Saint-Germain and Emirates Airlines continued to be the club's main sponsor. Nike have been PSG's official kit provider since 1989. Emirates have been the club's partner since 2005 and the major shirt sponsor since January 2006. Emirates Airlines confirmed their commitment to PSG by extending the current partnership until 2014. Les Parisiens received brand new home and away kits. The home shirt had PSG's traditional colors.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Kit
It was dark blue with a vertical red band and two thinner white stripes on the middle of the chest which disappeared under the main sponsor's logo in white writing. The borders of the sleeves were partly red. The away shirt had a simple design. Silver was the main color while the sponsor's logo was accented by a red background bordered by white and black thin stripes. The shirts had the club badge on the top-left, the Nike logo on the top-right and the club sponsor Fly Emirates written across the middle.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Pre-season
Paris Saint-Germain opened their preseason campaign with a victory over Pontivy. The capital club then achieved a new triumph, this time over Ligue 2 side Châteauroux in Port Crouesty. Paris Saint-Germain continued their pre-season preparations for the coming season with a draw against Boulogne. The capital club then defeated Clermont scoring two unanswered goals and confirming that Paul Le Guen's squad is in top form just two weeks before the start of the 2008–09 campaign. Paris Saint-Germain recorded two consecutive victories over Belgian sides Gent and Roeselare with youngster Yannick Boli scoring his third goal in pre-season.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Pre-season
Invited by Portuguese club Vitória de Guimarães for the first time, Paris Saint-Germain attended the Torneio Cidade de Guimarães, were Les Rouge-et-Bleu suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of the hosts in their opening match. Benfica showed great capacity and came back from two goals down to equalize against Paris Saint-Germain in the second day of the tournament. Just three days before the start of the season, Les Parisiens finished their pre-season preparations with a superb victory over Qatari side Al-Khor at the Camp des Loges. Paris Saint-Germain showed great character as the pre-season lived up to all its promise and more, being without any doubt a positive outing for Paul Le Guen's side.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
AS Monaco made a winning start against Paris Saint-Germain's expensively-assembled team with a late goal. Guillaume Hoarau scored his first Paris Saint-Germain goal as the capital outfit condemned last season's runners-up Bordeaux to their first defeat of the season at the Parc des Princes. Sochaux got their first point of the season with a hard-earned draw at home to PSG. Paris Saint-Germain made it three games without defeat as their improvement under Paul Le Guen continued with another Guillaume Hoarau goal earning them a narrow win at Caen.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain took an early lead from the spot through new signing Mateja Kežman and held out for the 90 minutes to take all three points at home to Nantes. Saint-Étienne picked up their first win in four matches as they beat Paris Saint-Germain. Nassim Akrour's third goal of the season gave promoted Grenoble an historic win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. Paris Saint-Germain's poor recent run continued as they let slip an early lead to take only a point from Nancy.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain staged a come-from-behind win at home to Lorient with a late goal from substitute Loris Arnaud. Goals abounded as Paris Saint-Germain handed Marseille its first league defeat of the season, outscoring their arch-rivals four goals to two and denying them top spot on the table in a thrilling 'clasico' at the Stade Vélodrome. A bizarre own-goal from Zoumana Camara condemned Paris Saint-Germain to defeat at home to Toulouse.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain coach Paul Le Guen blasted his players for being too soft at half-time of their clash away to Nice, but despite an improved second-half display, the capital club fell to a second consecutive loss. Ludovic Giuly's first goal for Paris Saint-Germain was enough to earn all three against a resistant, if largely uninspired, Lille who saw their nine-game unbeaten run brought to an end at the Parc des Princes.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain were too strong for Le Havre and took the points with goals from Guillaume Hoarau and Ludovic Giuly. Ludovic Giuly struck for the third time in as many games to give Paris Saint-Germain a narrow win over Lyon in the capital as the leaders' cushion at the top was reduced to five points. Rennes moved up to second in Ligue 1 after Bruno Cheyrou's first-half goal proved enough to give Guy Lacombe's side a narrow win over Paris Saint-German.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
A first half double from Ligue 1's leading scorer Guillaume Hoarau set the stage for Paris's win, their fifth in their last six matches, over Le Mans at the Parc des Princes. Stéphane Sessègnon struck twice against Auxerre to lift PSG into third as Paul Le Guen's men registered a fifth league win in six outings. In the race for second place behind autumn champions Lyon, Paris failed to keep the pace drawing at home to Valenciennes.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux thumped four unanswered goals past Paris to go within one point of top spot on the table, giving faltering champions Lyon serious cause for concern in the race for the title. PSG made it six wins from their last nine matches when they beat a tough Sochaux outfit at the Parc des Princes. Guillaume Hoarau grabbed his 13th goal of the season as Paris Saint-Germain moved up to third in the table thanks to their win over Caen. Paris Saint-Germain closed to within a point of Ligue 1 leaders Lyon thanks to an emphatic victory over Nantes.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain registered their fourth Ligue 1 victory in a row against Saint-Étienne to move outright second in the standings, one point behind Lyon, ahead of the champions match at home to Le Havre. Paris Saint Germain remained second, but lost ground after they were held to a goalless draw at Grenoble. Paul Le Guen's men made it three wins in four matches as they completely dominated a tentative Nancy outfit to consolidate second place on the L1 table. A superb first-half strike from Ludovic Giuly and a Mickaël Landreau penalty save were enough to give Paris Saint-Germain a narrow win at Lorient and ease Paul Le Guen's side within a point of leaders Lyon.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Marseille are up to second in Ligue 1 after they emerged victorious over a ten-man Paris Saint-Germain in the 'classico'. Toulouse continued their string of strong results with a comprehensive win at home to Paris, their tenth victory in 14 matches in all competitions in 2009, to climb back to fourth place on the Ligue 1 table. Paris Saint-Germain beat Nice at the Parc des Princes to maintain their title challenge.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Lille's goalless draw with visiting Paris was a case of two points dropped against an uninspired opposition and did little to help either side's fortunes, with both clubs leapfrogged by Toulouse, winners over Nantes. Paris Saint-German moved into fourth place as the club from the capital eased past bottom side Le Havre. Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain raised the curtain on a decisive weekend of football with a heart-stopping draw at the Stade Gerland which, in the end, suited neither side. Paris Saint-Germain missed out on the chance to go above Lyon into third as they were narrowly beaten by Rennes.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Ligue 1
Mateja Kezman's second league goal of the season gave Paris Saint-Germain a narrow win at Le Mans to keep them in contention for a top-three finish. Paris saw their chances of overtaking Lyon into third place and a Champions League qualifying spot dealt a blow as they succumbed to in-form Auxerre at the Parc des Princes. PSG's ambitions of European football were in the balance after they saw a stubborn Valenciennes side come from behind at the Stade Nungesser. Paris needed to win at home to Monaco to clinch fourth or fifth and a place in Europe next season, but a tepid display from Paul Le Guen's men in a goalless draw left them empty-handed after being tipped as potential title contenders throughout the season.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Coupe de France
Paris Saint-Germain entered the French Cup having last won the cup in 2006 and having reached last season's Final, narrowly losing to Olympique Lyonnais in a highly contested match. PSG started from the round of 64, as all Ligue 1 clubs did. The draw for the last-64 of the French Cup saw Paris Saint-Germain paired with CFA club Montluçon. Paris Saint-Germain squeezed through to the last-32 of the French Cup, but failed to impress against fourth division outfit, Montluçon. Paul Le Guen's side had Stéphane Sessègnon to thank for the only goal of the game.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Coupe de France
The draw for the last-32 pitted "Les Parisiens" with fourth tier side Gazélec Ajaccio. Paris Saint-Germain beat lower league opposition to progress to the last 16 of the French Cup. Mateja Kežman struck twice for PSG as they beat Gazélec Ajaccio. The Serbian striker scored once in either half before defender Sammy Traoré helped secure Paul Le Guen's men a place in the next round. Last season's losing finalists PSG were drawn away to third tier club Rodez for the last-16. Paris Saint-Germain were sensationally knocked out of the French Cup, succumbing to a defeat after extra-time to lowly Rodez.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Coupe de la Ligue
Holders Paris Saint-Germain were through to the last-16 of the League Cup after Fabrice Pancrate's goal proved enough for the reigning champions to beat AS Monaco. Paris Saint-Germain's defence of the League Cup continued against Nancy after the draw for the last-16, quarter-finals and semi-finals was made. Péguy Luyindula scored both goals in Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Nancy to send the holders through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup. In a dramatic twist of fate, Paris Saint-Germain hosted Lens in the pick of the quarter-final draw.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, Coupe de la Ligue
In a remake of last season's Final, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Lens at the Parc des Princes to qualify for the semi-finals of the League Cup, where they met Bordeaux, winners over Châteauroux. Late goals from Souleymane Diawara and Wendel added to David Bellion's first-half strike put the icing on the cake as Bordeaux cruised past Paris Saint-Germain in the League Cup semi-final at the Parc des Princes.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, UEFA Cup
Paris Saint-Germain entered the UEFA Cup at the first round, 18 months after their last European clash against Benfica on 15 March 2007. Sitting in third place on the Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain were taking on Turkish club Kayserispor, unbeaten in the Süper Lig. The hosts, however, lost their unbeaten record in the final minute thanks to Péguy Luyindula goal, just a few minutes after the Turkish side had equalized through Delio Toledo. Paris Saint-Germain qualified to the group stage at Kayserispor's expense in a scoreless match at the Parc des Princes.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, UEFA Cup
The capital club was inserted into Group A with German club Schalke 04, English side Manchester City, Spanish outfit Racing de Santander, and Dutch club Twente. Despite his faith in young players, Paul Le Guen's men were overwhelmed by the better organized and more experienced Germans, who were quickly firming as Group A favourites. Schalke went ahead early through Larrys Mabiala's own goal before Kevin Kurányi added to their tally, followed by Halil Altıntop.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, UEFA Cup
Clément Chantôme's far-post strike in stoppage time came too late in a game where Paris Saint-Germain struggled to find their rhythm as Schalke pushed forward relentlessly at the Veltins-Arena. Paris Saint-Germain blew a two-goal lead as Spanish side Racing Santander held the capital club to a draw at the Parc des Princes.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, UEFA Cup
Paris Saint-Germain rued the missed opportunities in the second half of their goalless draw with Manchester City but still had a chance of qualifying for the next round. Paris Saint-Germain qualified to the last-32 after a dramatic victory over Twente at the Parc des Princes. Late goals from Mateja Kežman and Péguy Luyindula saw PSG clinch third spot in Group A ahead of Racing Santander on goal difference. Paris Saint-Germain reached the last-32 and received a tough draw being given Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, UEFA Cup
Giant striker Guillaume Hoarau marked his return by scoring two late goals as the side from the French capital finished over the top of German outfit Wolfsburg. Paris Saint-Germain walloped Wolfsburg in Germany for a convincing aggregate victory in the last-32. Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau made a number of good saves to deny before Péguy Luyindula put an end to Wolfsburg's hopes of a fightback by netting a penalty. Jérôme Rothen doubled the lead on the hour with a terrific strike. Wolfsburg's Japanese star Makoto Hasebe reduced the arrears with a fine solo goal three minutes later, but Luyindula netted his sixth goal of the competition with a header from Clément Chantôme's cross. Paris Saint-Germain, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winners, marched into the last-16 where they faced Portuguese side Sporting Braga.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, UEFA Cup
Paris Saint-Germain's European campaign was in the balance after they failed to break down a stubborn Braga side at the Parc des Princes. Jérôme Rothen came closest when he struck an upright in the second-half, which saw Mateja Kežman jeered onto the pitch by the PSG fans as he made his first appearance at the Parc since his infamous shirt-throwing incident during his side's League Cup semi-final defeat to Bordeaux last month.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Competitions, UEFA Cup
Guillaume Hoarau came off the bench to score the only goal of the game to give Paris Saint-Germain a win over Braga and see them join Marseille in the quarter-finals. The capital club was pitted against Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv and fared little better than Marseille as they were held goalless at the Parc des Princes. Paris Saint-Germain found their ambitions frustrated by a well-organised Dynamo side. A disastrous display by Mickaël Landreau saw Paris Saint-Germain tumble out. PSG travelled to Ukraine with hope, but were on the back foot throughout after Ismaël Bangoura had given Dynamo a fourth-minute lead. Péguy Luyindula struck a post with a header soon after, but Mickaël Landreau's poor goalkeeping put an end to PSG's European ambitions. He inadvertently punched a high ball into his own goal, before fumbling an Oleksandr Aliyev free-kick on the hour mark that allowed Ognjen Vukojević to score a third.


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Start formations
Source: Squad stats and Start formations. Only competitive matches. Using the most used start formation. Ordered by position on pitch (from back right to front left).


2008–09 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. season, Other statistics
Source:  and Only competitive matches = Number of bookings;  = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card;  = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.


2008–09 Parma F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Partick Thistle F.C. season
During the 2008–09 season, Partick Thistle participate in the Scottish First Division


2008–09 Partick Thistle F.C. season, Team kit
The team kit for the 2008–09 season is produced by Puma in partnership with Greaves Sports and the main shirt sponsor is Ignis asset management. The away kit is pink with grey stripes, and has attracted much media attention at the start of the season.


2008–09 Partick Thistle F.C. season, Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Partick Thistle F.C. season, Youth squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team
The 2008–09 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team represented Pennsylvania State University and completed the season by winning the 2009 National Invitation Tournament over the Baylor Bears at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Head Coach, Ed DeChellis, coached his sixth season with the team. The team played its home games in University Park, Pennsylvania at the Bryce Jordan Center, which has a capacity of 15,261, for the twelfth consecutive season. The season marked the team's sixteenth consecutive season as a member of the Big Ten Conference.


2008–09 Pentangular One Day Cup
The 2008–09 RBS Pentangular One Day Cup was the first edition of the Pentangular One Day Cup, a List A (limited overs) cricket tournament held in Pakistan. Five teams participated in the competition; four Pakistan provincial teams and one representing the capital. Punjab Stallions won the tournament by defeating Federal Areas Leopards in the final.


2008–09 Persepolis F.C. season
This is a list of Persepolis F.C. 's results at the  IPL 2008-09, 2009 ACL and 2008-09 Hazfi Cup . The club is competing in the Iran Pro League, Hazfi Cup and Asian Champions League.


2008–09 Persepolis F.C. season, Squad, Iran Pro League
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Persepolis F.C. season, Friendlies
Persepolis 4-2 Sazan Rah Qom Ivan Petrović  13'Hadi Norouzi  46'Farhad Kheirkhah  49'Ibrahima Touré  80'


2008–09 Persepolis F.C. season, Friendlies
Persepolis 8-0 Faraz Shemiran Ibrahima Touré Ibrahima Touré Ibrahima Touré Ibrahima Touré Hadi Norouzi Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht Hamidreza Ali Asgari Rahman Rezaei


2008–09 Persepolis F.C. season, Friendlies, Pre-season, UAE Camp (Dubai Iranian club)
In the middle of July the club programmed a camp in Spain, but it cancelled. after Ghotbi joined team, the club programmed a camp in Dubai from July 27 to July 31 replacing the Spain camp. After Persepolis was censured by Iran football medias because of this programming, censurers believed that Dubai hot temperature on July is not suitable for training, but Persepolis officials answered that the camp was so profitable for team. The camp included swimming, bodybuilding, players recreation and two friendly matches.


2008–09 Persepolis F.C. season, Friendlies, Pre-season, UAE Camp (Dubai Iranian club)
Persepolis 4-0   Wind DubaiIbrahima Touré  28'Farhad Kheirkhah  31' Ibrahima Touré  51' Ibrahima Touré  60' Sepehr Heidari


2008–09 Persepolis F.C. season, Friendlies, Pre-season, UAE Camp (Dubai Iranian club)
Persepolis  11-0   Fly Emirates Farhad Kheirkhah Farhad Kheirkhah Farhad Kheirkhah Farhad Kheirkhah Hossein Badamaki Hossein Badamaki Pejman Nouri Hadi Norouzi Franck Atsou  Masoud Zarei Masoud Zarei


2008–09 Persian Gulf Cup
The 2008–09 Persian Gulf Cup (also known as Iran Pro League) was the 26th season of Iran's Football League and eighth as Iran Pro League since its establishment in 2001. Persepolis were the defending champions. The season featured 15 teams from the 2007–08 Persian Gulf Cup and two new teams promoted from the 2007–08 Azadegan League: Payam Mashhad as champions and Foolad. Damash replaced Pegah. The league started on 4 August 2008 and ended on 26 April 2009. Esteghlal won the Pro League title for the second time in their history (total seventh Iranian title).


2008–09 Persian Gulf Cup, Teams
Below is the list of coaches who left their teams after the start of the season.


2008–09 Persian Gulf Cup, Attendances, Average home attendances
Updated to games played on 26 April 2009Source: Notes:Matches with spectator bans are not included in average attendancesPegah, Sanat Naft and Shirin Faraz played last season in Azadegan League  Paykan moved from Tehran to Qazvin  Saba Battery moved from Tehran to Qom  Damash replaced Pegah


2008–09 Persib Bandung season
During the 2008–09 season, the Indonesian football club Persib Bandung was placed third in the Indonesia Super League. The team reached the third round of the Indonesian Cup.


2008–09 Perth Glory FC season
The 2008–09 season was Perth Glory FC's 4th season since the inception of the A-League and 12th since the club's founding, in 1996.


2008–09 Perth Glory FC season, 2008–09 Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Perth Glory FC season, Friendlies, China Tour
Perth Glory began their pre-season early, with a three match trip to China, in early March. The team played three matches against three Chinese Super League sides, Changchun Yatai, Changsha Ginde and Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. Glory lost all three matches, but the tour was successful for trialling many new players in the lineup.


2008–09 Perth Glory FC season, Friendlies, Local Friendlies
In June, the Perth Glory squad took on Football West State League side Rockingham City in Port Kennedy, defeating the side 8–0 in front of a crowd of around 1,500. Glory also played the WA State Team, losing 2–3, with David Tarka making a successful return to competitive football in the match, after being out of the game through a hamstring injury for the past ten months.


2008–09 Perth Glory FC season, Friendlies, Indonesia Tour
Finally in July, Perth Glory embarked on a short pre-season tour of Indonesia, playing and defeating Indonesian Super League sides, Persik Kediri and Deltras Sidoarjo, 2–1 and 1–0 respectively. Mitchell was able to give new recruits, like Eugene Dadi, Adrian Trinidad and Amaral a good run as well as a competitive hit out for younger State League recruits to impress, like Josip Magdic who scored the winner against Deltras Sidoarjo.


2008–09 Perth Glory FC season, Pre-Season Cup
Unlike last season, Perth were not as successful in this season's Pre-Season Cup, though also unlike last season, Glory had some pre-season cup games scheduled at home this time. Adrian Trinidad impressed, including creating and scoring a penalty in the first match against the Newcastle Jets, in Mandurah.


2008–09 Perth Glory W-League season
The 2008–09 was the first season for Perth Glory in the new W-League.


2008–09 Perth Glory W-League season, Background
Nicola Williams was appointed the coach of the team, with Tanya Oxtoby captaining.


2008–09 Perth Glory W-League season, Player details
Statistics accurate as of the end of the 2008–09 W-League season


2008–09 Peterborough United F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Peterborough United's 49th year in the Football League and their first season in League One since the 2004–05 season, having been promoted from League Two in the previous season. Peterborough had a successful league campaign, finishing second, and in doing so, securing promotion to the Championship. Along with League One, the club also participated in the FA Cup, League Cup and Football League Trophy, in which they were knocked out in the third, first and second rounds respectively. The season covered the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.


2008–09 Peterborough United F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season
The 2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season was the 70th season of the franchise, 60th in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team finished with a .500 record.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season
Two things memorable about the season is that the team returned to the classic uniform style the team wore in the 1980s, and the Sixers defeated the Chicago Bulls in a game played at The Spectrum, the team's home from 1967–1996.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season
The team signed Elton Brand to a five-year $79 million dollar contract.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, 2008 NBA draft
On June 26, the Sixers selected power forward/center Marreese Speights from Florida with the 16th overall pick. Their second round pick was previously traded to the Utah Jazz on June 7, 2009 for a second round pick in the 2009 NBA draft.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
The Sixers headed into the off-season with free agents Louis Amundson, Calvin Booth, Herbert Hill, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Ollie, Shavlik Randolph and Louis Williams.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
On June 24, the Sixers extended qualifying offers to key restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams. The Sixers brought in Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith  on July 3 for a tour of Philadelphia but left the city without signing an offer sheet.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
On July 9 after denouncing their rights to their unrestricted free agents, and trading Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth, the Sixers signed 2-time NBA All-Star Power Forward Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers to a 5-year contract reportedly worth 78–82 Million dollars.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
After the Brand signing, the first weeks of July were quiet in terms of free agency. Rumors spread that key restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams were being pursued by the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors respectively.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
On July 24 it was announced by Philly.com that the Sixers had come to terms with Point Guard Royal Ivey of the Milwaukee Bucks for a 2-year league minimum contract. The deal was finalized and signed on Monday July 28.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
Also on July 28, Philly.com released that the Sixers had come to terms with Shooting Guard Kareem Rush of the Indiana Pacers. The deal was finalized and signed on Tuesday July 29.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
After news reports stated that Louis Williams rejected a $3.9M deal from the Sixers and he was talking to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he signed a 5-year deal on July 31.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
On August 12, ESPN announced that the 76ers had come to terms with restricted free agent Andre Iguodala on a reported 6-year 80 million dollar deal. After several days, it was officially announced on August 18 that Iguodala had signed the deal.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
On August 19 Philly.com announced that veteran backup big man Theo Ratliff had agreed to terms on veterans league minimum 1 year 1.4 million dollar deal with the 76ers. Ratliff had previously played with Philadelphia from 1997–2001. Ratliff was named an All-Star in 2001, but was unable to play because of an injury.


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Summary, Free Agency
On September 1, 2008 following his placement on waivers Donyell Marshall agreed to terms with the Philadelphia 76ers for a one-year contract for the league minimum $1,262,275 (for veterans with at least 10 years of experience). The story was first reported by The Philadelphia Daily News


2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season, Playoffs, First Round
In the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the sixth seeded Philadelphia 76ers were paired with the third seed Southeast Division champions and eventual Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic in a best-of-seven series. The Sixers managed to split the series with the Magic at two games a piece after four games, but the Magic went on to win what would be the final two games of the series to eliminate the Sixers.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 42nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season
The Flyers began the 2008–09 season by naming Mike Richards the 17th captain in Flyers history on September 17, with Jason Smith headed to the Ottawa Senators as a free agent. The Flyers were looking to build on the success of the previous season, but instead got off to an 0–3–3 start which became indicative of the season ahead. Despite a solid December and January, and finishing with four points more than the year before, for the most part the 2008–09 Flyers were an inconsistent unit, playing at the top of their ability one night while subpar the next.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season
Defenseman Derian Hatcher missed the entire regular season and playoffs with a knee injury, and Steve Downie was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Matt Carle. Two pleasant surprises were the emergence of rookie center Claude Giroux and defenseman Luca Sbisa, who was drafted by the Flyers in June with the 19th overall pick acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for R. J. Umberger, the victim of a salary cap crunch. Scottie Upshall also found himself the victim of such a crunch, traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Daniel Carcillo at the trade deadline.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season
Despite holding on to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference for much of the season, due to a 4–5–1 finish to the season, highlighted by a home loss to the New York Rangers on the last day of the regular season, the Flyers slipped to the fifth seed and lost home-ice advantage in their first round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season
The Flyers finished the regular season having scored the most shorthanded goals in the NHL, with 16, and having allowed the fewest shorthanded goals, with just one.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season, Conference standings
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Regular season, Conference standings
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Playoffs
Pittsburgh dominated the Flyers in Game 1, and despite a better effort by the Flyers in Game 2, Pittsburgh came to Philadelphia with a 2–0 series lead. The Flyers were the better team in Games 3 and 4, but Pittsburgh gained a split in Philadelphia and took a 3–1 series lead. After a decisive 3–0 win in Game 5, the Flyers jumped out to a 3–0 lead in Game 6, but promptly fell victim to the inconsistencies that plagued the team all season and gave up five unanswered goals in a season-ending 5–3 loss.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Schedule and results, Regular season
Win (2 points)  Loss (0 points)  Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 5, 2008, the day after the deciding game of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 12, 2009, the day of the deciding game of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Signings, Free agency
The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency. Two-way contracts are marked with an asterisk (*).


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Signings, Internal
The following players were either re-signed by the Flyers or, in the case of the team's selections in the NHL Entry Draft, signed to entry level contracts. Two-way contracts are marked with an asterisk (*).


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Transactions, Departures
The following players left the team via free agency, release, or retirement. Players who were under contract and left the team during the season are marked with an asterisk (*).


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Draft picks
Philadelphia's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario on June 20–21, 2008. The Flyers traded their originally allotted second, third, fifth, and seventh-round picks in four separate trades.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Farm teams
The 2008–09 season was the Phantoms' last playing in the Wachovia Spectrum and means they will move following the season. Comcast Spectacor sold the Phantoms to the Brooks Group of Pittsburgh on February 4, 2009, and the new ownership has expressed interest in eventually moving the Phantoms to Allentown provided that a multi-purpose arena can be constructed there. Until a permanent new home is found for the club it will have to operate starting in 2009–10 in a temporary location. The site being given the most serious consideration for that is Glen Falls, the former home of the AHL Adirondack Red Wings from 1979 to 1999. Comcast Spectacor continues to operate the team through the conclusion of the 2008–09 AHL season and playoffs.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Farm teams
With Craig Berube returning to his role as an assistant coach with the Flyers, John Paddock was named head coach of the Phantoms. The Phantoms trailed the Binghamton Senators by as many as 12 points on March 14 for the final playoff spot in the East Division, but came back to overtake Binghamton and clinch the final playoff spot in the final regular season game at the Spectrum. The Phantoms final season in Philadelphia came to an end after being swept from the first round of the playoffs by the Hershey Bears.


2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers season, Farm teams
Mississippi missed the ECHL playoffs and announced they would suspend operations for the 2009–10 season.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season
The 2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season was the team's 37th season, 30th season in the National Hockey League and 13th season as the Phoenix Coyotes. It saw the Coyotes attempt to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2002. However, during the month of March, they were eliminated from the playoffs, and ended up 13th in the NHL's Western Conference.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Preseason
The Phoenix Coyotes played eight preseason exhibition games to prepare for the regular season. Three games were at home, and the other five were on the road, including the franchise's first game back in Winnipeg, Manitoba, since the team moved from there to Phoenix in 1996. The Coyotes finished the preseason with a 2–5–1 record.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Regular season
On December 23, the Toronto-based The Globe and Mail newspaper reported that the Phoenix Coyotes team was receiving financial assistance from the NHL in the form of advances on League revenues. The Coyotes have pledged all of their assets to New York company SOF Investments LP to cover an estimated debt of $80 million. The team has lost an estimated $200 million since 2001 and may lose $30 million this season. One of the team's owners, Jerry Moyes' principal source of revenue, Swift Transportation, is also in financial difficulty.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Regular season
ESPN reported that the League has become involved with the operations of the Coyotes and their revenues. The NHL apparently wants to work with the City of Glendale, which owns Jobing.com Arena and receives revenues from the team. If no investors are interested in keeping the team in Phoenix, Kansas City, Winnipeg or Hamilton will likely be healthier destinations for the franchise to relocate. ESPN also reported that Moyes wants to sell his share of the team and that Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer is a possible interested purchaser.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Regular season, Divisional standings
Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points       Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Regular season, Conference standings
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, p – Presidents' Trophy winnerCE – Central Division, NW – Northwest Division, PA – Pacific Division


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Schedule and results
Legend:  Win (2 points)  Loss (0 points)  Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Playoffs
The Coyotes failed to make the playoffs for the sixth straight season. They last made the playoffs in 2002. This season, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention in mid-March.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Player statistics, Goaltenders
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Coyotes. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only. ‡Traded mid-season. Bold/italics denotes franchise record.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Draft picks
Phoenix's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Farm teams
The San Antonio Rampage are the Coyotes American Hockey League affiliate in 2008–09.


2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes season, Farm teams
The Arizona Sundogs are the Coyotes affiliate in the CHL.


2008–09 Phoenix Suns season
The 2008–09 Phoenix Suns season was the 41st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season was to be a promising one, filled with All-Star talent at several positions. It was believed over the offseason, the Suns would be able to better incorporate Shaquille O'Neal, who necessitated changes to both the offense and defense after being obtained in a trade one season ago.


2008–09 Phoenix Suns season
It was also the first season head coach Terry Porter had been able to use the summer to implement his defensive approach for a team which had in seasons past scored a large number of their points off fast breaks and early in the shot clock. Sensing a need for change, team management traded for scorer Jason Richardson in December, but this did not appear to immediately reinvigorate an offense that had recently led the league in points per game.


2008–09 Phoenix Suns season
However, after Phoenix went 28–23 to start the season, Suns assistant Alvin Gentry was named to replace Porter as head coach. Less than one week after the All-Star Game, Amar'e Stoudemire sustained a season-ending eye injury while the improvement of the team never fully came. The Suns finished 46–36, second in the Pacific division but out the playoffs for the first time since Steve Nash rejoined the Suns in the 2004–05 season. The Suns had the best team offensive rating in the NBA.


2008–09 Phoenix Suns season, Player statistics, Season
* – Stats with the Suns. + – Minimum 70 games played or 2000 minutes, 1400 points. ^ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made. # – Minimum 125 free throws made.


2008–09 Pirveli Liga
2008–09 Pirveli Liga was the 20th season of the Georgian Pirveli Liga. The Pirveli Liga is the second division of Georgian Football. It consists of 4 reserve teams and professional teams.


2008–09 Pirveli Liga
Although reserve teams was allowed to play in the same league system, they were not be allowed to play in the same division and therefore cannot be promoted.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Jamie Dixon, who was serving for his 6th year as head coach at Pittsburgh and 10th overall at the university. The team played its home games in the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team, Outlook
The Pittsburgh Panthers, defending  Big East Conference Tournament Champions, came off a 27–10 (10–8) record in the 2007–08 season which included their seventh straight 20-win season, seventh straight season with 10 league wins in the Big East Conference, and a seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Pitt advanced to the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Michigan State. That season also marked the seventh time in the last eight seasons that Pitt advanced to the Big East Tournament Championship title game, which tied for the most appearances in league history.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team, Outlook
Pitt began the season returning three starters, each of its top three scorers, and seven of its top 10 players from the previous year. Pitt found itself ranked among the top 10 teams nationally in most preseason polls and publications. Five newcomers, including one junior college transfer and four freshman, joined Pitt for the 2008–09 season.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team, Schedule
Pitt's 2008–09 schedule included, in addition to their Big East slate, nine non-conference opponents that were ranked the previous season in the nation's top-100 Ratings Percentage Index, nine opponents that advanced to post-season play, and five that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team
Template:2008–09 Big East Conference women's basketball standingsThe 2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16". The Panthers were coached by Agnus Berenato. The Panthers are a member of the Big East Conference and played their home games at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team, Previous season
The 2007-08 Pitt women's basketball went 24-10, tying a program record number of wins set the previous season. Pitt earned its first ever bid to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament advancing to the second round where it lost to eventual national champion Tennessee. Pitt finished the season ranked #16 in the Coaches' Poll, its highest finish in the polls for the women up until that point. Center Marcedes Walker and Guards Karlyle Lim and Mallorie Winn finish up their eligibility.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Panthers women's basketball team, Roster
*Injured during the first regular season game against Texas A&M and was redshirted.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the 42nd season of Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season began with two games against the Ottawa Senators in Stockholm, Sweden on October 4 and October 5, 2008.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season
On February 15, the team had a record of 27–25–5 and was five points out of playoff position. The organization fired head coach Michel Therrien and replaced him with Dan Bylsma, head coach of the organization's American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre. On February 26, the team traded defenseman Ryan Whitney to the Anaheim Ducks in return for Chris Kunitz. Before the trade deadline on March 4, they acquired Bill Guerin from the New York Islanders. Under Bylsma, the team went 18–3–4, including 10–1–2 in March, and lost only one home game.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The Penguins qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive season. They did not repeat as champions of the Atlantic Division, but earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with 99 points. They began the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 15 against the Philadelphia Flyers. They beat the Flyers, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes to earn a second-straight berth in the Stanley Cup Final. In the Finals, the Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings in seven games in a rematch of the previous season's Stanley Cup Final to win the franchise's third league title.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Pre-season
Due to their appearance in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, the Penguins had less than three weeks before free agency began to settle numerous contract decisions. The Penguins added nine free agents and lost ten to other teams. Head Coach Michel Therrien also signed a new three-year contract that replaced the last year of his existing contract, with an increase in salary. The new contract was projected to keep him with the Penguins through the 2010–11 season.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Pre-season
The Penguins renewed 99% of their season ticket sales from the 2007–08 season; having sold out 67 consecutive games at Mellon Arena dating back to the 2006–07 season. In July, ESPN named Pittsburgh the top team in the Eastern Conference, and Sporting News predicted the team would finish in the league's fifth overall position.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Pre-season
The team commenced training camp on September 16, 2008 in Pittsburgh. They played five pre-season games in preparation for the season, finishing with a 4–0–1 record. The team concluded its preparation for the season with practices in Stockholm. Defensemen Sergei Gonchar was injured in the pre-season opener and originally anticipated to miss "four to six months." He appeared for the first time on February 14, 2009. With Gonchar out of the lineup and previous season's two other alternate captains Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts departed, the Penguins began the season with no returning alternate captains in the lineup. Therrien selected two alternate captains each month; Evgeni Malkin and Brooks Orpik served the role throughout the opening month.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, October
On September 27, the Penguins embarked on a trip for Sweden where they opened the season against the Ottawa Senators, at the Stockholm Globe Arena. The Penguins were one of four teams to participate in NHL Premiere which began the season with games in Prague, Czech Republic and Stockholm, Sweden. Pittsburgh won the opening game of the season in overtime, getting two goals from Tyler Kennedy, including the game-winner. The game was broadcast on Mellon Arena's JumboTron where 2,300 spectators watched the game. The team returned to Pittsburgh after ten days in Europe and a 1–1–0 record.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, October
The Penguins hosted the Trib Total Media Faceoff Festival 2008 prior to their first four home games, allowing fans to watch the games on 9-by-12 foot LED screen outside of Mellon Arena. On October 18, Sidney Crosby scored one goal in addition to three assists to surpass benchmarks of 100 goals, 200 assists, and 300 total points for his career. In the same game, Evgeni Malkin assisted on four goals, giving him 200 total career points.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, October
The Penguins received continued fan support from their previous season. In addition to extending a home sellout streak to 72 games on October 23, the Penguins ranked 113% above the national average for male television viewers aged 18 to 34. The franchise ranked as the 18th most valuable in the league at US$195 million, marking a 26% increase from the past season. According to Forbes, the franchise's revenue would likely put the Penguins into the top ten after their new arena, Consol Energy Center, opened in 2010. The Penguins finished October with a 3–1–1 record in Pittsburgh and concluded the month with three consecutive road losses.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, November
The Penguins won their first six games in November before losing in a shootout on November 18. Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill were selected by Therrien to be November's alternate captains, taking over for Brooks Orpik and Malkin who served in October. On November 11, the Penguins returned to Detroit for the first time since the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. The third goal of Jordan Staal's second career hat-trick came with 22.8 seconds remaining in regulation, sending the game into overtime where the Penguins achieved a 7–6 victory.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, November
Malkin's 13-game point streak ended on November 18, during the streak he scored 27 points. Through November 19, the Penguins led the league in overtime games with nine of 18 games taking extra time to decide. Through the first 20 games of the season, Mike Zigomanis led the league in faceoff percentage and Alex Goligoski led rookie defensemen in points. After an injury to Marc-Andre Fleury, Dany Sabourin and rookie John Curry split goaltending duties in his multi-game absence in which the team was 5–6–2.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, November
On November 26, Malkin scored three goals for his third career hat-trick, three days later Sidney Crosby also achieved a hat trick—the second of his career. After the team's final game of the month, Malkin and Crosby ranked first and second in league scoring with 39 and 34 points respectively. Malkin also ranked first in the league with 29 assists, and was named the NHL's second Star of the Month.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, December
Therrien named Jordan Staal and Matt Cooke December's alternate captains. "I think it's important for our young group to try to extend the leadership group," the coach said of the decision. A survey by Turnkey Sports & Entertainment released on December 2 that surveyed fans of all 122 NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB teams ranked the Penguins eighth. The survey consisted of 21 categories such as entertainment value, commitment to winning, ticket value and likeability of the players and owners. Ranked 20th in the same poll in 2007, the Penguins were the second-ranked NHL team, behind the Detroit Red Wings.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, December
The Penguins began the month with seven games in eleven days in which they were 2–4–1. As of December 10, Crosby and Malkin continued to lead the league in points as well as leading voting for the All-Star Game in Montreal. On December 11, after losing three consecutive games, Petr Sykora and Pascal Dupuis each scored their first career hat-tricks in a 9–2 victory over the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh. It was the seventh time in the Penguins' history that two players scored a hat-trick in the same game, the first since 1993.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, December
On December 21, Sidney Crosby surpassed the record for most All-Star Game votes at 1,020,736, set by Jaromir Jagr, then with the Penguins, in 2000. Crosby broke the record with 13 days remaining in voting. Defenceman Ryan Whitney made his first appearance of the season on December 23, after missing 33 games with a foot injury. On December 26, Marc-Andre Fleury made 37 saves in Pittsburgh's first shutout of the season, defeating the New Jersey Devils, 1–0. After concluding the month with a 5–8–1 record, the team held a players-only meeting on December 30. "The attitude is a little off right now," said Brooks Orpik, "It's easy to be a good team when you're winning games. When you're going through rough batches like this, it's what tests guys' character."


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, January
The Penguins began 2009 with three consecutive losses, extending their losing streak to five games—the most consecutive since 2006. During the streak, the Penguins fell from second to ninth place in the Eastern Conference and failed to score on 32 consecutive power plays.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, January
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin led all players in voting for the 2009 All-Star Game. However, Crosby did not play due to a knee injury. The top vote-getter for the second year in a row, Crosby also missed the 2008 All-Star Game. On January 8, the team announced that they had agreed to a four-year contract extension with Jordan Staal worth $16 million. Staal's rookie contract was set to expire at the end of the season. He was the Penguins first round pick, second overall in 2006.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, January
The team suffered from injuries, culminating in January where at one point they had eight starters injured. Mike Zigomanis had been inactive since December 3 and Ruslan Fedotenko was ruled out for four to six weeks after breaking his hand on January 6. Sergei Gonchar practiced with the team for the first time on January 16 after suffering a separated shoulder during the pre-season. By that time, the Penguins had lost 173 man-games due to injury, after losing 239 in the entire 2007–08 season.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, January
With a 3–0 victory over the New York Rangers on January 18, the Penguins won a second consecutive game for the first time since November 15. However, the team was unable to capitalize and lost their last game before the All-Star break to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins entered the break with a 23–21–4 record. The team's 50 points put them in tenth place in the Eastern Conference, two spots out of the playoffs.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, February
On February 14, Sergei Gonchar made his season debut and Ruslan Fedotenko returned to the line-up after missing over a month due to a hand injury. On February 15—with the Penguins five points out of the playoffs—Therrien was replaced by Dan Bylsma, the coach of the Penguins' AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, on an interim basis. Tom Fitzgerald was promoted from Director of Player Development to assistant coach for forwards, while Mike Yeo, already with the team, became assistant for the defensemen. Assistant Andre Savard was reassigned within the organization.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, February
On February 21, Crosby recorded his 250th career assist in a 2-goal, 2-assist victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. On February 25, Fleury recorded his third shutout of the season, as the Penguins defeated the Islanders 1–0; the team remained two points out of the playoffs after the win. The day after the shutout, Ryan Whitney was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Chris Kunitz and signing rights to prospect Eric Tangradi. In his first game after being traded to Pittsburgh, Kunitz recorded a goal and an assist as the Penguins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, March
The Penguins began March with five of six games on the road, before a homestand of eight consecutive games. Upon the Penguins' win on March 1, the team moved into eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 70 points. The NHL trade deadline was on March 4. On March 3, the Penguins placed Miroslav Satan on waivers to clear roster space for a trade. Before the deadline, the Penguins acquired New York Islanders' captain Bill Guerin in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2009 draft.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, March
The Penguins also exchanged minor league defensemen, sending Danny Richmond to the St. Louis Blues organization for Andy Wozniewski. They also claimed winger Craig Adams off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks. Dan Bylsma surpassed Herb Brooks' record for the best record in his first ten games as a Penguins' coach. The team went a franchise-first 5–0–0 on a road trip at the beginning of March.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, March
On March 15, the Penguins soldout their 100th consecutive game at the Mellon Arena. Evgeni Malkin recorded his 100th point of the season while tying a career-high five point game against the Atlanta Thrashers on March 17. On March 20, Vince Lascheid, Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates organist of 33 years, died. Vice President of Communications Tom McMillan said, "[Lascheid] probably is the only organist in the history of professional sports to be inducted into a team Hall of Fame." The Penguins concluded March with eight consecutive games at the Mellon Arena—their longest homestand of the season.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, April and season results
Pittsburgh finished their homestand with a 6–1–1 record, moving into fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The final game of the homestand was the most watched game of the season on FSN Pittsburgh, the Penguins regional television network. FSN Pittsburgh was the most-watched regional Fox network in the NHL for the second consecutive season.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, April and season results
On April 7, Sidney Crosby scored his 100th point of the season, Evgeni Malkin acquired his 300th career point and Petr Sykora scored his 300th career goal, while the Penguins qualified for the post-season for the third consecutive season with a 6–4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tickets for Pittsburgh's first two opening round playoff games sold out within a few hours of going on sale. The team collected over $100,000 for the families of three Pittsburgh Police officers who were killed days before the game.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, April and season results
The Penguins finished their regular season on April 12 with a win over the Montreal Canadiens. Through his first 25 games as Penguins' coach, Dan Blysma's 18–3–4 record amounted to 40 points—the second-most of any coach in NHL history through their first 25 games. The Penguins finished with a 45–28–9 record, for 99 points; fourth place in the Eastern Conference and second place in the Atlantic Division.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, April and season results
Evgeni Malkin won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer with 113 points. Malkin followed Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Crosby to become the fourth different Penguin to win the award. The award was the 13th overall for the Penguins since 1988.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, Standings
bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Regular season, Standings
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs
The Penguins advanced to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season. They earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage in the opening round match-up against the Philadelphia Flyers, following a loss by the Flyers on the last day of the regular season. For the second consecutive season, the Penguins erected a 12 by 16 foot LED screen on the lawn directly outside Mellon Arena, allowing fans to watch all playoff games, free of charge. After defeating Philadelphia, the Penguins beat the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Penguins faced the Detroit Red Wings, defeating them in seven games to win their third Stanley Cup in franchise history. The final game of the season drew a 42.2 television rating in Pittsburgh—the highest local rating in any city since the NHL began to track the figure.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
The Penguins won Game 1 of the series 4–1, with goals from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Tyler Kennedy and defenseman Mark Eaton. "It was a good [night] for me," said Malkin, "It was a good [night] for everybody." Flyers head coach John Stevens was fined US$10,000 and forward Daniel Carcillo was suspended by the NHL for the second game of the series for a hit to Maxime Talbot's head immediately following a faceoff with seven seconds left in the game; Carcillo was not penalized at the time of the hit.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
In Game 2, Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 38 saves. Bill Guerin scored two goals, including the game winner in overtime, and the Penguins won 3–2. With the Penguins up two games to zero, the series moved to Philadelphia for Game 3. After falling behind 2–0, goals from Malkin and Rob Scuderi tied the game. Malkin added his second goal of the game in the final period; however, Philadelphia won the game 6–3. In Game 4, Fleury stopped 45 shots, giving up one goal as the Penguins won 3–1.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Crosby scored his second goal of the playoffs and Tyler Kennedy added the game winner. The Penguins were unable to clinch the series in Game 5 at Mellon Arena. A goal by Malkin was taken away after it was determined that he had kicked the puck into the net; Martin Biron stopped 28 shots for the shutout. Pittsburgh viewers were unable to see approximately 30 minutes of the second period after a lightning strike at a FSN Pittsburgh network facility in Atlanta caused the station to temporarily black out.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
"I just thought Malkin and Crosby almost looked like they took the game over, to be honest with you. We capitalized on a few opportunities there, and if you get a 3–0 lead, it should be over."


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
In Game 6, the Flyers lead 3–0 four minutes into the second period. Maxime Talbot fought Daniel Carcillo after the Flyers tallied their third goal and the Penguins, re-energized by Talbot's display, scored three goals in what remained of the second period to tie the game 3–3. Sergei Gonchar scored his first goal of the series, his first in 23 playoff games dating back to game two of the Penguins' first-round series against Ottawa in 2008, to break the tie at 2:19 of the third period. Crosby added an empty-net goal and the Penguins eliminated the Flyers and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Three days after the Penguins series-clinching victory of the Flyers, the Penguins announced that Head Coach Dan Bylsma had signed a multi-year contract extension with the team.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference semi-finals
The Penguins drew a matchup with the Washington Capitals in the second round semi-finals. The anticipation for the series was high considering the rivalry between the teams and star players, most notably Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins and Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin of the Capitals. The first three games in the series were scheduled for national television in the U.S., with game one on NBC and games two and three on Versus.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference semi-finals
Game 1 was held in Washington, where Capitals owner Ted Leonsis took steps to prevent Penguins' fans from purchasing tickets, such as not selling tickets to customers whose 724 or 412 area code indicated they were from Western Pennsylvania. Crosby scored to give the Penguins a first period lead, but Washington scored two goals before the conclusion of the period. Mark Eaton tied the game in the second period, but Washington's Semyon Varlamov held the Penguins scoreless for the remainder of the game as the Capitals took a 1–0 lead in the series. The game had 40% more viewers than playoff games the previous season. In Game 2, Ovechkin and Crosby scored three goals each, though Dave Steckel's second period goal was the difference as Washington won 4–3.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference semi-finals
The series moved to Pittsburgh for Game 3 with the Penguins down 2–0. Goals from Ruslan Fedotenko, Nicklas Backstrom, Ovechkin and Malkin left the game tied after regulation. Kris Letang scored a powerplay goal 11 minutes into overtime, winning the game for the Penguins. Pittsburgh tied the series at two games apiece after a 5–3 Game 4 victory at Mellon Arena. After a Washington goal scored less than a minute into regulation, the Penguins responded with three goals in the first period. The Penguins' five goals came from five different players.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference semi-finals
During the first period, Sergei Gonchar was forced to leave the game after a knee-on-knee hit from Ovechkin; Gonchar returned to the Penguins' line-up for Game 7. Game 5 took place in Washington, D.C., the next day, due to the scheduling of a Yanni concert in Pittsburgh. After a scoreless first period, Washington took a 2–1 lead in the second. Fedotenko tied the game less than a minute into the third period, but a goal by Matt Cooke was matched by Ovechkin and the game went into overtime. With one second remaining in their second powerplay of the game, Malkin scored to give the Penguins their third consecutive victory. Game 6 was the third overtime game of the series. Washington forced a seventh game with a 5–4 victory. Nine different players scored goals in the game.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference semi-finals
"I think everyone built the series up to end with a dramatic game seven, a huge story, and a big finish, but it didn’t feel anticlimactic to us."


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference semi-finals
—Dan Bylsma, speaking about the Penguins' 6–2 victory in game seven


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference semi-finals
In the final game of the series, Pittsburgh scored two goals within eight seconds of one another to take a 2–0 lead after Fleury stopped Ovechkin on a breakaway. Pittsburgh scored three more goals in the second period, extending their lead to 5–0, before Ovechkin scored his eighth goal of the series. Each team added a goal in the final period to end the game with a 6–2 final score. Ovechkin scored eight goals and added six assists in the series, while Crosby tallied eight goals and five assists. Crosby's 13-point tally in the series totalled one less than Ovechkin's 14 points, which was the highest single-series point total since the 1995 playoffs. While shaking hands following the final game, Crosby told Ovechkin he had played a "great series," to which Ovechkin responded, "win the Stanley Cup."


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Final
Pittsburgh faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, after Carolina defeated the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. The series opened in Pittsburgh, where Miroslav Satan and Philippe Boucher scored their first goals of the playoffs. Marc-Andre Fleury was named the game's third star after making 23 saves and helping the Penguins to a 3–2 victory. In Game 2, Malkin scored a hat-trick and Chris Kunitz scored his first goal of the playoffs as the Penguins won 7–4, taking a two games to none series lead.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Final
In Game 3, Malkin scored two goals and Crosby scored one as the Penguins took a 3–1 lead into the first intermission. After a scoreless second period, the Hurricanes came within a goal after Sergei Samsonov scored less than two minutes into the final period, but goals by Fedotenko, Craig Adams and Guerin gave the Penguins a 6–2 victory. The series concluded with the Penguins sweeping, four games to none.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Final
In the series' fourth game, Pittsburgh gave up the initial goal less than two minutes into the opening period, but goals from Fedotenko and Talbot gave them the lead after the first period. A second period goal from Guerin and an empty netter from Adams sealed the Penguins' victory in the game and the series.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Eastern Conference Final
Following Game 4, Crosby hoisted the Prince of Wales Trophy after refusing to touch it the previous season. As team captain, Mario Lemieux hoisted the Prince of Wales Trophy in 1991 and 1992, and the Penguins won the Stanley Cup each time.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Stanley Cup Final
For the second consecutive season, the Penguins played the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals, marking the first time in 25 years that two teams played each other in consecutive Finals. Tickets for Games 3 and 4, which were hosted at Mellon Arena, sold out in 10 minutes. In the first game of the series, the Red Wings scored the first goal when a puck shot by Brad Stuart ricocheted off the boards behind the goal, then bounced off Marc-Andre Fleury and into the net.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Stanley Cup Final
Ruslan Fedotenko, with an assist from Evgeni Malkin, tied the game before the conclusion of the first period. Detroit went on to score a goal in each of the final two periods to win Game 1, 3–1. Evgeni Malkin scored a powerplay goal in the first period of game two, but the Penguins were held scoreless for the remainder of the contest; falling 3–1 for a second consecutive game.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Stanley Cup Final
With the Penguins down two games to none, the series shifted to Pittsburgh for Game 3. After a 2–2 first period and a scoreless second period, Sergei Gonchar and Maxime Talbot each scored a goal in the third period to give the Penguins a 4–2 victory. In Game 4, the Penguins tied the Red Wings at two games apiece with three unanswered goals in the second period, including a shorthanded goal by Jordan Staal. With the series returning to Detroit, the Red Wings took a three games to two lead in the series with a 5–0 win.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Stanley Cup Final
Staal and Tyler Kennedy scored as the Penguins tied the series at three games apiece in a 2–1 game six victory. In the seventh and final game of the series, Maxime Talbot scored two goals and Fleury made 23 saves as the Penguins won their third Stanley Cup in franchise history.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Stanley Cup playoffs, Stanley Cup Final
Evgeni Malkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. Fans celebrated in the streets of Pittsburgh after the game, with the Stanley Cup victory coming four months after the Pittsburgh Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XLIII. Two days after the victory, 375,000 people attended a parade of the Cup through downtown Pittsburgh.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Player statistics
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Team. Stats reflect time with the Team only. ‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Team only. Bold/italics denotes franchise record


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Awards and records, Awards
Prior to the team's final home game on April 9 against the New York Islanders, the team announced its annual award winners. Awards were given by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, the Penguins Booster Club, as well as voted amongst the team.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Transactions
Concerns over future player contracts were raised just days after the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. Approximately a dozen players, including Marian Hossa, Jarkko Ruutu, Ryan Malone and Brooks Orpik, had fulfilled the final year on their contracts. On June 28, the Penguins traded the contract negotiation rights to Gary Roberts and Ryan Malone to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a conditional draft pick; it became a third-round pick when both Malone and Roberts signed with the Lightning on June 30.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Transactions
Evgeni Malkin was offered a contract from a Russian team in the newly formed Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) worth approximately $12.5 million, tax exempt, per year, which would make him the highest-paid hockey player in the world. However, Malkin turned down the offer to remain with the Penguins, and the IIHF released a statement saying that it would not honor the offer, as Malkin was already under an existing contract with the Penguins at the time. Malkin agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $8.7 million per year—the same value as Sidney Crosby's contract—with the Penguins on July 2.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Transactions
On July 3, the Penguins agreed to a seven-year deal with restricted free agent goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in addition to one-year contracts with free agents Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko. On October 8, the Penguins made several roster adjustments, placing Kris Beech, who was already in Europe looking for a new team, on unconditional waivers and sending Janne Pesonen, John Curry and Jeff Taffe, who first had to clear waivers, to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The next day, on October 9, the Penguins acquired Michael Zigomanis from Phoenix for future considerations. On December 19, the team extended their agreement with Maxime Talbot for an additional two seasons.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Draft picks
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 20–21, 2008, in Ottawa, Ontario. The Penguins did not make their first selection until the fourth round, at 120th overall.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Farm teams
Pittsburgh's American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, finished the 2008–09 season third in the East Division.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Farm teams
Chris Minard, the AHL's leading goal scorer at time of announcement, was selected as a starter for Team Canada in the 2009 All Star Classic. Jeff Taffe and Ben Lovejoy were selected as reserves for the PlanetUSA team. All three players were under two-way NHL contracts and played games with Pittsburgh during the season. In the game, Taffe scored three goals and recorded two assists.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Farm teams
Janne Pesonen, who signed a contract with the Penguins in July 2008, finished the 2008–09 season as the AHL's fourth-leading scorer, set a new record for points in a single season for the team, surpassing Toby Petersen's 67-point season in 2000–01, and his 82 points were the most ever by a Finn in AHL history.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Farm teams
The ECHL affiliate Wheeling Nailers finished the season fourth in the Northern Division, and were eliminated in the first round of the 2009 Kelly Cup Playoffs.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Farm teams
The Nailers had three players selected for the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game, all reserve forwards. Nick Johnson, the only Penguins prospect, was drafted by the team 67th overall in 2004 and signed an entry-level contract with the organization in March 2008. Johnson did not play in the All-Star Game because he finished the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Media affiliates
WXDX-FM 105.9 of Pittsburgh was the radio flagship station for the Penguins for the third season. In April, the team and the station agreed to a six-year contract extension. Mike Lange, former Penguin Phil Bourque and Bob Grove were the station's broadcasters.


2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins season, Media affiliates
FSN Pittsburgh was the primary television network. Paul Steigerwald, Dan Potash, Rob King, and former Penguins Bob Errey and Jay Caufield were the station's broadcast team. During the semi-final playoff round against the Washington Capitals, game five set a record as the highest watched game on any FSN regional network in history. It was then surpassed by games six and seven; the final game of the series drew a 24.97 average rating—twice the viewers than the second most watched show of the evening.


2008–09 PlusLiga
2008–09 PlusLiga was the 73rd season of Polish Championship (9th season as professional league - PlusLiga) organized by Professional Volleyball League SA (Polish: Profesjonalna Liga Piłki Siatkowej S.A.) under the supervision of Polish Volleyball Federation (Polish: Polski Związek Piłki Siatkowej).


2008–09 PlusLiga
In season 2008/2009 PGE Skra Bełchatów and Domex Tytan AZS Częstochowa played in CEV Champions League, AZS UWM Olsztyn and Jastrzębski Węgiel played in CEV Cup, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów in CEV Challenge Cup


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season
The 2008–09 football season was Plymouth Argyle Football Club's 40th season in the Football League Championship, the second division of English football, and their 104th as a professional club. It officially began on 1 July 2008, and concluded on 30 June 2009, although competitive matches were only played between August and May.


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season
The team's shirt supplier was Puma. The shirt sponsor was Ginsters.


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season, Season summary
The club began the 2008–09 season in the Football League Championship for the fourth successive year, following a highly creditable 10th-place finish the previous year. However, this season they finished 21st in the league table, one position and five points above the relegation zone with a record of 13 wins, 12 draws, and 21 defeats from 46 games. Their leading goalscorer was Paul Gallagher with 13 goals in all competitions.


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season, Season summary
The club entered the FA Cup in the third round, where they lost 3–1 away to Premier League club Arsenal. They entered the League Cup in the first round and were eliminated away to Luton Town of League Two, losing 2–0.


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season, Season summary
Notable players to begin their careers with the Pilgrims this season included Carl Fletcher, Alan Judge, Paul Gallagher, Karl Duguid and Chris Barker. The club captain was Romain Larrieu and the team captain was Karl Duguid.


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season, Season summary, Championship, League table
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season, Squad details, Player statistics
# = Squad number; Pos = Playing position; P = Number of games played; G = Number of goals scored;  = Yellow cards;  = Red cards; GK = Goalkeeper; DF = Defender; MF = Midfielder; FW = Forward


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season, Squad details, Player statistics
Statistics do not include minor competitions or games played for other clubs. All players who were provided a squad number during the 2008–09 season are included.


2008–09 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season, Squad details, Starting 11
The following players have been named in the most starting line-ups. This line-up may differ from the list of players with most appearances.


2008–09 Polish Cup
The 2008–09 Polish Cup  was the fifty-fifth season of the annual Polish cup competition. It began on July 30, 2008 with the Extra Preliminary Round and ended on May 19, 2009 with the Final, played at Stadion Śląski, Chorzów. The winners qualified for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Legia Warszawa were the defending champions.


2008–09 Polish Cup, Extra Preliminary Round
Eight of the 32 teams which had qualified on regional levels competed in this round.


2008–09 Polish Cup, Preliminary round
The four winners of the Extra Preliminary Round and the 24 remaining teams qualified through regional levels competed in this round.


2008–09 Polish Cup, Round 1
The fourteen winners of the Preliminary Round, along with the eighteen teams from 2007–08 II Liga, competed in this round.


2008–09 Polish Cup, Round 1
The matches were played on  26 and 27 August 2008.


2008–09 Polish Cup, Round 1
Note 1: The draw was conducted prior to the merger of Polonia Warszawa and Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski. Upon completion of the merger, Stal Stalowa Wola, who were originally to play former II Liga side Polonia Warszawa, were awarded a walkover to the next round.


2008–09 Polish Cup, Round 2
The sixteen winners of Round 1, along with the sixteen teams from 2007–08 Ekstraklasa, competed in this round.


2008–09 Polish Cup, Round 3
The sixteen winners of Round 2 competed in this round.