|
Post by Shireblogger on May 2, 2017 9:10:17 GMT 1
MARK SELBYWorld Snooker Champion for the 3rd time, having previously won in 2014 and 2016. This means Selby joins Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan on the list of players to retain their title in the Crucible era. Last night he recovered from 4-10 down, to win 18-15 against John Higgins. It was the biggest comeback in a final for over 20 years. It also reversed the 2007 final, when Higgins beat Selby 18-13. The 33 year-old "Jester from Leicester" has been world number one for a couple of years. He has 9 other tournament wins in addition to his world championships, and his career winnings are approaching £5 million.
|
|
Tom
Member
*Of Royal Blood*
Posts: 15,419
|
Post by Tom on Jun 11, 2017 11:10:15 GMT 1
Success at the French Open yesterday for Alfie Hewitt in the men's wheelchair singles. A remarkable achievement as he lost the first set 6-0! He also saved at least 2 match points in a second set tiebreak (though he did also squander a set point on his own serve in that tie break). Final result was 0-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-2.
|
|
|
Post by suedehead on Jun 11, 2017 13:00:21 GMT 1
I'm now looking forward to the write-up to celebrate England winning the World Cup.
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jun 11, 2017 14:28:28 GMT 1
ENGLAND U-20 FOOTBALL SQUAD11th June 2017 - World Cup WinnersHere is their route to the trophy:- UEFA U-19 European Championships Qualification preliminary round in November 2015:- Beat Macedonia 2-0 in Skopje, Macedonia Beat Finland 1-0 in Skopje Drew 0-0 with Italy in Skopje => won Group 5 UEFA U-19 European Championships Qualification Elite Group in March 2016:- Beat Georgia 2-1 in Cartaya, Spain Drew 1-1 with Greece in Lepe, Spain Beat Spain 2-0 in Lepe => won Group 1 to qualify for the UEFA U-19 European Championships UEFA U-19 European Championships Group Stage in July 2016 Beat France 2-1 in Heidenheim, Germany Beat Netherlands 2-1 in Ulm, Germany Beat Croatia 2-1 in Heidenheim => won Group 2 Lost 2-1 to Italy in Semi-Finals, but still qualified for U-20 World Cup Finals FIFA U-20 World Cup in May & June 2017 Beat Argentina 3-0 in Jeonju, South Korea Drew 1-1 with Guinea in Jeonju Beat South Korea 1-0 in Suwon, South Korea => won Group A Round of 16 Beat Costa Rica 2-1 in Jeonju Quarter-Finals Beat Mexico 1-0 in Cheonan, South Korea Semi-Finals Beat Italy 3-1 in Jeonju Final Beat Venezuela 1-0 in Suwon England Team in the Final1. Freddie Woodman {Newcastle} 2. Jonjoe Kenny {Everton} 5. Fikayo Tomori {Chelsea} 6. Jake Clarke-Salter {Chelsea} 14. Kyle Walker-Peters {Tottenham} 4. Lewis Cook (captain) {Bournemouth} 7. Josh Onomah {Tottenham} 18. Kiran Dowell {Everton} [sub: Sheyi Ojo {Liverpool}] 16. Dominic Calvert-Lewis {Everton} 10. Dominic Solanke {Chelsea} 11. Ademola Lookman {Everton} [sub: Ainsley Maitland-Niles {Arsenal}] Coach: Paul Simpson SUCCESS FACTORSOrganise a tournament which requires England to beat Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands and Argentina Don't play any fixtures in the UK Don't pick any players from Manchester United or Manchester City Fill the team with players with double-barrelled surnames Appoint a coach who has previously been sacked by Stockport County, Shrewsbury Town and Preston North End
|
|
|
Post by suedehead on Jun 11, 2017 15:20:06 GMT 1
With an increasing number of people getting double-barrelled surnames because their parents aren't married, that part could get steadily easier to achieve.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2017 17:41:09 GMT 1
Lets get excited when its the seniors who achieve. These age-restricted events mean nothing to the majority.
All we are good at is racing a pushbike and potting balls down pockets, lets actually progress at the sports that matter.
All those players names I don't even recognise.
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jun 11, 2017 22:39:45 GMT 1
All we are good at is racing a pushbike and potting balls down pockets, lets actually progress at the sports that matter. So you haven't bothered to read the rest of this thread then. All those players names I don't even recognise. Another good reason to pay attention to threads like this. I've never understood why people boast about their ignorance in public.
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jun 12, 2017 10:05:45 GMT 1
ALFIE HEWETTThe second remarkable feat of 2017 by a British wheelchair tennis player was achieved by Alfie Hewett, when he became the first British winner of a French Open singles title. He won 0-6, 7-6, 6-2, saving two match points en route. Given Hewett is just 19 years old, he has to be a great prospect for future Wimbledon wins and Paralympic medals. He already has a Wimbledon doubles title from 2016, alongside the aforementioned Gordon Reid. The same pair lost the French Open final soon after Hewett's singles win, to the Brazilian pair that had also deprived them of Rio Paralympic gold medals.
|
|
|
Post by o on Jun 12, 2017 12:29:50 GMT 1
It is a great achievement what they did, because it was over such a long period of time to qualify for each round, but drawing with Guinea How did they even get in it? What will be interesting is in 2-3 years time to see if any of these players are actually getting a game at their parent clubs, or if the continued influx of foreign players stifles their progression and they have to drop into the Championship?
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jun 12, 2017 13:59:37 GMT 1
What will be interesting is in 2-3 years time to see if any of these players are actually getting a game at their parent clubs, or if the continued influx of foreign players stifles their progression and they have to drop into the Championship? I agree. However, several of these players will already be very familiar to their home club's supporters. In the 2016/17 season, four of that Cup winning team played 8 games or more for a Premier Division team:- 16. Dominic Calvert-Lewis {Everton} - 11 games 7. Josh Onomah {Tottenham} - 10 games 4. Lewis Cook (captain) {Bournemouth} - 9 games 11. Ademola Lookman {Everton} - 8 games For perspective, England finished 3rd in the 1993 U-20 World Cup (which was won by Brazil). This is the team for the 3rd place play-off, together with notes on their subsequent career:- David Watson (GK) - 150+ appearances for Barnsley; now Southampton GK coach Steve Watson - 1 England "B" cap; 200+ appearances for Newcastle, 100+ for Everton; now asst mgr at Macclesfield David Unsworth - 1 England cap; 300+ appearances for Everton; now Everton U-23 coach Ian Pearce - 140+ appearance for West Ham Andy Myers - 80+ appearances for Chelsea; now a coach at Vitesse Arnhem Chris Bart-Williams - 1 England "B" cap; 200+ appearances for Nottm Forest, 100+ for Sheffield Wednesday Darren Caskey - 200+ appearances for Reading; now coaching at York; son plays for Charlton Jamie Pollock - 150+ appearances for Middlesbrough Alan Thompson - 1 England cap; 150+ appearances for Bolton, 150+ for Celtic; now asst mgr at Bury Julian Joachim - 140+ appearances for Aston Villa Anthony Hughes - just 23 appearances for Crewe before dropping into non-league football; a victim of the Crewe sex abuse scandal Substitutes:- Nicky Butt - 39 England caps; 250+ appearances for Manchester Utd; Champions League winners medal; part owner of Salford City Nick Barmby - 23 England caps; 100+ appearances for Everton; son plays for Portland Timbers Andy Johnson - 8 England caps; 100+ appearances for Crystal Palace Marvin Harriot - just 36 appearances for Bristol City before dropping into non-league football Adie Mike - less than 100 league appearances for 6 clubs (inc Manchester City) before dropping into non-league football Ian Selley - less than 100 league appearances for 4 clubs (inc Arsenal) before dropping into non-league football Simon Sheppard (GK) - less than 50 league appearances for 3 clubs (inc Watford) before dropping into non-league football So, we should expect to see most of yesterday's World Cup winning team playing in the Premier League in the next 10 years, but shouldn't expect many of them to become a regular full international.
|
|
Tom
Member
*Of Royal Blood*
Posts: 15,419
|
Post by Tom on Jun 14, 2017 21:31:40 GMT 1
ALFIE HEWETTThe second remarkable feat of 2017 by a British wheelchair tennis player was achieved by Alfie Hewett, when he became the first British winner of a French Open singles title. He won 0-6, 7-6, 6-2, saving two match points en route. Given Hewett is just 19 years old, he has to be a great prospect for future Wimbledon wins and Paralympic medals. He already has a Wimbledon doubles title from 2016, alongside the aforementioned Gordon Reid. The same pair lost the French Open final soon after Hewett's singles win, to the Brazilian pair that had also deprived them of Rio Paralympic gold medals. I thought they lost the doubles final to a French pair? (who were the top seeds). Didn't realise he's just 19! I would say he's got a big future, but then Jordanne Whiley was winning slam titles, and is now just an also-ran.
|
|
Tom
Member
*Of Royal Blood*
Posts: 15,419
|
Post by Tom on Jun 14, 2017 21:47:00 GMT 1
Assuming they're playing regularly I can see more of the world cup winning team playing for the senior team, not sure there's the same depth as there used to be 15-20 years ago.
Interesting that generally for the 1993 team there seems to be a big difference between the starting XI and the bench. I think Simon Sheppard played some games for Reading! And the sub keeper for the world cup winning team was Luke Southwood of Reading (who hasn't come close to the first team so far).
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jul 2, 2017 13:59:13 GMT 1
BIANCA WALKDEN2017 Taekwondo World Champion in the Heavyweight category in Muju, South Korea. Walkden became the first British fighter ever to retain a World Championship. She won a bronze in the Rio Olympics, and also has two European Championship golds to her name. Britain finished 5th in the medal table in Muju, behind South Korea, Turkey, Serbia & Russia. Britain's other medallists:- Silver: Mahama Cho (Heavyweight) Bronze: Jade Jones (Featherweight) Bronze: Bradly Sinden (Bantamweight) Bronze: Damon Sansum (Welterweight)
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jul 16, 2017 18:34:19 GMT 1
JAMIE MURRAY & HEATHER WATSONBritish tennis fans couldn't lose with this year's Wimbledon Mixed Doubles final. As it transpired, Jamie Murray won his fourth Grand Slam title, partnering 36 year-old Martina Hingis (Swiss). They beat the 2016 defending champions Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen (Finnish). An entertaining and smiley match finished 6-4 6-4.
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jul 16, 2017 21:29:49 GMT 1
FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALLISTSThe premier swimming and diving competition of 2017 will see British medals. I will update this as GB accumulates:- GOLD10m Platform: Tom Daley 100m Breaststroke: Adam Peaty 50m Breaststroke: Adam Peaty 50m Butterfly: Ben Proud 4x200m Freestyle Relay: Team GB - Stephen Milne, Nicholas Grainger, Duncan Scott, James Guy SILVER10m Platform Mixed Diving: Lois Toulson & Matty Lee 3m Mixed Diving: Grace Reid & Tom Daley BRONZE5km Open Swim: Timothy Shuttleworth 50m Freestyle: Ben Proud 100m Butterfly: James Guy
|
|
frag
Member
*Paranoid Android*
I have no idea what you're talking about, so here's a bunny with a pancake on its head.
Posts: 25,042
|
Post by frag on Jul 17, 2017 15:54:15 GMT 1
All those players names I don't even recognise. Another good reason to pay attention to threads like this. I've never understood why people boast about their ignorance in public. Or pay attention to football in general - I'd seen the likes of Lookman and Onomah from Match of the Day, and knew of many of the other players (mainly midfielders and attackers).
|
|
Tom
Member
*Of Royal Blood*
Posts: 15,419
|
Post by Tom on Jul 17, 2017 19:49:40 GMT 1
No mention of the wheelchair winners over the weekend?
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jul 17, 2017 22:16:49 GMT 1
No mention of the wheelchair winners over the weekend? Go ahead.
|
|
Tom
Member
*Of Royal Blood*
Posts: 15,419
|
Post by Tom on Jul 18, 2017 19:33:40 GMT 1
No mention of the wheelchair winners over the weekend? Go ahead. Oh, I thought you were aware as you've posted about the wheelchair successes in the past? In fact your posts made me realise I should get back into following wheelchair tennis again (though last year's Paralympics did rather pass me by in this respect).
Jordanne Whiley won women's doubles, and the all Brit pairing of Alfie Hewitt and Gordon Reid won the men's. Watched a good chunk of the men's before the rain delay and then after the women's singles final and watching a match live rather than just the odd clip on the main coverage later really makes you appreciate the skill involved. I would say it was a good match but Alfie and Gordon did try to throw it away at the end! From what I saw Alfie was the stand-out player (and this was also confirmed by the commentators), it's hard to believe he's only 19.
The womens wasn't so exciting, but then I only saw a set and a bit and her and her partner went on to win the final set 6-0 so maybe the standard improved. Incredible win for them against the 2nd seeds given that they lost the first set 6-2. I did wonder what had happened to Jordanne Whiley, she's not really done much since her dominance in the doubles in the past, but then discovered she was out for 8 months through injury since her last Wimbledon title.
Anyway, that should cover it, said a lot more than I was planning to say!
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Jul 23, 2017 11:05:38 GMT 1
ENGLAND WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAM3rd place in the 2017 World Cup, after beating Australia 10-9. The tournament, which was staged in Guildford, was won by the USA 10-5 against Canada. Scotland placed 5th, Wales were 7th, and Ireland 13th. Since the 4-yearly World Cup was first played in 1982, England has finished 2nd twice (1989 and 1993), 3rd 4 times, 4th twice, and 5th twice. Scotland's best finish was 3rd in 1986; and Wales peaked with 4th in 1997. The USA has 8 wins, and Australia were champions on the other two occasions. Haudenosaunee finished 12th at the 2017 World Cup. Haudenosaunee is the place where Lacrosse was invented in the 19th century, and its natives are often known as the Iroquois. It spans Canada and the USA, and the Mohawk and Seneca people are two of its six national tribes.
|
|