Spain need Torres if they are to defend the toughest title of all June 7, 2012 THE WORLD Cup may be seen as the ultimate prize but the European Championship is actually a tougher tournament. The quality of player is very high so teams have to hit the ground running because if they don’t, they can find themselves out before the knockout stage. This all makes the competition, which starts today [...]
MY FOUR TIPS June 7, 2012 Germany France Holland Spain EXPECTATIONS for England are at an all-time low going into these Euros and I can’t see them enjoying much possession, which is why I hope they focus on pace in attack. Roy Hodgson’s men will need to be hard to beat and hit teams on the break and, with little speed [...]
MEN TO WATCH June 7, 2012 Yohan Cabaye Cabaye has fewer defensive duties with France than at Newcastle because there are more midfielders around him, which allows him to be more of a playmaker. If he has a good tournament they will go far. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar He has a fantastic international record, has had a great season with Schalke and is [...]
Hart: Only refs will make us stop for racists June 7, 2012 ENGLAND goalkeeper Joe Hart insists the team will not react to racial abuse by abandoning matches at the European Championship unless a referee instructs them to do so. Michel Platini, President of European football’s governing body Uefa, has already confirmed that any player that chooses to leave the pitch without the referee’s consent will be [...]
England target Test win over rain and Windies June 7, 2012 ENGLAND hope their third Test against West Indies will finally begin this morning at Edgbaston after heavy rain meant yesterday’s play being abandoned without the bowling of a solitary ball. Umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Tony Hill made the call yesterday afternoon, the first time such a conclusion has been reached since the 2009 Ashes at [...]
Quick win sets me up for final, says Sharapova June 7, 2012 WORLD No2 Maria Sharapova declared her delight after defeating Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-3 to reach the French Open final, believing her chances of success in tomorrow’s showpiece to be significantly strengthened by doing so. Sharapova’s straight-sets victory potentially boosts not only her confidence, but leaves her physically fresh ahead of her final meeting with Italy’s [...]
Hughton hopeful over Norwich despite daunting Lambert legacy June 7, 2012 NORWICH City’s new manager Chris Hughton admits it will be difficult to replace predecessor Paul Lambert, though he is relishing the challenge regardless. Hughton was yesterday confirmed as Lambert’s successor after the latter left to join Aston Villa following three successful seasons in which he established Norwich in the top tier, but Hughton is adamant [...]
Storm Cooking over British Taekwondo hopeful Aaron June 7, 2012 BRITISH Taekwondo’s selection process for London 2012 is to be investigated by the World Taekwondo Federation over its decision to overlook world No1 Aaron Cook. WTF will also today meet with British Olympic Association figures including performance director Sir Clive Woodward and chief executive Andy Hunt, while Cook has sought legal advice from firm Harbottle [...]
Burke predicts world record for Team GB riders June 7, 2012 HE WAS part of the team pursuit quartet who smashed records to win the world track cycling championship this year, but Steven Burke believes he and his Team GB colleagues will have to set a new benchmark if they are to claim Olympic gold at London 2012. Burke, Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy and Pete Kennaugh [...]
MARLER AND JOHNSON SET FOR ENGLAND BOWS June 7, 2012 ENGLAND duo Joe Marler, above, of Harlequins, and Exeter’s Tom Johnson will make their debuts in tomorrow’s Test against South Africa in Durban, respectively replacing prop Alex Corbisiero and injured flanker Tom Croft. There are also recalls for scrum-half Ben Youngs and full-back Mike Brown, while Owen Farrell continues at fly-half.