December 2024 has already delivered thrilling moments in the world of sports, with several notable events shaping the month’s sports calendar. Here’s a detailed recap of some key stories and upcoming highlights to keep an eye on.
Football Highlights
- UEFA Champions League: The Final Showdowns The last matchday of the year (December 10-11) will feature exciting clashes, including Liverpool facing Girona and Manchester City visiting Juventus. These games promise high stakes as teams battle for knockout stage berthsNews24SportyTrader.
- Premier League Festivities December will see a packed schedule with 29 Premier League matches, including Manchester United hosting Newcastle United on December 30. Arsenal recently dropped points in a controversial 1-1 draw with Fulham, as Bukayo Saka’s late winner was disallowed due to VARPunch Newspapers.
- Global Records In Australia, 16-year-old Gout Gout broke the national 200m record, clocking an astonishing 20.04 seconds at the Australian Schools ChampionshipsPunch Newspapers.
Cricket Showdowns
- Border-Gavaskar Trophy The series between India and Australia continues to heat up, with discussions about team compositions and the challenges of pink-ball cricket in Adelaide. Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon are expected to play pivotal rolesNews24.
- Champions Trophy Preparations Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rested for the South Africa Test series to maintain fitness for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This decision sparks debates on the strategy for maintaining squad balanceNews24.
Basketball Action
- NBA Emirates Cup The tournament returns with the Grand Final scheduled for December 18. Teams are competing fiercely, but the Los Angeles Lakers are out of contention, setting the stage for a new champion. Meanwhile, LeBron James is gearing up for a Christmas Day showdown against Steph Curry’s Golden State WarriorsSportyTrader.
Tributes and Milestones
- Bayern Munich Honors Beckenbauer Bayern Munich retired the iconic number five jersey to honor Franz Beckenbauer, celebrating his contributions to the club and German footballPunch Newspapers.
- Legends Reunite In a heartwarming moment, Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli reunited at a public event, bringing nostalgia to fansNews24.
Grassroots Sports in Focus
The Obasa Games 2024 concluded with winners crowned in events like boxing, chess, and scrabble. Organizers emphasized the need for more funding to support young talent
Upcoming Events to Watch
- UEFA Champions League Final Matchday: December 10-11
- NBA Christmas Showdowns: December 25
- Premier League Closing Matches: December 30-31
Stay tuned for more updates as these events unfold, and immerse yourself in the festive sports spirit!