Wiggins builds Criterium lead June 7, 2012 CYCLING: Britain’s Bradley Wiggins yesterday extended his Criterium du Dauphine lead by winning the 53.5km time trial by 34 seconds. “It was a real test in the conditions,” said Wiggins.
Exiles begin promotion appeal June 7, 2012 RUGBY UNION: London Welsh have begun their appeal to overturn the Rugby Football Union’s decision to block their promotion to the Premiership, despite their Championship victory. The RFU barred their promotion on the grounds their stadium did not meet Premiership criteria, despite their use of Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium.
Portugal too big at 20/1 with Ronaldo in the line-up June 7, 2012 SPAIN once again go into a major tournament as favourites and victory at Euro 2012 will make them the first- ever European team to win three straight titles. That would be some achievement by a country branded perennial underachievers until four years ago. Vicente Del Bosque’s men always have to be feared, but the Spanish [...]
Madrid maestro can carry his superb club form over to the international stage June 7, 2012 I’M ASKING a lot of Cristiano Ronaldo here, but I think he has the ability to not only take Portugal to the latter stages, but be the tournament top scorer too. Free-kick, dribble, header – or a tap in – there is no goal, too simple or spectacular, that Ronaldo cannot score. He has it [...]
Polish promise hints at happy start for hosts June 7, 2012 NO host nation has won the European Championship since France in 1984, and while Poland are 50/1 shots to scratch that 28-year itch, they do look set for an extended involvement in their own backyard. They will be more encouraged by the fact that of the 15 countries to have held the previous 13 tournaments [...]
Bill Esdaile’s Top Weekend Racing Tips June 7, 2012 STARVED of competitive football for two-and-a-half years, Poland will be chomping at the bit and they can get the Euro 2012 party started with a win against Greece in Warsaw tonight, at 21/20 with BetVictor. They come into the fixture with three wins in the bag from their warm-up games against Latvia, Slovakia and Andorra [...]
Murray admits meeting match after Ferrer forces early exit June 6, 2012 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray yesterday exited the French Open at the quarter-final stage after a 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Spain’s David Ferrer inspired largely by the Scot’s erratic performance. Murray carelessly hit 59 unforced errors and though his demeanour suggested a genuine desire to advance to the tournament’s final four against Ferrer’s [...]
D-Day for Cook as London 2012 hopes recede June 6, 2012 BRITISH taekwondo star Aaron Cook is today poised to discover whether the place at London 2012 he believes is rightfully his has been snatched away. National governing body GB Taekwondo yesterday rejected Cook for a third time after being told to reconsider their nominations for this summer’s Games by the British Olympic Association, who have [...]
Springboks coach backs debutants to deliver June 6, 2012 SOUTH Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has backed his three debutants to be a success against England during Saturday’s Test in Durban, even though his bold team selection is uncharacteristic for the Springboks. Three of their eight starting forwards, locks Juandre Kruger and Eben Etzebeth and flanker Marcell Coetzee, will receive their first caps, suggesting South [...]
Platini: Refs to rule over racism and players must adhere to call June 6, 2012 UEFA President Michel Platini insists referees will have the authority to abandon games over racial abuse at this summer’s European Championship, though he has warned players not to take the matter into their own hands. Euro 2012 begins tomorrow when co-hosts Poland play 2004 champions Greece in Warsaw and there are genuine concerns that the [...]