sport magazine - issue 248
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Sport magazine - Issue 248TRANSCRIPT
Issue 248 | March 16 2012
Meet the RB8, Red Bull’s weapon in the fight for a third world title
From the creators of the award-winning
EA SPORTS™ FIFA Football franchise, and
inspired by street football styles and stars
from around the world, FIFA Street is the
most authentic street football game ever
made. Enjoy a unique and fun experience
where everything from the environments to
the gear to the music is true to the sport and
its culture.
Whether performing one panna after another
without breaking a sweat the way the game is
played in Amsterdam, or a physical, fight-for-
possession style the way players compete
in London, fans will enjoy a superior fidelity
of ball control and responsiveness than
anything ever experienced. Plus, for the first
time ever, utilise aerial skills to maneuver
past opponents, an all-new sophisticated
wall-play mechanic and over 50 brand new
spectacular skill moves.
OUT TODAY
ISSUE 248, MARCH 16 2012
Radar
08 Fifa Street The latest version of one of our favourite games – plus, Sport goes interactive
10 Schumacher v Vettel How does ‘Baby Schumi’ compare to the grand old man of F1? It’s here in the stats
12 Yorkshiremen Specifically, Yorkshire cricketers: a breed apart – enough for a whole book to do this coming weekFeatures
20 F1 preview The season starts here, and we ask: can anyone stop the mighty Red Bulls? 31 Six Nations The final week of an enthralling tournament
34 The Premier League Ten games to go and all to play for: we analyse what will happen
38 Cheltenham Gold Cup All your runners and riders for the race of the year, plus a special tribute to Kauto Star
Extra Time
50 Gadgets Just one gadget this week, the biggest launch of the year
54 Winter sport There’s still snow out there: don’t delay!
56 Kit Baselayers that will look after your legs...
58 Grooming Conditioners. Your hair will thank you for reading this
60 Entertainment 21 Jump Street (pictured) lightens the mood this week
20
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| March 16 2012 | 07
t’s taken four years to arrive – and
it’s likely to be the highlight of our
football summer. No, we don’t mean
the European Championships (you do
remember what it’s like watching England in
a major tournament, right?). We mean the
rebooted FIFA Street, unleashed today.
A total reinvention of the Street series
last seen in 2008, the game uses the much
loved FIFA 12 engine to create a realistic
footy experience – but offers much more
on top. That includes, for example, twice the
number of tricks – involving head, heel,
shoulders and more, making the simple
lollipop look like something from the 1920s.
Plus there’s an improved one-touch passing
system and an all-new dribbling style that
promotes the emphasis of one-on-one duels.
The game modes also spice things up. Take
Last Man Standing, in which you lose a man
every time you score a goal and win by
getting rid of your final player. The chance to
totally humiliate your pal by scoring a goal
with one man against his full count is a
delicious proposition – but most games seem
to go right to the wire of one-versus-one.
Alternatively, there’s the Panna (or
‘nutmeg’, in old school speak) mode, where
points are scored for the entertainment
level of tricks – so long as you finish it off
with a goal at some point. Because if your
opponent scores before you’ve ‘banked’ your
points, they’re worth nothing. Frankly, being
in control of Messi, Rooney, Zlatan and co
has never looked so much fun.
FIFA Street is out today on PS3 and Xbox 360
Radarp10 – Schumi Snr v the young pretender
08 | March 16 2012 |
I
Street magic
p12 – Manliness and Yorkshire cricket
For a chance to WIN one of five copies ofFIFA Street and to watch an exclusive trailer of the game, simply: 1) Download the free Blippar app via theiTunes or Android store
2) Open the app and scan the FIFA Street front cover of this magazine
3) Marvel at the FIFA Street excitement in the palm of your hand
Sport goes interactive with FIFA Street
win
partyLondon 2012
with
tickets &
look outfor our
hairy bottlesin store now
entrants 12+ and residents of GB, IoM or CI. promotion ends 25/05/12. draw on 26/05/12. see www.gvwurl.com/jessiejgb for full terms and conditions.promoter: Coca-Cola Great Britain, 1 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9HQ. ‘Glacéau vitaminwater’ and the ‘Glacéau vitaminwater’ get up are trade marks of energy brands, inc. aka Glacéau.
Radar
10 | March 16 2012 |
Schumi v Baby
L
he new Nike+
FuelStation,
just opened
in trendy Shoreditch’s
trendy Boxpark, will
be one of the select
places to stock the
FuelBand when it
arrives at the end of
this month. This is the wristband set to be to
the pedometer what the iPhone is to the brick
mobile. It tracks your every activity, lets you
set health goals and offers a wealth of
personalised fitness data.
However, there’s still reason to visit the
FuelStation before the big unveiling. The most
eye-catching thing is the floor-to-ceiling motion-
sensing, interactive LED walls that make you
feel as if you’re in a sports store in Minority
Report. There’s substance to go with the style,
too: free consultations with nutritionists and
physios are available for Nike+ Run Club
members (it’s free to join); gait analysis to
ensure you have the right shoe to match your
running style; and, on the floor above, a NIKEiD
Studio allows you to customise footwear.
Find out more at go.nike.com/Boxpark
T
ike Tiger Woods (in his prime) and
golf, Sebastian Vettel finds F1 so easy
that he’s targeting historical figures
and records just to set himself a challenge.
In the case of the 24-year-old, however, the
key historical figure is already behind him –
generally about 10 places on the grid, giving
him the evil eye from his Mercedes.
That’s because almost every record
worth having (race wins, championships, pole
positions) is owned by Vettel’s fellow German,
Michael Schumacher. So it’s interesting to see
how the battle is shaping up. Of course, the
fact that Vettel was a rookie for the first two
of his five seasons makes his excellent stats
even more impressive. However, Schumacher
has been doing his best to lower his own
percentages by pootling around and trying to
crash into Rubens Barrichello for the first two
years of his comeback, so that evens things.
It’s the difference in race wins and pole
positions that’s most noticeable. Vettel’s
ability to lay down a hot lap in qualifying is
superior because he’s such a smooth, slick
driver. Schumacher’s higher Grand Prix win
percentage points to the idea that a prime
Schumi is the better racer, with an ability to
defy opponents wheel to wheel on the track.
However, Vettel is still improving and the
real assessment of his talent is yet to come.
What made the chinny one a revered driver is
that he was able to win races in inferior cars
and poor conditions. The acid test for Vettel
will come when he finds himself in a less-than-
stellar motor – then we’ll see whether he has
the skills to defy his vehicle’s limitations and
put himself atop the podium. After all, it’s
performances like that which really stick in
fans’ memories, as well as the numbers.
See our guide to the F1 season, from page 20
Action station
Schumacher Vettel
Race wins91 of 288 races
21 of 81 races
Championships7 in 18 seasons
2 in 5 seasons
Pole positions68 in 287 starts
30 in 81 starts
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Schumi
*Conditions apply. See tda.gov.uk/conditions for full details.
Radar
12 | March 16 2012 |
ormula 1 doesn’t keep the most
sociable hours in sport, with
chequered flags dropping at
all sorts of ungodly hours – the kind of
hours when any self-respecting young
professional should really be on their way
home from a craaaaazy night out, not
curled up on the sofa at 6am with a cup
of coffee and the TV on.
Luckily, Sky Sports have updated their
iPad app to incorporate their new Formula
1 offering, so subscribers will be able to
watch races live from pretty much
anywhere, including drunk in a taxi. If you’re
already in front of a TV, though, the app can
be used to augment the coverage. It offers
a selection of alternative video feeds and
timing-screens statistics combined with a
Twitter stream – where you can read and
share expert (and distinctly non-expert)
views on the action. #Vrooooom!
F
Several things have been inspired by
Darren Gough’s twinkle-toed success
on Strictly Come Dancing. Some, such
as robust lads from Barnsley attempting a
drunken pasodoble in Big Fellas nightclub
(it exists), are bad ideas. Others, such as
We’ll Get ‘Em in Sequins – a witty rumination
on Yorkshire cricketers and the nature of
manliness – are very good indeed.
The book takes seven cricketers of
different eras, from meat-and-potatoes
George Hirst to ‘Captain Sushi’ Michael
Vaughan, and explains how each one
represents masculinity differently. It also
offers some chucklesome insights into the
personalities involved. The chapter on
Geoff Boycott is particularly enjoyable,
explaining his appeal and run-hoarding
triumphs, while noting he was just a
bit too weird to be any young cricket
fan’s hero: “If you had a son with a
picture of Geoffrey Boycott pinned to his
bedroom wall, you would worry for him. If you
had a daughter, you would worry even more.”
Beyond ‘Homo Boycottensius’, the book
ends with an analysis of Gough and Vaughan
– two men as comfortable in a pink polo shirt
as they are in the cricket whites. However, the
author has an even-handed affection for both
the metrosexual modern Tyke cricketer and
his more curmudgeonly forbearers, which
means this deserves a readership well beyond
the boundaries of just Yorkshire. As if
anywhere else bloomin’ well mattered.
We’ll Get ‘Em in Sequins, by Max Davidson,
out now, £18.99 (Wisden Sports Writing)
Stereotykes
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YES!”
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14 | March 16 2012 |
Radar Editor’s letter
Editor-in-chief
Simon Caney
@simoncaney
Sport magazine
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LAUNCH OFTHE YEAR
2008
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@sportmaguk
facebook.com/sportmaguk
T he debate about ‘plastic Brits’ is reaching boiling point as the London 2012 Olympics draw closer. Indeed, some newspaper
columnists are practically
frothing at the mouth at the prospect of
athletes not born on these shores
competing for Team GB this summer.
Actually, that is to use a rather broad
brush stroke – for nobody, it seems,
objects to the likes of Mo Farah (who
moved here from Somalia aged eight)
running for Britain. The ones in the firing
line are those such as Tiffany Porter and
Shana Cox, who are deemed to have
switched allegiance later in life merely to
improve their chances of competing, and
possibly winning medals, at London 2012.
Now, I have some sympathy for the
argument. It’s pretty obvious to say that in
an ideal world, every national team should
contain only sportsmen who were born in
that country, have always held a passport
there, and can sing the national anthem.
But immediately that poses a problem
because, for all that he is now British, Mo
Farah wasn’t born here. Yet nobody in
their right mind would argue he shouldn’t
compete for us – so the hard and fast
rules become blurred already.
I don’t like the idea that British (in the
old-fashioned sense) athletes, who have
trained hard all their lives, may lose out to
the likes of Porter or Cox. But it’s too late
to have the argument now, a few months
before the opening ceremony.
And when our Australian boss talks
cricket here at Sport, he is not slow to
remind me that a large chunk of the
England team is not what you might call
traditionally English. I have absolutely no
counter-argument – but that’s how it is.
Rightly or wrongly, the plastic Brit debate
was over a long time ago.
There are now four UK golfers in the
world’s top seven, after Justin Rose’s
fine WGC win last weekend. Hard to
think that it’s 14 years since he shot to
prominence by almost winning the Open
Championship as a snotty-nosed
amateur, and I have a sneaking
suspicion that he may well be the next
Brit to win a major. The Masters is less
than a month away, and Rose plays
Augusta very well. When they’re putting
a green jacket on his lanky frame in the
Butler Cabin, don’t say I didn’t tell you.
And finally... all being well, the great Kauto Star runs in today’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. If he wins, and I fancy he might, even the most hard-nosed bookmaker might become a little dewy-eyed, for we don’t see his like very often. It has been an absolute privilege to watch him run through his career. Win or lose, he’s the horse of a lifetime.
A plastic argumentUnfortunately, those banging the drum against the ‘plastic Brits’ have missed the boat
Agree or disagree? Tweet us @sportmaguk
Mic
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Plastic fantastic: like it or not, Porter is winning
medals for Team GB
Reader comments of the week
@simoncaney completely
agree. World golf has
become even more
exciting, with rankings
constantly changing.
@McIlroyRory’s the best
right now.
@nickjasonwarner
@simoncaney Read your
article on AVB’s departure.
Exactly what I said from the
start. Nice to see a journalist
look deeper into the story.
@jack_bottomley
With all the resources
available to English rugby
compared to the Celtic
countries, you laud them
for a narrow victory over
Scotland and a defeat to
Wales. Sorry – just not
good enough.
David, via email
@simoncaney Great data
visualisation of the
#6Nations so far in
@SportMagUK
#eggchasing
@robindthomas
AVB just didn’t get the
team playing for him,
regardless of what went
on behind the scenes. The
manager at any football
club has to be accountable
for his team’s results.
John, via email
16 | March 16 2012 |
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You really do have to admire the stones on British
swimmer Robert Renwick (not literally, they’re not
visible in this shot – it’s cold). Not only did the young
Scottish Olympic hopeful have to beat a strong field
in the men’s 200m freestyle final at the British Gas
Swimming Championships last weekend, he also
had to swim around a cameraman anchored to the
bottom of the pool, holding a giant plastic camera
and asking him to smile. Unperturbed, our man
Renwick romped home in a bloody nice time.
Taking a dive
Radar Frozen in time
| 17
20 | March 16 2012 |
UNBEATFormula 1 roars back into action this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. We preview t
at the defending champions, starting with technical director Adrian Newey’s thoughts on the
3. “The exhaust allowed us to run a high rear ride height. It’s much
more difficult without it, so we have to go back down and redevelop
the car around that lower ride height.”
The Big F1 Preview
| 21
ATABLE?
w the race and teams, and chat to McLaren’s British duo. But first, we go behind the scenes
RB8, Red Bull’s weapon in the fight for their third consecutive title...
2. “RB7 was designed around the side exhaust. We’ve had to go back
and look at how we developed the car, and re-evaluate the routes we
had taken that were only suitable for that exhaust position.”
1. “We’ve kept more or less the same chassis shape, but had
to drop the nose just in front of the bulkhead – which has led
us to what I’d probably say was a slightly ugly-looking nose.”
22 | March 16 2012 |
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The Big F1 Preview
Where are world champions made? In a high-tech academy?
On the streets, where the desire to escape a life of little is
the only motivation? Or on an unassuming industrial estate
on the outskirts of Milton Keynes? In F1, at least, it’s
definitely the latter.
Sport is sitting inside a largely unremarkable lobby on
that industrial estate, beside a cabinet struggling to contain
its contents. We’re here to meet Red Bull team principal
Christian Horner, who has overseen the team’s transformation
from the ruins of Jaguar through back-to-back F1 constructors’ and drivers’
championships, 27 race wins and 35 other podium finishes – and counting.
His, and their, success is clearly evident in the silver and glassware that wrestle
for space in a trophy cabinet fit to burst. Horner laughs when we mention this.
“It’s a good problem to have,” he says. “And there are quite a few that are
special in there – the first one from China, [which was] the one-two; the Monaco
victories; the first race in Abu Dhabi – they all have different sentimental value.”
The single piece that means the most might just be last season’s constructors’
trophy. Although Sebastian Vettel stole a large chunk of the limelight on his way
to becoming the sport’s youngest ever double champion, he was helped by the
early dominance of 2011’s RB7. “That was a great car,” says Horner. “But I think
as well that we matured as a team, we evolved as a team and did a great job as
a unit. We were reliable, we developed quicker than our opponents – we were
strong at circuits where we’d traditionally been weak. We won in Monza, we won
in Spa. Our strategy was good. Our pit stops were good – we covered all the bases.”
You get the impression, however, that Horner isn’t one to dwell on the past.
The team have been hard at work over the winter, covering all bases on what
they hope will be another title-winning car. “We’re always pushing the boundaries
– we need to keep evolving,” he explains, stopping short of revealing any secrets.
“Elements of the RB8 are very much an evolution of RB7. The main changes are
to the front of the car, with the new regulations, and to the diffuser – with the
banning of exhaust strategies and the constraint of exhaust position.”
All 12 teams will have had to adapt to these rule changes, and testing sessions
at Jerez and Barcelona offered tantalising hints at what will unfold this season.
“Hopefully we’ll be somewhere near the front,” says Horner, with genuine
modesty. “But it’s so difficult to tell, because with the different fuel loads it’s
impossible to clearly predict where we sit compared to Ferrari, McLaren and
Mercedes. It’s only when the fuel loads come out of the car in Q3 in Melbourne
when we’ll see very clearly what the starting team order is, and I’m sure that
will fluctuate as the team development gets under way.”
When it comes to development, Red Bull have an ace up up their exhaust pipe
in the form of Adrian Newey, their brilliant technical director who has designed
eight championship-winning cars. But Horner is quick to share the accolades
around, and also credits Red Bull’s independent nature – they’re not tied to the
whims of a car manufacturer in the same way as other teams.
“Adrian leads the technical team fantastically well,” says Horner. “But we have
tremendous strength in depth. The environment that we have is perhaps a little
different to other teams – our sole purpose and focus is to go racing.”
Having two supremely talented drivers helps. Frighteningly, Horner believes
“the best is yet to come” from his double world champion Vettel, and he thinks
Mark Webber has put a difficult 2011 behind him, too. “They’re both hungry and
competitive,” he says. “Which is what we want in our two race drivers.”
If their standards ever slip, Webber and Vettel know that there is younger
talent ready to take the wheel. The team’s development programme brought
Vettel into the sport, and has allowed the likes of Sebastian Buemi to gain
valuable Grand Prix experience through association with Toro Rosso.
“That’s an investment in the future,” explains Horner. “Our objective is to
maintain and build on the success we’ve achieved in the past few years. Within
seven seasons, to have won four World Championships (two drivers’, two
constructors’) is a great track record. and we’re keen to build on that. The
main thing is continuity and stability – it’s hugely important.”
Horner’s talk of continuity hints at a desire to build something enduring – but
will Red Bull still be being talked of in the same breath as F1 giants Ferrari and
McLaren in five years? Ten years? Fifty years? “I think what we’ve achieved
already has put us up there with some of the greater names,” he says. “We’re still a
young team, but we’ve made quite a big impact in the time we’ve been in the sport.
Hopefully we can continue to do that, with a few more trophies in that cabinet.” >
“WE’RE ALWAYS PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES”
RACE CALENDAR
ALL TIMES GMT. BBC HAS LIVE
COVERAGE OF 10 RACES AND
EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF
OTHERS WILL AIR AT 5.30PM
FOR EUROPEAN RACES AND
2PM FOR EARLY-MORNING
RACES. SKY SPORTS WILL
HAVE FULL LIVE COVERAGE
OF ALL RACES ON SKY
SPORTS F1 CHANNEL 408
MARCH 18, 6AM
AUSTRALIAN GP, MELBOURNE,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
MARCH 25, 9AM
MALAYSIAN GP, SEPANG,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
APRIL 15, 8AM
CHINESE GP, SHANGHAI,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
APRIL 22, 1PM
BAHRAIN GP, SAKHIR,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
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Sky Go
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The Big F1 Preview
24 | March 16 2012 |
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LEWIS HAMILTONWhat do you make of the car?
“It looks the business. The suspension geometry, the
way the front wing is, the way the bodywork is – it all
feels like it’s gone the right way. I spent a lot of time with
the engineers making sure we got the best view from the
mirrors, so there shouldn’t be any vibration from them and
it should be a lot clearer this year.”
How are you feeling going into your sixth season in F1?
“I’m starting to feel a bit old! It feels like such a short period of time since I was
at my first Grand Prix, and to think that I’m in my sixth season... has it been as
good as I had hoped? The experience has been as good as I had hoped and
dreamed of, but the results have not been as good as I had planned and set for
myself. I’m very fortunate that I’m relatively young and I’ve still got quite a bit of
my career ahead of me.”
Are you in a better place than you were at the start of last year?
“Yeah, absolutely. Last season I probably trained too much and didn’t spend
enough time with family and friends, which is just as important as your training.
This year I spent a lot of time evaluating where I had been and where I want to
go, re-evaluating my goals and my desires and how I achieve those. It’s quite
important to have those written out and understand them. I’ve got a lot of clarity
in my mind, so I feel very fresh right now – plus I’m very fit!”
What’s your aim this season?
“I never want to get ahead of myself, but the goal is to win the drivers’
championship. I feel like I can do that, and I feel like we’ve got the car. I plan
to be 100 per cent for that first race and operating at the best level I’ve ever
performed at. That’s always the goal, every year – sometimes you don’t reach
that, but I’m on a good course now.”
You might, having perused the last few pages, be under the impression that
the drivers’ championship is a foregone conclusion. McLaren’s British pairing
of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button would dispute that assessment. And they
were full of confidence for the new season when Sport caught up with them...THE CHALLENGERS
JENSON BUTTONThoughts on the car?
“I think it’s a beautiful car. You’re going to see some quite
unusual looking cars this year, but we’ve gone for a different
route and kept the beauty – not on purpose though. It looks
the same as last year to a lot of people, but for someone
who has been driving F1 cars for a lot of years, it is
very different.”
Are there any areas you’ll be looking to improve on?
“Parking in the right pit stop boxes – that’s the one thing that stands out! If I
wasn’t leading the race, it wouldn’t have been so embarrassing. But we’re all
very confident in our ability as drivers. I’m pretty confident in my ability to work
with a group of people, the engineers and mechanics, and have confidence that
I can help move this team forward. I’ve got a good group of people around me
which also helps – managers, my PR man, my physio. You have to have a good
relationship with him – I see him more than my girlfriend.”
What are your predictions for the season?
“It’s always very difficult to know at this point who is going to be strong. If you
look at the past few seasons, you would say that the Red Bulls are going to be
competitive – we don’t know how competitive, but they will be at the front.
The same with Ferrari and possibly with Mercedes – from what I’ve heard, they
started very early with their 2012 car. They’ve done that once before, when I was
there, and it worked pretty well for us then. It’s gonna be competitive at the front;
I also think you’ll see a much closer pack because of the change in regulations in
terms of the blown diffuser, so I think we’ll see a much closer fight.” >
Vodafone UK is giving all its customers the chance to be at some of Britain’s best
events, including exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the McLaren Technology Centre.
It’s Vodafone’s way of saying thank you. Join in at vodafone.co.uk/vip
RACE CALENDAR
MAY 13, 1PM
SPANISH GP, CATALUNYA,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
MAY 27, 1PM
MONACO GP, MONTE CARLO,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
JUNE 10, 7PM
CANADIAN GP, MONTREAL,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
JUNE 24, 1PM
EUROPEAN GP, VALENCIA,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
JULY 8, 1PM
BRITISH GP, SILVERSTONE,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
The Big F1 preview
26 | March 16 2012 |
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RACE CALENDAR
THE GRID 24 drivers, 20 races, 12 teams and six world champions
will be on the grid waiting for the lights to turn green on
Sunday. Former drivers turned BBC pundits Eddie Jordan
and Jaime Alguersuari talk us through what to expect in
JULY 22, 1PM
GERMAN GP, HOCKENHEIM,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
JULY 29, 1PM
HUNGARY GP, BUDAPEST,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
SEPTEMBER 2, 1PM
BELGIAN GP, SPA,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
SEPTEMBER 9, 1PM
ITALIAN GP, MONZA,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
SEPTEMBER 23, 1PM
SINGAPORE GP, MARINA BAY,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
RED BULL EJ: “They're a class act. The car is
an evolution of what went on last year.
The team's very well run, good finances
– Christian Horner does a good job.
Adrian Newey has matured – he's in
a different class as an engineer and
Sebastian is taking all the benefit.
That's not going to change.”
Sebastian Vettel is F1's youngest
double champion, the title holder
and undoubted favourite. 81 starts,
21 wins, 36 podiums. 2011: 1st
Mark Webber struggled with new
tyres last year, but hoping to be closer
to his teammate in 2012. 176 starts,
7 wins, 30 podiums. 2011: 3rd
McLARENEJ: “They have two ex-champions.
The way Jenson goes about his racing,
his lifestyle, he is a completely
different player to Lewis, who was at
a crossroads in his adult life last year.
McLaren will be very strong – even if
the cars not quite there, these two
have the ability to make it good.”
Jenson Button was World Champ in
2009 and had a good year last season,
with Canada the highlight. 208 starts,
12 wins, 43 podiums. 2011: 2nd
Lewis Hamilton’s personal problems
and on-track tangles made last year
tricky for the 2008 champion. 90 starts,
17 wins, 42 podiums. 2011: 5th
FERRARIEJ: “The jury is out on Ferrari. It all
depends if the car is half decent – we
all need to see Ferrari winning races,
but it’ll be a hard tussle between three
or four teams. They’ve made it very
clear to Massa: either perform, or it’s
the end of the road.”
Fernando Alonso, the double champ,
faces another hard year. 177 starts,
27 wins, 73 podiums. 2011: 4th
Felipe Massa has underperformed
and has not looked the same since his
injury in 2009. 152 starts, 11 wins,
33 podiums. 2011: 6th
TORO ROSSOJA: “They have some new people
working for them. The car is probably a
little better than last year, but it’s hard
to know until the first race. It’s still
difficult for them to develop the car
quickly – I would say they’ll get 8th or
maybe 7th in the championship.”
Daniel Ricciardo gets his first
chance at a full season after driving
half of 2011 for Hispania.
11 starts. 2011: 27th
Jean-Éric Vergne is a promising
young Frenchman promoted from test
driver for his first taste of race action.
MERCEDESEJ: “Schumacher will be strong – he
has taken me by surprise by even
enquiring about the renewal of the
contract. The car is clearly better, and
Mercedes realise that having Michael
there adds a huge amount of credibility
and marketing ability.”
Nico Rosberg outperformed Schumi,
and could challenge for wins if the car is
good.108 starts, 5 podiums. 2011: 7th
Michael Schumacher, the seven-time
champ, hasn’t excelled on his return
– could bow out this year. 287 starts,
91 wins, 154 podiums. 2011: 7th
FORCE INDIAEJ: “I’m so excited about this team.
I think the car is quite good, and
there’s still some Jordan DNA in
there, too. They’ll be the team that
I’ll be having a little glance over my
shoulder to see what is happening
with their great young drivers.”
Paul di Resta is looking to build on
a brilliant debut season in F1.
19 starts, 8 top 10. 2011: 13th
Nico Hülkenburg returns to the grid
after a year as a test driver, but he
showed promise in his previous stint.
19 starts, 1 pole, 7 top 10.
WILLIAMSEJ: “I can’t believe, after all these
years, that Rubens Barichello is not in
an F1 car. There’s been a huge change
at Williams – the car looks reasonable,
but they’ve lost Patrick [Head, director
of engineering] and they’ve lost Sam
[Michael, technical director]. We need
to see how the new people will gel.”
Pastor Maldonado is not a
clergyman, but a former GP2 champ
entering his second F1 season.
19 starts, 1 top 10. 2011: 19th
Bruno Senna reunites the Senna
name with Williams – a poignant move
for Ayrton’s nephew.
26 starts, 1 top 10 finish.
SAUBERJA: “They could battle for 7th, maybe
6th in the constructor's. Two good
drivers – Perez could be able to score
more points in his second year, and
Kobayashi had a great first half of the
season. They have a good car and were
very consistent, especially with tyres.”
Kamui Kobayashi is well placed to kick
on after nine points finishes last year.
40 starts, 18 top 10. 2011: 12th
Sergio Perez battled for points
throughout his debut season and
should do so again.17 starts, 5 top 10.
2011: 16th
| 27
THE INSIDE TRACK ON
BERNIE ECCLESTONE
faber.co.uk
The bestselling biography of Formula One's controversial genius
out now in paperback and ebook fromOCTOBER 7, 7AM
JAPANESE GP, SUZUKA,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
OCTOBER 14, 7AM
KOREAN GP, YEONGAM,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
LOTUS F1 (Formerly Renault)
JA: “It's difficult to call – they need to
show that they've developed the car,
especially from what it was in the last
part of last year. They have two good
drivers – I don't think Kimi will have
forgotten what an F1 car is – and they
can manage to be in the top five again.”
Kimi Räikkõnen Returns after two
years rallying – does he still have
the hunger? 156 starts, 18 wins,
62 podiums.
Romain Grosjean Had a handful of
races in 2009, and now returns for a
chance at a full season. 7 starts.
CATERHAM (Formerly Team Lotus)
JA: “I think Caterham have done a good
job – they’ve demonstrated that they
could feel why and how they were slow
and have made the updates work. And
they’ve shown that they’re developing,
and that’s positive.”
Heikki Kovalainen is an experienced
driver unlikely to surprise – he hasn’t
scored a point since 2009. 89 starts,
1 win, 4 podiums. 2011: 22nd
Vitaly Petrov‘s podium in Australia last
year set the tone for a strong season.
38 starts, 1 podium. 2011: 10th
HRTJA: “Very difficult in terms of the
economic situation. It’s not just the
money, it’s the experience. They will be
very close to Marussia, but the thing will
be to finish races. They demonstrated
more than Virgin that they were able to,
so I’d rank them in 11th place.”
Narain Karthikeyan rejoined F1 for
half of last year with HRT, but struggled.
27 starts, 1 top 10 finish. 2011: 26th
Pedro de la Rosa Experienced
Spaniard returns to the grid after
testing for Sauber last season.
86 starts, 1 podium. 2011: 20th
MARUSSIA (Formerly Virgin)
JA: “To be a new F1 team is never easy.
In terms of development, logistics,
drivers – everything is complicated.
They’ve been developing the car with a
computer, which for me doesn’t make
much sense, but it’s a problem of cost.”
Timo Glock has stalled since leaving
Toyota, and doesn’t look set to change.
72 starts, 3 podiums. 2011: 25th
Charles Pic was mentored, ominously,
by Olivier Panis. Marussia’s new signing
came 4th in GP2 last year. >
The Big F1 preview
28 | March 16 2012 |
HOT AIR
The biggest change
for 2012 is the ban
on off-throttle blown
diffusers, which were
a big talking point
early last season.
They enabled the
cars to blow exhaust
gases through the
engine even when the
car was off-throttle,
boosting rear
downforce to improve cornering performance. Blown floors were banned for the
British Grand Prix before being reinstated for the remainder of last season, but
they're definitely off the menu this time around, which has led to a radical re-think
in car design as teams compensate for the loss of downforce through the corners.
Sky commentator Anthony Davidson thinks the drivers will be able to drive
much more traditionally. “They're not having to rev the engine under braking,
they're not having to trail the throttle through the corner,” he says. “They haven't
got the luxury of the blown floor on-throttle anymore, so you'll probably see the
cars a little bit slower in qualifying, when fuel is around the 10-kilo mark, but in
the race you won't see that much difference in lap times because they're not
having to carry excess fuel anymore to burn off-throttle.”
NOSE JOB
As curtains were lifted, lights undimmed or branded covers pulled off, there
were gasps of horror from assembled journalists and racing fans. The face of
F1 had been cruelly disfigured, with every team but McLaren unveiling an 'ugly'
stepped nose. It's not all about looks, of course, but don't try telling that to Sky's
disgusted analyst Ted Kravitz. “They're not going to win any championships for
beauty,” he says. “The front of the nose was lowered this year because of
worries about a side-impact crash. The noses were getting higher and higher
because the designers wanted it for aerodynamic reasons, but they were coming
to the stage where, if you spin and hit another driver, they might come over the
side of the cockpit and hit the other driver in the head.”
McLaren's deviation from the stepped norm is because this rule was initially
planned to come in last year, so they pre-empted it in their 2011 design, and
were able to maintain their sleek schnoz.
WHEEL TO WHEEL
Last year's Pirelli tyres were designed to bring a measure of unpredictability to
the sport, as they deteriorated quickly, bringing strategic pit stop decisions to
the fore. However, by the end of the year, teams had largely got to grips with the
new tyres, and learned to take care of them to maximise performance. The Italian
tyre manufacturer has shaken things up again with their 2012 compounds – the
four slick tyre compounds are softer than last year, with increased grip and better
performance. It will take teams and drivers a while to adjust their race strategies
and driving styles, which should create some uncertainty in the opening rounds.
NEW YEAR, NEW RULES
Sky F1 commentators David Croft and
Anthony Davidson will guide us around each
circuit before every race this year. Here
are their thoughts on the season's opener
in Melbourne...AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Sky Sports F1 HD – the only place to enjoy live coverage of each Grand Prix, including all
practice and qualifying sessions
RACE CALENDAR
OCTOBER 28, 9.30AM
INDIAN GP, NEW DELHI,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 4, 1PM
ABU DHABI GP, YAS MARINA,LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
NOVEMBER 18, 7PM
UNITED STATES GP, AUSTIN,LIVE ON SKY, BBC HIGHLIGHTS
NOVEMBER 25, 4PM
BRAZILIAN GP, INTERLAGOS, LIVE ON BBC AND SKY
LAPS 58CIRCUIT LENGTH 5.303KMRACE DISTANCE 307.574KMLAP RECORD 1:24.125 – M SCHUMACHER (2004)
2011 RESULT
1 SEBASTIAN VETTEL (RED BULL)2 LEWIS HAMILTON (McLAREN)3 VITALY PETROV (RENAULT)
SPORT’S PREDICTION
1 SEBASTIAN VETTEL (RED BULL)2 LEWIS HAMILTON (McLAREN)3 JENSON BUTTON (McLAREN)
ROUND 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX MARCH 18
START
SCHEDULE (GMT)
SATURDAY MARCH 17 QUALIFYING 6AM SUNDAY MARCH 18 RACE 6AM
DC (far left): “Australia's great because
it's the start of the season, but it's a
tricky race to get right for the teams
because the track will start off in one
condition, and it will end up in a totally
different condition because it's the only
time you go racing on it all year. There's
one short straight and for the rest
you're picking a line through curves and
bends. Not a huge amount of overtaking last year – DRS didn't work in Australia,
but it's been re-tweaked with two zones so hopefully we'll get a better race
this year.
AD: “It's one of those tracks that creates a lot of atmosphere for the fans and the
drivers. Technically the circuit doesn't look like much, but it is very technical. It is
a street circuit and that's easy to forget, and as soon as you mention that, you
know it's gonna be tough. The barriers, the gravel traps – they're all there to
catch you out, and you have to really dial yourself in as a driver around this track.”
DC: “What I love is that seasons are not won and lost at that first corner, but
every single driver hurtles into it like they are, and that's what you want.”
AD: “It's definitely one of the trickiest turn 1s that we see, and it's pretty much
guaranteed to create some kind of chaos at the start – you see bodywork flying
off cars and one or two spinning round. It's a treacherous corner, quite a fast
corner taken in third gear at 125mph – it's a fast apex and it's single file, so it
really is tough to get right. Turn 3 caught Karun Chandhok out first thing last
year – it's a good overtaking spot as well. Then you've got the faster section of
the track – turns 11 and 12 and that opens up your third potential overtaking
place into Ascari, the third gear right-hander at the end of that back straight.”
Amit Katwala @amitkatwala
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SATURDAY England v Ireland | Twickenham | 5pm BBC1
“ENGLAND WERE UNLUCKY. WE ARE ONLY ONE BAD COURTNEY LAWES CARRY AWAY FROM A GRAND SLAM”
| March 16 2012 | 31
Six Nations 2012
PRIDE RESTORED
An impressive win in Paris last
weekend made it three wins out
of four for Stuart Lancaster’s
England in the Six Nations. Ahead
of their final day showdown with
Ireland tomorrow, World Cup-
winning centre Will Greenwood
gives us his thoughts on the new
look England and why that victory
in France has seen a measure of...
SO FAR, SO GOODThree wins is great, but I think the most
important thing so far is that I’ve really
enjoyed the England games. I’ve enjoyed
watching them, seeing the work rate on the
field, their whole attitude. I think the man on
the street loves what they’re doing because
they get stuck in and have a go. They’re not
perfect, by any means, but people can
forgive that because the hunger, drive and
commitment keeps everyone a lot happier.
And, to be fair, England are one bad Courtney
Lawes carry away from a Grand Slam. Wales
won, but England were very unlucky. They shut
down Wales at Twickenham and forced them
to do things they didn’t want to do. They shut
down Scotland and defended for their lives,
and they were indifferent at times against
Italy, but had the strength of character to be
patient and not panic. Obviously their best
passage was the first 20-25 minutes against
France, but that was clearly helped by
France seemingly playing with a handicap.
I don’t know what’s going on with them.
Ask anyone who has played in Paris and they
will tell you the first 20 minutes is normally
an onslaught of noise and physicality. But they
just didn’t turn up for the first 20-30 minutes.
BIG DEFENCEI’ve been particularly impressed with the
physicality of this English defence, and the
hunger to make tackles. There are two main
ways to defend on a rugby pitch: the first is
the very well organised method, controlling
channels, shutting off options and squeezing
teams; the second is saying ‘right, fellas,
let’s go and make some big tackles’. England
are very much from the latter camp, which
has been drilled into Saracens by Paul
Gustard and then brought to the national
team by Andy Farrell. The basic idea is
rushing up in defence and making huge hits
to put the opposition under pressure while
accepting that you will leave an occasional gap.
ATTACK ON THE UPLancaster’s attacking attitude has come
under fire. I think it’s been a bit unfair
because any team takes time to adjust and
gel. They’ll be frustrated with the first two
games – although it would have taken the
Harlem Globetrotters to perform in that
weather in Italy – but Manu Tuilagi’s return to
the centres has really helped. Charlie Hodgson,
Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt know each
other well and played well together, but there
has been a lack of pace in the three quarters.
I know Tuilagi’s try came from a turnover, but
the fact was we had an outside break in the
three quarters. One member of your midfield
three has to have an outside break because it
keeps opposition defences guessing and
creates half gaps, and that balance is there
now that Tuilagi’s back. >
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32 | March 16 2012 |
Six Nations 2012
IRISH THREATIreland have a good track record against
England and have a great team, even without
two huge key men in Brian O’Driscoll and Paul
O’Connell. Their back row is exceptional and
Rory Best is an outstanding hooker, while I
love the two lads who have come in to the
forwards: Peter O’Mahony and Donnacha
Ryan. Eoin Reddan puts tempo on the ball,
Tommy Bowe is a try line sniffer, Kearney is
arguably the best full back in the tournament
in terms of an attacking threat, and I just
really rate Jonathan Sexton – he attacks
teams and plays with a real confidence.
If there’s a barometer for Ireland, though,
it’s Stephen Ferris. Wales removed him from
the game and went on to win, in the same
way that Ireland removed Thierry Dusautoir
from the first half in Paris and won the half
17-6. You’ve got to get Ferris and get him
out of the game. Don’t give him any soft
targets to smash backwards behind the gain
line, and when he carries, you just have to
chop him down. He gets those massive Ulster
quads going and Ireland get going forward.
The midfield looks really strong, but if you
put pressure on them and shut the door, they
aren’t going to create too much. Pressure
the midfield and stop Ferris – then you go a
long way to stopping this side.
GAMEPLAN V IRELANDI was never really one for gameplans, even
as a player. I understand you have to pick out
particular moves that might isolate a poor
defender or get into a defensive system that
has a weakness, but gameplans sometimes
can have an element of smoke and mirrors,
because they don’t tend to change. You have
to win your set pieces, though, and England
know they can’t afford to give too much ball
to Ireland. We’re getting better at restarts,
which is like the third set piece. The most
important thing to do at home is exactly what
England did against Wales, and what France
haven’t been doing: maintain their high levels
of physical intensity and take their chances.
The Twickenham fans just want to get up
off their seats, so that’s the gameplan right
there – make some big tackles, make a
couple of nice turnovers, kick a penalty
from the touchline and when you get the
ball – take them on. Get the crowd on your
side and the rest will follow.
PREDICTIONI have to believe England can win because I
come from an era when you didn’t lose at
home. I just feel that, out of two Six Nations
home games, you have to win one. The
adrenaline, the crowd and the wave of
emotion that’s going through English rugby
right now will surely help, so even though we
really need France to do us a favour in Wales,
I think we’ll beat Ireland. However, I thought
Scotland would beat England and they didn’t.
I thought England would beat Wales and they
didn’t. I thought England would lose by two to
France and they didn’t, so my calling results
has been terrible so far – maybe part of me
wants to say Ireland to win, just in case!
Mark Coughlan @coffers83
Will Greenwood and Austin Healey’s Super
Skills Travel gives children the chance to
receive coaching from rugby legends as
part of a luxury family holiday. For more
information, visit superskillstravel.com
“WHEN STEPHEN FERRIS CARRIES,
YOU HAVE TO CHOP HIM DOWN. STOP FERRIS AND YOU
GO A LONG WAY TO STOPPING THIS IRELAND SIDE”
If England lose to Ireland,
they’ll become the first
side in 28 years – since
Wales in the 1984 Five
Nations – to win all their
away games and lose
all their home games
in the championship
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WALES V FRANCE
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ITALY V SCOTLANDScotland aren’t likely to change their gameplan now. They’ve unearthed a few
quality kids and they’ll be playing running rugby, but they need to stop conceding
daft points. In fact, this is the battle of the daft conceding teams. That’s not rude,
but you win tight games – and so many games in the Six Nations are tight – by not
coughing up a daft seven-pointer. Both these sides have been doing that, and
they’re not good enough to give handicap starts to the better sides. The battle in
the back row will be enthralling – this is the battle of the unrecognised sevens
between Simone Favaro and Ross Rennie. Sergio Parisse has been quality, as
always, for the Italians, but it’s mainly thanks to the hard work of the two men
alongside him each week. Favaro in particular has been superb. As for Rennie, he’s
the unsung worker in the Scottish pack. We’re always talking about the quality
sevens in the other four sides in the tournament, but there’s a great battle going
on in Italy. These are two desperate sides – not desperate in terms of quality, but
desperate to get that win and not get the wooden spoon. Italy are at home, which
gives them an advantage, but Scotland have been more unlucky than the Italians
and have looked more threatening. Genuinely, you could toss a coin, because this
will be a belting game that will go to the wire. Da
vid
Ro
ge
rs/G
ett
y Im
ag
es
, Ju
lian
Fin
ne
y/G
ett
y Im
ag
es
, Stu
Fo
rste
r/G
ett
y Im
ag
es
Saturday Italy v Scotland Stadio Olimpico | 12.30pm
Saturday Wales v France Millennium Stadium | 2.45pm BBC1
France are the ultimate party poopers, so they will thrive on this kind of game.
They ruined Wales’ party at the World Cup, and that came mainly from their utter
dominance in the lineout and stealing some key balls, so Wales need to guard
against that happening again. Everyone will go with Wales, because France haven’t
been that good. But France surely won’t pick Dupuy and Beauxis at half backs
again, so they’ll have a bit more threat about them. On top of that, it’s inconceivable
that they’ll cough up another easy 14 or 17 points in the first 15 minutes, and they
always have Wesley Fofana. Wales have the Millennium Stadium factor and a superb
backline, so they’ll be looking to get on the front foot early on. Toby Faletau has
been superb all tournament, while Leigh Halfpenny has been kicking brilliantly and
is improving with every game. Wales need an early settler. If they get that, they
could be quite comfortable. If they don’t get that early on, it could be a very nervy
afternoon, and France will have a chance to win it – it will come down to whether
they take it or not. Wales have come from behind late on twice in this year’s
tournament, and they might well need to do it again here, because the French
will lead at times.
| 33
Greenwood on the other games...
Well, who would have thought it? After trialling
their cross-town rivals for most of the season,
Man United are back on their familiar top-of-the-
table perch as we reach the business end of
the season. But with 10 games to go, will they be able to hold
on for a 20th league title? Will Chelsea recover to claim that
Champions League place? Will Wigan finally get sucked down?
We asked the clever people at Smartodds to predict what the
final Premier League table will look like, and the outcomes of
some key games, and then used information to make our own
guess about what exactly will happen in the title race. You can
see where your team finishes at the end of the piece. But first,
here’s the story of how Sport thinks the season will unfold...
34 | March 16 2012 |
Premier League: the last 10 games
SPOILER ALERT
THE TITLE RACEThe story so far:Both sides started the season brightly, United
topping the table early on thanks to six wins and
two draws from their first eight games. City kept
pace with them though, and gained the lead after
the Reds failed to beat Liverpool. The following
game, they went to Old Trafford and handed out a
famous 6-1 drubbing to consolidate their position
at the top. It took until December for City to lose,
and they remain undefeated at home. United fell
further behind after back-to-back defeats to
Blackburn and Newcastle, but City’s loss to
Swansea last weekend allowed United back on
top by a point.
Wolves 0-4 MU
March 18, 1.30pm
MC 3-2 Chelsea
March 21, 7.45pm
United continue
their fine form
with a thrashing of
beleaguered Wolves to
stretch the gap to four
points, with City playing
in midweek. They edge a
frantic encounter at the
Etihad, giving Roberto Di
Matteo his first defeat
as caretaker boss of
Chelsea.
Stoke 1-1 MC
March 24, 5.30pm
MU 1-1 Fulham
March 26, 8pm
Both sides struggle to
break down stubborn
defences – City's failure
to beat Stoke means
United can move three
points clear if they beat
Fulham at Old Trafford,
but they're unable to do
so – relying on a late
equaliser to collect even
a point.
MC 3-1 Sunderland
March 31, 3pm
Blackburn 2-3 MU
April 2, 8pm
City look back to their
best with a comfortable
home win over
Sunderland, which takes
them back to the top of
the table for a couple of
days, while United race
into a comfortable lead
at half time in their game
in hand, but almost
throw it away in the
second half against
Blackburn.
MU 2-1 QPR
April 8, 1.30pm
Arsenal 2-2 MC
April 8, 4pm
United stretch their
unbeaten run to 12
league games, while
City come up against a
revitalised Arsenal at
the Emirates – motivated
by their push for Europe,
the Gunners fight hard in
front of their home
crowd for a share of the
spoils and the gap
between the title
contenders widens to
three points.
66
67
69
70 70
71
73
74 74
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The final outcome: Man Utd 90pts Man City 85pts
That win in the Manchester derby still won’t be
enough to prise the Premier League trophy from
Sir Alex’s clammy hands, as City falter under the
pressure. So it’s a 20th league title for the Red
Devils, by a five-point margin (predicted by
Smartodds) that would have seemed unthinkable
earlier in the year.
Smartodds’ title prediction: United 68% City 32%
Jo
hn
Pe
ters
/Ma
n U
td v
ia G
ett
y Im
ag
es
| 35
There’s just 10 games left in the Premier League season, and there’s everything to play for in the title race, European campaign and relegation battle. We look at the remaining fixtures and make some predictions, with a little help...
MC 2-1 WBA
April 11, 7.45pm
Wigan 0-2 MU
April 11, 7.45pm
Routine wins for
both sides against
relegation strugglers,
and the gap stands at
three points with five
games to go, and all
eyes are on the derby
match at the end
of April.
Norwich 1-1 MC
April 14, 12.45pm
MU 3-0 Aston Villa
April 15, 4pm
Again City drop points
away from home, Grant
Holt proving a thorn in
the side of their
defence, while United
romp to a comfortable
3-0 win against a poor
Villa team, Ashley Young
terrorising his old side.
MU 1-1 Everton
April 22, 12.30pm
Wolves 0-2 MC
April 22, 4pm
A ray of light for Roberto
Mancini, as United drop
points against a
stubborn Everton team.
Another defeat for
Wolves spells the end for
Terry Connor, and Mick
McCarthy is brought
back in on an emergency
contract. The gap is just
three points, so a derby
win for City will take
them level on points...
MU 1-0 Swansea
May 6, 2pm
Newcastle 1-0 Man City
May 6, 2pm
All City have to do is win
their final two games
and the title will be
theirs, but they don’t
count on Newcastle
suddenly rediscovering
their defensive form
from earlier in the
season. For 90 minutes,
they pour forward, but
are denied time and time
again by Tim Krul, and
Demba Ba sneaks in at
the other end to rob City.
Sunderland 1-2 Man Utd
May 13, 3pm
Man City 1-1 QPR
May 13, 3pm
United know that a win
will seal the title on the
last day, but they leave it
typically late, going a
goal down to Sunderland
before recovering in the
second half through a
Rooney brace. City drop
points at home for the
first time all season with
a draw against QPR, but
the United win means it
wouldn’t have mattered.
Key game: Man City v Man Utd
April 30, 8pm
Our rather un-scientific
predictions see City
falling behind their rivals
by this stage, but with the
chance to draw level. We
asked Smartodds to
predict the outcome
using their much more
scientific approach. They
give the advantage to City
in this tie, predicting a 45
per cent chance of a home
win, a 29 per cent chance
of a United win, and a 26
per cent chance of a draw.
Sport’s prediction:
Man City 3-1 Man Utd
Keen to avoid another
heavy loss, United send
out a defensive side but
City take an early lead.
A second before half time
is answered by a Wayne
Rooney strike, but Carlos
Tevez comes off the
bench for City to secure
all three points.
77
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78
C83
C81
84 C84 C84
87
C85
90
EUROPEWith the title now a two horse
race, there will be a lot of
focus on who is going to get
those coveted Champions
League places and who will be
stuck with those rather less
coveted Europa League spots.
SmartOdds predicts that
Spurs will comfortably secure
third place, but it will go right
to the wire for the fourth
Champions League spot, with
the game between Arsenal
and Chelsea on April 21
proving pivotal. Smartodds
predict an Arsenal win
(W/L/D%: 43/31/26) which
will help them secure
Champions League football for
the 16th successive season
on goal difference over the
Blues, who will have to face
the Europa League. Joining
them in the top six will be
Liverpool, whose game
against Newcastle on April
Fool’s Day could prove crucial
to edging out the Magpies.
SmartOdds predicts an away
win for Kenny and his team
(W/L/D%: 41/32/27), a result
that will mean Liverpool match
last season’s final position.
RELEGATIONFive managers are nervously
counting the remaining
fixtures and wondering where
they’re going to pick up
enough points to stay in the
division. Smartodds number-
crunchers are pretty sure
which three will be facing the
drop. They predict a Bolton
win over Blackburn on March
24 (W/L/D%:45/29/26), which
will be enough to lift them out
of the relegation zone come
the end of the season. Wigan,
meanwhile, will manage to
beat Wolves on the last day
(W/L/D%: 48/26/26), but it’s
too little too late and both
teams go down, with QPR.
As predicted by Smartodds. Smartodds is a
market-leading company providing statistical
research and football modelling services.
Visit www.smartodds.co.uk
36 | March 16 2012 |
Premier League: the last 10 games
final table1 Man United 90
2 Man City 85
3 Tottenham 71
4 Arsenal 68
5 Chelsea 68
6 Liverpool 60
7 Newcastle 57
8 Everton 53
9 Sunderland 50
10 Fulham 50
11 Stoke 49
12 West Bromwich 49
13 Swansea 48
14 Norwich 46
15 Aston Villa 44
16 Blackburn 35
17 Bolton 34
18 Wolverhampton 31
19 Queens Park Rangers 30
20 Wigan 29
Europa %
League Chance
Chelsea 43
Arsenal 26
Spurs 16
Liverpool 11
Newcastle 4
Going %
Down Chance
Wigan 87
QPR 83
Wolves 73
Bolton 32
Blackburn 24
Champions %
League Chance
Spurs 82
Arsenal 69
Chelsea 45
Liverpool 3
Newcastle 1
So there you have it – Man Utd will
win the title, by a surprisingly
large margin of five points. City's
form will falter in the high pressure
games late on, but they'll still be rewarded
with a return to the Champions League.
Spurs will hold on for third, despite a
dramatic collapse in form, and Arsenal's
revival will be enough to get them to Europe’s
top table on goal difference. Chelsea and
Liverpool, so desperate for that place, will
have to console themselves with places in the
Europa League. At the other end of the table,
it'll be a story of too little too late for two
clubs who made managerial changes – Terry
Connor and Mark Hughes unable to do enough
to keep Wolves and QPR up. Wigan,
meanwhile, who’ve relied on miracles to stay
in the league as long as they have, will finally
drop to the Championship. Now all that's left
is to sit back and watch it unfold...
Amit Katwala @amitkatwala
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38 | March 16 2012 |
Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
Run over three and a quarter miles of undulating Gloucestershire countryside, the Gold Cup is the race to which
the entire Cheltenham Festival builds. This year’s renewal looks like an absolute cracker, and it takes place today
Expert view with Paul Kealy of the Racing Post
The legendary Kauto Star will raise the roof if he
can land a third Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at
the age of 12, five years after winning his first
– and the bookmakers certainly give him a
major shot of doing so. Kauto, who made it
five King George VI Chase wins at Kempton in
December, is second favourite behind last
year’s winner Long Run, but has beaten that
one on both their starts this year.
The big worry is that, as he approaches
retirement, the best chaser of his generation is
beginning to look a little short of stamina for the
Gold Cup trip. Long Run arguably has the best
claims around Cheltenham, but though the pair
are well above the rest in terms of form, this
may not be a two-horse race – particularly
with Long Run’s jumping remaining a worry.
Synchronised proved himself a proper Grade
1 horse when slamming Ireland’s best in the
Lexus over Christmas, and all he needs is a bit
of cut in the ground to be a factor. But just as
interesting is Nicky Henderson’s supposed
second string, Burton Port (above, nearest),
who almost beat stablemate Long Run on his
return from more than a year off at Newbury
in February. Though receiving 10lbs that day,
he is entitled to improve for the outing, and is
the value each-way shout against the big two.
So, it’s finally here. Three days of scintillating racing from
Prestbury Park have been completed, leaving just seven
races of the 2012 Cheltenham Festival to be decided.
Of those seven, however, one stands head and shoulders
above the others: the Gold Cup, to determine which horse
is the best staying chaser in the country, and thus the
unofficial king of National Hunt racing.
And what a race we have. After all the rumours, doubts and
scares, the great Kauto Star has been cleared to take part in his
sixth (and probably final) Gold Cup by trainer Paul Nicholls. The
two-time winner is a story all in himself, and with that in mind we
have dedicated the third page in our big-race preview to a look back
at his own special relationship with this race.
Before that, though, we take a look at every horse lining up to take
its place in the 2012 renewal, with defending champion Long Run set
to start favourite under amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen. It’s a
fascinating race with any number of possible outcomes, and we’ve
nailed our colours to the mast over to the right. If you want a genuine
expert’s opinion, however, you could do much worse than read what
Racing Post betting editor Paul Kealy has to say first. Best of luck
with whatever you back, though – and enjoy the race.
GOLDEN DELICIOUS
| 39
In association with
Burton Port (Official rating 166)
Nominally trainer Nicky
Henderson’s second
string, but the eight-
year-old returned from
a 16-month layoff with
an encouraging second
behind stablemate Long
Run at Newbury last
month. Second in the
RSA Chase (finishing
ahead of Long Run) two
years ago, Burton Port
is a strong stayer who
could well put it up the
big two in the straight.
BetfredCheltenhamGold Cup: Runners and Riders
Captain Chris
(164)
Eight-year-old chaser
that won last year’s
Arkle Chase over two
miles and was third
behind Long Run and
Kauto Star in this year’s
King George. Jumped
violently right-handed on
this track last time out,
though, and at the time
of writing looked more
likely to run in the
Ryanair Chase on
Thursday.
Carruthers (151)
Hennessy Gold Cup
winner at Newbury in
November and finished
fourth in this race two
years ago, but managed
only ninth in the big one
12 months ago and was
pulled up in the Welsh
National last time out.
Not wanting for
enthusiasm, but a bit
short on class.
China Rock (152)
Irish challenger that
travelled well for a long
time in the 2011
renewal, then weakened
tamely before the home
turn and eventually
pulled up. Has only been
seen twice since, neither
time to much effect,
and cannot really be
considered a genuine
challenger.
Diamond
Harry (160)
Very talented nine-year-
old that looked like a
potential star when
holding off Burton Port
in the 2010 Hennessy,
but has never looked
entirely happy at
Cheltenham and is a
fragile sort that trainer
Nick Williams has
withdrawn late a couple
of times already this
season. Would take a
leap of faith to back him.
Knockara
Beau (147)
Likeable big chaser
that has shown a
penchant for flying up
the aforementioned
Cheltenham hill in the
past, but the nine-year-
old has never looked up
to this class and is set
to start at long odds for
a reason. One to be
discounted.
Kauto Star (183)
Two-time winner
needs no introduction,
but no horse older than
10 has won the Gold
Cup since 1969 – and
Kauto is 12. Has the
brilliant Ruby Walsh on
board, and looked
awesome in beating
Long Run twice this
term – but was a doubt
for this until Monday.
Questions remain as
to whether his old
legs can get up the
Cheltenham hill quite
as fast as they used to.
Long Run (182)
Reigning champ that
should be approaching
his peak as a seven-
year-old, but has been
done over twice by
Kauto Star this season
amid concerns about
his jumping – and not
everyone was impressed
with his win over Burton
Port at Newbury last
time. That’s open to
discussion, but he will
still start favourite –
and if his jumping holds
up he won’t be far away
up the run-in.
Midnight
Chase (163)
Ten-year-old that
absolutely loves
Cheltenham and hacked
up in the Argento Chase
(a recognised trial for
this race) last time out.
That form gives him an
each-way chance and he
may get his own way out
in front for a circuit, but
he managed only fifth in
this race last year and
will probably fill about
the same spot again.
Quel Esprit (160)
Pick of the Irish
challengers, and has to
be respected coming
from the ultra-strong
stable of Willie Mullins.
The eight-year-old has
come good with three
wins from three starts
this season after a
series of falls (including
at Cheltenham) in his
novice campaign, but
his rating of 160 leaves
him well short of the
big boys. Place chance
at best.
Synchronised (167)
Welsh National winner
in early 2011 that
belied his reputation
as a heavy-ground,
long-distance slogger
by winning the Grade 1
Lexus Chase in Ireland by
a street over Christmas.
Will have the benefit of
the legendary AP McCoy
in the saddle, but his
jumping isn’t the slickest
and this track might just
expose that.
The Midnight
Club (145)
Twice placed in two
previous visits to the
festival, so likes the
track, but The Midnight
Club is the lowest-rated
horse in the field and
is using this primarily
as a warm-up for next
month’s Grand National.
Expect to see us mention
him in much more
excitable terms then.
The Giant
Bolster (160)
Another prone to the
odd jumping howler,
but he hosed up in a
competitive handicap
at the track in
January and looks well
suited to his new
front-running tactics.
Lacks the class for
this, however, and
unlikely to be sighted
come the finish.
Time For
Rupert (153)
One of many horses
to run second behind
Big Buck’s over hurdles
at Cheltenham, much
was expected for his
switch to fences last
season – but, after an
encouraging start, things
have gone a bit awry.
Did beat The Giant
Bolster at Newbury in
December, but that ain’t
the form he needs to be
challenging for this.
Weird Al (164)
Has benefited from the
move to Grand National-
winning trainer Donald
McCain’s stable this
year, and wasn’t far
behind Kauto Star and
Long Run at Haydock in
November. Hasn’t been
seen then, but runs best
fresh and has been
aimed at this all season.
Each-way potential, even
though he was pulled up
in this last season.
What A Friend (165)
Part-owned by Sir Alex
Ferguson, so in theory
should look absolutely
terrible but still win
– and his fourth in this
last year, beaten only 11
lengths, gives him a good
shout. Looks a tricky ride
at times, however, and
hasn’t always convinced
with his jumping.
The VerdictThe heart says Kauto
Star and the head says
Long Run, but neither
look great value at the
likely prices, so we’re
tempted to take them on.
And, in a rare display of
accord with our expert
tipster, we’re going for
Burton Port to upset the
big boys – he’ll need to
improve on his comeback
run at Newbury, but the
vibes have been good
and he’ll run to the line.
An each-way steal.
Friday
3.20pm | Channel 4
and Racing UK
40 | March 16 2012 |
Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup
Mik
e H
ew
itt/
Ge
tty
Ima
ge
s
In association with
Ahead of what could well be the great Kauto Star’s final race in today’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, we take a nostalgic look
back at his five previous efforts in the festival’s showpiece race. A tale of ups and downs that brings a tear to the eye...
2007: A star is bornTwelve months after falling
when favourite for the two-mile
Champion Chase, the seven-year-old Kauto
Star returned as 5/4 favourite to atone in
the big race. A first victory in the three-mile
King George Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day
hadn’t quiet allayed fears over such a pacy
horse’s ability to see out the full three and a
quarter miles of the Gold Cup trip – but we
needn’t have worried. After sitting easily in
midfield for a circuit, jockey Ruby Walsh
pressed the button two out; and Kauto duly
accelerated away from the AP McCoy-ridden
Exotic Dancer in second. Job done, and Gold
Cup number one for both horse and jockey.
2008: The enemy withinKauto returned to defend his crown
on the back of a second King
George victory and bloodless win in the
Ascot Chase in February. Old foe Exotic
Dancer was back for another crack, but the
10/11 favourite’s main threat came from the
stable next door at trainer Paul Nicholls’
Somerset yard. The eight-year-old Denman,
known as The Tank for the relentless way he
had galloped rivals into the ground during an
FIVE STAR
unbeaten start to his chasing career, was a
well-fancied 9/4 shot on the day. And, on
ground a little softer than Kauto would have
liked, Denman was true to his reputation,
tanking to a seven-length win under Sam
Thomas. Kauto battled bravely on for second.
2009: History in the makingDespite winning a third King George
on his way to the festival, Kauto
arrived for the Gold Cup with one key stat
against him: namely, that no horse in history
had ever regained the Cheltenham crown.
As a horse, however, he didn’t know that; and,
with Denman not long back from a serious
heart problem, the bookies again sent him off
favourite at 7/4. It was a price Kauto made
look generous – on favoured quicker ground,
the nine-year-old cruised through to lead in
the straight and flew to a stunning 13-length
victory from the valiant Denman, with Exotic
Dancer back in third. History was made.
2010: A hero fallsA third Gold Cup meeting between
Kauto and Denman was sold as a
two-horse race, the rest nowhere, to decide
which Paul Nicholls star was the greatest.
Kauto had won a fourth King George in his
prep, Denman a magnificent second
Hennessy... nothing, it was thought, could
spoil the party. Again under Walsh, Kauto was
sent off the 8/11 favourite; but he made one
awful blunder on the first lap, and had just
started to struggle when taking a crashing
fall four from home. Missing his great rival,
Denman could only plug on for second as the
nine-year-old Imperial Commander romped in
by seven lengths. The end of an era?
2011: Proud in defeatA fifth Gold Cup appearance for
Kauto came in the wake of his first
defeat in the King George, where the
precocious six-year-old Long Run had burst
his bubble in devastating fashion. At the age
of 11, time seemed to be against the two-time
winner. He started third favourite behind Long
Run and Imperial Commander. But with the
latter in trouble some way out and the
former’s jumping unconvincing, Kauto turned
for home upsides his old mate Denman. The
two looked set for an emotional battle up the
straight, but the hill proved too much for both
as Long Run rallied to claim glory. Kauto,
beaten but unbowed, finished a tired third.
Of his 40 starts under
rules, Kauto Star has won
more than half. A barely
believable 16 of his 23
victories have been in
Grade 1 races, helping
him to career earnings
of almost £2.5m
Focus 2012 133 Days to go
42 | March 16 2012 |
THE VENUEBit of a no-brainer, this one. The Royal
Artillery Barracks on the edge of Woolwich
Common will host the Olympic shooting
events this summer, providing a suitably
military backdrop to the discipline.
While the Royal Artillery ended their use
of the historic barracks in 2007, it has been
designated one of the Ministry of Defence’s
‘core sites’ – and its famous facade will no
doubt be popping up repeatedly throughout
the sport’s television coverage.
Some of the actual trigger-pulling,
however, will be done inside the rather more
modern (for which read less aesthetically
attractive) temporary venues positioned a
safe distance from the barracks’ frontage.
White blocks studded with brightly coloured
circular, er, projections will house indoor
ranges for pistol and rifle shooting. There will
also be outdoor shotgun ranges for trap and
skeet events. Fortunately for residents of
the Woolwich area, the chances are that the
temporary structures will be transported to
Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
THE EVENTOlympic shooting events fall largely into three
types: pistol, rifle and shotgun disciplines,
with each one offering five medal events.
The rifle and pistol classes require shooters
to fire bullets at a 10-ring target from a set
distance (10m, 25m or 50m) and within
varying time frames. Pistol shooters must
hold and fire the gun with one hand and from
a standing position, whereas the rifle can be
fired from either a prone (lying on one’s
front), standing or kneeling position.
In all shotgun events (trap, double trap and
skeet), shooters stand in stations and fire at
clay targets, which are propelled at high
speed on the shooters’ signals. Whoever hits
the most targets takes home the gold (and
probably a job offer from MI6, too).
TEAM GB’S PROGRESSThree years ago, British Shooting was fairly
close to rock bottom. Stripped of £4.3m of
lottery funding after underperforming, all but
five of the 40-plus funded athletes were axed
and the performance director was made
redundant. Britain has, however, earned two
Olympic quota places in the double trap thanks
to Richard Faulds and Peter Wilson. The event is
GB’s strongest in shooting terms and brought
them a team gold medal at the European
Championships last year. ‘Britain’s Lara Croft’
Georgina Geikie also earned a place in the
women’s 25m pistol event by finishing 13th at
the same championships – not bad, considering
British Shooting cut her funding in 2010.
SHOOTING AT LONDON 2012
DATES July 28-August 6
CAPACITY 7,500
HOW TO GET THERE National Rail, DLR
JL
Die
hl;
Ma
gm
a A
rch
ite
ctu
re
Shooting
Peter Wilson
KEY EVENTS BEFORE
LONDON 2012
ISSF World Cup
Series (USA)
March 23-April 1
ISSF World Cup
Series & Olympic
Test Event (GBR)
April 17-29
GB hopeful
AGE IN 2012 25
MEDAL RECORD ISSF World Cup gold (double trap)
2011; European Championships team gold
(double trap) 2011
The farmer’s son turned to shooting after
suffering a serious shoulder injury that stopped
him playing cricket and squash. Having ended
2011 as the top double trap shooter in the
world, it’s a choice he’s not regretting
Britain hasn’t won a shooting medal since
the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but with
Wilson the current world number one in his
discipline, that could be about to change.
He went to Beijing as part of the ‘Ambition
2012’ programme to help aspiring athletes,
but lost both his form and his funding after
the Games. It was at that point that Wilson
joined forces with Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum,
a member of the Dubai ruling family who won
the UAE’s first Olympic medal with gold in the
double trap in Athens in 2004. Since then,
Wilson has worked his way to becoming
British number one, got his funding back and
reached the top of the world rankings. He
spends much of the winter months training in
Dubai with Al Maktoum and now says that,
instead of adopting the traditionally English
country way of shooting, “I shoot like an
Arab”. Which, evidently, is no bad thing.
Gold could be just a shot away if Britain’s sharp shooters
can repeat their European Championships performance
7 DaysMAR 16–MAR 22
HIGHLIGHTS
» FA Cup: Liverpool v Stoke » p46
» Premier League: Man City v Chelsea » p47
» LV= Cup Final: Leicester v Northampton » p48
» Boxing: Kell Brook v Matthew Hatton » p48
» Best of the Rest » p48OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD
44 | March 16 2012 |
Ad
am
Mo
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/Re
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Co
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Po
ol
As if targeting the prestigious Green Jersey
at this summer’s Tour de France and an
Olympic gold medal just weeks later weren’t
enough to be getting on with, Mark Cavendish
has also stated his desire to win the first big
one-day showdown of 2012: Milan-San Remo.
The Team Sky rider’s incredible victory
in the 2009 edition of the longest one-day
race on the UCI tour (298km) was the first
‘classic’ of his career, and he was in no doubt
as to its importance. “When you win sprints,
you prove that you’re a great sprinter,”
he said afterwards. “And when you win
SATURDAY CYCLING | MILAN-SAN REMO | ITALY | BRITISH EUROSPORT 1.15PM
Italian joba great one-day race, you’ve proved that you’re
a great rider.”
When Cavendish crossed the finish line a matter
of centimetres ahead of second-placed Heinrich
Haussler, he became just the second Brit to win in
San Remo, after Tom Simpson in 1964. It was a
success for which the Manxman owed his then teammates from
Columbia-Highroad a debt of gratitude, for it was they who marshalled
him through the tough climbs that brought an end to the challenge of a
certain Lance Armstrong.
This year, Cavendish will look for the same support from his Team
Sky colleagues – so it’s fortunate that four teammates from his 2009
triumph moved with him: Michael Barry (currently nursing a broken arm
and femur), Bernhard Eisel, Thomas Lovkvist and Edvald Boasson Hagen.
When Cavendish said after his win in 2009 that he wanted to return
and win it in the Rainbow Jersey of the world champion, some might
have dismissed it as presumptuous. Well, here he is in that very
jersey, so that’s half the job done. The other half just requires seven
or so hours of hard and fast riding.
The fastest Milan-San Remo over the usual
course, ridden in 1990 by Gianni Bugno. That’s
an average pace of 45.8km/h (28.45mph).
6h25mins06s
Giu
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FP
/Ge
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46 | March 16 2012 |
SUNDAY FA CUP: LIVERPOOL V STOKE | ANFIELD | ITV1 3.30PM
Kenny eyes more cup glory
7 Days
Off balance: Charlie Adam,
like the rest of his team, has
struggled for form of late
Hot on the heels of the Merseyside
derby, Liverpool will be hoping for
relief from their League travails in
the last eight of the FA Cup. Stoke
City will have to up their game from
last weekend’s defeat at Chelsea if
they’re to head home with anything
here – they failed to register a
single shot on target at Stamford
Bridge. This will be the fourth time
the sides have met this season,
with Liverpool winning a Carling
Cup fourth round tie last October.
But in the league, the Reds have
taken a solitary point from Tony
Pulis’ side this season, recording a
0-0 draw at home (naturally) and
going down 1-0 at the Britannia.
With one Wembley victory under his
belt, King Kenny has the taste for
cup glory – to miss out on that at
the hands of last year’s finalists
would not please the King one bit.
Mic
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FP
/Ge
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FP
/Ge
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esSATURDAY FA CUP: EVERTON V SUNDERLAND |
GOODISON PARK | ITV1 12.45PM
SATURDAY FA CUP: TOTTENHAM V BOLTON | WHITE HART LANE | ESPN 5.30PM
SUNDAY FA CUP: CHELSEA V LEICESTER CITY | STAMFORD BRIDGE | ESPN 2.05PM
Sandwiched in between a Merseyside derby and a
league tie against a resurgent Arsenal, Everton face
Sunderland on Saturday for a place in the FA
Cup semi finals. With Man City, Chelsea and Spurs all
having lost at Goodison park this year, and the Black
Cats arriving without suspended striker Stephane
Sessegnon, it could be a tough afternoon for Martin
O’Neill’s side, whose record against Everton is less
than encouraging. Sunderland have won none of
their past 14 games against the Toffees in all
competitions – that’s a run of three draws and 11
defeats. With a place at Wembley at stake, and fresh
from having condemned one Merseyside club to a
defeat last week, the time to stop the Toffee rot
has arrived.
Harry Redknapp will be relieved at the brief respite from
Spurs’ Premier League troubles. Three consecutive
league defeats have seen the gap between Spurs and
London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea close, throwing
their Champions League chase off track. In Bolton,
however, they face a team more focused on clawing
their way clear of relegation trouble than repeating
their disastrous FA Cup semi final trip to Wembley
of last year, where they were humiliated by Stoke.
Saturday’s tie could be an obstacle the Trotters
hardly need, having gained some momentum with
a win at QPR last weekend. Both managers will
insist that continuing in the cup can only be good
for their league ambitions – until one of them loses,
that is.
Facing the only non-Premier League team in the sixth
round, Chelsea carry a weight of expectation into
Sunday’s tie. Trouble is, it comes a matter of days
after they carried a heftier weight in the second leg
of their Champions league tie against Napoli. Their
opponents arrive at Stamford Bridge somewhat
deflated, having conceded six goals in two games
last week – results that cast a sizeable shadow over
Leicester’s promotion hopes. But, having turfed
Norwich City out of the cup to get here, Foxes boss
Nigel Pearson will feel there’s hope of pulling off a
shock win. For interim Chelsea boss Roberto Di
Matteo it’s a golden opportunity to lead the Blues to a
venue he knows quite well – Wembley – and prove he’s
the man Roman’s been looking for.
Man Utd 28 21 4 3 68 27 67
Man City 28 21 3 4 69 20 66
Tottenham 28 16 5 7 52 34 53
Arsenal 28 16 4 8 57 39 52
Chelsea 28 14 7 7 48 32 49
Newcastle 28 12 8 8 40 41 44
Liverpool 27 10 9 8 30 26 39
Sunderland 28 10 7 11 36 31 37
Everton 27 10 7 10 28 28 37
Fulham 28 9 9 10 37 37 36
Swansea 28 9 9 10 31 34 36
Norwich 28 9 9 10 39 45 36
Stoke 28 10 6 12 27 39 36
West Brom 28 10 5 13 34 37 35
Aston Villa 28 7 12 9 31 35 33
Blackburn 28 6 7 15 40 60 25
Bolton 28 7 2 19 31 57 23
QPR 28 5 7 16 29 48 22
Wolves 28 5 7 16 30 58 22
Wigan 28 4 9 15 24 53 21
P W D L F A Pts
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Around the grounds
Premier League table
GET IT ON DVD & BLU-RAY NOW
DVD
£8.99
Selected stores and availability. Also available online
Available at
sainsburys.co.uk/entertainment
FULHAM V SWANSEA
Craven Cottage, Saturday 3pm
WIGAN V WEST BROM
DW Stadium, Saturday 3pm
WOLVES V MANCHESTER UNITED
Molineux, Sunday 1.30pm (Sky Sports 1
1.30pm)
NEWCASTLE V NORWICH
Sports Direct Arena, Sunday 4pm (Sky
Sports 1)
ASTON VILLA V BOLTON
Villa Park, Tuesday 7.45pm
BLACKBURN V SUNDERLAND
Ewood Park, Tuesday 8pm
TOTTeNHAM V STOKE
White Hart Lane, Wednesday 7.45pm
EVERTON V ARSENAL
Goodison Park, Wednesday 8pm
QPR V LIVERPOOL
Loftus Road, Wednesday 8pm
WEDNESDAY PREMIER LEAGUE: MANCHESTER CITY V CHELSEA | ETIHAD STADIUM | SKY SPORTS 1 7.45PM
Manchester City put their unbeaten home record in the league on the line against
Chelsea on Wednesday evening, a full 10 days after suffering a potentially
damaging league defeat at Swansea.
You’ll have already read on page 34 which of the Manchester teams is going to
win the league. But shhhh – no one’s told Roberto Mancini yet, so City will be eager
to show they can’t be counted out just yet. A Gael Clichy sending off and an 82nd
minute Frank Lampard penalty gave Chelsea all three points when City visited the
Bridge in December, while the last time the Blues were at the Etihad the winning
goal was scored by Carlos Tevez. The Argentinian might do well to remind Mancini
of that fact – if he fancies a game, that is.
Hot in the City: Chelsea are
looking to turn up the heat in
the Blue half of Manchester
*Table correct at time of going to press, before Tuesday’s Merseyside derby
48 | March 16 2012 |
7 Days
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FRIDAY WINTER SPORTS Winter X
Games: men’s snowboard
slopestyle final,
Tignes, ESPN 9.30am
CRICKET West Indies v Australia: 1st ODI
Kingstown, Sky Sports 4 1.25pm
RUGBY LEAGUE Super League: Huddersfield v
Castleford, Galpharm Stadium, Sky Sports 1 8pm
SATURDAY RUGBY UNION Super Rugby:
Hurricanes v Highlanders, Westpac Stadium
Sky Sports 1 6.35am
FOOTBALL SPL: Dundee Utd v Rangers,
Tannadice, Sky Sports 1 12.45pm
RUGBY UNION Super Rugby; Sharks v Reds,
Kings Park Stadium, Sky Sports 1 3.05pm
RUGBY LEAGUE Super League: Bradford v St
Helens, Odsal Stadium, Sky Sports 2 5.15pm
BOXING World Middleweight Title:
Sergio Martinez v Matthew Macklin,
New York, Sky Sports 1 12am
SUNDAY
FOOTBALL SPL: Hearts v Hibernian
Tynecastle, ESPN 11.15am
TENNIS WTA BNP Paribas Open: Final
Indian Wells, British Eurosport 5.45pm
TENNIS ATP BNP Paribas Open: Final
Indian Wells, Sky Sports 2 8pm
CRICKET New Zealand v South Africa: 2nd Test
Day 5, Hamilton, Sky Sports 4 9.25pm
BASKETBALL NBA: Miami Heat v Orlando Magic,
American Airlines Arena, ESPN 11pm
BEST OF THE REST
SATURDAY LV= CUP FINAL | LEICESTER V NORTHAMPTON | SIXWAYS | 3PM SKY SPORTS 2
With the final day of the Six Nations done and dusted,
it’s time for the first piece of domestic silverware to be
handed out at Sixways on Sunday, and all eyes will be on
Leicester’s George Ford when they face East Midlands
rivals Northampton in the LV= Cup final.
Ford has had to bide his time behind Toby Flood in the
Tigers’ pecking order, but has been given a chance in
this year’s LV= Cup, and he’s grabbed it with both hands.
A strong runner and big defender, Ford’s main attribute
is his kicking talent, and his performance in last week’s
semi final victory over Bath was the sign of a great future
to come. With the ball seemingly on a string, Ford kicked
his Leicester side to victory, and the Saints will need to
get in his face early on Sunday to stop him getting into
his stride.
For Northampton, meanwhile, a relatively strong and
experienced lineup is expected in an attempt to gain some
silverware from an indifferent season. They have quality
at fly-half in Stephen Myler and Ryan Lamb, while George
Pisi is always dangerous in broken play. But it’s up front
where the Tigers have to be on their guard because of the
power of this Saints pack. Two outstanding back lines will
take to the field on Sunday, but expect this game to be won
in the nitty gritty of the forwards.
Ford focus
MONDAY
CYCLING Tour of Catalunya: Stage
1, British Eurosport 3pm
GOLF Tavistock Cup: Day 1,
Lake Nona Golf & Country Club,
Sky Sports 2 4pm
TUESDAY
FOOTBALL Championship:
West Ham v Middlesbrough, Upton Park,
Sky Sports (TBC) 7.45pm
WEDNESDAY
FOOTBALL La Liga:
Villarreal v Real Madrid,
El Madrigal, Sky Sports 3 9pm
THURSDAY
GOLF Arnold Palmer Invitational: Day 1
Bay Hill, Florida
Sky Sports 3 7pm
‘Magic’ Matthew Hatton tries to pull a rabbit out of the hat on Saturday night
by ruining the 26-fight unbeaten record
of Sheffield’s classy Kell Brook.
The Manchester welterweight doesn’t
have the buzzsaw brilliance of his older
brother Ricky, but he’s inherited the family
tenacity and has worked hard to improve
over recent years to the point where – in
his 50th fight (42 wins, five losses, two
draws) – he’s a respectable opponent for
the gifted Brook.
Kell, however, looks a level above. A fast,
powerful, razor-sharp switch-hitter,
rated in the top 10 in the division by most
rankings and eyeing a world title challenge
later this year. Hatton is solid, but then
‘Special K’ has the potential to live up to
his nickname. Chances are that he’ll eat
‘Magic’ Matt for breakfast this weekend.
Magic trick
SATURDAY BOXING | KELL BROOK V MATTHEW HATTON | SHEFFIELD ARENASKY SPORTS 1 9PM
Extra time Gadgets
50 | March 16 2012 |
Making the most of your time and money
The third coming
If you’re reading this on Friday morning
and you’re not already in a queue outside
the Apple store... well, you’re probably
not getting one today
iPad 3Feverishly awaited by millions
worldwide, the Sport app hit the
iTunes store back in November –
and now there’s an even better way
to enjoy it. The new iPad is available
today, although it‘s more of an upgrade
than a complete revolution. It boasts
an improved A5X processor, a 5.1
megapixel camera capable of shooting
1080p video, and better mobile
download speeds. There’s also an
improved Retina display with a million
more pixels than an HD TV, so you’ll be
able to enjoy your favourite magazine in
more detail than ever before. Other apps
are apparently available, although
we’re not really sure why you’d bother.
£399 | apple.com
P60
Jonah Hill goes to
the prom armed
in 21 Jump Street
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£49.99 upfront cost.
52 | March 16 2012 |
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Richard Freeman/richard-freeman.com
Extra time Sally Fitzgibbons
| 53
Saas Fee, Switzerland, and the Glacier Bike DownhillPretty much the same idea
as the Home Run, but this
time the racers are armed
with bicycles. The race kicks
off at 3,500m, with a
simultaneous start that
we guess means shinpads
would be a very good idea
(although the rules do state
‘no spikes’).
There’s a 5,000 Swiss
Franc prize to get the
racers really keen, which is
good; and this is the ninth
time the event has been run,
which presumably means no
one has died yet. Even better.
Saturday March 24, register
at saas-fee.ch
Chill Factore, Manchester, and the AvalancheFor some proper mayhem
on home turf, the indoor
snow slope Chill Factore
in Manchester has
masterminded a new way
of getting down their hill:
strap into a 4m-diameter
inflatable ball and roll down
at 30mph, with 4Gs of force
acting on you.
It’s the first time that
‘sphering’ has been done on
ice, and to deal with the lack
of space for a gentle run out
they’ve had to build a kind of
metal scoop to catch you,
which looks thrillingly
dangerous. Or startlingly
stupid... you decide.
Book now at chillfactore.com
Bamiyan, Afghanistan, and the Afghan Ski ChallengeA 7km backcountry
ski-touring race and the trip
of a lifetime. Skiing through
the beautiful 5,000m
mountains of dry and
untouched powder is just the
start. The real experience is
being part of a project
bringing the fun of a ski race
to an area downtrodden by
war and poverty.
The founders of this
unusual ski event were a
bunch of Swiss skiers who
taught 10 local Afghans to
ski. This will be the second
event, and international
entrants are welcomed.
Date for 2012 tbc, register at
afghanskichallenge.com
54 | March 16 2012 |
Truly off thebeaten slopeBored of skiing and snowboarding?
Here are some alternative pursuits
to keep you busy this spring
Åre, Sweden, and the Red Bull Home RunFancy dress, giant Swedes, everyone tanked up on taurine.
It’s all a big excuse for a monstrous après-ski party in the
Åre afternoon sunshine, but that sounds just fine to us.
Starting after the slopes empty for the evening, the Home
Run is an all-out race from top to bottom. Participants begin
with a run to their skis or snowboard, followed by a vertical
840m drop, as everyone barges their way to the bottom.
Last year 200 people took part, many in fancy dress.
Åre is a fun resort any time of the year, and the reindeer
burgers, bright wooden cabins and wide-open landscape
make a refreshing change from the Alps.
And if you’ve ever experienced Swedish après-ski, you’ll
know it’s pretty upbeat. Add this maverick way of getting
there into the mix, and you have one not to tell the grandkids.
Saturday April 8, register at redbull.se
THE ALTERNATIVES
Words by Hannah Engelkamp of MadDogSki.com. Sign up for the weekly newsletter at maddogski.com/newsletter
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Limited availability. Prices are one-way including taxes and charges, correct as of 01/03/12 but are subject to change at any time. Prices based on departing from London Gatwick to Pisa (Galileo Galilei) and Genoa for travel between 23/04/12 – 25/05/12. Two items of hand luggage means one piece of hand baggage plus a laptop, briefcase or handbag. For full terms and conditions go to ba.com/gatwick
Gatwick to ITALYone-way from
With our transparent prices, it really is easy.
// No admin fee with debit card payments// Two pieces of hand luggage// 23kg hold luggage allowance// Allocated seating
Visit ba.com/gatwickTo Fly. To Serve.
THE FIRST RESORT
Extra time Winter sports
UP TO 50% OFF OUR WINTER RANGESIN-STORE & ONLINE
END OF SEASON
NOW ON!SALESALE
www.snowandrock.com
Chertsey, Covent Garden, Croydon, Harrods, Hemel Hempstead, Holborn, Kensington, Monument, Romford
& MANY MORE TOP BRANDS
UP TO 50% OFF OUR WINTER RANGESIN-STORE & ONLINE
END OF SEASON
NOW ON!www.snowandrock.com
Extra time Kit
56 | March 16 2012 |
1 New Balance Compression+ Half TightDesigned to help prevent injuries – and speed up
recovery if you do pick any up – these compression
half tights (or shorts, as we mere mortals might call
them) even offer reflective transfer logos designed
for training in the dark. Avoiding getting hit by a car?
Yup – we’re sold!
£35 | newbalance.co.uk
2 Nike Pro Combat Training ShortsThe flat seam construction on these means
reduced chafing, while the Dri-FIT fabric helps
wick sweat away and keep you dry and comfortable.
That being said, we wouldn’t advise wearing them
without shorts over the top – they’re quite revealing.
£25 | nikestore.com
3 Canterbury Mercury Hybrid Compression Legging
Okay, you have to be a pretty serious athlete – or at
least a brave man – to wear these while competing,
but the compression on your muscles helps reduce
muscle fatigue and aids a quicker recovery. Plus,
they look a bit like what Spider-Man would wear if
he was working out.
£56 | shop.canterbury.com
4 Asics Leg Balance TightsAnother pair of leggings, and another pair loaded
with technology to help your muscles during exercise.
If anyone laughs at you, just remind them that Ryan
Giggs has worn tights, and he seems like a good
role model.
£50 | asics.co.uk
5 Mizuno Performance Mid Leg TightPerfect for the colder weather we get for
11 and a half months of the year here in Blighty, these
shorts maintain a constant cycle of heat generation
by absorbing your moisture and converting it into heat
(just don’t wet yourself and expect to stay toasty).
Long and short of it – they keep you warm when it’s cold.
£30 | mizuno.co.uk
6 Adidas Sequencials Short Tight“When your training demands more than just
tights,” reads adidas’ official website on the subject of
these shorts. Just out of interest, whose training ever
doesn’t require more than just tights? Hmm. Anyway,
these shorts are designed to improve your stability and
posture while reducing chafing – always a good thing.
£47 | 0870 240 4204
Protect your pinsBaselayer products lost the ‘only for
girls’ label long ago, and your legs will
definitely thank you for wearing this lot
1 2
3 4
5 6
1
7
8
3
4
5
6
2
In good conditionUsing a conditioner when washing your
hair isn’t an option, gents – it’s a must.
So choose one from this selection
1 REF. Volume Conditioner 335Swedish people have good hair,
so this daily effort from Swedish
brand REF is definitely one we trust.
£7.95 | hairthinking.co.uk
2 G Baldwin & Co Sage & Tea Tree Conditioner
The venerable folk at Baldwins
(est. 1844) offer up this
nutritional and natural mix
of sage and tea tree.
£5.15 | baldwins.co.uk
3 Natur Vital Active Hair Loss Conditioner
Baldies will like this one from Natur
Vital, which includes marshmallow
extract to ensure a lustrous shine.
£9.99 | naturvital.co.uk
4 Fudge Daily Mint ConditionerDo you want your thatch to give
off a zingy peppermint fragrance?
If so, this could be the answer.
£10.16 | escentual.com
5 label.m Peppermint Treatment
The peppermint in this
excellent label.m blend
stimulates the scalp
to increase blood
supply to your hair
follicles. Which is ace.
£11.50 | labelm.com
6 TommyGuns Blueberry, Ginseng & Honey Conditioner
Volume, fullness and thickness is
the aim with this nicely scented
conditioner from TommyGuns.
£5.50 | nivenandjoshua.com
7 Gielly Green Classic Conditioner
A light conditioner to give your hair
added gloss, while adding a subtle
scent of pamplemousse and cassis.
£16 | shop.giellygreen.com
8 head&shoulders Citrus Fresh Conditioner
Infused with citrus essences,
this one from haircare behemoth
head&shoulders is especially good
for those of you with an oily mop.
£2.79 | headandshoulders.co.uk
58 | March 16 2012 |
Extra time Grooming
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MANY ROADS LEADTO THE MEDAL,BUT ALL BEGIN WITHA GREAT START.
SIR CHRIS HOY, 4X OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST
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facebook.com/GilletteUK
NOTHING BEATS
A GREAT START.
Snowtown
Australian film about a charismatic serial killer
who ingratiates himself into a family and draws
them into his horrific world is as powerful as it
is unsettling. Based on real-life
murderer John Bunting, the
performance of Daniel Henshall is
outstanding: filled with everyday
charm yet otherworldly menace.
An uncomfortable watch, but an
engrossing one too. Out Monday.
21 Jump StreetExchanging Jonah ‘Superbad’ Hill for Johnny Depp may not seem
a fair swap on first glance, but this cop comedy makes it work.
The original 21 Jump Street was a 1980s TV series about officers
(including Depp) who posed as students to investigate high school
crime. Cut to now, and Hill and Channing Tatum are the geek/jock
duo chosen to revive the concept on the big screen. So far, so
buddy-cop cliche – but it’s hard to suppress your laughter as the
two nearly get expelled, take drugs and show off their policing
ineptitude. Throw in a few references to how silly the premise is (one
suspicious schoolkid tells Tatum: “A lot of things make me wonder
about you. Your taste in music. The fact you look like a f**king
40-year-old man”), and you have a surprisingly hilarious hit.
Twisted Metal (PS3)
The F1 season starts this weekend,
but for all the new car gizmos, are
we really likely to see a psycho
clown driving a hearse that fires
exploding coffins? Unless McLaren
have been keeping things really close to their chest,
it’s unlikely. To witness such mayhem, you’ll need to
check out the latest instalment of the best car-combat
series around. The new Twisted Metal delivers the
outrageous visuals you expect, but has a surprisingly
strong strategy element and a series of imaginatively
horrific bosses at the end of each stage. Add in the
multiplayer mode, and you have hours of twisted fun.
Spaceballs
The best Star Wars film
we’ve seen since 1983,
this Mel Brooks parody
is low on subtlety
(characters include
Dark Helmet and Pizza
the Hutt) – but the gags
come fast and thick.
If your idea of a funny
one-liner is “What’s
the matter, Colonel
Sandurz... chicken?”
invest in this on Monday.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Rachel Joyce
Glowing reviews greet
the arrival of this debut
novel, a tender comedy
about an old fellow who
goes out to post a letter
but decides to keep on
walking – and walking –
leaving his wife to
wonder just where he is.
One word, Harold: email.
Happy to You Miike Snow
Their regular job is churning out songs such as
Toxic for the likes of Britney Spears – but let off
the leash on their own project, Swedish band Miike
Snow are a joyous proposition. Their second album
has the buoyant pop beats you
expect (Paddling Out is instantly
catchy), but throws in curveballs
such as the appearance of
Lykke Li. A case of ‘do quit the
day job’ – because this is super.
60 | March 16 2012 |
MUSIC
Jump and twist
Psychotic clowns, Australian serial
killers and cops taking drugs in school.
Maybe you should stay in this week
FILM
GAME
DVD BLU-RAY BOOK
Extra time Entertainment
© 2
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Complete AuthentiCity
The most authentic street football game ever
created replicates the way the game is played by
players all over the world. Everything from the
environments to the gear to the music is true to
the sport and its culture.
Street Ball Control
Enjoy a superior fidelity of ball control and
responsiveness than anything ever experienced.
Street Ball Control replicates the touch,
creativity and flair players bring to the
streets. Take on the challenge of beating—and
embarrassing!—your opponent in one-on-one
battles, utilising new dribble styles, and an
arsenal of new skill moves.
Standing Dribble
Bait and beat opponents in one-on-one battles!
From a stationary position, manoeuvre the ball
backwards, forwards and side-to-side to lure an
opponent into making the first move, and then
launch a counter move by beating him with a
panna or trick move.
Street Dribble
An evolution on FIFA 12’s Precision Dribbling,
Street Dribble puts your players in position to
face opponents at any moment, lets you deftly
manoeuvre while keeping them on their heels, and
puts you in a more dangerous scoring position.
Utilise close dribble touches in tight spaces,
under pressure, and even while fending off an
opponent.
All-new Skill moves
Over 50 never-before-experienced skill moves to
beat your opponents and look good doing it.
Aerial Skills
Get the ball off the ground and make your move.
Show your flair by juggling, fool a defender with
a pass or shot, or pull off a skill move that leaves
them watching.
World tour
A connected, social game mode that enables
you to create yourself in game, build your own
team of street stars, and progress to become
the best street team in the world. Compete
in 16 different tournaments and complete 20
different challenges to progress from your
local level to national-level, then European and
ultimately world-stage tournaments. Earn over
100 different styles, tricks & celebrations to
grow your player to compete with more style
and flair. Plus, unlock over 225 items for your
squad, including team kits, street wear, boots,
environments and teams.
tournaments
Compete in 16 different tournaments. Play
connected, against teams created by other FIFA
Street gamers—all grown based on the gamers’
own style and preferences. Step up your game
by not just playing against other gamers’ teams–
but against other gamers, head-to-head online.
All tournaments feature social leaderboards to
compare against your friends.
Street Challenges
Complete 20 street challenges to get the chance
to bring other players onto your squad—including
real-world street footballers, or stars from
your favourite clubs. Play with or against 1-4
players with varying game rules including Panna
Rules (score by kicking the ball through your
opponent’s legs), Entertainment Points (win by
entertaining the crowds), and Last Man Standing
(score, lose a man and be the first to lose all your
guys). Each challenge has its own leaderboard
so you can compare your best score or time with
your friends.
own the Street
From parking lots and parks to gyms and rooftop
arenas, FIFA Street will feature cool and unique
environments, including iconic locales like Rio de
Janeiro, London, Amsterdam and New York.
Complete CustomiSation
Enjoy customisable matches to replicate the
unique ways the game is played around the world,
including the number of players, and match types.
Take on the challenge of performing trick moves
and panna’s in a game in Amsterdam, futsal-style
matches with no wall play in Spain, or a physical
5v5 contest in the UK.
FiFA Gameplay engine
FIFA Street utilizes the best features from
the critically-acclaimed FIFA gameplay engine,
including the Impact Engine, Precision Dribbling,
Personality+ and more.
licensed Content
Featuring stars of Manchester United, Barcelona,
Real Madrid and many of the top clubs in the
world. Play with Rooney, Kaka, and many of your
favourite players decked out in authentic kits,
training gear and street gear.
Street Stars
Introducing real street stars plucked from
streets all over the world. Play with and against
freestylers who compete in the real-world
tournaments.
eA SpoRtS Football Club
From the first nutmeg on, you will be contributing
to your EA SPORTS Football Club identity.
OUT TODAY
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