Dearth of Hodgson successors leaves England chiefs facing an anxious Euro 2016 June 9, 2016 If major tournaments have typically proven uncomfortable times for those responsible for the England team, there may be even greater cause for the Football Association’s top brass to squirm during Euro 2016. Read more: Why solving the Rooney conundrum holds the key to England's chances in France As he prepares for tomorrow’s Group B opener [...]
How to watch Euro 2016: the best pub, TV, travel and accommodation June 9, 2016 If major sporting events are ostensibly a celebration of those who aspire to being the being the strongest, fastest and most skilful, they’re also a boon for those at the other end of the activity spectrum. The European Championship’s expansion to 24 teams means it now offers greater opportunities than ever before for slobbing in front [...]
Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo pips Barcleona’s Lionel Messi to world’s highest-paid athlete mantle June 9, 2016 Ronaldo has won three Premier League titles, one La Liga championship, three Champions Leagues and three Ballon d'Or awards naming him the world's best player in a glittering career of success on the field. Such a trophy haul leaves little doubt over his status as a player and the Real Madrid star's latest accolade provides similar confirmation [...]
Solving the Wayne Rooney conundrum is key to England fortifying their fragile Euro 2016 chances June 9, 2016 I was very interested to hear Russia’s goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev this week say that they had been pleased to be grouped with England, of all the top seeds, at the European Championship. Before England’s last three games, I had higher hopes that we might prove Akinfeev and Russia wrong and perhaps even reach the semi-finals. [...]
Time for England to seize their European Championship opportunity, insists Three Lions centre-half Chris Smalling June 8, 2016 England centre-half Chris Smalling insists the Three Lions are determined to seize their Euro 2016 opportunity and ensure that Roy Hodgson’s wide-eyed squad leave no regrets on French soil. Hodgson has named the youngest England squad to head to a major competition in 58 years, since the 1958 World Cup, while an average age of just [...]
Jose Mourinho tips first United signing Eric Bailly to become one of the best centre-halves in world football June 8, 2016 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has tipped new signing Eric Bailly to become one of the world’s leading centre-backs after he was confirmed as the Portuguese’s first Old Trafford recruit. The 22-year-old Ivory Coast centre-half has joined United on a four-year contract, subject to obtaining a work permit, from La Liga outfit Villarreal for a [...]
Last chance saloon for Nick Compton and why the third Investec Test at Lord’s is not a dead rubber June 8, 2016 If England’s No3 batsman Nick Compton doesn’t chalk up a sizeable score in the third and final Investec Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, his home ground, then he’s really going to be up against it. I was pleased that the selectors stuck with him after he was recalled for the tour of South Africa [...]
The Spoils at Trafalgar Studios review: Jesse Eisenberg’s twitchy performance papers over dramatic cracks June 8, 2016 The Spoils | Trafalgar Studios | ★★★☆☆ You can see why Jesse Eisenberg attracts comparisons with Woody Allen: both excel in playing (and writing) self-obsessed men whose acerbic wit fails to mask their social ineptitude. Eisenberg’s third play as writer-actor – the first to transfer to London – feels like the apotheosis of this: his [...]
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes winning the Premier League has become harder than ever for Arsene Wenger June 8, 2016 Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour fears that winning the Premier League will be harder than ever for Arsene Wenger next season. Wenger’s former foot soldier, who won five major trophies playing for the Frenchman, argues that while his Arsenal team only had to contend with Manchester United as realistic title challengers, the current crop have to fight off [...]
Maria Sharapova receives two year tennis ban for failing drugs test June 8, 2016 Maria Sharapova says she will fight a two year ban from tennis handed to her by the sport's authorities for violating anti-doping rules The five-time grand slam winner will not be able to play again until January 2018 by which time she will be nearly 31-years-old, following the ban imposed by an independent tribunal in London. Sharapova tested positive for [...]