Sports Blog

Champions League

 

The blue half of Glasgow was celebrating again recently after bitter rivals Celtic were defeated in an away game in the Champions League. The bhoy's away record in the competition is simply shocking. The 2-1 defeat to Aalborg in Denmark completes a terribly poor run of results for the Scottish Champions away from Celtic Park. The most recent loss means that Celtic have picked up just one point from 18 matches in the group stages of the competition.

Hoops manager Gordon Strachan tried to put a brave face on the result in Denmark and indeed Celtics poor Champions League run of results this season. He said " Our performances away from home have been better this season. This (the 2-1 defeat to Aalborg) ranks up with one of the best away displays but as a manager you can only ask players to do so much."

The unlucky defeat means that Celtic also miss out on a spot in this season's Uefa Cup as they will definately finish bottom of the pile in Group E.

 

FORMULA 1

After two breathtaking pieces of overtaking at Hockenheim at the weekend and a solid performance at a wet Silverstone two weeks ago Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda revealed that Lewis Hamilton reminds him of the late Brazilian Racing genius Ayrton Senna.

The Austrian icon who won the F1 Championships in 1975, 77 and 84 said of Sundays win " The race was won by Lewis and not by the team. It was an absolutely great race from him. It was Senna type driving."

Hamilton now sits four points ahead of Ferrari's Felipe Massa while the second Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen is seven points adrift of the Englishman.

Lauda admits he as much as anyone was suprised with Hamilton's slow start to the season but now can see Lewis going all the way.

He said " Last year he was my favourite but then he screwed up in the last couple of races and so I didn't understand why he started this year as bad as he finished last year, but I think he's got the message now."

BRITISH OPEN 2008

Since the great Lee Trevino in 1972 only two players have managed to defend their British Open thrones.

In 1983 Tom Watson managed it and in total the Kansas City kid piked up an amazing five claret jugs.

Twenty three years later Tiger Woods won back to back opens joining the select club of defending Champions.

And for those into statistics the last European golfer to have successfully defended his title was the Scot James Braid way back in 1906. 

This week at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club Ireland's Padraig Harrington aims to follow in the footsteps of Woods, Watson, Trevino and Braid but he more than anyone else knows that doing so will be amazingly difficult.

Nursing an injured right wrist the Open Champion will have it all to do if he's to challenge for the top honour but he's determined to give it his best shot at the Lancashire course.

Harrington's injury came last weekend when he played in the Irish PGA Championship, an event he won for the fifth time on Saturday.

PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL

When Peter Crouch was sold by Portsmouth in 2002 Aston Villa paid £5 million for the 6ft 7inch striker's services.

He now returns to Pompey for over double the price but in todays crazy days of big money signings Harry Redknapp knows he's picked up the big hit man at a relatively good price.

Crouch scored 42 goals in all competitions for Liverpool over three seasons at Anfield but after the signing of Fernando Torres last season the England International was always going to struggle to book a regular starting place in the Red's side.

Now Harry Redknapp will hope the England little and large tag team of Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch can help solidify his side's place in the Premiership elite.

And judging by Crouch's strike rate over his career to date clever Harry seems destined to see his plan work.

The 27 year old has in general been consistent throughout his career and fans of Queens Park Rangers, Portsmouth (2001-02), Aston Villa, Norwich City, Southampton and Liverpool will be quick to tell you that he's a massive talent.

EURO 2008

Firstly hats off to the stylish Spanish who brought a breath of fresh air to a major Championships and fully deserved to win on the big stage for the first time since 1964.

While striker Fernando Torres of Liverpool was the hero last night in the final against Germany Spain boast an entire squad of gifted players who for

once all pulled in the one direction for the benefit of their country.

Today the 28 year old Barcelona midfielder Xavi (pictured right) was voted player of the tournament though I have to say I disagree with UEFA's panel on that decision.

Certainly he played a major role in Spain's return to the big time and his goal against Russia opened the floodgates for his side but at least two of his fellow countrymen stood out for me.

WIMBLEDON TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 2008

It's almost impossible to dislike the wonderful Roger Federer. At 26 the Swiss star is already a legend and his five succesive Wimbledon wins speak for themselves.

The King of centre court he just doesn't know how to lose in South West London but last year the first signs of a Federer crack started to emerge.

There he was back in a Wimbledon final and though he was facing the world number two Rafael Nadal he probably thought it would be another usual four set win.

Nadal had other ideas. The reigning Champion did hold on to win but he was brought to a fifth set for the first time in his Wimbledon career.

Federer won 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 but fans leaving Wimbledon that day knew the great Swiss' run as undisputed leader in chief here could be coming to an end.

Then at this year's French Open final in Paris the clay court specialist Nadal coasted past his great rival winning 6-1,6-3,6-0. It was the third year in a row that he beat Federer in the Roland Garros final but the first in consecutive sets and in such a commanding way.

Now we must ask has the tide finally turned in the men's game?

EURO 2008

I remember wiping tears of joy from my eyes in New Jerseys Giants Stadium in 1994 after watching Ray Houghton score for the Republic of Ireland to defeat the Italians 1-0 in the World Cup.

We were on cloud nine and thought we were world beaters.

A few short weeks later our boys were on their summer holidays and Italy were in the World Cup Final against Brazil, a clash they lost in a cruel penalty shoot out.

That tournament showed clearly that writing off the Italians is as fool hardy as placing Theo Walcott in your World Cup squad though you know you'd rather play with 10 men than use him!

True neither they nor pre-tournament favourites Germany have set this competition alight yet in the same way Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands have but they have experience on their side and a mental resilience that all the skill in the world can't match.

PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL

Be in no doubt, the appointment of Portugese boss Luiz Felipe Scolari as manager of Chelsea is of massive, massive significance for the future of the Premiership.

With most football eyes fixed on events in Switzerland and Austria this month where the European Championships are being held the big Brazilian's new job did not make the splash one would have expected and thats just how Scolari likes it.

Prior to the misguided appointment of Steve McLaren as English manager in 2006 it was revealed that Scolari had agreed to take the English job but decided against it after a pack of English tabloid reporters and photographers laid seige to his home.

With only 24 hours to go before the start of this summer's European Championships the anticipation is reaching fever pitch on the continent's main land.

England and their merry bunch of multi-millionaire players may be sitting on their tods this summer while nations from across Europe fight it out for the European Championships but football fans here can still have a fantastic summer regardless.

Even without England or indeed Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland taking part the rolls royce of continental championships is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

It's expected to be an exciting fanfare of International football with Europe's best players strutting their stuff in the world's largest football event after the World Cup itself.

But the question remains who are we going to put our money on to win the tournament?

GOLF

As sure as night follows day Nick Faldo has been plodding along in the world of golf in a top-flight career which stretches back well over three decades.

But now the European Ryder Cup captain, aged 50, says he will not compete in this year's Open at Royal Birkdale.

It is the first time since he failed to qualify as an amateur in 1975 that the three-times former champion will not play in the tournament.

Faldo has left the door open for a future appearance at the tournament, but said he preferred to concentrate on his Ryder Cup duties this year.

"I will play The Open again, but this year I need to concentrate," he said.

After a dramatic season Manchester United finally lifted the Premier League trophy aloft on Sunday narrowly seeing off the challenge of plucky Chelsea. There were tears in Reading, Birmingham and Derby as the three sides dropped into the Coca-Cola Championship. GRAHAM CLIFFORD looks back on each sides performance in 2007/8 and issues them with the grade he thinks suits them best:

1. Manchester United:

Love him or hate him the achievement of Alex Ferguson in winning his tenth Premiership title is simply outsianding. This season the addition of Tevez, Nani, Hargreaves and Anderson strengthened an already strong side. It goes without saying that Ronaldo was simply amazing and after scoring 31 times from midfield in the Premiership this season he deserves all the accolades that he gets. At the back Ferdinand and Vidic stood out while Evra was once again a massive weapon in Fergie's armory.Stuttered in the closing stages but worthy Champions - GRADE : A-

He was one of Manchester United's most loyal servants but on Sunday at the JJB stadium Steve Bruce can deny his previous club this season's Premiership title.

Should that happen Red Devils supporters will quickly review their thoughts on the 'Rock'.

Should Manchester United defeat Wigan then the Premiership will be theres.

However if they were to draw or lose and Chelsea defeated Bolton then the Premiership trophy would be heading to West London.

Steve Bruce has rejected any suggestion that his side might not give their all in the crucial game saying " Everybody knows me better than that. What am I going to say to the team? Just roll over and let Man United win? That's not going to happen. Make no mistake, we'll be trying our utmost."

Under Bruce the Latics have drawn with Liverpool at Anfield, drawn at home to the Gunners, and held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in April so a suprise may be on the cards though it's unlikley.

Bruce played for Manchester United from 1987 to 1996 playing 309 times and scoring 36 times. However if he hands the league to Chelsea his halo at Old Trafford will be well and truly tarnished.

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

Speculation is mounting that current Munster boss Declan Kidney will succeed Eddie O' Sullivan as Irish International rugby coach.

Kidney was assistant to O'Sullivan from 2000 until 2004, including Rugby World Cup 2003, where he had responsibility for the backs.

However, it was decided after the competition Kidney was surplus to requirements.

Ironically, one of the findings from the recent Genesis report into Ireland's poor performance at Rugby World Cup 2007 was that Ireland should have a specialist backs coach and dedicated team manager.

PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL

I'm always amazed by the reaction of some people to the name 'Arsene Wenger'!

Many almost bless themselves when they hear the Arsenal gurus name, others just shake their head and say 'What a man'.

However the lavish praise bestowed on the French purist seems once again to be a little on the OTT side as the Gunners finish their third consecutive season without silverware.

Dumped out of the Champion's League by a Liverpool side who showed more cuteness and resilience their last lingering hopes of getting something from their season were shattered on Sunday by Owen Hargreaves. His exquisite free handing Manchester United a 2-1 win.

Wenger will blame referees, lady luck, the direction of the wind, the texture of the football and the width of the posts but at the end of the day he has to hold his hands up and say he deserves criticism for not strengthening his squad when he could have.

 

BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008

                                                                          

After the incidents seen on the streets of London, Paris and San Francisco over the past week when the Olympic Torch was targetted as a beacon of Chinese oppression many wonder if we'll see more trouble when the games take place in August.

Understandably so anti-Chinese groups and pro-Tibetan groups were passionate in their protests but in reality they were damp squibs which the television cameras lapped up.

No country has as yet boycotted the Olympics though some heads of state will not attend the opening ceremony.

In China the protests hardly made the newspapers as close Governmental control focussed on the positive side of the torch run.

Controlling what Chinese citizens see from abroad is achievable but what will the Chinese Government do if trouble errupts on the streets of Beijing?

This week a Hong Kong based pro-Chinese newspaper said "Al Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Tibetan Youth Congress are all planning to make the Beijing Olympic Games the target of terror attacks, and have strengthened collusion and collaboration."

But are we to buy these claims or are they a smokescreen thrown up by the Chinese Government?

When it comes to the Champions League there isn't another side in Europe who can rival Liverpool for consistency and drama.

The five time winners of Europe's top club competition dumped Arsenal out at the quarter final stage last night 4-2 (5-3 on aggregate) and Rafa Benitez's side will now once again face Chelsea in the semi-final.

It seemed though that Arsene Wenger's troops would march through to the last four when Adebayor goaled in the 84th minute after a fantastic run by Theo Walcott.

This though acted merely as Liverpool's catalyst and seconds after Arsenal's second goal Liverpool was awarded a justified penalty when Ryan Babel was pulled down by Toure. Steve Gerrard netted superbly and by the time Babel converted one of his own (pictured above) Liverpool were through to the last four once again.

FA CUP FOOTBALL In years to come theres no doubt but that we will look back on this year's FA Cup as one of the most spell bounding of all times. On Sunday Cardiff City celebrated as they reached their first FA Cup Final since 1927 with a 1-0 win over Barnsley - the slayers of Liverpool and Chelsea in earlier rounds. And a day earlier Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth booked their place in the showpiece final with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. But amid the euphoria neutrals in particular were left wondering whether these games would have been better suited to club grounds. The FA Cup final is a glittering event and for many players and supporters its a once in a lifetime experience. With this in mind surely the weekend's semi-finals should have been played elsewhere. Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge were all unused not to mention White Hart Lane. Portsmouth goalkeeper David James summed up the slightly damp squid by writing in the Observer " It was a bit odd playing at Wembley I must confess. It is without a doubt a magnificent arena, and a pleaure to play in, but the occasion has to be right and it being a semi-final felt strange."

PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL

The irony certainly wouldn't be lost on Manchester City fans. With victory over Chelsea at the City Of Manchester stadium on Saturday they could well set United on their way to yet another Premiership throne.

Should they take all points off the Londoners and United win at Middlesbrough on Sunday then the gap between Chelsea and the Red Devils would be a massive eight points.

Whats more likely though is that Arsenal will return to winning ways against Liverpool at the Emirates in Saturdays early kick off narrowing the gap to three points before United travel to Middlesbrough.

A win by Middlesbrough would set the cat among the pigeons though meaning next weekend's clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford could well dictate where the Premiership trophy goes.

With three sides very much left in the race to capture the title the 2007/08 league run-in has become one of the most exciting since the new Premiership format was launched at the start of the 1992/93 season.

The bookies are still convinced that Sir Alex Ferguson will outsmart Messers. Wegner and Grant to capture what would be his tenth Premier League title as manager.

The latest average odds see United at 1/5, Chelsea are 4/1 and Arsenal are now 11/1.

AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL WEEKEND

It's the biggest race in the world and on Saturday Britian will come to a standstill when 41 runners and riders go to post at Aintree to fight it out for the coveted prize.

It's estimated that on average every British citizen spends £2 on the National with most punters entering bookies for their one and only time during the year.

Sweepstakes will be held today in offices and other work sites across the country with most hoping to pull the name of HedgeHunter (pictured left) out of the hat.

The Irish trained horse won the National three years ago and now nearing the end of his career many will wonder if he's to go out on a high.

At 25/1 he's an attractive price though the favourite for this year's race is Cloudy Lane and when you look at the pedigree you can see why.

With outstanding recent form, this horse is well ahead of the handicapper and has exceptional claims. Donald McCain is the trainer and it was his father who saddled the great Red Rum. The only negative is that he is unraced at Aintree.

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

With the Six Nations Trophy and Triple Crown shield carefully tucked away Welsh coach Warren Gatland (left) would be excused for resting on his laurels but the Kiwi wants to get back into the limelight by leading the British and Irish Lions next year.

 

While the rest of Wales continues to celebrate the unexpected triumph the new boss says he's eager for more challenges .

He said " If theres a chance to get involved at some level (with the Lions) that would be a huge honour but I have to make sure I don't neglect Wales."

Should Gatland get to manage the Lions then he'll lead them into battle against South Africa next year. However he will get a chance to see the Springboks at first hand this Summer when Wales travel to face the World Champions for a two test tour in June before a return fixture at the Millenium Stadium in November.