Seaman: Hart can be the world’s best June 21, 2012 ENGLAND goalkeeping great David Seaman believes current No1 Joe Hart is close to becoming the world’s best, and would love him to prove it by becoming a penalty shoot-out hero in the final of Euro 2012. Hart has firmly established himself as the nation’s top stopper over the past two years and lent the team [...]
Penalty shootout? Just anyone but Downing June 21, 2012 STATISTICS confirm what every England fan already suspects: that Roy Hodgson’s men are the worst team at Euro 2012 when it comes to penalty shoot-outs. The good news, however, is that Italy are the next worst. England have won only one of their six shoot-outs, converting just 68 per cent of spot-kicks. Italy, who have [...]
Three Lions are roaring for Euros success June 21, 2012 ENGLAND goalkeeper Joe Hart is targeting European Championship victory and is adamant he and his team-mates should not be content with merely reaching the tournament’s final eight. A successful group stage ensured England finished above Euro 2000 winners France to win Group D and set up a quarter-final fixture against Italy, and though there were [...]
Bento: We’ll be ready for Spain or France June 21, 2012 CZECH REPUBLIC 0 PORTUGAL 1 PORTUGAL manager Paulo Bento targeted a semi-final victory over Spain or France after Cristiano Ronaldo inspired his side into the European Championship’s final four. Ronaldo’s 79th-minute winner proved enough against the thoroughly outclassed Czech Republic, even if his earlier profligacy had initially threatened to undermine. Portugal now await the winner [...]
Gold Cup victory justifies shrewd Dettori’s powers of Vision June 21, 2012 JUBILANT Frankie Dettori declared his judgment had been vindicated after his decision to race 6-1 chance Colour Vision over Opinion Poll inspired Gold Cup victory on day three of Royal Ascot. The Italian-born jockey survived a stewards’ inquiry after bumping into runner up Opinion Poll, ridden by Goldophin team-mate Mickael Barzola, in the race’s closing [...]
Care and Haskell forced England selection, admits Lancaster June 21, 2012 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster has revealed he could no longer ignore the merits of Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care and Wasps flanker James Haskell after selecting the pair to start tomorrow’s Test against South Africa. As has become a customary characteristic of Lancaster’s reign, the adventurous coach has selected full-back Alex Goode and No8 Thomas Waldrom [...]
Finn backs Woakes and Meaker to seize chance June 21, 2012 FAST-BOWLER Steven Finn has thrown his weight behind England’s controversial rotation policy, insisting it is a critical tool for developing senior players. Finn is likely to enjoy an even more prominent role in today’s third and final one-day international against West Indies, with England taking advantage of their unassailable 2-0 lead to rest Stuart Broad, [...]
QPR ambition inspired Green to swap Hammers for Rangers June 21, 2012 QUEENS Park Rangers’ incoming England goalkeeper Robert Green insists the Hoop’s ambitions persuaded him to end his six-year association with West Ham and sign a two-year contract with the club. Green will remain with England until the end of their participation in the European Championship but will arrive at QPR on a free transfer when [...]
Pacquiao set for Bradley rematch June 21, 2012 BOXING: Manny Pacquiao is set to be awarded a rematch against WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley after five independent judges ruled that ‘The Pacman’ should have won their original, controversial fight.
Butt suffers early prison release June 21, 2012 CRICKET: Shamed former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt has been given an early release from prison. Butt had been given a 30-month sentence in November before being released on Wednesday evening.