2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, Al-Zawraa’s massive problems, Financial problems
The Problem began when Amer Abdul-Jabbar, the Minister of Transport offered financing the club but in exchange of changing the club's name From Al-Zawraa to Transport. But when Al-Zawraa fans heard this news, 8 million Iraqis announced their Civil disobedience if they change Al-Zawraa name. Even the Iraq Football Association refused the idea of changing Al-Zawraa's name. Salam Hashim the current President of the club made a middle Solution to change Al-Zawraa name from Al-Zawra to Al-Zawraa Transport, both the fans and the Minister of Transport refused the idea.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, Al-Zawraa’s massive problems, Withdrawal threats
In the middle of the 2008-09 season, Salam Hashim announced that Al-Zawraa will withdraw from the Iraqi League and the AFC Cup if no one give Al-Zawraa a helping hand, but the Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki reacted and gave Al-Zawraa 10 Million Iraqi Dinars for their camping in the Iraqi League and the AFC Cup, he promised monthly finance backing.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, Al-Zawraa’s massive problems, Transfer problems
At the beginning of the season. Al-Zawraa had to sell their key players like top scorer Abdul-Salam Abood, the Defensive Midfielder Mohannad Nassir and the main goalkeeper Ahmad Ali Jaber due to financial problems. They bought only young players and using some from Al-Zawraa's youth team. But in a brave act from the Iraq national football team’s goalkeeper Mohammed Gassid who moved to Al-Zawraa for a cheap salary saying he doesn’t care about the money and he loves Al-Zawraa and playing for Al-Zawraa is like a dream to him. Similar act happened from Haidar Sabah who preferred to come back to Al-Zawraa instead of extending his contract with Arbil FC, the richest team in Iraq.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, Al-Zawraa’s massive problems, Transfer problems
Before the winter transfers period, the 34-year-old striker and the son of the club Hesham Mohammed promised that he will come back to Al-Zawraa and try to help them with his experience. Hesham is famous in wearing number 8 and when he asked what is the number he will pick, he answered that Haidar Sabah earned this number and he will choose another number, thinking of picking number 88. In the winter transfers period he fulfilled his promise and signed for Al-Zawraa.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, Al-Zawraa’s massive problems, Banning the whole team
Before the end of the season, Al-Zawra’s President Salam Hashim banned 25 players for playing for Al-Zawra. The story began when 15 players asked for their wages, complaining that they didn’t receive any money in the last three months. But Salam Hashim blamed the Ministry of Transport for not supporting Al-Zawra and he told the players that he doesn’t have any money in the moment and he will give them next season, the players refused to play giving the reason that they are human and they need to eat and to pay for their houses rent.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, Al-Zawraa’s massive problems, Banning the whole team
The rest of the team stood up solidarity with the team, which made Salam Hashim banning the whole team. Al-Zawra had 4 postponed matches and if Al-Zawra win them all Al-Zawra would reach the second place in Group B which it will makes them the play the decisive 3rd-4th place match. The Team played the postponed matches with the u-16 team with Ahmad Salam Hashim the son of Salam Hashim being the Captain of the team. Al-Zawra lost three matches and draw one.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, 2008-09 squad and starting lineup
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, Iraqi Premier League
The 2008-09 season is the 35th edition of the Iraqi Premier League, it starts on 1 November 2008 and is scheduled to end on 10 May 2009. 28 teams from all over the country are competing for the title. Arbil FC are the defending champion and Al-Zawraa are the runner-up.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, Iraqi Premier League
The IFA decided to cancel the old group system, which was used from 2004 until 2008. This time, the 28 teams will be divided into two groups with each 14 teams. There will be a northern and southern group, with the clubs from the capital Baghdad being drawn into either one of these groups. After playing home and away games, the two group winners are going to play for the League Title in a final. The two runners-up are playing for the third place and a spot at the 2009-10 Arab Champions League. The league champions and runner-up will qualify for the 2010 AFC Cup. Furthermore, it was announced that this will be the last season featuring groups.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, AFC Cup
Iraq was excluded from the AFC Champions League due to not fulfilling the AFC demand of having a fully professional league. Hence, the Iraqi clubs relegated to the AFC Cup with having 2 seats to participate in. The 2007-08 Iraqi Premier League's Champion and runners-up will participate this season.


2008–09 Al-Zawraa SC season, AFC Cup
Al-Zawraa as runner-up in the previous season will take part in the AFC Cup for the first time in their history alongside Arbil FC as last season champions.


2008–09 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team (variously "Alabama", "UA", "Bama" or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama in the 2008–09 college basketball season. The head coach was Mark Gottfried, who was in his eleventh year until his resignation January 26th 2009. Philip Pearson would be the interim for the remainder of the season. The team played its home games at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and was a member of the Southeastern Conference. This was the 96th season of basketball in the school's history. The Crimson Tide finished the season 18–14, 7–9 in SEC play, lost in the quarterfinals of the 2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament and were not invited to a post season tournament.


2008–09 Alabama–Huntsville Chargers men's ice hockey season
The 2008–09 Alabama–Huntsville Chargers ice hockey team represented the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season. The Chargers were coached by Danton Cole who was in his second season as head coach. The Chargers played their home games in the Von Braun Center and were members of the College Hockey America conference.


2008–09 Alaska Aces season
The 2008–09 Alaska Aces season is the 23rd season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).


2008–09 Albanian Cup
2008–09 Albanian Cup (Albanian: Kupa e Shqipërisë) was the fifty-seventh season of Albania's annual cup competition. It began on September 24, 2008 with the First Preliminary Round and ended on May 6, 2009 with the Final. The winners of the competition qualified for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Vllaznia were the defending champions.


2008–09 Albanian Cup
The rounds were played in a two-legged format similar to those of European competitions. If the aggregated score was tied after both games, the team with the higher number of away goals advanced. If the number of away goals was equal in both games, the match was decided by extra time and a penalty shootout, if necessary.


2008–09 Albanian Cup, Preliminary Tournament
In order to reduce the number of participating teams for the First Round to 32, a preliminary tournament was played. Only teams from the Kategoria e Dytë (III) were allowed to enter. Each Kategoria e Dytë group played its own tournament. In contrast to the main tournament, the preliminary tournament was held as a single-leg knock-out competition.


2008–09 Albanian Cup, First round
All twenty-eight teams of the 2008–09 Kategoria Superiore and Kategoria e Parë entered in this round. First legs were played on October 29, 2008 and the second legs were played on November 12, 2008.


2008–09 Albanian Cup, Second round
In this round entered winners from the previous round. First legs were played on December 3, 2008 and the second legs were played on December 17, 2008.


2008–09 Albanian Cup, Quarterfinals
First legs were played on February 25, 2009 and the second legs were played on March 11, 2009.


2008–09 Albanian Cup, Quarterfinals
1Dinamo Tirana were excluded from the Cup because they fielded Elis Bakaj although he previously played in the Cup for Partizani. Second leg's 0–0 score was annulled and Vllaznia were awarded a 2–0 win.


2008–09 Albanian Cup, Quarterfinals
Two-legged results of Flamurtari–Partizani match (1–0; 0–1 aet, p. 4–5) were cancelled due to both teams fielding players that previously played in the Cup for other teams. Flamurtari's Eriol Merxha played for Elbasani while Partizani's Genti Gjondedaj and Engert Bakalli played for Teuta and Elbasani, respectively. The match was one-legged, played on Stadiumi Niko Dovana, Durrës on April 8, 2009.


2008–09 Albanian Cup, Semifinals
First legs were played on April 15, 2009 and the second legs were played on April 29, 2009.


2008–09 Albany Great Danes men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Albany Great Danes men's basketball team represented the University at Albany, SUNY during the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Great Danes, led by eighth year head coach Will Brown, played their home games at SEFCU Arena as members of the America East Conference. They finished the season 15–16, 6–10 in America East play to finish in seventh place. As the seventh seed in the 2009 America East Tournament, they upset second seed Vermont in the first round before losing to sixth seed UMBC in the semifinals.


2008–09 Albany Great Danes men's basketball team, Previous season
The Great Danes finished the 2007–08 season 15–15, 10–6 in America East play to finish in a tie for second place. As the No. 3 seed in the 2008 America East Tournament, they were defeated in the quarterfinals by Boston University.


2008–09 Aldershot Town F.C. season
The 2008–09 season of Aldershot Town Football Club was the 17th year of football played by the club and the first season in Football League Two, the highest level achieved by the club up to that time.


2008–09 Aldershot Town F.C. season, Team kit
The team kit for the 2008–09 season is produced by Carbrini Sportswear. The home shirt will be primarily Red with blue panels with the away shirt being yellow. On 6 December 2008 the blue third kit was launched.


2008–09 Aldershot Town F.C. season, Match results, Football League Cup
This was Aldershot Town's first ever season playing in the Football League Cup.


2008–09 Aldershot Town F.C. season, Match results, Hampshire Senior Cup
The Hampshire Senior Cup squad from Aldershot Town was composed of reserve team players.


2008–09 Aldershot Town F.C. season, Events
This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2008–09 season, presented in chronological order. This list does not include match results, which are in the results section.


2008–09 Algerian Championnat National
The 2008–09 Algerian Championnat National was the forty-fifth season of the Algerian Championnat National since its establishment in 1962. A total of 17 teams contested the league, with MC Alger as the defending champions.


2008–09 Algerian Championnat National
On May 29, 2009, ES Sétif were crowned champions with two games remaining after beating USM El Harrach 2-1.


2008–09 Algerian Championnat National 2
The Algerian Championnat National 2 season 2008–09 is the fifteenth season of the league under its current title and seventeenth season under its current league division format. It started on 21 August 2008.


2008–09 Algerian Championnat National 2, League table
A total of 17 teams contested the division, including 14 sides remaining in the division from the previous season and three relegated from the Algerian Championnat National, and one promoted from the Inter-Régions Ligue.


2008–09 Algerian Cup
The 2008–09 Algerian Cup was the 45th edition of the Algerian Cup. CR Belouizdad won the Cup by defeating CA Bordj Bou Arreridj 2-1 on penalties in the final, after the game ended 0-0. It was the sixth time that CR Belouizdad won the trophy.


2008–09 Algerian Women's Championship
The 2008–09 Algerian Women's Championship was the tenth season of the Algerian Women's Championship, the Algerian national women's association football competition. It was also the first one under its new national format. ASE Alger Centre wons the championship for the seventh consecutive time and for the heith time of its history.


2008–09 Algerian Women's Volleyball League
The 2008/09 season of the Algerian Women's Volleyball League  was the 47th annual season of the country's highest volleyball level.


2008–09 All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship
The 2008–09 All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship was the fifth staging of the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 2004.


2008–09 All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship
On 15 February 2009, Blarney won the championship following a 2–14 to 1–12 defeat of Cappataggle in the final.


2008–09 All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship
The 2008–09 All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship was the sixth staging of the All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association.


2008–09 All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship
On 15 February 2009, Dripsey won the championship following a 2–15 to 0–18 defeat of Tullogher-Rosbercon in the final.


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
The 2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship was the 39th staging of the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship since its establishment by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1970-71. The championship began on 19 October 2008 and ended on 17 March 2009.


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
St. Vincent's were the defending champions, however, they failed to qualify after being beaten by Kilmacud Crokes in a semi-final replay of the 2008 Dublin County Championship. There were no representative clubs from Waterford or Wexford due to a delay in the completion of their county championships.


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
On 17 March 2009, Kilmacud Crokes won the championship following a 1-09 to 0-07 defeat of Crossmaglen Rangers in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park. It was their second championship title overall and their first title since 1995.


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship
Kilmacud's Mark Vaughan was the championship's top scorer with 2-32.


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The 2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship was the 39th since the establishment of the competition by the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1970–71. The first matches of the season were played on 12 October 2008 and the championship ended on 17 March 2009. Portumna went into the 2008 championship as defending champions, having won their second All-Ireland title the previous year.


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The championship culminated with the All-Ireland final, held at Croke Park, Dublin. The match was contested by Portumna and De La Salle. It was their first meeting in the final. Portumna won the game by 2–24 to 1–8. It was their second All-Ireland title in succession and an unprecedented third in four years.


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, Format
The 2008–09 club championship was played on a straight knock-out basis. Each of the sixteen participating counties enter their respective club champions. The format of the competition was as follows:


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, Format
Sixteen county club champions participated in the 2008–09 championship. These counties were as follows:


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, Format
The Leinster, Munster and Ulster championships were played as usual on a straight knock-out basis. The three respective champions from these provinces advanced directly to the All-Ireland semi-finals.


2008–09 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, Format
Semi-finals: (2 matches) The Munster champions played the Ulster champions while the Leinster champions played the champions of Galway. The Galway club champions enter the competition at this stage due to the absence of a provincial club championship in Connacht.


2008–09 American Eagles men's basketball team
The 2008–09 American Eagles men's basketball team represented American University during the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Eagles, led by head coach Jeff Jones, played their home games at Bender Arena and were members of the Patriot League. They finished the season 24–8, 13–1 in Patriot League play to finish first in the conference regular season standings. They were champions of the Patriot League Tournament to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament – the school's second straight appearance – where they lost in the first round to Villanova.


2008–09 Amiens SC season
The 2008–09 season saw Amiens SC's compete in Ligue 2 where they finished in 18th position with 43 points and were relegated to the Championnat National.


2008–09 Anaheim Ducks season
The 2008–09 Anaheim Ducks season was the 16th season of operation (15th season of play) for the National Hockey League franchise. The Ducks first game of the season was an away game, held on October 9, 2008, against the San Jose Sharks.


2008–09 Anaheim Ducks season, Schedule and results, Post-season
The Anaheim Ducks ended the 2008–09 regular season as the Western Conference's eighth seed.


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


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


2008–09 Anaheim Ducks season, Draft picks
The Ducks' picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario.


2008–09 Angola Basketball Cup, 2009 Angola Men's Basketball Cup
The 2009 Men's Basketball Cup was contested by 13 teams and won by Primeiro de Agosto, thus defending its title. The 2-leg final was played on April 14 and 17, with a playoff match played on April 18 after both teams were tied with a win each.


2008–09 Angola Basketball Cup, 2009 Angola Women's Basketball Cup
The 2009 Women's Basketball Cup was contested by four teams, with the 2-leg cup final, decided by playoff at the best of three games. Primeiro de Agosto was the winner.


2008–09 Angola Basketball Super Cup
The 2009 Angola Basketball Super Cup (16th edition) was contested by Primeiro de Agosto, as the 2008 league champion and ASA, the 2008 cup runner-up. Primeiro de Agosto was the winner, making it its eighth title.


2008–09 Angola Basketball Super Cup
The 2009 Women's Super Cup (14th edition) was contested by Primeiro de Agosto, as the 2008 women's league champion and Maculusso, the 2008 cup runner-up. Primeiro de Agosto was the winner, making it its third title.


2008–09 Anorthosis Famagusta F.C. season
The 2008–09 season (started 19 June 2008) is Anorthosis' 60th consecutive season in the Cypriot First Division. The team finished 1st in the league in the previous season so it will represent Cyprus in the Champions League. The first training session for the season took take place at the training ground at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium on June 18, 2008. On August 27, 2008, they became the first Cypriot football club to reach the group stages of the Champions League, defeating Olympiacos of Greece in the third qualifying round.


2008–09 Anorthosis Famagusta F.C. season
In December 2008, Andreas Panteli, the chairman of the company since 2004, resigned and he was replaced by Chris Georgiades. Manager Temuri Ketsbaia left the club by mutual consent in April 2009 and was replaced by Michalis Pamboris as caretaker.


2008–09 Anorthosis Famagusta 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 Anorthosis Famagusta F.C. season, Current squad, Transfers, Summer
InNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Anorthosis Famagusta F.C. season, Current squad, Transfers, Summer
OutNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


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


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


2008–09 Anorthosis Famagusta F.C. season, Current squad, Foreign players
Teams in the Cypriot First Division can register up to eighteen non-EU nationals and players with European ancestry.


2008–09 Anorthosis Famagusta F.C. season, Competitions, Marfin Laiki League, Playoffs table
The first 12 teams are divided into three groups. Points are carried over from the first round.


2008–09 Anorthosis Famagusta F.C. season, Matches, Pre-season and friendlies
Anorthosis left on 25 June for Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Golden Tulip Victoria athletic centre to perform most of their pre-season training. The team returned on9 July. While in Netherlands Anorthosis played four friendly matches.


2008–09 Arab Champions League
The 6th edition of Arab Champions League, The 2008–2009 is going to play as a knockout stage from 35 clubs, The Algerian club ES Sétif entered automatically as 2007–08 champion.


2008–09 Arab Champions League, Round 32
32 teams play home and away matches as Knock out stage.


2008–09 Arab Champions League, Round 16
16 teams play home and away matches as Knock out stage.


2008–09 Arab Champions League, Quarter finals
8 teams play home and away matches as Knock out stage.


2008–09 Arab Champions League, Semi finals
4 teams play home and away matches as Knock out stage.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season
The 2008-09 Primera División season was the 118th season of top-flight professional football in Argentina and the nineteenth season in which the Apertura and Clausura system is used.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season
Boca Juniors won the Apertura championship for their 29th national title after a three team playoff with Tigre and San Lorenzo. The Clausura championship was won by Vélez Sársfield for their 7th national title. Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) and San Martín (T) were relegated to the Primera B Nacional.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, Format
The format for the 2008-09 season remained unchanged. The season was split into two tournaments called Apertura and Clausura. Each tournament was contested by the same 20 teams in a single round-robin format. The champions of each tournament is determined by points. If the tops teams would be tied at points at the end of each tournament, a playoff would be held at a neutral site. Relegation was determined at the end of the season.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, Club information, Promotion and relegation
Olimpo and San Martín (SJ) were relegated at the end of the 2007–08 Primera División season. They were replaced by Godoy Cruz and San Martín (T), both of whom were promoted from the Primera B Nacional.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, Club information, Promotion and relegation
Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) and Racing played the relegation/promotion playoffs against Unión and Belgrano, respectively. Both Gimnasia and Esgrima (J) and Racing won their playoff matches and retained their status in top-flight football.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, Torneo Apertura
The Torneo Apertura (English: Opening Tournament) was played between August 6 to December 14, 2008. The champions earned a spot in the 2009 Copa Libertadores.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, Torneo Apertura, Championship playoff
Since San Lorenzo, Tigre and Boca Juniors ended the tournament with the same number of points, a three-way playoff was played to determine the champions.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, Torneo Clausura
The Torneo Clausura (English: Closing Tournament) began on February 6, 2009 and ended on July 5, 2009. The champions earned a spot in the 2010 Copa Libertadores.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, Relegation
Relegation from the Primera Division was determined on the basis of performance over the last three seasons. Every club had its points earned divided by the number of matches played and an average (Spanish: promedio) was determined. The clubs who finished in 17th and 18th played a relegation play-off against the 3rd and 4th placed clubs in Primera B Nacional. The clubs who finished in 19th and 20th were directly relegated to Primera B Nacional.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, Relegation, Relegation/promotion playoffs
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) remained in the Argentine First Division after a 3–3 aggregate tie by virtue of a "sports advantage". In case of a tie in goals, the team from the First Division gets to stay in it. Rosario Central won 2–1 and stayed in the Argentine First Division, while Belgrano does not get promoted and remains in Argentine Nacional B.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, International qualification, Copa Libertadores
The Apertura champions qualified for the 2009 Copa Libertadores and the Clausura champions qualified to the 2010 Copa Libertadores. The last two Argentina spots for the 2009 Copa Libertadores were determined by the sum of all points obtained in the past three tournaments.


2008–09 Argentine Primera División season, International qualification, Copa Sudamericana
Qualification for the 2009 Copa Sudamericana was determined from an aggregate table of the Apertura and Clausura tournaments. The top four teams in the aggregate table qualified; Boca Juniors and River Plate were invited every year till this season, regardless of their standings in the season.


2008–09 Aris Thessaloniki F.C. season
The 2008-09 season was the 95th season in Aris Thessaloniki F.C. 's existence. The club finished 6th in the Super League.


2008–09 Aris Thessaloniki F.C. season
Aris Thessaloniki was eliminated on penalties in the fifth round of Greek Football Cup by PAOK. On the UEFA Cup, the croatian Slaven Koprivnica elminated Aris Thessaloniki in the Second qualifying round.


2008–09 Aris Thessaloniki F.C. season
Dušan Bajević removed from manager's position in July. Quique Hernández came after him. In January, Quique Hernández replaced by Iomar Mazinho and his assistant Donato Gama


2008–09 Aris Thessaloniki F.C. season
Aris Thessaloniki hired Giorgos Koltsidas as technical director after his retirement as player.


2008–09 Aris Thessaloniki F.C. season, Squad statistics, Clean sheets
If a goalkeeper was substituted and he did not conceded a goal while he was in the game but the team conceded a goal after him, the goalkeeper would not claim the clean sheet.


2008–09 Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team represented Arizona State University during the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Sun Devils played their home games at the Wells Fargo Arena and are members of the Pacific-10 Conference. The Sun Devils finished with 25–10, 11–7 in Pac-10 play and lost the championship game of the 2009 Pacific-10 Conference Men's Basketball Tournament to USC. They earned a trip to the 2009 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where they lost to Syracuse in the second round.


2008–09 Arizona State Sun Devils women's basketball team
The 2008–09 Arizona State Sun Devils women's basketball team will represent Arizona State University in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Sun Devils were coached by Charli Turner Thorne. The Sun Devils are a member of the Pacific-10 Conference and attempted to win the NCAA championship.


2008–09 Arizona State Sun Devils women's basketball team, Regular season, Pacific-10 Tournament
Lauren Lacey had 14 points and Danielle Orsillo 17 points and seven rebounds for the Sun Devils. With less than 4 minutes remaining, Arizona State was behind by three points but was unable to win the game.


2008–09 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Arizona during the 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Wildcats, led by first year head coach Russ Pennell, played their home games at the McKale Center and are members of the Pacific-10 Conference.


2008–09 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team  represented the University of Arkansas in the 2008–09 college basketball season. The head coach was John Pelphrey, serving for his second year. The team played its home games in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.


2008–09 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team, 2008–09 Roster
Entering the year, the Razorbacks pulled in the 24th best recruiting class of 2008, including ESPNU 100 recruit Rotnei Clarke. Clarke was ranked the sixth-best incoming point guard in the nation by ESPN.


2008–09 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team, 2008–09 Roster
Former Razorbacks football star receiver Marcus Monk returned with a sixth year of eligibility to play basketball for the Hogs. Intending to play both, Monk played 10 games for Stan Heath his freshman year before focusing only on football. Although picked in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Monk never signed and remained an amateur athlete.


2008–09 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team, 2008–09 Roster
Monk returned to the University shortly after the departure of Montrell McDonald. McDonald left the team on his own accord after the South Alabama game.


2008–09 Armenian Hockey League season
The 2008–09 Armenian Hockey League season was the eighth season of the Armenian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Armenia. Five teams participated in the league, and Urartu Yerevan won the championship.


2008–09 Arsenal F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Arsenal Football Club's 17th consecutive season in the Premier League. This season Arsenal participated in the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and the UEFA Champions League.


2008–09 Arsenal F.C. season, Players, Disciplinary record
Last updated: 24 MaySource: Match reports in Competitive matchesOnly 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 Arsenal F.C. season, Competitions, UEFA Champions League
This remains the last season Arsenal have advanced past the Round of 16 in the Champions League.


2008–09 Asia League Ice Hockey season
The 2008–09 Asia League Ice Hockey season was the sixth season of Asia League Ice Hockey. Seven teams participated in the league, and the Nippon Paper Cranes won the championship.


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season
The 2008–09 season was Aston Villa's 134th professional season; their 98th season in the top-flight and their 21st consecutive season in the top flight of English football, the Premier League. They were managed by Martin O'Neill – in his third season since replacing David O'Leary. The 2008–09 season was the first spell in European competition for O'Neill, and the first for Villa, in 6 seasons.


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season
The club's first summer signing was the permanent capture of on-loan West Brom centre-back, Curtis Davies, in July, while their first sale was made in May, as Luke Moore completed a move to West Brom in an initial £3 million deal, after he had spent the second half of the 2007–08 season there on loan.


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season
The fixtures for the 2008–09 season were announced on Monday 16 June 2008, with Aston Villa beginning at home against Manchester City and finishing the season at home to Newcastle. Due to Birmingham's relegation at the end of the 2007–08 season, there was no Second City derby, however they faced local rivals West Brom on 20 September 2008 at The Hawthorns and on 10 January 2009 at home.


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season
In December 2008, Everton player and boyhood Villa fan, Joleon Lescott put two past Villa and still lost the match following Ashley Young's "brilliant" equalizer.


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season
After 25 games, having qualified for the UEFA Cup as joint winners of the Intertoto Cup, the club were third in the table on 51 points, 2 points above Chelsea on level games and 7 points above Arsenal in 5th place and on course for a place in the Champions League for the first time since 1983. O'Neill decided to prioritise Champions League qualification above all else, fielding a virtual reserve side for a UEFA Cup game against CSKA Moscow which was subsequently lost. Following this, Villa failed to win any of the next 8 league games and improving form for Arsenal & Chelsea meant that Villa failed to reach the top 4.


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


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


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


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


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


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


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season, Transfers, Summer
Defender Curtis Davies signed a permanent deal at Aston Villa after a loan spell. English midfielder Steve Sidwell joined from Chelsea on 10 July 2008. On 26 July 2008, former USA shot-stopper Brad Friedel signed from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £2million. On 7 August 2008 Aston Villa completed the signing of Nicky Shorey on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Also on 7 August 2008, Aston Villa completed the signing of Luke Young in a deal that could reach £6 million, on a three-year contract. On 12 August 2008, Aston Villa signed Carlos Cuéllar in a deal worth £7.8 million on a four-year contract. Villa's offer had triggered a release clause in Cuéllar's contract with Rangers.


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season, Transfers, Summer
Luke Moore made his loan move to West Bromwich Albion a permanent deal  Defender Olof Mellberg left the club to sign for Italian giants Juventus after seven years at Aston Villa. Thomas Sørensen was also released at the end of his contract after 5 years of service, Stoke City eventually signed the Denmark international on a free transfer. Twins Damian and Yago Bellon left Villa after 2 years with the club, as Damian signed for FC Vaduz in Liechtenstein, whilst Yago joined Swiss side FC St. Gallen.


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season, Transfers, Summer
Elsewhere, Irish youngster Danny Earls joined American USL team Rochester Rhinos, and defender Erik Lund returned home to join IFK Göteborg in Sweden. Lund was the only released youngster who played for the first-team during his time with the club, coming on as a substitute in a pre-season victory over Walsall in August 2007. Shaun Maloney was the last to leave the club in the summer transfer window, returning to Celtic after a frustrating spell under Martin O'Neill.


2008–09 Aston Villa F.C. season, Transfers, Winter
On 2 January 2009, Wayne Routledge signed a 3+1⁄2-year deal with Queens Park Rangers, following a loan spell at fellow Championship club Cardiff City. Villa confirmed their first signing of the window four days later, in the form of 17-year-old Dutch defender Arsenio Halfhuid from SBV Excelsior, who signed for an undisclosed fee. On 23 January 2009, Emile Heskey followed, signing for £3.5 million from Wigan Athletic. Young winger Zoltán Stieber was the final player to leave Villa Park during January, as he signed for TuS Koblenz for an undisclosed fee, after failing to break into the first-team. Swiss U17 goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist also signed from FC Basel during this month.


2008–09 Atalanta B.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 Atalanta B.C. season, Transfers, January 2009
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Atalanta B.C. season, Transfers, January 2009
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Atalanta B.C. season, Transfers, January 2009
Out on loan:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Atalanta B.C. season, Transfers, Summer 2008
In:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Atalanta B.C. season, Transfers, Summer 2008
Out:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Atalanta B.C. season, Transfers, Summer 2008
Out on loan:Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2008–09 Athletic Bilbao season
The 2008–09 season was the 108th season in Athletic Bilbao's history and their 78th consecutive season in La Liga, the top division of Spanish football.


2008–09 Atlanta Hawks season
The 2008–09 Atlanta Hawks season was the team's 59th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the 41st in Atlanta. It ended on Monday, May 11, 2009, with a loss at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs in a sweep.


2008–09 Atlanta Hawks season, Draft picks
The Hawks did not have any draft picks in the 2008 NBA draft.


2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers season
The 2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers season was the tenth season of the franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Thrashers attempted to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 2006–07 season, but failed.


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


2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers season, Regular season, Conference standings
AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division


2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers season, Schedule and results, Record vs. Opponents
Notes: * denotes division winner; teams in bold are in the Southeast Division; teams in italics qualified for the playoffs; points refer to the points achieved by the team whom the Thrashers played against


2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers season, Schedule and results, Record vs. Opponents
= Member of the Atlantic Division   = Member of the Northeast Division   = Member of the Southeast Division   = Member of the Central Division   = Member of the Northeast Division   = Member of the Pacific Division


2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers season, Playoffs
The Atlanta Thrashers failed to qualify for the 2009 NHL Playoffs.


2008–09 Atlanta Thrashers season, Player statistics, Goaltenders
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Thrashers. Stats reflect season totals. ‡Traded mid-seasonunderline/italics denotes franchise record


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


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season
The 2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season marked the 33rd season of Atlantic 10 Conference basketball.


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season, Preseason
Xavier University was seen as the favourite to win the league by coaches and media in the preseason poll after having won the regular season the two previous years and also reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season, Preseason
No A-10 side was in either the AP Poll or the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' poll top 25, Xavier dropping out from last season in 26th and 30th place respectively after losing 3 starters in the offseason, the university was in the lesser Sporting News Top 40 at 19th along with Saint Joseph's at 32nd and Temple at 38th.


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season, Preseason
The Musketeers' Derrick Brown along with the Owl's Dionte Christmas were named to the John R. Wooden Award preseason top 50 candidate list in November. Brown was also named to the Naismith Award watch list on December 18. Another individual award, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award selected Christmas and Jimmy Baron of Rhode Island on their 30-man preseason candidate list.


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season, Preseason
It was speculated if Christmas would be the first player in league history to lead the A-10 in scoring three seasons in a row whilst Ahmad Nivins of Saint Joseph's and Chris Lowe of Massachusetts also aimed to lead the conference for the third time, in field goal percentage and assists respectively.


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
Xavier captured its third consecutive Atlantic 10 regular season crown with a 12-4 recordin Conference play, it had been undefeated in conference play until four late-season losses to Duquesne, Dayton, Charlotte, and Richmond. The last A-10 program to enter the tournament as #1 seed thrice in a row was Temple in 1998-00. It moved the university into the top 25 in the national rankings (see below) of both the AP Poll (17th) and the ESPN/USA Today poll (18th).


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
On individual records, Temple's Dionte Christmas entered tournament play tied with Player of the Year Ahmad Nivins at 19.2 ppg in his quest to lead the conference in scoring for a record third consecutive time. Nivins' 62.5% put him in the driving seat to equal Alexander Koul's record in 1995-97 as the only players in A-10 history to lead the league in field goal percentage three consecutive years. They would both achieve these feats in post-season, Christmas with 19.5 ppg and Nivins with 61.2%, Massachusetts' Chris Lowe finished second in his similar pursuit of assists leading.


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season, Postseason, Atlantic 10 Tournament
All the games were held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.


2008–09 Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball season, Conference awards & honors, Weekly awards
Atlantic 10 Players of the WeekThroughout the conference season, the Atlantic 10 offices name a player and rookie of the week.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season
The 2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season was the 56th season for the league. North Carolina won the regular season crown while Duke won the ACC Tournament championship. The season saw Tyler Hansbrough set conference records in points (finishing with 2,872 for his career) and free throws made (982), while Miami's Jack McClinton ended his career as the conference's all time three-point marksman (.440 3-point FG%).


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Pre-season
On October 26, for the second-straight year North Carolina was the unanimous choice to finish first atop the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball race in voting by 40 media members at the league's annual Basketball Media Day. Duke was picked for second, while Wake Forest was voted third. Miami was fourth, followed by Clemson (fifth) and Virginia Tech (sixth).


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Pre-season
Tyler Hansbrough was selected as pre-season ACC Player of the Year. Hansbrough averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds during the 2008–09 while earning first-team All-America honors for a third-straight year and consensus National Player of the Year honors. Wake Forest's Al-Farouq Aminu was the media's choice for the ACC pre-season Rookie of the Year.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Pre-season
Hansbrough and Boston College's Tyrese Rice were unanimous selections for the pre-season All-ACC team. Also named to the pre-season team were Miami's Jack McClinton, North Carolina's Ty Lawson and Gerald Henderson from Duke.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Pre-season
On November 13, the Los Angeles Athletic Club released their annual pre-season John R. Wooden Award watch list. The list is composed of 50 student athletes who, based on 2007-08's individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for college basketball's most coveted trophy. These top 50 candidates are returning players. Transfers, freshmen, and medical red-shirts are not eligible for this preseason list, but will be evaluated and considered for both the Midseason Top 30 list and the National Ballot.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Pre-season
The ACC was represented by Boston College's Tyrese Rice, Duke's Gerald Henderson and Kyle Singler, Miami's Jack McClinton, North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson and Wake Forest's James Johnson. In the 2007–08 season, North Carolina's Hansbrough became the 12th ACC Player to earn Wooden National Player of the Year Award.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
NovemberIn November, nine ACC teams participated in eight regular season tournaments across the United States. Four ACC teams claimed championships.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
On November 11, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski moved into fifth place on the NCAA's all-time win list with his 805th career victory, a 97–54 win over Georgia Southern. On November 16, Virginia's Sylven Landesberg has 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the Cavaliers beat VMI 107- 97. Landesberg's 28 points tied the second-highest total by an ACC freshman in his college debut. On November 21, With Maryland's 89–74 overtime win over Vermont, Gary Williams became only the third coach in league history to reach 400 career victories while coaching in the ACC.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
On November 21, Virginia's Sylven Landesberg netted a game-high 22 points in the Cavaliers' 68–66 win over Radford and became only the second freshman in ACC history to score 20 points in each of his first three games. Georgia Tech's Kenny Anderson scored 20 or more points in each of his first six games as a freshman in 1989–90. On November 30, Ty Lawson had 22 points as No. 1 North Carolina beat UNC-Asheville 116–48. The 68-point win margin was the largest in the ACC since a 75-point Maryland win over North Texas State (132–57) on Dec. 23, 1998, and tied for the seventh largest margin ever in ACC history.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
DecemberOn Wednesday, December 3, The ACC won its 10th-straight ACC–Big Ten Challenge by winning six of the eleven matchups. The series was highlighted by the 98–63 victory of No. 1 North Carolina over No. 12 Michigan State at Ford Field in what was dubbed as "Basketbowl II". On December 23, Boston College's Corey Raji was a perfect 12-for-12 from the field and scored a career-high 26 points in a 99–61 win over Maine. Raji's performance tied him for the second-best single game performance in ACC history.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
UNC's Brad Daugherty holds the ACC single-game field proficiency mark making all 13 of his shots versus UCLA back on Nov. 24, 1985. On December 30, NC State sophomore Tracy Smith came off the bench to score a career-high 31 points in the Wolfpack's 88–68 win over visiting Towson. Smith's 31 points set a school record and tied for the third-highest point total by a non-starter in ACC history.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
JanuaryOn January 3, Jeff Teague had a game-high 30 points and James Johnson adds 22 points and 15 rebounds as sixth ranked Wake Forest snapped the nation's longest home court winning streak at 53 with a 94–87 win at BYU before a crowd of 26,096. On January 19, 16–0 Wake Forest took over the No. 1 spot in the AP poll and became the second ACC team to be ranked No. 1 in both the writers and coaches' polls.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
With the Deacons assuming the top spot in his 46th game as a head coach, Dino Gaudio became the third-fastest ACC head coach to have his team voted #1. On January 26, 18–1 Duke became the third ACC team this season to be ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, marking the second time in ACC annals and the fourth time in AP poll history that three different teams from the same conference have been ranked No. 1 in the same season.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
On January 31, In only the second-ever meeting between brothers in an ACC game, the Aminu brothers (Alade and Al-Farouq) combine for 27 points and 24 rebounds as Georgia Tech upsets No. 4 Wake Forest 76–74 in Atlanta. Al-Farouq had 17 points, 11 rebounds and five steals for the Deacons while Alade had 10 points, 13 rebounds for the Jackets.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
FebruaryOn February 5, midway through the 2009 college basketball season, the Los Angeles Athletic Club's John R. Wooden Award Committee selected the top 30 candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, the nation's most coveted college basketball honor. The list is composed of the players who will compete for this season's player of the year award, the midseason list is based on individual player performance and team records during the first half of the season. The ACC was represent by North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Duke's Gerald Henderson, Kyle Singler and Wake Forest's Jeff Teague. Teague was one of nine players who were selected for the midseason list who were not selected in the preseason.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
On February 15, Ty Lawson had 21 points and four assists and Wayne Ellington added 15 points and 10 rebounds in North Carolina's 69–65 win at Miami. With the win, UNC's Roy Williams' became the winningest coach through his first 200 gamesat an ACC school. On February 21, Greivis Vasquez posted Maryland's first triple-double since 1987 as the Terps overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to beat No. 3 North Carolina 88–85 in overtime, ending the Tar Heels' 10-game win streak. In posting Maryland's third ever triple double, Vasquez had a career-high 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Vasquez's 35 points set a record for the most ever by an ACC player recording a triple-double.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
On February 22, In North Carolina's 104–74 win over Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels' Tyler Hansbrough made all eight of his free throws and became the NCAA career leader in free throws made with 907. Hansbrough broke Wake Forest's Dickie Hemric's record set in 1955 with his 906th free throw with 14:54 to play in the second half.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Regular season
MarchOn March 7, Miami's Jack McClinton was a perfect 16-for-16 from the free throw line and scored a game-high 24 points asthe Hurricanes overcame a nine-point halftime deficit en route to a 72–64 win over visiting NC State. McClinton's 16-for-16 effort tied for the fourth-best single-game mark in league history.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Postseason, ACC Tournament
The third-seeded Duke Blue Devils defeated fourth-seeded Florida State 79–69 in the title ACC Championship game on Sunday, March 15, giving Duke its ninth ACC crown in 12 years. Duke also tied North Carolina for most tournament championships with 17. Duke's Jon Scheyer was named the tournament MVP.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Postseason, NCAA Tournament
Ty Lawson was the South regional MVP and he was joined on the All-regional team by teammates Danny Green and Tyler Hansbrough.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Postseason, NCAA Tournament
The first-seeded North Carolina Tarheels defeated third-seeded Michigan State 89–72 in the title NCAA Championship game on Monday, April 6, giving North Carolina its second NCAA crown in four years. It was North Carolina's fifth national championship. North Carolina's Wayne Ellington was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Conference awards and honors, Weekly awards
ACC Players of the WeekThroughout the conference season, the ACC offices name a player and rookie of the week. The MVP of the ACC Tournament is the automatic winner of the final ACC player of the week of each season.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Conference awards and honors, Season awards
Honorable Mention: Wayne Ellington – North Carolina, K.C. Rivers – Clemson, Sylven Landesberg – Virginia


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Conference awards and honors, Season awards
1 – Denotes unanimous selectionHonorable Mention: Chris Singleton – Florida State


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Conference awards and honors, Season awards
Honorable Mention: Ty Lawson – North Carolina, Gani Lawal – Georgia Tech, Courtney Fells – NC State, Gerald Henderson – Duke


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, Conference awards and honors, Season awards
All-ACC Academic teamTo be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career. Four players – McClinton, Paulus, Duke's Brian Zoubek and Virginia's Jerome Meyinsse – are repeaters from previous league all-academic teams. McClinton and Paulus were named to the team for the third time in their careers, while Zoubek and Meyinsse are two-time selections.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, National awards and honors, NABC
On March 5, the National Association of Basketball Coaches announced their Division I All‐District teams, recognizing the nation's best men's collegiate basketball student-athletes. Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, 240 student-athletes, from 24 districts were chosen. The selection on this list are then eligible for the State Farm Coaches' Division I All-America teams to be announced at the 2009 NABC Convention in Detroit. The following list represents the ACC players chosen to the list. All ACC schools are within District 2.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, National awards and honors, USBWA
On March 10, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association released its 2008–09 Men's All-District Teams, based on voting from its national membership. There are nine regions from coast to coast and a player and coach of the year are selected in each. The following is each ACC player selected within their respective regions.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, National awards and honors, CoSIDA
On February 5, 2009, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and ESPN The Magazine selected their Academic All-Americans from throughout college basketball. To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed on the nomination form (where applicable). No student-athlete is eligible until he has completed one full calendar year at his current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, National awards and honors, CoSIDA
In the cases of transfers, graduate students and two-year college graduates, the student-athlete must have completed one full calendar year at the nominating institution to be eligible. Nominees in graduate school must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better both as an undergrad and in grad school. The ACC had two players selected from District III as first-team Academic All-District selections: Greg Paulus and Brian Zoubek, both from Duke. Greg Paulus was also selected overall by the CoSIDA as a third-team Academic All-American.


2008–09 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season, National awards and honors, All-American
To earn "consensus" status, a player must win honors from a majority of the following teams: theAssociated Press, the USBWA, The Sporting News and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.


2008–09 Atlético Madrid season
The 2008–09 season saw Atlético Madrid return to the UEFA Champions League after an eleven-year absence. The team marked the return with an impressive group stage performance, only denied winning the group by a late penalty for Liverpool at Anfield. In the round of 16, Atlético went out on away goals to Porto, being denied entry to the last eight.


2008–09 Atlético Madrid season
In the league, Atlético repeated the 4th place of 2007–08, improving on the previous season by three points. Uruguayan striker Diego Forlán had a tremendous season, scoring 32 league goals, the highest amount of La Liga goals for a single player in a decade.


2008–09 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team
The 2008–09 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team represented Auburn University in the 2008–09 college basketball season. The team's head coach was Jeff Lebo, who was in his fifth season at Auburn. The team played their home games at Beard–Eaves–Memorial Coliseum in Auburn, Alabama. They finished the season 24–12, 10–6 in SEC play. They defeated Florida to advance to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament where they lost to Tennessee. They received an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament, where they defeated UT Martin and Tulsa to advance to the quarterfinals where they lost to  Baylor.


2008–09 Auburn Tigers women's basketball team
The 2008–09 Auburn Tigers women's basketball team represented Auburn University in the 2008–09 NCAA Division I basketball season. The Tigers were coached by Nell Fortner. The Tigers were a member of the Southeast Conference and won the regular season SEC title.


2008–09 Australian Athletics Championships
The 2008–09 Australian Athletics Championships was the 87th edition of the national championship in outdoor track and field for Australia. It was held from 19–21 March 2009 at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in Brisbane. It served as a selection meeting for Australia at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.


2008–09 Australian Athletics Championships
Some long-distance events were staged separately. The 10,000 metres event took place at the Zatopek 10K on 11 December 2008 at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne, the men's 5000 metres was contested at the Melbourne Track Classic on 5 March 2009 at the Olympic Park Stadium in Melbourne and the women's 5000 metres was held at the Sydney Track Classic on 28 February 2009 at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre in Sydney.


2008–09 Australian Figure Skating Championships
The 2008–09 Australian Figure Skating Championships was held in Brisbane from 16 through 23 August 2008. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, ice dancing, and synchronized skating across many levels, including senior, junior, novice, adult, and the pre-novice disciplines of primary and intermediate.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season
The Australian bushfire season ran from late December 2008 to April/May 2009. Above average rainfalls in December, particularly in Victoria, delayed the start of the season, but by January 2009, conditions throughout South eastern Australia worsened with the onset of one of the region's worst heat waves. On 7 February, extreme bushfire conditions precipitated major bushfires throughout Victoria, involving several large fire complexes, which continued to burn across the state for around one month. 173 people lost their lives in these fires and 414 were injured. 3,500+ buildings were destroyed, including 2,029 houses, and 7,562 people displaced.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season
Late 2008 had relatively few bushfires. Victoria in particular experienced higher than average rainfall in December, decreasing the fire danger in many regions of the state. Initial observations in October 2008 predicted an above average fire potential across Australia's coastal regions and a below average potential in Central Australia, where drought has reduced the available fuel.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season
In late January and early February, the effects of the 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave increased temperatures across south-eastern Australia, particularly in Victoria and South Australia, where several locations broke all time temperature records. Various days of high wind speed, combined with the hot dry conditions, created extreme bushfire conditions between 25 January and 7 February 2009.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Predictions and assessments
In October 2008, fire potential in Australia was assessed as being above average around the coast of the continent and below average inland. La Niña conditions were observed during the latter portion of 2007 and early 2008. However, throughout the year the majority of the continent, except for far north Queensland and the northern Northern Territory, experienced much lower than normal rainfall. Central Australia had experienced below average rainfall for several years, reducing fuel and thus reducing the overall fire potential.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, September–November
In September, a lightning strike started a fire on the western side of Flinders Island in Bass Strait. Strong winds initially made containing the fire difficult.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, December
In Western Australia, bushfires were started by lightning strikes in the Cape Le Grand National Park, west of Esperance, on Friday, 19 December. Authorities maintained contact with 280 campers in the national park over the weekend and gave them the choice of leaving or staying. By Monday the 22nd, visitors to the park were unable to gain access; over 200 campers were relocated, while 75 campers decided to stay in the park. Crews from other regions of Western Australia were called in to assist local authorities over the weekend of 20–21 December.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
In late January, Victoria and South Australia experienced extreme fire conditions with temperatures in the low to mid 40s°C (104 °F) in Melbourne and Adelaide, higher in the northern parts of the states, and increasing wind speed.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
The fires in late January were precipitated by the accompanying 2009 Southern Australia heat wave.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
On 4 January, small fires in Koondrook, near Kerang, Victoria, burnt areas of River Red Gum forest along the Murray River.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
On 28 January, multiple fires started throughout Victoria, the largest in McCrae on the Mornington Peninsula, which burnt 4 hectares (9.9 acres) of land alongside the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, threatening neighbouring houses. Authorities closed the freeway in both directions during the afternoon. The fire was contained by 6 pm with minimal property damage. The same day, a fire also burnt near Mount Disappointment, where smoke posed a danger to road users in the Clonbinane area, and a grass fire 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Winchelsea in Wurdiboluc, that burnt 20 hectares (49 acres).


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
On the night of 28 January, CFA fire crews dealt with a small fire near Delburn in Gippsland which had burnt 30 ha (74 acres) of land, and on the afternoon of 29 January, attended two more fires in the same area, one of which threatened a local pine plantation. Also on 29 January, the CFA attended, and soon controlled, two small grass fires near the city of Sale, which were thought to have been deliberately lit.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
Late on 29 January and into the following morning, the two fires at Delburn had joined, and were being fought by over 500 personnel; the fires had burnt 10 km2 1,000 ha (2,500 acres) in the area near Boolarra and Darlimurra, south of the city of Morwell. Also, a fire in Branxholme, near Hamilton, started, threatening homes in Branxholme, and Byaduk. After burning 603 hectares (1,490 acres) the fire was contained and later controlled the following day.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
By 30 January, the Delburn fire had spotted east towards Yinnar and Boolarra, and south towards Mirboo North. 15 different 'urgent threat' messages were delivered to Darlimurla, Yinnar, Boolarra and Mirboo North residents. Almost thirty homes were destroyed in the area.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
On the evening of 31 January, fire crews focused on containing the fire's northern flank, which was within 2 km of the main power transmission lines supplying electricity to Melbourne from the Latrobe Valley; the fires also threatened the Hazelwood Power Station.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
By 1 February, containment lines had been established around the Boolarra fires, although it was not yet under control. The fire had burned through 65 km2 6,500 ha (16,000 acres) and destroyed 29 houses, along with various outbuildings and also livestock. On 3 February, authorities had divided the fires into six sectors, five of which were classified as contained, and only one, near Mirboo North, remained uncontained.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
On 2 February, twenty-three new fires were lit – mostly due to lightning strikes – including three in the Bunyip State Park, and further fires near Drouin West and Leongatha. However, increased humidity helped contain the fires, according to a DSE duty officer.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
Police believed that the fires that formed the Delburn/Boolarra complex were deliberately lit, and offered a A$100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspected arsonists.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
In the wake of the Gippsland fires, Bruce Esplin, the Victorian Emergency Services Commissioner, proposed a review of building regulations applicable in certain fire-prone areas, saying that "I believe that with the changes and the frequency and the severity of the bushfires we're experiencing, I think the community is going to have a rethink about where we build or if you build in a place like that". Also following those fires, Bob Cameron, the Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, announced that the Victorian government was considering ways to tackle arsonists, including the potential for a register of arsonists accessible to police.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
A bushfire near Port Lincoln in South Australia destroyed two houses and several other buildings on 13 January. The fire was brought under control by midday on the 14th. The fire was driven by high temperatures (43 degrees Celsius; 109 degrees Fahrenheit) and strong north-westerly winds. A total of 260 hectares (640 acres) was burned by the fire, brought under control thanks to milder conditions on 14 January.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
In the Blue Mountains, three bushfires burning on privately owned land were in the process of being contained. Authorities want to ensure that the fires don't enter a nearby national park where they could potentially spread throughout the Blue Mountains National Park.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
On 1 February 2009 the New South Wales Rural Fire Service declared a Section 44 for 2 bushfires burning near Tumut, New South Wales and one near Cabramurra, New South Wales after being started by dry thunderstorm overnight on 31 January 2009. The Meadow Creek fire was contained after burning 50 hectares of bushland in the Minjary National Park approximately 8 kilometres northwest of Tumut. The Mill Creek fire was burning uncontained which has burnt approximately 20 hectares of bushland approximately fourteen kilometres south east of Tumut. Happy Valley fire is burning in a steep gorge within the Kosciuszko National Park approximately kilometre from Cabramurra and has burnt 60 hectares.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, January
On 16 January 2009 a fire broke out around Bridgetown in the South West and destroyed at least three properties in the area. At the same time a fire that started in Two Rocks north of Perth burned over 8,000 hectares of bushland in and around Yanchep National Park. Also on 16 January, a fire burned 40 hectares of parkland in Kings Park, the most visited tourist attraction in the centre of Perth. The fire is suspected to have been deliberately lit.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, February
On 2 February 2009 a lightning strike from a thunderstorm in the area started a bushfire approximately ten kilometres from Barmedman, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service declared a Section 44 for the bushfire at 3am AEDT 3 February 2009. The fire burnt on private property and burnt approximately 320 hectares of scrub.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, February
On 7 February, Victoria experienced one of the worst fire day conditions on record. Several locations recorded the highest temperatures since records began over 150 years ago, including Melbourne which recorded a temperature of 46.4 °C, the hottest ever recorded in an Australian capital city. The dry conditions and high temperatures were paired with strong wind gusts of 100–120 km/h and by mid afternoon hundreds of fires were burning throughout the state. Small spot and grass fires burnt in various locations throughout the Greater Melbourne area, with many outlying suburbs/towns being affected by fires, particularly to the east and northeast.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, February
173 people died and 414 were injured. 3,500+ buildings were destroyed including 2,029 houses. 7,562 people were displaced. Areas most affected included Kinglake, Marysville and surrounding areas, many areas in Western Victoria and towns south and southeast of Morwell in West Gippsland. The fires burnt 450,000+ hectares of land across Victoria in total.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, February
On 12 February, a small fire ignited near the Main Yarra Trail in the Yarra Flats Park, on the western banks of the Yarra River and south of the Banksia Street Bridge, well within the Greater Melbourne area. The fire burnt between 3–5 hectares of grassland. Smoke from the fires carried north-west over Heidelberg and the northern suburbs of Melbourne.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, February
On 15 February, Ferny Creek, Sherbrooke, Kallista, Tecoma and Belgrave residents were warned by the CFA to remain alert due to a 5-hectare fire in the Belgrave / Tecoma area. This was quickly contained without homes being threatened, though residents in those areas were warned of possible ember attack.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, February
On 23 February, precipitated by erratic wind conditions and high temperatures, new fires were ignited at various locations around Victoria. New major fires included:


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, February
On 23 February fire broke out near Mundijong, which threatened 40 houses and burnt 18 hectares. It was contained in five hours.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, March
On 2 March, in anticipation and to create awareness of the extreme bushfire weather conditions predicted for the following days, many residents around Victoria received an SMS messages warning of the extreme fire danger conditions, from Victoria Police to Victorians with mobile phones as a technology trial. The message that read: Msg from Vic Police:Extreme weather in Vic expected Mon night & Tues. High wind & fire risk. Listen to local ACB Radio for emergency updates. Do not reply to this. The message was sent to around 3–5 million phones throughout Victoria.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, March
On 3 March, despite early rain across several parts of the state and the temperature predictions were downgraded from mid 30s to high 20s, however the wind conditions remained as predicted. Several new fires began around the state, the majority of which were small and able to be contained or extinguished quickly. A fire began near Dereel began sometime around 2-3pm and the CFA subsequently released an urgent threat message for communities in the immediate area as the fire has been fanned by strong northerly winds. The fire rating index was 170 as of 5pm. Emergency services received more than 300 calls, 56% of which were for fallen trees. Over 10,000 residents, particularly in southwestern and southeastern Victoria, lost power.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, March
From 4–6 March, favourable conditions including cooler temperatures and rain, enabled fire crews to contain and control many of the fires, including the major fires that started on 7 February. By mid March, many of the fires were extinguished completely.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, March
On Sunday 22 March, lightning sparked several small fires in Victoria's east, mostly centred around Cann River. These are in mostly remote sections of forest and currently pose no threat to any communities.


2008–09 Australian bushfire season, Timeline, March
On 17 March, an estimated 20 hectares fire, the cause of the fire hasn't been confirmed, occurred in the Dunsborough-Yallingup area, threatening homes and closing roads.


2008–09 Australian cricket season
The 2008–09 Australian cricket season consists of international matches played by the Australian cricket team in Australia as well as Australian domestic cricket matches under the auspices of Cricket Australia. The season lasted from October 2008 to March 2009.


2008–09 Australian cricket season, Australian Cricket Team
New Zealand and South Africa both toured Australia, playing Tests and ODI series.


2008–09 Australian cricket season, Sheffield Shield
The Sheffield Shield opened on 10 October 2008. The season marked the return of the original name of the first-class competition, after being called "Pura Cup" since 1999.


2008–09 Australian cricket season, Sheffield Shield
The final was a drawn match between Victoria and Queensland at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. Victoria won the cup by virtue of finishing at the top of the points table.


2008–09 Australian cricket season, One Day Domestic
The Ford Ranger One Day Cup was won by Queensland, beating Victoria in the final on 22 February 2009 at the MCG.


2008–09 Australian cricket season, Twenty20 Domestic
The KFC Twenty20 Big Bash opened on 26 December 2008. New South Wales defeated Victoria in the final at ANZ Stadium, Sydney on 24 January 2009.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season
The 2008–09 Australian region cyclone season was a near average tropical cyclone season. It officially started on 1 November 2008, and officially ended on 30 April 2009. This season was also the first time that the BoM implemented a "tropical cyclone year." The regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical cyclone season"; the "tropical cyclone year" began on 1 July 2008 and ended on 30 June 2009.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season
The scope of the Australian region is limited to all areas south of the equator, east of 90°E and west of 160°E. This area includes Australia, Papua New Guinea, western parts of the Solomon Islands, East Timor and southern parts of Indonesia.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season
Tropical cyclones in this area are monitored by five Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs): the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane; TCWC Jakarta in Indonesia; and TCWC Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issues unofficial warnings for the region, designating tropical depressions with the "S" suffix when they form west of 135°E, and the "P" suffix when they form east of 135°E.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Seasonal forecasts, Bureau of Meteorology
In October 2008 ahead of the season starting on 1 November, the tropical cyclone warning centres in Perth, Darwin and Brisbane issued a seasonal outlook for their area of responsibility, which urged people to prepare for possible tropical cyclones. Within each outlook factors such as the high values of the Southern Oscillation Index, near average sea surface temperatures and the neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation conditions were taken into account. TCWC Perth predicted within their seasonal outlook that the North-Western subregion between 105°E and 130°E would see an early start to the season.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Seasonal forecasts, Bureau of Meteorology
They also predicted that between 5 - 7 tropical cyclones would occur in the region during the season compared to an average of about 5 and that there was a likelihood of two tropical cyclones and one severe tropical cyclone impacting Western Australia. TCWC Darwin predicted that there might be an early start to the season within the Timor Sea and slightly above average numbers of tropical cyclones around northern Australia. They also noted that there was an even chance of having a severe tropical cyclone in the region during the season. Within their outlook TCWC Brisbane predicted that there would be a high amount of activity within the Australian Monsoon, and that the chances of a repeat of the widespread flooding rains were not great due to their being no well-established La Nina.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Seasonal forecasts, Others
During September 2008, the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and its partners issued a tropical cyclone outlook, for the South Pacific region between 135°E and 120°W.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Seasonal forecasts, Others
On 26 September 2008 the New Zealand National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research issued a seasonal forecast for the whole of the southern Pacific Ocean to the east of 150°E. They predicted that the 2008–09 South Pacific cyclone season would see an average risk of cyclones forming, which meant that 8-10 tropical cyclones with wind speeds greater than 35 knots would form east of 150°E.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 01U (Bernard)
Early on 21 November, the remnant disturbance of Moderate Tropical Storm Bernard moved into TCWC Perth's area of responsibility and was re-designated as Tropical Low 01U. Over the next couple of days, the disturbance remained weak as it moved towards the west. The tropical low then dissipated on the same day as it battered hostile conditions.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Anika
During 17 November TCWC Perth and TCWC Jakarta reported that Tropical Low 02U had developed within the monsoon trough about 925 km (575 mi) to the northeast of the Cocos Islands. During the next day the low quickly developed further as it was steered on a south-easterly course by an area of persisting north-westerly steering winds. TCWC Perth, TCWC Jakarta and the JTWC then reported early on 19 November that the low had developed into a weak tropical cyclone with Perth naming it Anika.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Anika
On 20 November, Anika reached its peak intensity as a Category 2 cyclone with winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) and a pressure of 984 hPa. The intensification was the result of deep convection wrapping around the center of circulation and Dvorak Technique intensity estimates reaching T3.5. Cyclone Anika passed to the north of the Cocos Islands, and cyclone warnings were cancelled later that day. Later that day, it weakened to a Category 1 cyclone. As the storm tracked over cooler waters, it continued to weaken. By 21 November, the storm weakened to a tropical low due to increasing wind shear. The next day, the Anika dissipated over open waters.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Billy
On 17 December, a tropical low formed in the Arafura Sea north-west of Darwin in the Northern Territory. It moved into the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and was very slow moving. On the night of 18 December it intensified into a Category 1 cyclone and was named Billy. On 20 December, Billy made landfall as a Category 2 cyclone approximately 65 kilometres north of Wyndham. After then, it weakened to a tropical low and moved slowly towards the southwest.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Billy
It then moved off the coast just north of Kuri Bay and redeveloped into a tropical cyclone on 22 December as the storm turned to the north-north east. Late on 24 December, Billy began to rapidly intensify and reached Category 4 strength early on 25 December and became a typical annular cyclone. Later that same day, Billy weakened into a category 3 cyclone as it replaced its eyewall and TCWC Perth issued their final tropical cyclone advisory as the system was moving away from land. Billy weakened into a category 1 cyclone on 27 December and weakened into a tropical low on 28 December. Later that day, TCWC Perth issued their final advisory, as the system continued to weaken.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Billy
Two remote indigenous communities, Kalumburu and Oombulgurri were cut off by flood waters with roads and the airstrips closed.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 04U
On 20 December, an area of low pressure, associated with developing convection, formed about 1000 km (560 mi) east of Darwin in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The next day, the Bureau of Meteorology in Darwin designated the system as a tropical low. Banding features developed along the southern portion of the system and further development was anticipated as the low was located underneath an anticyclone. Around 5:26 a.m. local time on 23 December, the low made landfall near Port Roper, preventing further development of the storm. About 36 hours after landfall, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued their final advisory on the system as it dissipated over land.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 05U
On 23 December, TCWC Brisbane noted that a weak tropical low had formed within the Solomon Sea, about 1330 kilometres to the north east of Cairns. Over the next few days the low moved towards the south west into the Coral Sea.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Charlotte
On 8 January, TCWC Darwin identified a Tropical Low in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria. The next day TCWC Brisbane begin to issue advisories on the low and issued Cyclone Watches for coastal communities between Aurukun on the Cape York Peninsula and the Northern Territory/Queensland border. On 11 January, the Tropical Low developed into Tropical Cyclone Charlotte, and on 12 January at 4:00am (AEST), crossed the coast near the Gilbert River Mouth with wind gusts of 120 km/h (70 mph).


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Charlotte
Heavy rains, estimated at over 150 mm (5.9 in), from Tropical Cyclone Charlotte flooded at least 100 homes in low-lying areas on Cape York including Babinda, Mount Sophia and at Normanton. The rains also caused mudslides which, as described by an affected home-owner "...it's just mud, mud everywhere". The main road to Karumba was also cut off by flood waters. Damages caused by the storm were estimated to be at $15 million (USD).


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 07U (05F)
On 11 January a tropical low formed in the Coral Sea. The winds peaked at 35 miles per hour (56 km/h). The low exited the basin and intensified into Tropical Depression 05F.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Dominic
On 22 January, TCWC Perth noted that Tropical Low 08U had formed overland, to the north of Broome in North-West Australia. JTWC had upgrade this system become a significant tropical cyclone as "good". On 25 January at 11:15am (AWDT), TCWC Perth issued a Tropical Cyclone Warning for coastal areas from Wickham to Exmouth. Later that day, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert as a tropical cyclone was likely to form within the following 48 hours.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Dominic
TCWC Perth begun issuing advisories for the developing tropical low and issued a tropical cyclone warning along the far western coastline of the Western Australia region. On 26 January, the system became Tropical Cyclone Dominic. Further intensification followed and Dominic was upgraded to a Category 2 cyclone several hours later. Morning of 27 January, Dominic made landfall just after 7am (AWDT) near Onslow. Later that day Dominic weakened to a Category 1 cyclone before weakening into a tropical low during the day. JTWC issued its last advisory on this system on 27 January as it continued to weaken inland.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Dominic
The formation of Dominic in an area that produces significant amounts of oil resulted in numerous evacuations of offshore oil platforms. The platforms remained closed for several days until the storm dissipated, resulting in a loss of roughly 200,000 barrels (32,000 m3) per day, increasing global gasoline prices. A red alert was declared for Onslow in preparations for the landfall of Dominic. A crane worker was killed in Port Hedland while dismantling a crane.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Dominic
In Onslow, the roof of the local library was blown off, resulting in flooding within the building. A nearby hospital also sustained flood damage. Several trees and power lines were downed by high winds and some roads were flooded.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Dominic
Following the storm, the shires of Ashburton, Carnarvon, Upper Gascoyne, Murchison, Yalgoo, Moora, Northam, York, Quairading and Beverley were eligible for disaster assistance from the Australian Government.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Ellie
Early on 30 January, the TCWC in Brisbane noted that a Tropical Low, had formed within a monsoon trough. Later that day the JTWC, reported that multi spectral imagery had shown a developing low level circulation center with deep convection located over the western quadrant of the Low level circulation centre. Late the next day the Bureau of Meteorology reported that the low had intensified into a tropical cyclone and assigned the name of Ellie to the cyclone.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Ellie
They also reported that Ellie had reached its peak winds of 80 km/h, (50 mph), which made Ellie a Category one cyclone on the Australian Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale. Later that day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center initiated issuing warnings on Ellie designating it as Tropical Cyclone 12P and also reported peak wind speeds of 75 km/h, (45 mph) which made Ellie equivalent to a Tropical Storm on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Ellie made landfall near Mission Beach at about Midnight AEST, 2 February (1400 UTC), as a Category 1 system and weakened into a Tropical Low.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Ellie
TCWC Brisbane was expecting Tropical Low ex-Ellie to move back over the Coral Sea within 24 to 36 hours after Ellie made landfall and possibly reintensify into a tropical cyclone. However, this did not happen. The low that had been Ellie redeveloped within the south eastern Gulf of Carpentaria. Torrential rain from the remnants of Ellie flooded areas in Northern Queensland, causing about A$110 million (US$69.5 million) in damages. In Ingham, between Cairns and Townsville, some 50 homes were flooded, with 32 people evacuated to emergency accommodation at a local high school.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Freddy
On 2 February, TCWC Perth noted that a Tropical Low had developed in the monsoon trough, which was located over the Kimberly region. On 3 February, at 03:45 WDT TCWC Perth issued a cyclone watch for the area between Kalumburu and Broome as the storm continued to move west winds intensified to 75 km/h and warning that the storm may develop into a cyclone later in the day.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Freddy
The system was located 500 km north west of Port Hedland on 5 February and was forecasted to continue moving westward into the Indian Ocean and strengthen into a cyclone although it was not expected to affect the West Australian coast line. On 6 February at 1200Z, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center identified the system as Tropical Cyclone 14S. Freddy tracked slowly south westward and steadily weakened as it was affected by more wind shear and cooler waters. The JTWC issued its final advisory on 9 February, as the system had dissipated. The outer bands of Freddy produced heavy rains in Indonesia. A landslide triggered by these rains killed two people.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 13U (Innis)
On 18 February, the extratropical remnants of Cyclone Innis briefly curved into the Australian Region, as a result the remnants were designated as Tropical Low 13U by TCWC Brisbane. However, as Innis was expected to recurve into the South Pacific within 24 hours primary warning responsibility remained with TCWC Wellington. Later that day Innis recurved into the south Pacific.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 14U
On 25 February, TCWC Darwin reported that a Tropical Low had developed within the monsoon trough west of Darwin, Northern Territory. JTWC forecasted the chance of this system becoming a tropical cyclone as "fair". The next early morning TCWC Perth begun issuing tropical cyclone advisories on the developing low, issuing a cyclone watch for the Pilbara coastal areas. On 26 February, JTWC upgraded the system's chances to "good" and issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert. The low made landfall over Port Hedland without becoming a tropical cyclone.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 14U
The tropical low dropped upwards of 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain along the Pilbara coast, causing minor flooding. Flood warnings and watches were issued for areas around several rivers, due to the rains.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low Gabrielle
Gabrielle formed out of a low pressure system that quickly developed. It begin to move south east and soon weakened into a tropical low. It slowly tracked south and south westwardly, it slowly reintensified and gained tropical cyclone status. As an anticyclone possibly forming to the south of the system. This might have allowed the storm to strengthen a bit before dissipating over cooler waters later in the week, but it then unexpectedly turned the west and dissipated on 5 March.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low Gabrielle
Bureau of Meteorology in Perth noted that in post-analysis determined that Gabrielle did not meet the minimum requirements of a tropical cyclone by the Australian definition. Gales were observed in one quadrant or another throughout most of Gabrielle's life but at no one time did they extend more than halfway around the low level circulation center.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish
On 4 March, a weak Tropical Low developed in an active trough located over the north western Coral Sea slowly moving south east. The low began to intensify despite its proximity to land. At 11pm EST (1100 UTC), the Tropical Low developed into Tropical Cyclone Hamish and convective band begin to develop. The next day, the cyclone strengthened into a Category 2 cyclone, and by the 11pm advisory, had strengthen further to a Category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone and a defined eye showed on the satellite. Later that day it begin to affect the north eastern parts of Queensland.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish
On 7 March, Hamish was located approximately 230 kilometres from Cairns with the Bureau of Meteorology expecting Hamish to intensify into a Category 4 with the cyclone expecting to brush through near Mackay on Sunday night or Monday morning. during that day Hamish had intensified to a Category 4 cyclone. Later that day the storm intensified into a Category 5 cyclone, the first since Cyclone George, during its closest approach to Hayman Island. During 8 March, Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish weakened to a Category 4 cyclone.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish
The cyclone was forecasted to make landfall near Bundaberg however the Bureau of Meteorology then expected Hamish not to make landfall and to continue to move in a south easterly direction and slowly weaken. A trawler caught in rough seas produced by the storm sent out a distress signal as it was overcome by the storm. Rescue attempts to retrieve the three crew members were hampered by Hamish and were called off but expected to resume of 10 March.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish
On 10 March 11am EST (0100 UTC) Hamish had weakened to a Category 3 cyclone with the Bureau of Meteorology is expected that Hamish slow and continue to weaken. On 11 March 7am EST (2100 UTC) the Hamish weakened further to a Category 2 cyclone with the Bureau of Meteorology expected Hamish to continually be slow moving and weaken, with the cyclone beginning to move in a north west direction later in the day. The storm continued to weaken and BoM downgraded it to a tropical low later that day.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa
On 12 March, TCWC Darwin identified that a weak tropical low had formed in the Arafura Sea. On 17 March, TCWC Perth began issuing shipping warnings for the developing tropical low. The low developed into Tropical Cyclone Ilsa late on 17 March. Ilsa became a Category 3 Severe Tropical Cyclone on the evening of 19 March and continued to intensify, despite predictions that Ilsa would weaken. Ilsa quickly strengthened the next morning to a Category 4 cyclone, despite predictions that the cyclone would weaken before reaching that intensity. Steady weakening began soon after; Ilsa was downgraded to a Category 3 cyclone on 20 March, and to Category 1 on 23 March. On 24 March, the cyclone was downgraded to a tropical low and advisories were discontinued.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 19U
On 19 March, TCWC Brisbane identified that a weak tropical low had formed in the Coral Sea near 13S, 153E. Conditions remained unfavourable for development and the storm rapidly dissipated.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 19U
Forming in the same area as Cyclone Hamish did earlier in March, officials along the Sunshine Coast feared that it could track towards the disaster zones along the Queensland coast. The storm could hinder clean-up efforts of the large oil spill caused by Hamish. Another fear was that residents would panic upon hearing of another approaching cyclone, leading to unnecessary evacuations. Up to 68 mm (2.6 in) of rain fell in South Johnstone.


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Cyclone Jasper
Early on 23 March the BoM started to monitor Tropical Low 20U that had developed within the monsoon trough, about 900 km (560 mi) to the northeast of Mackay in Queensland, Australia. The system subsequently moved southeastwards away from the Queensland coast, before it was named Jasper by the BoM later that day, after it had developed into a category 1 tropical cyclone. During the next day as the system approached 160°E and the South Pacific Basin, the JTWC initiated advisories on the system and assigned it the designation Tropical Cyclone 23P. As the system moved out of the basin the BoM reported that Jasper had peaked as a category 2 tropical cyclone with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 95 km/h (60 mph).


2008–09 Australian region cyclone season, Systems, Tropical Low 22U (15F)
Early on 11 April, Tropical Disturbance 15F moved into TCWC Brisbane's area of responsibility and was re-designated as Tropical Low 22U. Over the next couple of days, the disturbance remained weak as it moved towards the southern tip of Papua New Guinea. The tropical low then dissipated on 13 April.