Microsoft gleefully revealed today that the Xbox 360 had it’s best Christmas sales period ever in it’s six year European history with sales almost doubling that of Christmas 2007.  The awesome holidays sales have attributed to the eight million total consoles sold in Europe which has helped widen it’s lead over the PS3 in the region to more than one million units.

Chris Lewis, Regional Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business EMEA, said: “Christmas 2008 was a resounding success for Xbox 360. 2008 saw us grow faster than any of our competitors and we over-achieved in sales during the crucial Christmas selling period. We reduced the entry-level Xbox 360 ERP in September, understanding the need for great value, and European consumers have responded enthusiastically. With eight million consoles sold since we launched, and consistently out-selling PlayStation 3 in EMEA, we’re poised to build on this success in 2009. This success was only possible through our partnerships with retail and with publishers, with whom we’ve worked closely to build a strong ecosystem in the region and to bring value to our shared customer base. As we move into 2009 and an uncertain economic climate, we continue to be committed to offering the right blend of gaming and entertainment experiences at the right price.”

Let’s see if Sony can spin some numbers to make this not seem like such a beating.  It looks like the fight is on for 2009.