Rugby set to enter a new era with games played over 11 months of the year June 11, 2019 When Saracens fought back to beat Exeter Chiefs to the Premiership crown 10 days ago it marked not only the end of a hugely successful season for Mark McCall’s side but also the end of an era for rugby. From next season, the game’s new calendar will see players in action for a total of [...]
Pebble Beach can help under-fire US Open chiefs turn the tide after wave of criticism June 11, 2019 The US Open returns to Pebble Beach this week for the third time since the turn of the century and organisers the United States Golf Association will be hoping it is not another Major cast in criticism. USGA officials have always been keen to make the US Open the toughest, most challenging tournament in golf, [...]
French Open: Rafael Nadal remains King of Clay as he writes yet more records in win against Dominic Thiem June 9, 2019 How many sporting situations are more difficult than facing Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros? On his beloved clay surface Nadal is both the unstoppable force and the immovable object of the classic paradox. And so Dominic Thiem found yesterday in Paris, going down 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in just over three hours as the Spaniard [...]
Indian fans make themselves at home in The Oval amid thumping win over Australia June 9, 2019 There was a fun game to be played at the Cricket Wold Cup match at The Oval today: spot the Australian. Canary yellow shirts were an endangered species inside the stadium, bright dots amid a sea of raucous, passionate, pulsating Indian blue. Even when you thought you’d located a group of Aussie supporters there was [...]
England make winning start on road to Women’s World Cup final in Lyon as Nikita Parris stars in Nice June 9, 2019 England expected. As one of the favourites to win the most anticipated and high-profile Women’s World Cup to date, and with a trophy already under their belts this year from the SheBelieves Cup, the stakes were high for their opening match of the tournament against Scotland. England delivered. First-half goals by winger Nikita Parris, from [...]
Pickford plays the hero and Alexander-Arnold stars as Three Lions claim third place at Nations League June 9, 2019 It took 120 minutes of goalless play followed by a penalty shoot-out that went to sudden death but in the end England claimed the victory over Switzerland that they more than merited and third place in the Nations League. Just as in Thursday’s semi-final defeat by Holland, VAR denied England a win in regular time [...]
Holland 3-1 England: Gareth Southgate’s side freeze in the face of the orange press to surrender semi-final June 6, 2019 The Estadio D Afonso Henriques was tonight etched into England’s football history alongside the Luzhniki Stadium as another nearly moment for the Gareth Southgate regime. Twice in the last year England have shown promise, brought excitement and progressed to a semi-final. Twice they have stumbled at the penultimate hurdle, with expectation ultimately giving way to [...]
Women’s World Cup: How brands are embracing the sport through sponsorship June 6, 2019 The World Cup arrives tomorrow at an opportune moment for women’s football. After a season punctuated by record attendances, greater exposure and successes both on and off the pitch, there is an air of optimism engulfing the sport. While the feeling is inspiring confidence that Phil Neville’s Lionesses could make good on their No3 world [...]
Canadian Grand Prix is Ferrari’s best chance to stop Mercedes’ streak after error-ridden start to season June 6, 2019 As they head into the seventh round of the Formula One season in Canada this weekend, Ferrari are already 118 points behind rivals Mercedes in the constructors’ standings. Pre-season expectations of competing for the world championship quickly came shuddering to a halt while an engine upgrade was fast-tracked to the Spanish Grand Prix last month. [...]
Rafa Nadal’s Roland Garros reign shows no signs of letting up ahead of Roger Federer clash June 6, 2019 If Rafa Nadal is to claim a 12th French Open on Sunday he will first have to beat old foe Roger Federer in Friday’s semi-final, as one of sport’s great rivalries gains yet another chapter. What was once a regular occurrence on the ATP Tour has now become a rare occasion, with the two titans [...]