#in england it goes up by 38% when the national team lose

[monkeyfishgirl]

What an important day to remember that incidences of domestic abuse increase significantly during the World Cup; even when the abuser's team win.

[your-dietician]

Over 270,000 people sign petition for France vs Switzerland to be replayed

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Over 270,000 people sign petition for France vs Switzerland to be replayed

Switzerland’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer (R) saves a penalty by France’s forward Kylian Mbappe during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between France and Switzerland at the National Arena in Bucharest – GETTY IMAGES

Over 270,000 fans have signed a petition calling on Uefa to replay the Euro 2020 last-16 match between France and Switzerland because “the rules (of the game) were not respected” when Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved Kylian Mbappé’s decisive penalty.

Mbappé’s miss resulted in the world champions crashing out of the tournament in Bucharest after leading their eventual conquerors 3-1 at one point in the match.

But a petition was launched by a disgruntled French fan, Pierre, in the aftermath of the penalty shootout, demanding that Uefa replay the tie because Sommer’s feet were over the line as Mbappe struck the ball. Goalkeepers need to keep at least one foot on the goal-line when facing a penalty, otherwise the spot-kick can be retaken.

Neither the referee nor Var intervened on Sommer’s save but more than 270,000 people signed the petition – which has now been closed – despite several different angles showing that Sommer’s foot was on the line when Mbappé kicked the ball.

The hosts of the petition, leslignesbougent.org, wrote that “Uefa had been officially approached to gauge its position on the matter”, and that Pierre had informed the host site that he wished for the petition to be closed after the angles showing the legality of Sommer’s position came to light. “Our servers exploded,” the site added.

The original petition read: “During the penalty shootout of the France v Switzerland match, goalkeeper Sommer was not on his line ahead of Mbappé’s shot. We ask that Switzerland’s qualification is cancelled so that the match can be replayed.

“Sport must be played within the rules and that evening the rules were not respected.”

02:53 PM

Czech Republic v Denmark

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand says the team is looking to Christian Eriksen as an inspiration ahead of the match against the Czech Republic in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.

Story continues

Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening game of the tournament. Team-mates were left shaken after seeing him receive emergency medical treatment on the field.

Hjulmand says “we’ll play with that heart of Christian Eriksen once again.”

The winner will face either England or Ukraine in the semi-finals.

AP

02:49 PM

Masterful Jordan Pickford has joined an elite band valued more by his country than his club

Unlike at Everton, when Pickford wears an England shirt he looks like he is sure he belongs out there, the undisputed No 1.

Jamie Carragher’s latest column for Telegraph Sport.

Jordan Pickford celebrating England’s last-16 win – GETTY IMAGES

02:38 PM

The Battle of Rome

Paul Ince’s bloody headband, chaos in the stands – and Southgate’s dark side.

England’s last trip to the Italian capital, in 1997, was another game they could not contemplate losing. David Seaman looks back on that momentous night.

Paul Gascoigne (L) and a topless Paul Ince (R) – GETTY IMAGES

02:20 PM

England get to work…

… with the quarter-final against Ukraine just over 24 hours away.

Kalvin Phillips of England trains during the England Training Session at St George’s Park on July 02 – GETTY IMAGES

Mason Mount of England trains during the England Training Session at St George’s Park on July 02 – GETTY IMAGES

Tyrone Mings shifting some tin – GETTY IMAGES

01:56 PM

Boris Johnson says he has no plans to reduce Euro 2020 stadium crowds

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday he did not plan to order a reduction in crowds attending the remaining Euro 2020 matches due to take place at Wembley.

Crowd capacity at Wembley will be increased to more than 60,000 fans for the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 under a pilot scheme announced last week.

“Of course we’ll follow the scientific guidance and the advice if we receive any such suggestion,” Johnson said in response to a question at a news conference, alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said she was worried about Uefa’s decision to let more people into stadiums.

“But at the moment… the position is very clear in the UK, which is that we have certain events which we can put on in a very careful and controlled manner with testing of everybody who goes there.”

01:34 PM

England fans in Rome

The first pictures are beginning to filter back home…

Fans gather in Rome ahead of Ukraine v England – Rome, Italy – July 2, 2021 – REUTERS

12:20 PM

Germany’s Kroos announces retirement from international football

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from international football after his team’s exit from the European Championship, the 31-year-old said on Instagram.

The 2014 World Cup winner earned 106 caps for his country, contributing 17 goals and 19 assists.

Kroos said it was clear to him “for a long time” that he would not be available for the World Cup in Qatar next year.

He said his priority now would be to focus on his club career with Real Madrid and spending time with his family.

Reuters

12:16 PM

The eight defining games of Raheem Sterling’s England career

From scapegoat to star man, Sterling has been the object of anger and criticism but is now England’s most experienced player and one of Euro 2020’s pre-eminent players.

Here, Sam Wallace runs down the eight matches that have defined his international career to date.

England’s forward Raheem Sterling celebrates the first goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between England and Germany at Wembley – GETTY IMAGES

12:00 PM

Emma Hayes signs new Chelsea deal

A revealed by Telegraph Sport in May, Emma Hayes, who has starred as a pundit at Euro 2020, has signed a new deal to remain as manager of Chelsea, the Women’s Super League champions have announced.

The 44-year-old has been with the club since 2012 and guided them to four WSL titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups. Hayes’ side were also Champions League runners-up last season.

She said on Chelsea’s official website: “Everyone knows what this club means to me.

“The work we’ve done together over the last nine years has been hugely rewarding, full of growth of the women’s game, accompanied with winning, which is one of the club’s key values. I really look forward to keep building on the successes we’ve already achieved and I’m delighted to have extended further.

Emma Hayes the manager of Chelsea Women lifts the Barclays FA Women’s Super League trophy after the Barclays FA Women’s Super League match between Chelsea Women and Reading Women at Kingsmeadow on May 09, 2021 in Kingston upon Thame – GETTY IMAGES

“It’s been a year and a half without fans, so I can’t wait to welcome them back to our home and share with them the wonderful team we’ve built together.”

Having retained the WSL trophy and the League Cup in 2020-21, Chelsea fell short of adding the Champions League as they were beaten 4-0 by Barcelona in the final in Gothenburg.

That was a first appearance in the final for the Blues – who reached the semi-finals in 2018 and 2019 – and the first by an English club since Arsenal, who had Hayes as assistant manager at the time, won the competition in 2007.

11:24 AM

Some more Premier League news…

Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour has joined Norwich on a season-long loan deal.

The 20-year-old impressed for Scotland in a goalless draw against England at Euro 2020 on June 18, before then having to self-isolate after returning a positive Covid-19 test.

Following his performance at Wembley it was reported that several Premier League clubs were interested in signing Gilmour on a temporary basis.

Newly-promoted Norwich have won the race for his signature and Canaries boss Daniel Farke feels Gilmour is a “perfect fit” for his Canaries team.

“We are really happy to have brought Billy in,” said Farke, who saw midfielder Emiliano Buendia leave for Aston Villa for £33million last month.

“We must say a big thank you to Chelsea and all those involved for making this deal happen. I think it helped that in the past we have shown that young players with potential are in good hands here at Norwich City.

Billy Gilmour – GETTY IMAGES

“He will help us to achieve our targets. We still have to keep in mind that he is an unbelievably young guy and that he hasn’t played regularly on this level. We have to give him some time and space to improve and find his rhythm.”

Gilmour made 11 appearances for Chelsea last season, starting three Premier League matches.

The former Rangers youth player was an unused substitute in both the FA Cup and Champions League finals as Thomas Tuchel’s side lost the domestic showpiece to Leicester but beat Manchester City to become champions of Europe.

PA

11:10 AM

The England team Gareth Southgate should pick to defeat Ukraine

Telegraph football writers pick their XIs – and you can too, by clicking here.

We have asked our writers to pick who they would like to see face the Ukrainians, especially bearing in mind that four of the England squad are on yellow cards.

10:50 AM

How England can beat Ukraine and take another step to glory

What do we know about England’s opponents? What are their strengths and what are the areas to exploit? Who are the players to watch out for?

Telegraph Sport spoke to Ukranian football expert Andrew Todos and former Norther Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, who masterminded a win over Ukraine at Euro 2016.

You can read our big match dossier by clicking here.

Graphic depicting England and Ukraine’s star players

10:30 AM

England at full strength for Ukraine

Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad all trained on the eve of England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine.

The reward for Tuesday’s 2-0 last-16 win against Germany at Wembley is Saturday’s clash against Andriy Shevchenko’s side in Rome.

The Three Lions fly to Italy on Friday afternoon and the full squad trained at their St George’s Park base that morning.

Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell were among those in action, having left isolation on the day of the Germany match after coming into contact with Chelsea team-mate Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for Covid-19 after playing for Scotland against England.

Harry Maguire, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Phil Foden are a booking away from a suspension heading into the quarter-final.

Manchester United defender Maguire, who was named man of the match on Tuesday, is set to join manager Southgate at Friday evening’s press conference in Rome.

10:23 AM

Captain Kane reporting for England training

JULY 02: Harry Kane of England trains during the England Training Session at St George’s Park on July 02, 2021 in Burton upon Trent, – GETTY IMAGES

10:08 AM

In Premier League news…

From our reporter, Mike McGrath.

09:44 AM

Achilles

No, not the Trojan war hero, but the cat that lives in St Petersburg’s Hermitage museum. He chose Spain while attempting to predict the result of tonight’s quarter-final.

Probably no need to play tonight now – the cat’s called it…

Achilles the cat, that lives in St. Petersburg’s Hermitage museum, chooses Spain while attempting to predict the result of the UEFA Euro 2020 quarter final match between Switzerland and Spain during an event in Saint Petersburg, – REUTERS

Achilles the cat, that lives in St. Petersburg’s Hermitage museum, chooses Spain while attempting to predict the result of the UEFA Euro 2020 quarter final match between Switzerland and Spain during an event in Saint Petersburg, – REUTERS

Achilles the cat, that lives in St. Petersburg’s Hermitage museum, chooses Spain while attempting to predict the result of the UEFA Euro 2020 quarter final match between Switzerland and Spain during an event in Saint Petersburg, – REUTERS

09:23 AM

De Bruyne and Hazard

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez will give Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard until the last minute to prove their fitness ahead of tonight’s Euro 2020 quarter-final clash with Italy.

Manchester City star De Bruyne suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Portugal, during which Real Madrid’s Hazard also limped off with a muscle problem, and neither was able to train with the rest of the squad on Thursday morning.

However, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the game in Munich, Martinez said: “We all know that we are fighting against time, but we’re going to take until the last minute to make the decision.

“Every day that goes by, every time they can sleep and get three meals and get some treatment, we see an improvement, and then we’ll see [today] if they can be involved or not. Unfortunately at the moment, we cannot make a decision.

“Obviously it will be difficult for [today] – a soft tissue injury in Eden’s case, maybe is difficult for a game like tomorrow, and for Kevin, having a ligament problem maybe is a bit different.

“But it’s more a medical decision. At the moment, it’s not a football decision; [today]it will become a medical decision in the afternoon and then we’ll make a football decision after that.”

De Bruyne left the pitch looking dejected in Belgium’s win over Portugal – GETTY IMAGES

Martinez could do with having all his most potent weapons available for a clash with an Italian side which is unbeaten in 31 matches, while both teams are bidding to become the first to win 15 consecutive European Championship matches since the start of qualification.

PA

09:06 AM

In case you missed it…

Neil Diamond told The Telegraph yesterday how “thrilled” he was that England fans were singing his famous ‘Sweet Caroline’ song at Wembley.

“Well, I hope you can do it again – here’s to England”, he told The Telegraph.

The 1969 song has featured in every England victory celebration at Euro 2020 and was a high point of celebrations after the team beat Germany 2 – 0 in the round of 16.

After the match, striker Harry Kane and coach Gareth Southgate both told the media how much they enjoyed hearing fans belt out the song in unison.

08:52 AM

Tournament odds

The bookies have England now as Euro 2020 favourites – even at 2/1 in some outlets.

Then come Spain (3/1) followed by Italy (4/1), with Ukraine the outside shot with bookmakers at 33/1.

08:41 AM

Magic Monday

A look-back at the day that proved internationals reach parts that the club game cannot.

As if Spain 5 Croatia 3 wasn’t enough, Switzerland and France also served up a classic on Monday night. What made it so memorable?

Read Thom Gibbs’ excellent breakdown here.

08:30 AM

RIP Charlie

08:16 AM

Predictions for this evening

Let us know in the comments below!

I’m going Spain and Italy to progress… just.

08:14 AM

Alvaro Morata

As Sam Dean writes, Alvaro Morata has scored 21 goals in 44 appearances for his country. He has won 14 major trophies in club football. He has played for four of the biggest clubs in the world and he has been transferred between them for a combined total of more than £170 million. If he finds the net against Switzerland on Friday, he will become the highest scorer in Spain’s European Championship history. Everything about his CV, and his list of accomplishments by the age of 28, suggests that Morata must be one of the continent’s elite forwards. And yet, for many people, the former Chelsea striker still seems to be regarded more as a punchline than as a top-level predator.

Read about how Morata has emerged from the darkness in a bright, dangerous Spain side.

Spain’s Alvaro Morata celebrates after scoring his side’s fourth goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between Croatia and Spain at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen – POOL GETTY

07:59 AM

Can Switzerland do it again?

A reminder of how the Swiss got there in the first place.

They knocked out the world champions, France, on penalties, after fighting back from 3-1 down.

Refresh yourself on events in Bucharest by clicking here.

Kylian Mbappe missed the crucial penalty for France – GETTY IMAGES

07:35 AM

The Swiss are back!

Remember this bloke?

Swiss fan reacts to their victory over France

Topless and fully clothed, desperate and ecstatic: a Swiss football supporter has become a viral sensation after cameras zoomed in on his rollercoaster emotions watching his team beat France in the Euro 2020 tournament.

Found by Swiss media after images of him yelling and grimacing during Monday’s match went round the world, Luca Loutenbach has already amended his Twitter account to describe himself as the “Nati’s official meme since 28.06.2021.”

The Nati is the nickname for Switzerland’s national football team.

Loutenbach, 28, told Switzerland’s Blick TV that he was “just a normal fan”.

But those filming the game thought otherwise, zooming in on him several times during the play as he perfectly encapsulated Swiss fans’ ecstasy, dejection and frenzied joy – starting off wearing the Swiss red shirt and ending up topless and screaming.

The images quickly went viral, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeting one with the comment “man of the match”.

“A star is born,” Swiss public television RTS said.

“Thanks for all your messages, what is happening to me is unreal,” he wrote Wednesday on Twitter.

“I’m actually quite discreet, even if that wasn’t on show during the game. So this is fun for one or two days, but I hope it will ease off a bit after a while,” he told Swiss TV.

Such is his fame that Switzerland’s airline Swiss has gifted him a free ticket to Russia to see his team play Spain in the quarter finals on Friday in Saint Petersburg.

The country’s tourism agency has also contacted him via Twitter to offer a relaxing weekend away in Switzerland.

07:18 AM

Good morning!

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of the build-up to quarter-finals day, with the first two last-eight games kicking off tonight. Switzerland face Spain in St Petersburg at 5pm before Belgium take on Italy in Munich at 8pm.

England midfielder Jack Grealish said captain Harry Kane is the best player he has ever played with and tipped the Tottenham Hotspur forward to break the Premier League scoring record.

Kane drew a blank in each of England’s three group games at Euro 2020 but scored the second goal in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Germany which put them into a quarter-final clash with Ukraine in Rome on Saturday.

Grealish said Kane, or “H”, was a deadly finisher but also praised his work outside the box.

“No one here would ever doubt ‘H’,” Grealish told British media on Thursday. “He’s the best player I’ve ever played with.

“He’ll break the Premier League record and the England one but he’s not just a goalscorer. He’s unbelievable when he drops deep and finds passes and puts it through people’s legs.”

Alan Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 260. Kane is seventh on the list with 166.

Grealish came off the bench to play a role in both goals in the win over Germany but the 25-year-old said he was uncertain if he would start against Ukraine, given the attacking options at coach Gareth Southgate’s disposal.

“It’s difficult. I’m always playing every minute at Villa. I have to be realistic about myself and the talent that we have, especially in my position,” he said.

“You’ve got six players that play either side of Harry that, in reality, could play for most clubs in the world — myself, Jadon (Sancho), Marcus (Rashford), Raheem (Sterling), Phil (Foden) and Bukayo (Saka),” he said.

“That’s scary how good us six are. That’s not being big-headed. That’s just the truth.”

Reuters

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[tkmedia]

England's run down to Southgate, players breaking away from the past

12:10 PM ETAfter nearly a quarter-century living in England and covering the national team for much of that time, I can tell you that this run to the semifinal feels different. (In a good way, I hasten to add, though obviously that does not mean they will win Euro 2020 because, history shows, they usually do not end up with a trophy.)Make no mistake about it, some things are the same. Few countries, at least among the "bigger" nations," have the ability to go from ecstasy to dejection based on a single result, for example.Win and you will hear pundits and fans -- at least those who make the most noise -- talk about how, deep down, England can beat anyone and how everyone with Three Lions on their shirt is "world class" or, as they like to say, "thereabouts." Lose and they are inept no-hopers at best, a spoiled, ungrateful bunch of disinterested stains on the national character at worse.This is not to say media and supporters in other countries do not get carried away when they excel, or turn into angry villagers with pitchforks and torches when they underperform. They certainly do; it is just that there is not normally the 180-degree turnaround from game to game.But while that part has not changed about England, what has is a lot to do with the man leading the team, Gareth Southgate, and a little to do with the sort of players who comprise his squad. Here are five ways in which this side is different.- Euro 2020 on ESPN: Stream LIVE games, replays (U.S.) - European Soccer Pick 'Em: Compete to win $10,000 - Euro 2020 bracket and fixture schedule

1. Southgate is likeable and humble and normal

England's manager is probably more relatable than any of his seven permanent predecessors. Let's remind ourselves that the list includes a guy who lost his job after saying he believed in reincarnation and that the disabled were being punished for sins in a former life (Glenn Hoddle), a guy who quit out of the blue in a post-game interview at Wembley (Kevin Keegan), a guy who had an affair with an Football Association employee and who was duped by a man dressed as a wealthy Sheikh (Sven Goran Eriksson), a guy who quit because the FA forced him to strip his captain of the armband (Fabio Capello) and a guy who had to leave after a single game because of an undercover sting that saw him talk about "by-passing rules" to register players (Sam Allardyce).Now, there is context and another side to all of the above and none of it means the aforementioned were worse managers than Southgate; in fact, from a purely footballing perspective, most were arguably better. But it does mean that the current England boss has managed to avoid controversy and drama to a degree that others did not. Moreover, he has done it while being humble and earnest, traits that folks find appealing.

2. Southgate is not unduly influenced by the media

Whether it is playing Kieran Trippier at left-back (and not playing Ben Chilwell at all), sticking with Kalvin Phillips in midfield, making Raheem Sterling a fixture or starting Bukayo Saka against Germany, Southgate has made a series of decisions that most might describe as well outside popular wisdom. The same popular wisdom, that is, which compelled previous managers to shoehorn Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and, occasionally, Paul Scholes into the same midfield.Nor does Southgate freak out when performances leave critics unsatisfied, like the 0-0 draw against Scotland or the second half against Czech Republic in the group stage, the latter of which saw England contrive to register 0.0 Expected Goals (which is frankly difficult to do).He has a plan, he sticks to it and he knows that, while short-term he might be judged by how well his teams play (and therefore risk a media battering), long-term he will be judged by how far they advance in tournaments (and, so far, so good).Southgate gets a basic concept that others seem to miss: Club football -- with its 38-game league season -- generally rewards teams that attack and play well, creating more than they concede. Tournament football, on the other hand, is a different animal, where risk-taking is discouraged.France won at the last World Cup by essentially sitting deep, not conceding and waiting for superstars at the other end to do something special. England have not quite gone that far -- and may not, given Philips is no Paul Pogba, Declan Rice is no N'Golo Kante, Sterling is no Antoine Griezmann and there is not a Kylian Mbappe in sight -- but the concept is not dissimilar.Gareth Southgate's approach has resulted in a squad that is at ease in tournament situations. Getty Images

3. England's players look like they want to be there

After most tournament disappointments in past years, the English media would run their inquests about what went wrong. This would be a familiar process. The coach's decisions would be criticised (always) and, usually, there would be a grand theory, sometimes involving an individual scapegoat, like David Beckham in 1998 or David Seaman in 2002 or Wayne Rooney most of the time, and sometimes noting a collective dereliction of duty.Inevitably, another of the sub-themes to come up was whether these players really wanted to wear the Three Lions and whether there were internecine rivalries that ripped the group apart. Eriksson famously remarked how players would eat and hang out with their club teammates, other managers have talked about how players felt "less protected" with England than at club level and others still noted how players felt it was a "chore," given the environment around the national team.And when things went awry, there was, punctual as ever, a story making its way into the national media. Maybe, if England get beaten by Denmark on Wednesday (3 p.m. ET, LIVE on ESPN), the cycle will be repeated.I don't think so, though, because there were none after the World Cup semifinal defeat to Croatia in 2018 and every indication is that, unlike past expeditions, there is no poison in this England camp. Credit for that goes not just to Southgate, but also to this group of players.

4. This group has the right blend of leaders and foot soldiers

2 RelatedThere is no question that, in terms of strength in depth, particularly in attacking positions, this England is as strong as any non-French speaking team in Europe. But there is also humility to the players Southgate has entrusted most over the past few weeks. There are very few alpha male, eyes-on-me, superstar types among the regulars, compared to yesteryear.Rice, Phillips and Jordan Pickford watch the Champions League on TV. The three Man City players are important to their club side without being indispensable, partly because of Pep Guardiola's strong collective ethos, partly because of the talent around them. Mason Mount is not an A-lister yet. Luke Shaw plays for Man United, but has had his share of setbacks. Harry Maguire is a natural leader, but was at Hull City until the age of 24.The one exception is Harry Kane, who has been carrying Tottenham on his back for many years, but in terms of ego and personality, he will not be mistaken for Zlatan Ibrahimovic any time soon. It is a blue-collar team for a blue-collar style of play, with plenty of talent and game-changers rotating in and out from the bench, whether it's Jadon Sancho or Phil Foden or Jack Grealish or Saka. This is not a side built around two or three individuals -- arguably, Kane apart, though even then you saw him go for long stretches with no service and he did not complain -- and that makes it different.

5. Success breeds success and confidence

This also feels different for the simple reason that many of the players know what national-team success looks like. England have reached the semifinals of major tournaments just six times, with Southgate and much of this this squad having done it twice, just like Sir Alf Ramsey and Co. in 1966 and 1968.England had gone more than 20 years without reaching the last four of a competition, before Southgate took them there in Russia. It does not mean the pressure is off, but it is not insignificant, because once a cycle begins, it is hard to slow down.Once you have experience actually achieving something meaningful, it becomes easier to do it again. This England team does not play with swagger, but the players do seem to have a quiet confidence. And that can be even more important.Southgate's England have managed to break the feedback loop of drama and disappointment. Not by necessarily playing better football or by having better players -- at least in terms of the ones who actually make it on to the pitch -- but in the way they carry themselves and the way the environment in the camp projects beyond them.It may not be entirely down to the manager. It may be the players. It may be the fans and the media who, after 18 months of pandemic, are just a little more chilled out and happy and wanting to highlight the positives.It also may or may not be enough to win the Euros, but it is a darn sight different from the past. Read the full article

[thisdaynews]

Six Nations: Team-by-team guide, key players, title odds

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/six-nations-team-by-team-guide-key-players-title-odds/

Six Nations: Team-by-team guide, key players, title odds

Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, Alun Wyn Jones and Stuart Hogg, captains of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland respectively, are all multiple British and Irish Lions tourists

Guinness Six Nations 2020 Dates:1 February-14 March Coverage:Watch live coverage on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, Connected TVs and online; listen to match commentaries, shows and podcasts on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and BBC Sounds; follow text coverage on the BBC Sport website and mobile app; further coverage available in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Full coverage details.

Four new head coaches, a raft of uncapped up-and-comers and a rivalry that stretches back more than 135 years.

The history, drama, thrills and spills of the Six Nations return this weekend to start the latest chapter in the world’s oldest international rugby tournament.

In the wake of the Rugby World Cup, there are plenty of new characters, on the pitch and on the touchlines, to spice up the storylines.

Here is what you need to know about the 2020 tournament.

Wales

Pivac won the Pro12 title with Scarlets in 2017

Thanks to the call of the British and Irish Lions, there have been a couple of caretakers, but it is 13 years since someone other than Warren Gatland was Wales head coach as they went into a Six Nations campaign,

Wayne Pivac has the intimidating task of following a man who delivered three Grand Slams, the latest lifted 12 months ago.

The New Zealander could have done without an injury that rules out centre Jonathan Davies, the ‘captain’ of the claustrophobically tight defence that characterised Gatland’s reign.

North to start at centre against Italy

Wayne Pivac by the players and coaches who know him

Hadleigh Parkes column: Fatherhood, Pivac and Six Nations hopes

Shaun Edwards, who masterminded that part of the game from the touchline, is also absent, having taken his inside knowledge to Six Nations rivals France.

But there are some welcome faces back on the scene. Scrum-half Rhys Webb is available after bringing a hasty end to his Toulon stint, while Taulupe Faletau, arguably the tournament’s best number eight on top form, is hoping he is at the end of a two-year run of injuries.

Neither were part of a World Cup campaign that promised much but couldn’t break new ground. Wales were squeezed out in the semi-finals by eventual champions South Africa, matching their best run at the tournament back in 2011.

Rees-Zammit (right) was one of five uncapped players in Pivac’s 38-man squad

One to watch: Louis Rees-Zammit:The 19-year-old wing has been one of this season’s sensations, scoring 10 tries in 14 games for Gloucester. As the saying goes: If they are good enough…

Curveball:Coach Pivac is looking to box clever by convincing more Welsh-qualified, but English-based, players to commit to the cause. The recruitment of Saracens former England Under-20 centre Nick Tompkins and Wasps lock Will Rowlands shows he is having some success.

Title odds:11-2

England

Jonny May has 27 tries in 52 Test appearances for England

In the wake of the Rugby World Cup final defeat by South Africa in November, Eddie Jones entered, in his words, a “grieving process”.He has since found a new challenge to reignite his passion.

“We want to be remembered as the greatest team that ever played rugby,” he said in typically bold style.

England have some serious questions to answer before they can make any claim to that title.

Watson ruled out of Six Nations opener

Lose in Paris and the World Cup is forgotten – Johnson

Jones warns of World Cup finalists curse

Learn to speak rugby for the Six Nations

Jones’ 34-man squad features eight uncapped players but not a single specialist number eight to fill in for the injured Billy Vunipola.

At nine, Ben Youngs and Willi Heinz, 30 and 33 respectively, have limited shelf life and no clear successors.

And time is ticking on Jones himself, with his contract set to expire in August 2021.

But with Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Jonny May and Anthony Watson all emerging from the World Cup well in credit, there is a confidence that might paper over those cracks.

Thorley was the youngest player to represent Gloucester in the professional era when he made his debut as a 17-year-old

One to watch: Ollie Thorley:Last season’s Premiership young player of the year will have to fight for a spot, but is one of only three specialist wings in the squad and has the talent to take his chance.

Curveball:The Saracens saga.There may not be any ill-feeling from their team-mates, but the Sarries contingent come into the tournament with their club futures uncertain.

Title odds:5-6 Fav

Ireland

Andy Farrell is Ireland’s new coach, Johnny Sexton his new captain

Off the back of a Six Nations Grand Slam and a historic home win over New Zealand, Ireland finished 2018 as the northern hemisphere’s pre-eminent team and the likeliest candidates to succeed the All Blacks as world champions the following year.

Instead that turned out to the high point of coach Joe Schmidt’s reign.

A mediocre Six Nations campaign in 2019 was followed by a meek World Cup quarter-final exit in Japan.

Great Britain rugby league legend Andy Farrell served as an assistant to Schmidt and now succeeds him. He has gone for a similar strategy of evolution, rather than revolution, with his team.

Quiz: Do you know new Ireland head coach Andy Farrell?

Why Sexton’s importance to Ireland is greater than ever

Doris to make Ireland debut in opener against Scotland

Fly-half Johnny Sexton, once the firebrand young gun, now a 34-year-old senior statesman, is captain, with regular half-back side-kick Conor Murray keeping his place under severe pressure from Ulster’s John Cooney.

However 95-cap mainstay Rob Kearney has been left out the squad altogether with the electric Jordan Larmour now undisputed first-choice full-back, while Leinster’s rangy, roaming number eight Caelan Doris will make his debut against Scotland.

Can Farrell’s tweaks restore the team to their 2018 levels?

Such was Ryan’s promise that he made his full Ireland debut before he had been picked for provincial side Leinster

One to watch: James Ryan:Leinster’s flawless second row, still just 23, has long been earmarked as a future Ireland captain. With Rory Best no longer in the pack, he will be called up to take on some of the leadership burden.

Curveball:The tactics. Ireland under Schmidt were ruthless, accurate and drilled to parade-ground standard, rarely deviating from the head coach’s kick-chase script. With former England maverick Mike Catt brought in as an attack coach, might things turn a little more free-form?

Title odds:4-1

Scotland

Russell played in French side Racing 92’s win over Castres at the weekend after walking out of Scotland’s training camp

The build-up to Scotland’s campaign has turned into something akin to an episode of Love Island, dominated by rancour and rumour over the departure of a flamboyant main player.

Finn Russell, Scotland’s mercurial fly-half, is believed to have hit the bar at the team hotel, ignored team-mates’ advice to stop drinking, ignored his alarm clock for training the following morning and then declined to stick about when told he would be dropped for the team’s opener against Ireland on Saturday.

You can’t have different rules for different people – Barclay

‘The team is what counts’ – Townsend on Russell absence

‘Mediator needed for Townsend – Russell rift’

Graham to miss Six Nations opener

Head coach Gregor Townsend insists that their relationship is still sound. Russell’s social media ‘likes’suggest that there might still be some issues to iron out.

Coupled with a knee injury to hot-stepping wing Darcy Graham and the disappointment of a Rugby World Cup campaign that failed to progress beyond the pools, expectations are not high.

However, the return of centre Huw Jones after a loss of form and flanker Hamish Watson after fitness issues are a boost.

And full-back Stuart Hogg, so long the heartbeat of the side and now the captain, sounds determined to drag more from his team-mates.

Ritchie was one of the few bright spots in a dispiriting World Cup campaign for Scotland

One to watch:Jamie Ritchie:The 23-year-old flanker was an age-grade star and is finally getting his run at senior level.

Curveball:The news that Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson was paid £933,000 in the last tax year will not have improved relations between blazers and tracksuits.

Title odds:25-1

Romain Ntamack is one of a clutch of young stars hoping to establish France as genuine World Cup contenders over the next four years

France

France’s squad won’t be measured by where they stand in March. Instead, coach Fabian Galthie has trained his sights very clearly on the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which his nation is hosting.

A 42-man initial squad featured 19 uncapped players and an average age of just 24.

It is not just blind faith in youth though. France’s Under-20s have won back-to-back age-grade world titles. Romain Ntamack, son of former France wing Emile, made the step up to the senior Rugby World Cup side in the wake of winning the first.

Galthie names two uncapped players in France team to face England

Dupont (centre) made his France debut as a 20-year-old in the 2017 Six Nations

One to watch: Antoine Dupont:A relative veteran with 20 caps and 23 years on the clock, the scrum-half is already one of France’s brightest stars.

Curveball:Defence coach Shaun Edwards is a rare foreign appointment to the French coaching staff. Can he whip an erratic, inconsistent France into shape as he battles to get his tongue around the local lingo?

Title odds:11-2

Italy

Franco Smith knows the Italian scene after a six-year spell coaching Treviso

Yet another new head coach is in place. Franco Smith is keeping the seat warm until July, stepping in after Conor O’Shea quit to take up an administrative role with the Rugby Football Union.

The South African is the latest to try to close the gap on the other five nations. Italy have suffered whitewashes in four successive tournaments since they beat Scotland in February 2015, their last Six Nations success.

They will try to improve that record, for the most part, without Sergio Parisse.

The totemic number eight was denied the farewell he expected when Typhoon Hagibis caused the Azzurri’s final Rugby World Cup pool match to be called off. The 36-year-old plans to be involved in at least one of Italy’s home games during the tournament to put the seal on a career that has collected 142 caps.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Wales v Italy: Azzurri flanker Jake Polledri relishes facing land of his grandfather

One to watch: Jake Polledri:Born and brought up in the West Country, the 24-year-old Gloucester flanker qualifies for Italy though his grandmother and will be one of their go-to men in Parisse’s absence.

Curveball:The Italian clubs have promised to give Smith more access and control over his international players. Could that produce a more coherence and consistency?

Title odds:1,000-1

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why their best squad in a generation can take the nation to Euro 2020

“Why not us?” has been a familiar refrain in Finnish football in recent years. They have watched from afar as their Nordic brethren from Iceland captured the world’s imagination with their performances and their thunderclap and wondered when it would be their turn. They have looked in from the outside as their Scandinavian neighbours have all had stints as regular tournament qualifiers over the years, with some distinction on occasion. Finland, though, has never known the joy of a tournament summer, never experienced those pre-tournament hopes and dreams, never reached the high points of a player’s international career.

For a nation of five million, this disappointment has been brought into sharper focus following Iceland’s recent success with a far smaller population. But equally, countries such as Northern Ireland, Wales and Croatia have reached levels significantly far beyond anything Finland could even dream of, with smaller populations in each case. Finland’s lack of an appearance at a tournament finals has led to an entrenched and enhanced sense of disappointment.

Could this all be about to change, however? Under the leadership of Markku Kanerva, the national team have begun their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign in impressive style, recording three wins on the bounce after an initial loss to Italy. Finland now sit second in their group, with a real opportunity to push towards a first tournament qualification. 

This has come on the back of a successful Nations League campaign, Finland winning their League C group to earn promotion to League B. Crucially, that gives Finland the prospect of a playoff place for a spot in next year’s Euros, should they fail to make it through their qualifying group. For a team that has perennially fallen short, this has been an impressive rise.

It’s not as though Finland has failed to produce world-class players in the past, however. In Jari Litmanen, they had one of the finest attacking talents in Europe through the 1990s and early 2000s. The generation that Litmanen inspired and was a part of towards the end of his career – alongside Sami Hyypiä, Antti Niemi, Teemu Tainio and Mikael Forssell – was probably the finest that Finland has ever produced, and yet that squad was unable to break through the glass ceiling of qualification.

None of the current team are household names such as some of the above, though Teemu Pukki has hit the headlines for Norwich at the start of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign. However, there is now a real sense of hope in Finland that the time for that historic breakthrough could be close at hand. 

A limited, restrictive game plan based on a tight defence and relying on the likes of Pukki to capitalise on sporadic goalscoring opportunities has given Finland the hope that they can reverse the tournament fortune that has been their wont throughout their history.

Read  |  Where does the world-class talent of Jari Litmanen rank?

Founded in 1907 while still a part of the Russian Empire, the Finnish FA have been a member of FIFA since 1908. Early World Cup qualifying campaigns failed to yield so much as a single victory until September 1965 – a 2-0 win over Poland – while in European Championship qualifying, the wait extended even further until they won their first two matches of qualifying for Euro 1980 against Greece and Hungary. That campaign would actually be the first peak in Finnish football as the Huuhkajat (Eagle Owls) came within a point of qualification behind Greece.

The sense of improvement that had begun in the 1970s appeared to continue with another near-miss in qualifying for the 1986 World Cup, this time losing out by two points, however the malaise would soon return. It wasn’t until Litmanen’s late-1990s peak that they next came within touching distance when, under Danish Euro 92-winning coach Richard Møller Nielsen, they only needed a win in their final match at home to Hungary to seal a place in the playoffs for the 1998 World Cup. Fate took a cruel twist as Finland, leading 1-0 going into injury time, scored an own goal, shattering their dreams in the process.

They were developing a habit of performing well, picking up the odd decent win, but not having the consistency to see it through. They had an impressive win over ultimate quarter-finalists Turkey in Euro 2000 qualifying, achieved two draws with eventual runners-up Germany in World Cup 2002 qualifying, as well as a home draw against England and a 5-1 rout of Greece. Again, it wasn’t enough, despite being the only team in the group unbeaten at home. This was to be only a brief high point, as the poor results returned in the next few campaigns. 

The subsequent peak came under the stewardship of England’s Roy Hodgson, who oversaw the efforts to reach Euro 2008. Again, it came down to the final match when a win away in Portugal on the final day would have sent Finland to the finals at Portugal’s expense. The match ended goalless, with Finland fielding a 38-year-old Litmanen, and the Portuguese – Ronaldo and all – sneaking through from the group along with Poland. 

Ultimately, it had been a poor defeat away to last-placed Azerbaijan that cost Finland, although this campaign did see the Finns reach their highest ever world ranking to date of 33rd.

The 2010 World Cup saw another third-placed finish with some more impressive results, as they were the only team not to lose to eventual semi-finalists Germany, leading both home and away before conceding late equalisers on both occasions. Those campaigns were another all too brief highlight, however, as the performances and results tailed off once more. 

Some magazines are meant to be kept

The last World Cup campaign saw Finland finish fifth in their group, though they did record a win over Iceland who, frustratingly for the Finns, went on to win the group and then hold Lionel Messi and Argentina to a 1-1 draw in Russia.

While these series of peaks and troughs are what you would expect from a nation the size of Finland, they should be considered alongside the fact that this is a more successful sporting nation on a number of other fronts. The successes of the likes of Iceland has brought Finland’s football failings into sharper focus, but in other sporting pursuits they do regularly perform at the elite level.  

Finland were recently crowned men’s ice hockey world champions and came close to repeating that feat in the women’s equivalent. Football clearly lags significantly behind in terms of popularity at the top level, partly through environmental factors of course, but also through a lack of a coordinated, consistent approach. 

Football has also historically been of lesser significance in Finland than the likes of Formula 1, rally driving, long-distance running, javelin and skiing. All of these sports have seen Finland enjoy eras of sustained success, and although more people play football in Finland than they do ice hockey, fortune has never smiled on them.

One theory goes that with Finland one of the few European countries to still have national service, young players are taken away from their clubs at an important stage of their development. This was explored in depth in an article by Paul Brown in The Blizzard, although it must be mitigated by the fact that the likes of Litmanen and Hyypiä came through national service to play with distinction at the highest level, as have countless ice hockey superstars.

Fundamentally, the issue historically has been more a case of a lack of an Iceland-style investment in facilities and youth development, and a more strategic approach to player development. This has begun to change but will take time to bear fruit. However, with the stimulus provided by the present crop of Finnish internationals, there is every chance that the coming generation will be inspired by the current one.

Finland have been one of the big successes of the UEFA Nations League, winning what was a tough group in League C to earn promotion to the next level. They won their first four matches, beating Hungary, Greece and Estonia (twice) all without conceding a goal.  A single-goal defeat to Greece in Athens in their penultimate match put the Greeks within three points of Finland at the top of the group, but actually confirmed Finland’s promotion.  With Greece the only team that could catch Finland on points, Finland led the decisive head-to-head record by virtue of their 2-0 win in the home fixture.  

Listen  |  Euro 2020 or the UEFA Nations League? A debate about international football on the continent

A further defeat – 2-0 in Hungary – was therefore rendered irrelevant. Finland had not only earned promotion but a place in the playoffs for Euro 2020, where currently Norway, Scotland and Serbia await them, though this may change should any of these countries qualify through the regular qualifying process.

What was evident through their Nations League campaign was the four successive clean sheets that were the backbone of the Finnish success. Perhaps even more impressive was the fact that those four shutouts came through only allowing four shots on target by the opposition in those games combined. Indeed, two of the three goals they conceded across their six Nations League matches came when promotion and that playoff spot were already secured.

This steadfastness at the back is evidence of the highly organised, limited but effective game plan being employed by Kanerva, which is also born out by the relative lack of goals upfront. It is a plan that has been bought into by the unified squad, aided by the fact that the line-up is generally consistent from match to match. In this way, Finland have found a way, admittedly against opposition below the elite, to build a habit of winning close matches.  

This improvement has continued into European Championship qualifying, with the Huuhkajat heading into the last months of that campaign in an automatic qualifying place, sitting second in their group. Their only blemish, and tellingly their only goals conceded in four matches thus far, came in the opening group match away to Italy. 

That 2-0 defeat in Udine in March has then been followed by three successive 2-0 victories. Away wins over Armenia and Liechtenstein meant that any potential banana-skins were avoided (Greece lost 3-2 at home to Armenia in the group by way of comparison) either side of a more significant home win over Bosnia, thanks to a Pukki brace  Again, the defensive solidity was to the fore, with Bosnia only achieving one shot on target in the whole match, although Edin Džeko was guilty of some wayward finishing.

Further tests await, with the return in Bosnia and two clashes with Greece still to come in the group, but other than the return match in Italy, there is noting to hold any undue fear for the Finns. Could it be that the backstop of the playoff place they have already secured is rendered redundant by successfully holding on to second place in this group?  “Why not us?” the Finns ask. 

With the iron grip of a defence used to stopping the opposition, a striker in fine form and a new-found belief throughout the team, Finland might just be providing the answer themselves and making a first appearance at a tournament finals next summer,

By Aidan Williams @yad_williams

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Eddie Jones has six months to fix England’s fatal flaw

There was a time when Eddie Jones cheerfully defied all logic and faithfully helped his audience nod.

Transform from the worst performing World Cup hosts of all time to Grand Slam winners within one year. Jones & # 39; England overloaded; as his words did. Those days are over.

After participating in a World Cup, he was specifically working to win, England no longer performing. Six Nations in second place.

It could be said that the best team on the

Yet it is Wales, often functional, yet exemplary when it is there mattered, who ran away with the third The property right of Grand Slam or Warren Gatland.

Ireland may have peaked too early for Japan and it is Wales, not England, that will travel to the east later this year.

England did it four times in five games, but crumbled at key moments.

England did it four times in five games, but crumbled at key moments.

Gatland gets a dent from Wales that Jones, for all his compelling rhetoric, cannot draw from England.

So it was a problem that I could not solve in three and a half years, but could be sorted in six months?

& # 39; I'm going to have the players for three months, and I've never experienced that before & # 39 ;, Jones said cheerfully. And it was time that we would buy that. He was, after all, Fast Eddie. He has done things.

But 31-0 up, down 31-38 down, is not a short-term repair.

& # 39; You do that in a pool game against Tonga and you could find yourself in a difficult position, & # 39; said Jones.

I don't know what to do.

Jones exudes confidence. That is his style. And when results support him, it's a winning combination. It may seem slippery at other times.

I have identified a mountain of a problem with England and then discussed it as if it were a molehill; one that can be scaled with the addition of another guru to his team, although he would not mention names. He is close to Gareth Southgate, who calls on Pippa Grange to help his players cope with the pressure of tournaments, and in particular penalties, before the 2018 World Cup. A comparable figure, certainly female, perhaps Antipodean, would make sense to be.

And a good job, something because this weekend had been driven from Twickenham with burning torches.

They looked at a record score and seasoned Scottish internationals talked about a result that would be difficult

There was no point in giving the same number of points uncontrolled in 25 minutes. Ben Youngs said he couldn't get around it, and that he was by no means alone.

While Gatland has found ways to make Wales win, even on days when they can be little more than efficient – although they were brilliant on Saturday against Ireland – England continues to find ways to disappoint, as happened during the Worldcup.

When the results support Jones' confidence, it is a winning combination; otherwise the glibl may seem

& # 39; When you have a difficult tournament or game, there is always a dragging process & # 39 ;, he said. & # 39; I'll tell you how it is: you have some grenades in the back of the jeep and sometimes they go off under pressure.

& # 39; We have a few and we just have to lose them. It's the way you think you're under pressure and the team has probably had it since the 2015 World Cup. We've been working on a process to fix it and I think we'll do well. But it takes time.

& # 39; Wales are going through a very good trot, but we have had a trot and we still had the problem even when we won 18 games in a row.

& # 39; Everyone goes through this. I remember coaching against the All Blacks. We won something like 45 percent of our tests against them and always in the last 20 minutes of the game.

& # 39; Now we don't have eight years, but we've had four and we're still learning. So we're gonna do it in half the time it took the All Blacks.

He is right. New Zealand won the inaugural world championship in 1987 and no longer until 2011. It was until 2015 the best rugby nation in the world to win the tournament on foreign soil.

Wales was under enormous pressure in Cardiff on Saturday, but from the opening minutes the win over Ireland was not in doubt.

Gatland, again, found a way – just like the British and Irish coach last summer Lions in New Zealand.

So what's the difference between these unstable? What is the difference between these unstable?

Youngs refuted Jones's theory of pressure to come to England in place of individual mention in the back of Jones & jeep and, disturbing against Scotland, no more than his captain Owen Farrell – and old-fashioned human error

& # 39; I I do not agree at all that we cannot handle the pressure, & # 39; he said.

Jones says he can solve England's fatal mistake in six months; but then he says many things

& # 39; If the game gets too tight, all you have to do is work. If you carry the ball, decide whether you want to release it or not, whether you take a quick throw or not; you are responsible.

& # 39; So I don't think it's busy, I think we need to have more insight into where the momentum of the game is and what we want, what we're about, to go back to the base.

& # 39; A few defense points, a few points in an attack, put our hat on it and let's do it, let's own our roles and take our responsibility. Many of these are individual decisions and part of it was really disappointing, only mental errors.

& # 39; Would the game have been tighter before some of those things? Absolutely not. We've got stuck in that circus of trying to throw it around, and we aren't.

But England is a better side than a year ago. At their best, they played the best rugby in the tournament. The problem with their fatal error is that it is elusive. It is not something that can be coached or drilled. It is what Jones calls the top two centimeters.

He says he can fix it in six months; but then he says many things.

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Eagles stun Patriots for first Super Bowl title

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Eagles stun Patriots for first Super Bowl title

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) – For a city that produced one of Hollywood’s ultimate underdog stories, the Philadelphia Eagles delivered an equally inspiring script by upsetting the New England Patriots on Sunday for their first Super Bowl title.

The Eagles were underdogs throughout the NFL playoffs, and just as most expected little from fictional Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa, few onlookers outside the City of Brotherly Love expected them to beat the defending Super Bowl champions.

But Philadelphia, who embraced their lowly status with some players wearing dog masks throughout the playoffs, stunned New England with a 41-33 victory to cap a remarkable turnaround after finishing last in their division a year ago.

“We’ve been doubted since Day One,” said Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who caught what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. “This team, no one picked us. We come out here and we’re World Champions.”

The victory set off a wild celebration among the team’s many green-clad supporters who made the trek to chilly Minneapolis, while uplifting music from “Rocky” blared through the speakers above a field covered in silver and green confetti.

The Eagles limped into the post-season with an offense handicapped by a seemingly hopeless backup quarterback following an injury to Carson Wentz in December, but Nick Foles proved more than ready to shine on the game’s biggest stage.

Foles, who nearly retired after an underwhelming 2015 season with the St Louis Rams, showed no nerves playing in his first Super Bowl and went toe-to-toe with Patriots counterpart Tom Brady, a five-time Super Bowl champion.

“I felt calm,” said Foles, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after throwing three touchdowns. “We felt confident coming in and we just went out there and played football.”

The Eagles, who won three championships in the pre-Super Bowl era, had long been a tormented franchise and lost in their only two previous Super Bowl appearances, including to the Patriots in 2005, but dug deep to bring home a championship.

Trailing by a point late in the fourth quarter, the Eagles moved ahead for good when Foles connected with Ertz on a 11-yard touchdown to put his team ahead 38-33.

BRADY FUMBLE

Philadelphia missed a subsequent two-point conversion attempt to leave the door open for the Patriots with a little less than two-and-a-half minutes to play.

But in a game when both offenses moved up and down the field effortlessly and combined for a Super Bowl record 1,151 yards, Brady had the ball swatted from his grasp and it was recovered by Philadelphia to all but seal New England’s fate.

The Eagles went on to kick a field goal to extend their lead to eight points and prevented the Patriots from engineering a last-minute, game-tying drive.

Up 15-6, the Eagles had a chance to build a comfortable lead towards the end of the first half but intended receiver Alshon Jeffrey deflected a Foles pass that was intercepted by Patriots defensive back Duron Harmon steps from the end zone.

NFL Football – Philadelphia Eagles v New England Patriots – Super Bowl LII – U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. – February 4, 2018. Philadelphia Eagles’ Patrick Robinson celebrates winning Super Bowl LII. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

The turnover proved costly as the Patriots marched 90 yards back down the field in less than three minutes, in a drive that was capped by a James White touchdown to pull within 15-12.

However, the Eagles replied with an impressive drive of their own that resulted in a touchdown on a gutsy trick play on fourth down from the Patriots one-yard line.

The Eagles, opting not to kick a field goal, snapped the ball to rookie running back Corey Clement, who flipped the ball to tight end Trey Burton, who then threw to a wide-open Foles for a walk-in touchdown and a 22-12 halftime lead.

It marked the end of a wild opening half that included missed extra points, a missed field goal and a botched Patriots attempt at a trick play of their own when a wide-open Brady failed to haul in an intended pass.

The Patriots looked poised to collect a record-tying sixth Super Bowl in 17 seasons when Brady threw his third touchdown — this one a short pass to Rob Gronkowski with about nine minutes to play — to give his team their first lead of the game, 33-32.

But the Patriots had no answer for the Foles-led Eagles.

‘LOSING SUCKS’

Patriots coach Bill Belichick took the blame for the loss while Gronkowski, who was playing in his first game since suffering a concussion two weeks ago, said he knew his team were going to be in for a battle.

“You just knew that it was going to be a shootout the whole game and it was going to take all 60 minutes,” said Gronkowski. “Unfortunately, we just didn’t come up with the most opportunities to make to win the game.”

Brady finished with a Super Bowl record 505 passing yards and three touchdowns but could not deliver when it mattered most, his desperate pass falling to the ground in the end zone as time expired.

“Losing sucks. That’s part of it,” said Brady. “You try to win and sometimes you lose. That’s the way it goes.”

The Patriots now enter an off-season some feel could mark the beginning of the end for their dynasty after ESPN reported in January about a rift between Brady, Belichick and owner Robert Kraft.

The trio have denied reports of any off-field tension but there will be no shortage of attention paid to their every move between now and next season.

The game, played under a translucent U.S. Bank Stadium roof while temperatures outside plummeted, capped a season during which NFL ratings dropped after many players kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and as the league’s concussion protocol entered the spotlight.

But no players protested while Grammy Award-winning pop singer Pink performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the year’s most-watched U.S. television broadcast, attracting an audience of more than 100 million viewers.

Reporting by Frank Pingue; Editing by John O’Brien and Sudipto Ganguly

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Super Bowl 2018 Live Free preview: The 52 things That You Want to know about Patriots vs. Eagles

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free The AFC's best team will square off with The NFC's best team On Sunday in Minneapolis, however, the 2 competitors couldn't be more different in terms of how they got there and what a title would suggest.

Before we enter the 52 things that you should know about the sport, Here's a fast look at just what the game would imply for the New England Patriots along with also the Philadelphia Eagles (the underdogs). Super Bowl 2018 Live Free

Super Bowl 2018 Live Stream

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free

The Eagles haven't won a Super Bowl in franchise history. Their Quarterback Sunday will not be Carson Wentz. It is going to be Nick Foles. If the Eagles win, they'll combine the Giants as a member of just two teams which was able to shoot the powerful empire at the Super Bowl.

The Patriots are faking for their second straight championship and their sixth Super Bowl ring since the 2001 season. They're trotting out four-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady at quarterback. If the Patriots win, they will simply add to their legacy as the greatest dynasty in the history of this sport.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free Discover exactly what SportsLine's advanced Computer model has to say about the last score of Super Bowl LII.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Stream

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free

So, There's a Whole Lot in stake. So, without further ado, here are 52 Things to understand about Super Bowl 52 for you prepared for your sport.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free 1. The Patriots and Eagles will confront each Other in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX in February 2005, when the Patriots won 24-21. That victory declared that the Patriots' third Super Bowl victory in four years and their second straight championship. They wouldn't win another one prior to the 2014 season. They can once again conquer the Eagles for their third Super Bowl in four years and their second straight championship.

2. The match will probably be played in U.S. Bank Stadium at Minnesota. It's the second Super Bowl in Minnesota and also the first one since Super Bowl XXVI in January 1992.

3. The temperature at Minneapolis is forecast to be approximately 6 Degrees Sunday, but the game will probably be performed indoors.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free 4. The match will be played Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast by NBC. Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) will probably be about the phone. WATCH NOW LIVE LINK

5. Justin Timberlake will perform at halftime despite the wardrobe malfunction between him and Janet Jackson back in 2004.

6. Pink will sing the national anthem prior to kickoff. The over/under has been set at 120 seconds.

7. This is Brady's eighth Super Bowl appearance. Nobody has played more.

8. Brady has as many Super Bowl appearances (eight) as the entire Eagles roster, per NFL Research.

9. If the Patriots win, Brady will possess the most Super Bowl wins (six). He has already won the most Super Bowls from quarterbacks and he's tied into Hall of Fame linebacker and defensive end Charles Haley with five Super Bowl wins.

10. If the Patriots win, then they will win their sixth Super Bowl since 2001 and their second straight championship.

11. If the Eagles win, then they're going to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.

12. If the Eagles win, " they're the fourth team in NFL history To win the Super Bowl following a losing record in the previous season (7-9 in 2016)," based on NFL Research.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free 13. Of the Patriots' eight Super Bowl Opponents in the Bill Belichick era, that the Eagles are the only team using a top-five scoring offense and defense, based on NFL Research.

14. The Patriots will wear white uniforms. They are 3-0 in the Super Bowl when wearing white under Belichick. Based on ESPN's Adam Schefter and Evan Kaplan, 12 of the last 13 Super Bowl winners are dressed in white.

15. The Eagles will wear. They moved 10-1 in green this season with Their only loss coming out of a meaningless Week 17 game, based on BleedingGreenNation.com.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Stream

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free

16. Quarterbacks who led the league in passing yards have gone 0-5 in Super Bowls, based on NFL Research. Brady, who led the NFL in passing yards this season, can fit the fad.

17. Brady is about his fifth Super Bowl MVP award. The single player To steal MVP from Brady throughout a Patriots Super Bowl win? Deion Branch (James White should've won it last year, for its album). For the whole list of Super Bowl MVPs, click here.

18. Rob Gronkowski, Who missed last year's Super Bowl with a back Injury, is in the concussion protocol, so his status is up in the atmosphere. If the Super Bowl had been played this past Sunday, he wouldn't have suited up.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free 19. Brady is still dealing with a ideal Hand injury that he suffered in the lead-up to the AFC Championship Game. Based on NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Brady had 12 stitches removed last week. Nobody should be too worried considering Brady lit up the Jaguars For 290 yards, two touchdowns and also a 108.4 passer rating with those 12 stitches still in his hands. Brady will be still be Brady on Sunday.

20. Nick Foles started three games in the regular season. In Accordance with NFL Research, just 2 quarterbacks (Doug Williams and Jeff Hostetler) started fewer games in the regular season before starting in a Super Bowl. Williams and Hostetler both won.

21. The average margin of victory to the Patriots in their five Super Bowls wins under Belichick is 3.8 points.

22. The average margin of defeat for the Patriots in the Super Bowl losses under Belichick is 3.5 points.

23. If the Patriots win, they'll tie the Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins (6). If they lose, they will tie the Broncos for the most Super Bowl losses (5). Charge with this 1 goes to Reddit user "surfboard-lover. "

24. The Eagles rank fifth in overall DVOA. The Patriots rank sixth in overall DVOA.

25. The Patriots ranked first in yards gained. The Eagles ranked seventh in yards gained.

26. The Patriots ranked second in points scored (458). The Eagles ranked third in points scored (457).

27. The Patriots ranked 29th in yards allowed. The Eagles ranked fourth in yards allowed.

28. The Patriots ranked fifth in points allowed (296). The Eagles ranked fourth in points allowed (295).

29. The Patriots and Eagles boast the specific same point differential (+162), that was a league.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free 30. If the Eagles win, Chris Long says He will skip the visit to the White House again. He skipped it a year ago after the Patriots beat the Falcons because he doesn't support Donald Trump and his policies.

31. An asteroid may pass by Earth on precisely the same day as the Super Bowl. It won't hit on our world.

32. A Tecmo Bowl simulation has got the Eagles winning. For a complete recap, click here.

33. Eagles proprietor Jeffrey Lurie once tried to Purchase the New England Patriots.

34. Bettors love the Eagles so far. According to vice President of humor and sports such as MGM Resorts Jay Rood, his sportsbook has been heavy on Eagles action.

"We Were becoming Eagles action all the way round. So we chose to Reunite and test the waters," Rood said, per SportsLine. "I was a little surprised to see that the people moving against the Patriots this challenging, but I really could understand why they see some value"

35. As of Monday, that the Patriots have been 4.5-point favorites along with also the over/under has been set at 48 points, based on SportsLine.

36. The Eagles are underdogs in every single one of those playoff games thus the creepy dog masks.

The Patriots, meanwhile, are preferred in every game this season -- thus their own appropriate masks.

37. Inside our "Madden NFL 18" simulation of this sport, the Patriots Won an overtime thriller that was really too difficult to trust. Take a look at our recap, because it really was the craziest game in NFL history involving:

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free A double-digit fourth-quarter comeback in the Eagles A 99-yard go-ahead push by Brady using a minute to move. A blocked extra point reunite to tie the game. A walk-off touchdown in overtime.

38. The sport will be refereed by Gene Steratore. The Eagles are 10-3 (0.769) in games refereed by Steratore and the Patriots are 12-5 (0.706). If his name sounds familiar, it's because he was the referee who made the decision to use a index card to measure a key first down at a December playoff-like game between the Raiders and Cowboys.

39. This is from Scott Kacsmar over at FiveThirtyEight:

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free Since 2001, the year which Tom Brady took Over as starting quarterback, the Patriots are 15-0 in the playoffs against a new competitor and 12-9 at a rematch from the standard season.

The Eagles didn't play the Patriots in the regular season. Anyhow, you should read the entire story linked above.

40. Brady is 40 years old. He could become the oldest quarterback to Acquire a Super Bowl, breaking Peyton Manning's record that he set when he won a Super Bowl in age 39 two years back. Belichick, meanwhile, is 65. Collectively, Brady and Belichick are producing history.

41. The Patriots haven't scored in the first quarter of a Super Bowl under Belichick. No, Belichick does not want to speak about it.

42. Brady sports the league's best Passer score under pressure (95.5), however, the Eagles make pressure in an absurdly large speed (41.9 percent), based on Professional Football Focus.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free 43. Patriots running back Dion Lewis Posted The highest elusive score of running backs in the regular season, compelling 49 missed tackles, based on PFF. The Eagles' defense allowed 3.8 yards per carry from the regular season, which ranked sixth.

44. Patriots receiver Brandin Cooks averaged 16.6 yards per catch From the regular season, the second-highest typical among receivers with at least 60 catches.

45. Gronk caught just 69 passes from the regular season, which is nice because it's his favourite number.

46. Based on FiveThirtyEight, the Patriots had the easiest path to the Super Bowl in modern NFL history.

47. After Brady won his first Super Bowl, Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett was 5 years old, as NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah pointed out.

48. The Eagles are the only NFC East team with no Super Bowl.

49. Eagles recipient Nelson Agholor Has the sixth-best WR score in soccer, based on PFF. WR test is a quarterback's passer rating on throws that target a specific receiver.

50. After averaging 4.1 catches, 43.9 yards and 0.1 touchdowns from the Regular season, Patriots recipient Danny Amendola is averaging nine catches, 98 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs.

51. Two former Patriots who won the Super Bowl last season reside on the Eagles roster: defensive end Chris Long and running back LeGarrette Blount. No, they're not still friends using their former teammates.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free "Straight enemies," Blount said last week, per NJ.com. "Is not no longer friends? Is not no more friends? Is not no longer homies? None of this. We all know ... We all know what we're likely to perform. They know what they're most likely to perform. We have exactly the same goal in mind. There are not any hard feelings, it just is what it is."

52. Annually ago -- following the 2016 regular season -- Alshon Jeffery Was portion of this Bears. He promised that "we will win the Super Bowl next calendar year." He didn't specify precisely what he meant by "we." Jeffery went to sign with the Eagles. So, his prediction could still come true if the Eagles beat the Patriots.

Super Bowl 2018 Live Free However, as most of us understand by this time, that's just one huge if.

[thisdaynews]

Scotland v England: Old rivals set for fresh plotlines in Six Nations battle

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/scotland-v-england-old-rivals-set-for-fresh-plotlines-in-six-nations-battle/

Scotland v England: Old rivals set for fresh plotlines in Six Nations battle

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Watch: Stanger’s try to win 1990 Calcutta Cup for Scotland

2020 Guinness Six Nations: Scotland v England Venue:Murrayfield Stadium, EdinburghDate:Saturday, 8 FebruaryKick-off:16:45 GMT Coverage:Watch on BBC One; listen BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Scotland; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app.

When a fixture has been played for longer than any other in its sport, you can feel its weight and the history of it chasing you down the years.

Scotland against England is 149 years old. It never feels tired because beneath the great narratives of rivalry and animosity and friendship lie the fresh plotlines that light up every new chapter.

There are maybe more cliches to lose yourself in around this game than any other in rugby, not least because it is so familiar.

Old enemies. Brutal battles. An atmosphere unlike anything else in the rugby world.

Sometimes, but not always. It’s a match where the expected result usually comes to pass. Only one of the past 10 meetings between the two has gone Scotland’s way. It often falls flat. It’s a day that can feel predictable until the moment it isn’t.

And then it’s alive. You can wait an age for the one that no-one forgets, and that’s almost the point. It’s the hope that thrills you. It’s the damp squibs that keep you coming back.

Strolling out of town west along Haymarket Terrace, it’s scarf sellers and cans in hand. One for the road at Ryrie’s Bar, on towards Roseburn Street and the little bar on the corner. People piling off the tram from the city centre, others coming in shared cars and Range Rovers up the A703 from Peebles or the A7 from Selkirk, Melrose and Galashiels, those Borders towns like a tour round memories of the Grandstand vidiprinter as club results used to come in on a Saturday afternoon.

It can feel just as cold as the most northern Six Nations city should do when the wind comes in off the Pentland Hills. The stadium itself has changed so much since the last Scottish Grand Slam, those metal girders creeping over the top of the stands, so much grey concrete to go with the dark blue seats and the white saltires, but there are still old quirks too – the cricket pitches in Roseburn Park to one side, the train tracks without a stop on the south side and the ice rink out back. Even those expensive grandstands have given the ground an idiosyncratic lop-sided feel.

England 38-38 Scotland: Last year’s epic match revisited

Scotland’s most famous win: The 1990 Calcutta Cup

Podcast: ‘The biggest game you’ll play’

Scotland will look to harness the spirit of 1990’s famous victory over England

Inside everything is cramped and cosy. The press box is narrow and tight, and dangerously close to the two greenhouses where the coaches and analysts sit, cut off more than any others in the stadium from the noise and ferment.

For the well-heeled in that stand it is tartan blankets on knees and hip-flasks to hand. Elsewhere are the beers and the noise and the abuse.

For England supporters up for the scenic weekend the journey out to the south-west suburbs of the Scottish capital is a rousing one rather than a walk on the wild side. When it’s bitterly cold you just spend more time in the bars. The sunny days just mean you can spend more time gawking at the impossible city-centre scenery.

Fear and loathing? 1990 had a fair amount of that, off the back of the Poll Tax and the Conservative government that introduced it north of the border before south, but there have been so many stale years since, seasons when England came and went with bodywork barely dented.

All the way to 1989 the anthem played before kick-off for the home team was God Save The Queen. Only when David Sole led his team out on that famous day did Flower of Scotland take hold.

Lewis Ludlam kicked up headlines this week when he talked of sport as conflict. “We want to be brutal. It’s going to be a war, and it’s something we’re excited about. They hate us and we hate them.”

He’s a young player early in his international career. You can maybe forgive the easy descent into hyperbole. But something else he said told you almost as much about this fixture: “For my second cap away at Wales there were old ladies and kids giving you the finger going into the stadium.”

Scotland’s first match against England at Murrayfield was in 1925 when the home team won and went on to secure their first Grand Slam

That doesn’t happen at Murrayfield, a more genteel place even for this fixture than Cardiff can be, partly because rugby union does not have the same hold over as great a proportion of the nation as it does in Wales, partly because the stadium is a 40-minute stroll from the middle of town rather than unmissable in the guts of the city like the Principality.

Wales have won four Grand Slams in the past 15 years. Scotland have been waiting as long for their next as Liverpool have a league title. Unlike at Anfield, there is no realistic end in sight any time soon.

The cliches will tell you too that Scotland need the weather to unleash hell if they are to upset England, as when Duncan Hodge dived through the puddles for the winning try in 2000, as in those narrow six-point squeakers in 2006 and 2008.

But when Scotland ransacked England 25-13 two years ago it was on a flawless afternoon, all golden winter sun and unbroken blue overhead. The gales and deluge forecast for this Saturday will do little to help a home side who like to put the ball through hands with pace more than any other team in the championship.

Atmospheres can leach away at Scotland v England. Sporting logic takes over. One side has the playing and financial resources to gradually steamroller the other.

That day in 2018 it didn’t. It began loud and got louder. Scottish turnovers were celebrated like tries. Supporters were leaping in their seats when England were penalised at the scrum. White-shirted knock-ons triggered wild choruses.

Centre Huw Jones scored two tries in Scotland’s victory at Murrayfield in 2018

And so history taps at English ankles once more. England have won on only three of their last seven trips to Edinburgh. Eddie Jones’ men have lost five of their last seven away games in the Six Nations. When they lose at Murrayfield it can never not be a heart-breaker, as with the lost Slams of 1990 and 2000, and it can lead to an unravelling, as when they plummeted to an eventual fifth in the final table in 2018.

They should win on Saturday. That’s the point. It’s not stepping into a Cardiff bearpit and it’s not taking on the unholy noise of Dublin.

But no-one is sure, because all those years of fighting and posturing and wondering have left an indelible mark.

“I wouldn’t be able to tell you the history. It doesn’t really affect me,” England centre Ben Te’o said in the build-up two years ago. “You’re always going to have an away fixture with a hostile crowd. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.”

Te’o had changed his mind by nightfall. And so you listen instead to Scotland’s number eight this weekend, Magnus Bradbury, and all the old stories and fables that you absorb down the years.

“It’s hard to explain, but it has more of an edge to it than any other game,” he said. “It seems that everyone in Edinburgh goes a little bit mental when it’s up here.

“If you’re not up for this game, you’re not going to be up for anything. Playing England at home at Murrayfield, it’s the biggest game you’ll ever play in.”

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[sportsleague365]

WOULDN’T you just love to know what Lisa Evans is thinking right now? The outspoken wife of Northern Ireland midfielder Corry Evans does have a rather rash temper and an itchy trigger finger when it comes to Twitter. The Switzerland squad celebrate the victory after the final whistleReutersBut the fact her entire country’s romantic World Cup dream was ultimately decided by one of the worst refereeing decisions you’ll ever see only makes the sense of injustice burn even more fierce. Northern Ireland know their limitations as a football nation and as a team. The remotest taste of glory is considered a bonus for their effort. But today (MON) for once, they should allow themselves to feel angry, bitter, resentful. Michael O’Neill and his squad are not going to Russia and referee Oviudu Hategan has played a far bigger part in that story than he should have. Northern Ireland’s Steven Davis and Jordan Jones look dejected after the gameReutersBoss O’Neill went as far as he could in the immediate aftermath of the second leg, a game in which his players far exceeded expectations and had a right good go. Yes, they were outplayed in the first leg at Windsor Park last Thursday and they certainly didn’t do themselves justice on their own patch, which has become a mini-fortress under their astute manager. LESS MESS LIONEL MESSI TO CUT DOWN ARGENTINA APPEARANCES IN COUNTDOWN TO WORLD CUP 2018 They might not even have won had they snatched a goal here during 90 minutes of gutsy football in rain-lashed Basel to go to extra time. Switzerland missed half a dozen chances to really kill them off. Steven Davis struggles to keep his composure after the final whistleReutersIt’s not even a case for Video Assistant Refereeing with all its uncertainties. All O’Neill wanted was a decent ref for the two biggest games of his career and why not? He was quick to praise German official Felix Brych last night for the way he handled a game of muddy trench warfare. O’Neill also made the point to congratulate Switzerland and wish them well next summer just moments after having his heart broken and seeing his team of men in tears. He’s not a naturally bitter man. So when he launches into one about the penalty which ended Northern Irish hopes of back-to-back tournaments and which will have massive repercussions on the future of the game in his tiny outpost, it is probably worth listening. Jamie Ward battles for the ball against Switzerland’s Stephan LichtsteinerPA:Press AssociationFor some of those soaking wet, filthy dirty players the end of their international careers has come with a glorious failure, but failure still. Just because there is only a scattering of Premier League players in the team it means just as much, maybe more to represent your country for a chance at playing top level football. Warhorse Gareth McAuley, who started at centre half and finished as centre forward as Northern Ireland bombarded Switzerland in search of that life-saving goal, there is a big decision to make. He turns 38 on December 5 and is still playing Premier League football with West Bromwich Albion. Steven Zuber reacts after missing a chance to put his side aheadPA:Press AssociationHis club-mate Chris Brunt is 34 and veteran of a major knee injury. Aaron Hughes, 38, played his 109th game yesterday (SUN) making him the most capped defender of any of the home nations – surpassing England’s Bobby Moore. But for 90 minutes O’Neill’s old soldiers and a couple of up and coming youngsters defied the so-called gap in class, scrapped and fought and rode their luck only to lose out in the end. Jonny Evans, brother-in-law of Lisa, came so close to levelling the score with a point-blank header a minute into injury time, only to see it cleared off the line. And it was surely fate that decreed it should be Ricardo Rodriguez, the man who scored the infamous penalty in the first leg, who was there to block the ball and rub salt in Northern Irish wounds. Switzerland ace Haris Seferovic goes goal in the first halfReutersChris Brunt had two ferocious shots well saved, Stuart Dallas and Jamie Ward collided jumping for the same high ball to nod it in at the far post. Keeper Michael McGovern made two outstanding saves. One with his hand the other with an outstretched leg, to keep his team in the battle throughout. McAuley was terribly lucky that a low cross hit his boot and deflected over the crossbar instead of in, during the first half. Northern Ireland held on though and brought pressure to bear at times but poor finishing quality let them down. Steven Zubar is closed down by Nottingham Forest star Jamie WardGetty Images - GettyHad they lost this tie fair and square O’Neill and Northern Ireland would have no complaints. But O’Neill will be seething for a long time at the manner in which he went out and will tell anyone who wants to listen. But nobody says it quite like Lisa. Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka vies for the ball with Steven DavisAP:Associated PressMOST READ IN SPORT HAND ON HART Hart and Trippier leave club at 3.30am holding hands after Germany draw'VERY HAPPY' Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez gives birth to baby girl'HE IS A NATURAL' Cristiano Ronaldo's son poses for new CR7 Junior denim launchKNOBBLY KNEE HORROR Argentine goalie suffers horrific eye-popping freak knee injuryTOON TALK Newcastle United's are expected to confirm the takeover of the club this weekREDS 'N WHITE Liverpool to splash out £5m on England World Cup winner Morgan Gibbs-WhiteALAN SHEARER Danny Drinkwater has the wrong attitude and should not play for England againHAYE-FEVER? David Haye 'could cancel Tony Bellew fight after getting injured in training''UNACCEPTABLE' Riots in Belgium leave 22 police injured after Morocco qualify for World CupCROCK STAR Pogba dances with brothers at MTV Europe Music Awards but Dele Alli dresses down #NorthernIreland #WorldCup #WorldCup2018

[cover32-yahoopartner-blog]

Patriots Game Recap: New England Rises while Falcons Fall, 23-7

In case you hadn’t heard, the New England Patriots pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks in NFL history; erasing a 28-3 deficit to win Super Bowl LI in overtime against the Falcons. Patriots fans never knew such pleasure. Falcons fans never knew such pain.

Memories like that can last a lifetime. That’s great…if the memories are pleasant. When they aren’t so spectacular, they can hover and linger like a dense fog. Unfortunately, for the Atlanta Falcons, they could conquer neither the eerie fog of a New England autumn night, nor the remaining specter of Super Bowl LI.

On Sunday night, the two teams met in a highly-anticipated rematch. This time, the Patriots had no need for a comeback. Instead, the defending champs dominated from the opening kick. The Patriots scored two touchdowns in the second quarter and headed into halftime with a 17-point lead. New England added two field goals in the second half and cruised to a 23-7 victory at a foggy Gillette Stadium.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, while Dion Lewis rushed for 76 yards on the ground. Matt Ryan totaled 233 passing yards and a score in the losing effort.

The Action on Offense

Much like Super Bowl LI, this one began with both teams struggling to find the end zone. The first quarter ended in a 0-0 tie. While it might be going out on a limb, it doesn’t seem that many would have predicted a defensive slugfest between these two teams.

However, the Pats offense was about to awaken in an unusual, but effective way. The Patriots drove deep into Atlanta territory after a 20-yard completion by Brady and a 25-yard run by Dion Lewis. Two plays later, Brady drops back and throws a pass into the end zone that was easily intercepted by Falcons cornerback Robert Alford. It appeared that the promising drive had been killed by an unlikely mistake by Brady. However, Atlanta defensive end, Adrian Clayborn, was called for a crucial roughing the passer. This gave the Pats a second wind. Brandin Cooks followed by taking a pitch from Brady (and using tight-end Rob Gronkowski as a blocking train) 11 yards for a touchdown. This gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead.

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Never one to ease his foot off the accelerator, Brady would lead the Patriots back into the end zone, within just 1:34 of game action. He completed four passes on the drive, including a 2-yard strike to James White, which put New England ahead 17-0, just prior to halftime.

Stephen Gostkowski continued his run as ‘Mr. Reliable’ this season, and added to the Patriots point total with three pinpoint field goals in the murky Foxboro night air. Gostkowski connected from 29, 21 and 38 yards, respectfully.

The Falcons finally got on the board with 4:09 remaining. From the Patriots one yard line, quarterback Matt Ryan threw a fade route to Julio Jones. Jones used his athleticism to jump up and rip the ball away from Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler for the touchdown. The deficit was cut to 23-7, but the effort came a bit too late.

And ‘The Game Ball’ goes to….the Pats Defense.

Before you ask…Yes, you read that correctly.

Matt Patricia’s defense came into Sunday night’s game ranked at the bottom of the league, according to ‘Football Outsiders’ metrics. What had been the NFL’s top scoring defense in 2016, had become exactly the opposite in 2017. They have since been much maligned, and for good reason. Each quarterback they have faced this year has been able to pass for 300 yards plus. That changed on Sunday night.

Matt Ryan, the reigning MVP who threw for at least 300 yards on six occasions in 2016, came to town and passed for only 233 yards, with 110 of those yards coming in the first half.

The Patriots defense finally achieved that for which they had been searching all year…key stops at key moments.

After surrendering a fourth-down conversion (Ryan had run it himself for the first down) the defense forced two straight incompletions. It what would have been a win for the Pats D, anyway, Atlanta brought on Matt Bryant to attempt a 37-yard field goal. Bryant’s kick was blocked by Patriots defensive end, and special teamer, Cassius Marsh. As a result, the Pats had held the Falcons to no points.

Halting another scoring threat, the New England defense held the Falcons to a field goal attempt, on what should have been a touchdown drive. The Falcons had advanced to the New England 20 on a 21-yard run by running back Devonta Freeman. However, two incomplete passes from Ryan forced them to settle for a field goal attempt. Fortunately, for the Patriots, Matt Bryant’s 36-yard kick hit off the upright and the score remained 17-0.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots defense once again showed it mettle by forcing the end to an Atlanta red zone-drive with no points. On second-and-goal, Ryan completed a pass to Mohamed Sanu, who was brought down 1 yard shy of the end zone. Atlanta failed to find the end zone on the ensuing two plays. Finally, on fourth down, Falcons receiver Taylor Gabriel took a handoff on a jet sweep and was tackled well short of the goal line. New England took over on downs and sealed the fate of the Falcons.

The defensive ends kept pressure on Matt Ryan, however the depleted secondary was the star of the night. Riding a stellar performance of cornerback Malcom Butler, reserve corners Jonathan Jones and Johnson Bademosi played tight coverage, and at time, looked to be playing shut down defense.

With a strong showing in both sides of the ball, the Patriots turned in their first complete game effort of the season. For Patriots fans, it was great to see the defense ‘doing its job’ once again. With solid contributions from the front seven, the Patriots defense deserves the lion’s share of the credit for this win.

Up next

The Patriots (5-2) will host the resurgent and suddenly relevant Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 29. The Bolts will enter Foxboro, winners of three straight after starting the season 0-4. Their explosive defense and potent offense will be a strong test for the Patriots on both sides of the ball. Stay tuned for, what should be, a great matchup on Sunday at 1:00pm.

-Mike D’Abate is the Managing Editor for cover32.com/Chargers and covers the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots. He is also a National Content Writer and covers the NFL for cover32.com. Follow @MG973024 Follow @cover32_LAC

  AROUND COVER32 Chuck Pagano’s seat is as hot as it’s ever been Previewing the Jaguars’ divisional matchup with the Colts Making some observations on how the Texans played on Week 6 Notes on the latest in Titans news Ranking the 10 biggest injuries of the 2017 NFL season (so far)

[junker-town]

Bill Belichick's 10 best losses ranked by how happy they made NFL fans

When the Patriots lose, the other 44 states win.

Bill Belichick doesn’t lose often, but when he does it generates enough schadenfreude to feed a nation.

Belichick’s New England Patriots are in the middle of the most successful run of all time, winning five Super Bowls (and playing in two more) in the coach’s 17-year tenure. New England and all-world quarterback Tom Brady hasn’t missed an AFC Championship since 2010. After one of the most talked-about offseasons in franchise history, this upcoming season is likely to keep that streak alive.

But while five of the club’s seasons under its ornery headmaster have ended with championship parades on Boston’s duck boats, 12 more have left nothing but the bitter taste of failure (though, if the Patriots were the Indianapolis Colts, they would have also ended with some sad banners). That’s a bitter pill for fans in New England to swallow, but a breath of fresh air for the rest of the NFL-loving universe. The Patriots’ frequent trips to the league’s stratosphere has made their plummeting crashes back to earth all the more satisfying for Belichick and Brady haters.

Not all Patriots losses are considered equal (the same for Belichick — how many people outside the Rust Belt really remember his five-year stint with the Cleveland Browns?). Botching a Week 17 matchup after clinching a playoff spot doesn’t have the same kind of gravity as a Super Bowl loss. Losing to the Miami Dolphins’ gadget offense isn’t nearly as sweet as a straight-up Cincinnati Bengals trucking that makes you question whether Brady is headed to the glue factory for old quarterbacks.

With that in mind, 10 of the future Hall of Famer’s 80 losses with the Patriots (an average of only 4.7 per season, as if the rarity needed to be highlighted) rise above the rest. New England fans, take this as a compliment — but maybe skip this list, too.

10. 26-20 (OT) vs. the New York Jets in the 2015 regular season

Belichick’s unorthodox moves often work out brilliantly, but the gratification that ensues when they backfire could fill the Grand Canyon. The most recent example came in 2015, when the Patriots finished regulation of a Week 16 game against New York tied, 20-20. New England won the coin toss and ... elected to kick off? No, that can’t be right.

Wait, yup. That happened. And then the Jets drove 80 yards for a game-winning touchdown, denying Brady the chance to even touch the ball in overtime.

The loss would cost the Patriots home-field advantage in the playoffs, a point that looms large in No. 4 on this list.

9. 34-20 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2004 regular season

The Patriots won 21 straight games in the leadup to their date at Heinz Field, winning Super Bowl XXXVIII in the process and setting an NFL record. It turns out the only 22 they’d see in Week 6 was Duce Staley, as the Steeler tailback ran for 125 yards in a blowout win. New England wasn’t sad about the loss for long, however. A 41-27 victory in the rematch in Pittsburgh that January made the Patriots AFC champions.

8. 41-14 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2014 regular season

A Monday Night Football showcase gave the Chiefs the opportunity to wipe the floor with the Patriots, holding Brady to a paltry 159 passing yards and a pair of interceptions. Jimmy Garoppolo made his regular season debut and shined in garbage time, completing six of his seven passes and spurring discussion about whether Brady’s time in the spotlight would soon come to an end.

It would not.

7. 33-14 vs. the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 Wild Card round

Belichick has struggled with the Ravens, going just 2-2 against them in the postseason and needing a missed 32-yard field goal to prevent a possible three-game losing streak. Baltimore has blown out the Pats twice in Gillette Stadium, but never as thoroughly as it did in January 2010 when Ray Rice led his team to a 24-0 first-quarter advantage. New England managed just 196 total yards in defeat.

6. 28-21 vs. the New York Jets in the 2010 Divisional round

Losing to your arch rival hurts. Losing to noted loudmouth and frequent playoff spectator Rex Ryan hurts even more. Brady wound up getting outplayed by Mark Sanchez as the Pats suffered a stinging defeat at Gillette Stadium. Wide receiver Wes Welker put his best foot forward, but it wasn’t enough to extend his team’s season.

5. 35-34 vs. the Indianapolis Colts in the 2009 regular season

Facing fourth-and-2 from his own 28-yard line and protecting a 34-28 lead, Belichick decided to go for it rather than punt the ball back to the Colts and Peyton Manning. Lucas Oil Stadium, in only its second year of operation, erupted when a quick pass to Kevin Faulk was stopped short of the first-down marker. Manning led his team 29 yards to take the lead on a 1-yard pass to Reggie Wayne and would later carry Indianapolis to Super Bowl XLIV. The Patriots would bow out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round.

4. 20-18 vs. the Denver Broncos in the 2015 AFC Championship

The argument over greatest kicker in Patriots history comes down to two names: Adam Vinatieri and Stephen Gostkowski. The latter’s missed extra point at Mile High Stadium in 2016 may be the evidence that drops him to second place. If he hits that 33-yard kick in the first quarter, this game likely goes into overtime and gives New England a chance to defend its Super Bowl XLIX title. Instead, Brady’s two-point conversion with 12 seconds left failed, ending his season.

3. 38-34 vs. the Indianapolis Colts in the 2006 AFC Championship

The Patriots had owned Indianapolis in the postseason under Belichick, and 2006 appeared to be no different as New England took a 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter. Manning found another gear, answering questions about his postseason leadership by leading a furious comeback that included 32 second-half points.

The Colts reigned supreme and earned the opportunity to face Rex Grossman in the Super Bowl. Unsurprisingly, they won.

2. 21-17 vs. the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI

The 2012 sequel failed to live up to the original, but while the Giants’ second Super Bowl win over Belichick wasn’t quite The Godfather Part II, it was at least on par with Crank 2: High Voltage. That, of course, leads us to ...

1. 17-14 vs. the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII

A generation of needy third-world children got crate upon crate of 19-0 T-shirts, and the Giants’ defensive line proved the best way to beat Tom Brady was to beat the crap out of Tom Brady. New York avenged a Week 17 defeat and derailed what would have been the single greatest season in NFL history. The record-setting Patriots offense, having scored nearly 37 points per game in the regular season, was held to just 14 as Brady was sacked five times.

But Eli Manning earned his status as Brady-slayer with his own brand of heroics.

Aided by a pair of miracles from the football gods themselves (David Tyree’s helmet catch above, Asante Samuel’s dropped interception), Manning led the Giants 83 yards in two minutes to set up a game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress that gave New York its first Super Bowl in nearly two decades and destroyed New England’s dream of perfection.

And with that, the Patriots-hating universe was at ease.

[torentialtribute]

Wales legends on winning Grand Slam as Gatland’s side chase 12th sweep

One win from glory, the 2019 Welsh rugby team could join the greats of the past by becoming Six Nations Grand Slam champions against Ireland on Saturday.

Ahead of the match Sportsmail gathered together a group of Welsh legends who were part of all the six Slams in living memory for a trip down memory lane.

     Wales can become Six Nations Grand Slam champions by beating Ireland on Saturday

1971

22-6 f England (Cardiff); 19-18 v Scotland (Murrayfield); 23-9 v Ireland (Cardiff); 9-5 f France (Paris).

Sir Gareth Edwards: 1971 was exciting, off the cuff, with little fuss. Our coach, Clive Rowlands 'last word to me before each game would be:' If it's good ball, use it. If it isn't kick it! "

We trained on Aberavon beach and just had one back move where Arthur Lewis would cut back against the flow of play. Guess what we called it? "An Arthur!"

Looking at today's complications, that's ridiculous! JPR Williams was such a masterful runner, we didn't need much else.

Against Scotland Gerald Davies had curved fit full back Ian Smith, but couldn't score among the posts. John Taylor then had a conversion right on the touchline in the last minute to win it.

     Wales scrum-half Gareth Edwards runs with the ball during his team's win over France

Delme Thomas couldn't look. I said: "To think we've come all this way, played some great rugby and will lose!" It was too much of a fairy tale – but he got the kick.

We tended to lose to France in Paris, but not that final day. Despite the 9-5 score-line it was one of the classiest games I played in. Everyone still drools about it when I go to Paris now!

JPR intercepted Roger Bourgarel five out of our line. I thought: "I better follow him." With about 20 yards to go he threw the ball and I scored in the corner.

1976

21-9 f England (Twickenham); 28-6 v Scotland (Cardiff); 34-9 v Ireland (Dublin); 19-13 f France (Cardiff).

Edwards: We were more dominant in 1976 – a confident side with experience in the places that mattered, with the Pontypool front row of Charlie Faulkner, Bobby Windsor and Graham Price.

JJ Williams: I used to have honey and toast before a game, but the Pontypool boys would have a bloody steak! Sometimes they wrapped one in a napkin and ate it after the game – never waste a steak!

We stayed at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff and on Fridays would walk up Queen's Street to the cinema – seeing Blazing Saddles one time – all with an ice lolly! It was fabulous, but so bloody corny.

On match-day you'd open the curtains and see a sea or red outside the window. You don't go out, if you'd be swamped.

John Dawes would pick the smallest room in the hotel for a team meeting, to make the atmosphere more tense and tight, then we'd come down the lift and squeeze through thousands trying to grab you as you walked across the road to the ground.

     Edwards makes a break during the Five Nations match against England at Twickenham in 1976

Edwards : One of the first things John said to us that year was : "You might not be a good team at the start of the season, but you're going to be a good side of the end!" We believed him.

JJ Williams: The dressing rooms at the Arms Park were very quiet, but when you came out of the tunnel the wall of noise hit you.

France were after our blood, but it was our peak after the invincible 1974 Lions tour. Mervyn Davies led from the front as a great captain, and we followed.

The necklaces were closing down, so the special Slam gift Wales a huge lift. Max Boyce was starting out then too. As we've got better, we've got more famous!

So did the Grogg shop in Pontypridd – they made caricature models of Mervyn and JPR to sell. All of that became part of the folklore. Possibly the best Grand Slam Wales ever won.

1978

9-6 f England (Twickenham); 22-14 v Scotland (Cardiff); 20-16 v Ireland (Dublin); 16-7 f France (Cardiff).

JJ Williams: 1978 was tougher as teams were after us. In 2005 everyone went bonkers because the modern generation didn't have a Slam and had gone through so many dark times.

In the 1970s if we didn't it was considered as a failure. The pressure was enormous, and we all had day jobs, so if we had lost the public on a Monday morning!

Edwards: We could've easily lost against England. It was a bloody trudge through the mud, but Phil Bennett tonked over a late penalty and we won 9-6. That was my 50th cap too, so I'll never forget it.

     Wales wingerJJ Williams goes over to score a try during the Five Nations in 1978

In Dublin at half-time it led 13-6 but the Irish came out like a warring faction. I never saw the ball in the second half! It was a super-human effort from our pack.

We were so exhausted that after an hour we were still sat in our kit. Friends wanted me to come out but I was too tired and went to bed early!

JJ Williams: Then the first 10 minutes against France were like Waterloo. It was mad. But when it settled down we'd try to get the ball out and play.

Edwards: For winning we were given a decanter, and a silver badge that reads 'Wales Grand Slam' but never had medals. A good shake of the hand from the selectors was it!

JJ Williams: I think we were given a blazer too, but it never fitted!

2005

11-9 v England (Cardiff); 38-8 v Italy (Rome); 24-18 f France (Paris); 46-22 v Scotland (Murrayfield); 32-20 v Ireland (Cardiff).

Martyn Williams: No one thought we would win the Grand Slam in 2005, having been poor in the years previously.

Our style caught the imagination and after beating Scotland scoring some great tries, with no Slam for 27 years, it might have felt the weight of the world was on our shoulders.

Coming into Cardiff to play Ireland I felt nervous, but unbeatable. We didn't realize just how many people were in town, as we had come in the back end.

     Martyn Williams celebrates after the final whistle in his side's victory over Ireland in 2005

I saw the news on the Sunday, with 250,000 people outside City Hall, and thought: "Wow , I'm slippery I didn't see that on the way in! '

It was a perfect sunny day so the roof was open, but it didn't matter – the atmosphere was electric. Ireland had Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell and Ronan O'Gara, so we knew it would be tough.

Gavin Henson hit a drop goal and then when a Gethin Jenkins charge-down settled us Kevin Morgan scored we knew we'd done it. For the last three minutes I was looking at the clock before the elation and relief.

I was three when Wales suffered last won a Grand Slam, so to be part of one took a long time to sink in.

Because it had been so long some wanted an open-top bus tour on the Monday, but the players said no. You only do that if you win the World Cup!

A crazy time to be involved; the highlight of my career. Although, because I was man of the tournament I had some press interviews on the Monday – difficult after our weekend in town!

     Williams and Kevin Morgan celebrate with the trophy following the win over Ireland

2008

26-19 f England (Twickenham); 30-15 v Scotland (Cardiff); 47-8 v Italy (Cardiff); 16-12 v Ireland (Dublin); 29-12 f France (Cardiff).

M Williams: I'd retired after the 2007 World Cup disaster but at 32 as soon as Warren Gatland rank and asked if I wanted to come back I didn't take long to say yes. I knew we had a good team and saw what Warren and Shaun Edwards had done at Wasps.

With 13 Ospreys playing at Twickenham we beat England in a game we probably never should have won. Warren has this uncanny knack of giving players belief – we should have been dead and buried, but never looked back.

None of us had won at Twickenham – no Wales side had since 1988 – so suddenly with Scotland and Italy next at home we had momentum.

     Wales players spray champagne as they celebrate the Grand Slam against France

Jamie Roberts: I made my debut against Scotland, the only game I played in that tournament, so whether that counts as a Grand Slam I don't know! On reflection my selection was probably to put a rocket up Mark Jones.

It was Gatland's first campaign and he wanted to stamp his authority quickly – I was the beneficiary of that decision! I was a pitch-side for the France game, so lived every minute, and did get a medal!

M Williams: It was a completely different style of winning to 2005. Then we were like Kevin Keegan's Newcastle, you score, we score. But in 2008 only two tried – still a record.

Shaun had worked his magic with the defense. It was a very un-Welsh way to win. We basically won because of Shane Williams, and our defense! At Croke Park, with Shane got us out of jail. We then sealed it against France at home again.

     Williams holds the Triple Crown (right) and the Six Nations trophies after the France game

2012

23-21 f Ireland (Dublin); 27-13 v Scotland (Cardiff); 19-12 v England (Twickenham); 24-3 v Italy (Cardiff); 16-9 f France (Cardiff).

Roberts: The previous four years had harbored so much disappointment. In 2009 I lost a European Cup semi-final on penalties, let Ireland win a Slam in Cardiff with a last-minute drop goal, lost a Lions second Test in the last play against South Africa, and then was knocked out of the World Cup semi-final by a point in 2011. So by 2012 I was in my mid-20s and praying for no more disappointments.

Warren worked us so hard and made us believe we were fitter, faster and stronger than everyone else.

Against Ireland you have to empty the tank physically and mentally. Those matches hurt. We absolutely battered into them and Leigh Halfpenny won it with a penalty in the 79th minute.

     Wales center Jamie Roberts scores his try during win over Italy at the Millennium stadium

At Twickenham I ran into Manu Tuilagi and felt a click in my medial ligament. Scott Williams came on for me and won the game after stripping the ball off Courtney Lawes – it was an amazing win which sealed the Triple Crown but I was worried I'd be dropped!

Luckily I recovered – getting all the abuse and 'Lazarus' nicknames from the lads – and scored a try from 60 meters against Italy. I didn't score too many, so that was awesome.

Alex Cuthbert was an academy boy, straight out of university on £ 5,000-a-year and scored three tries in the Championship – the step off his right and change of pace against France won us that final game – and Dan Lydiate was Wales personified – his attitude to level people was incredible.

For the core group it felt like we finally had reward for our efforts. The 2011 World Cup was savage – the worst moment of my career – so 2012 was special. And when you win trophies in Cardiff there are no early nights!

     Roberts and his team mates celebrate after winning their country's fifth Grand Slam

2019?

24-19 f France (Paris); 26-15 v Italy (Rome); 21-13 v England (Twickenham); 18-11 v Scotland (Murrayfield); Next – Ireland (Cardiff).

M Williams: Recently this is the best team who've come here on the final day. Fingers crossed the magic of Cardiff will get Wales through and everyone will be dancing in the streets again. I'll be back all day long.

Edwards: They're on a fantastic run, but it is still done. I'll be proud if Alun Wyn Jones joins the group alongside Gerald Davies, JPR Williams, Ryan Jones, Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins and me who have won three Grand Slams – we'll welcome him to the club with open arms!

He deserves it. Would my team beat this one? Well, lots of us are over 70! Good luck to them, I hope they achieve it.

     Warren Gatland is one win away from seeing his team join the greats of the past

Roberts: Warren, Shaun Edwards and all the coaches deserve a perfect send-off. I have a huge amount of respect for the resilience of this team.

I can't see Wales losing. Their attacking game hasn't been allowed to shine yet, so I hope they blow Ireland off the park and score some great tries. Prepare the heart to beat at 200-beats-per-minute!

JJ Williams: This crop has shown glimpses of being a great team. We would've been proud of the Josh Adams try against Scotland. It was perfect.

This team are not spectacular – Gatland's teams will never play flamboyant rugby – but are defensively oriented and comfortable without the ball. They've done well and will get better. I am confident.

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[icemaninvestments]

Jan 2017 - The year ahead for betting

After news of a 'cracker' of a Christmas result at 38/1, updates on some great football positions and details of some new investment opportunities. All bets in particular ante post can be traced through previous blogs.  First though I need to deal with the long term USA election punt on Hilary coming up short. Never in my life I have I been so devastated over a losing bet. It really was one small loss for IceMan but a giant cost for mankind. In last blog in October when Hilary was 1/5 to win I was hitting a pessimistic note I still thought she would win but for the first time I realised there was a possibility of Donald Twat winning. Russian hackers / wiki leaks / the FBI investigation all contributed to the 70 year old adolescent winning. He may be a all things wrong but hey Hilary used email. “Go figure” (as American people used to say on TV) Anyways remember not all Trump voters are racist but all racists voted Trump. Now some good news. In last blog I informed you about a 38/1 poke on a horse called Thistlecrack. The horse had loads of potential but was a long shot for king George on Boxing Day as he was considered an unlikely runner. He is a novice over fences and people thought he would take an easier assignment at this stage and step up in class later in the season. In addition the Thistlecrack's trainer was already represented in the race by the hot favourite Cue Card .  Well Thistlecrack ran a good preparation race and the stable sportingly sent both horses to Kempton with Thistlecrack proving a convincing winner. This pick up added to the Christmas festivities in the IceMan household. I have reinvested some of gains in this horse winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Took 6/4 and as some rivals have pulled out injured his price has reduced to 10/11 (IcePrice) and may shorten again after he has another outing on Saturday. Mrs IceMan had a cold in the post Christmas period and was sadly prevented from using the windfall in pursuit of  her famous 'the more you spend the more you save' policy in the January sales.

Football Newcastle going well in Championship despite a pre Christmas wobble. 9 point cushion on automatic promotion place and looking to strengthen the squad. Backed at 8/11 now 1/25 ( IcePrice ) Still looks a Geordie Sure thing and expect to collect.  I write this on Burns night so only fair to enter a word of a caution from the Scottish bard "There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing”.   Millwall league 1 - Still making hard work of it. 5 points of a playoff spot . Backed 7/2 now 5/1 ( ShitePrice ) . Not given up on it but pessimistic. Orient league 2 - London Eastenders gone seriously 'Sarf'. More likely to be relegated than promoted. Shocked they have gone about 3 weeks without sacking a manager must be a record for them. Put this lot in the loss column which continues my woeful division 2 record. Tranmere in National League - Performing above par safely in the play offs and 5 points of automatic promotion with a game in hand. Backed 7/2 now 11/10 (IcePrice ). Quietly optimistic of a pick up. 

Scottish Premier League, Aberdeen (The Sheep) - Backed to win excluding the Mighty Celtic and Rangers ( forces of darkness ) . Got a 6 point margin with a game in hand on Farts of Midlothian so definite payout coming on this . Backed 8/11 now 1/5 (IcePrice).

Scot league 1, Hibernian - Great to see Green and white leading the way in the top two Scottish divisions. Need Hibs to win this and good news is their main rivals Dundee United have had a shocking run of form. Hibs now 6 points clear . Looks a winner. Backed 5/4 now 1/3 ( IcePrice ) Scot league 1 Alloa to win . I predicted last time that Brechin would drop away( they did )  and that this would be close between Livingston and Alloa . Well it ain't. Alloa fallen 9 points adrift . Loss column . Backed 11/4 now 8/1 ( ShitePrice )

Champions league - Mob handed but some lively options and then there is Arsenal. Got Dortmund backed at 20/1 now 12/1 (IcePrice) Seville 66/1 now 33/1 (IcePrice) still value in that . Arsenal actually won their group and got a horrible draw so unchanged at 25/1. All these each way so need to reach final Backed Roma 12/1 for Europa league no price change yet. This team owe me as let me down on numerous occasions in the past. World Cup - Love a bit of long term ante post so Argentina 9/1 unchanged as the sum of the team still less than the individual parts. Poland which I am excited about 150/1 now 28/1 (IcePrice ) sitting pretty at top of a weak qualifying group.

Had a nibble at Ghana in African Cup of Nations 9/1 each way now 6/1 ( IcePrice). You might think Ghana are rubbish and you would be right . In fact all the teams in this tournament are rubbish . It is just a matter of hoping Ghana play marginally less rubbish than the others on the day . NFL Super Bowl - Had a great run from Pittsburgh Steelers backed 11/1 each way and beaten by tournament favourites New England Patriots in semi final . Final hurdle before a pay out .should have traded it out really .  Can't say I have had any joy following them as I hate American football . In fact if they played the super bowl in my garden I would close the curtains . New Investment Horse wise got a Cheltenham champion hurdle prospect in Brain Power backed 25/1 each way and because of injury doubts about some rivals he has now reduced to 12/1 (IcePrice). I have got involved in the Grand National  before weights have been announced so this one could backfire but that prospect is priced in. I am on Irish raider Don Poli at 25/1 ( still around in places ) done it each way . It won on last outing and I am hoping he gets allocated a winnable weight allocation. Finally two unusual ones. I have got involved in French election backing Emmanuel Macrom at 8/1 now 3/1 ( IcePrice ). The centrist has got a chance of sneaking into the final run off. Goes without saying that my real emotional interest in this contest is stopping Le Pen and FN .

Have had a long range poke on the Tennis. Got Ukrainian player Elena Svitlova at 80/1 to win the US open in August . This tournament is the last major of the season and the hope is she has performed well and increased ranking early season that her price at least halves by August . I can then stay with it or trade out the position for a profit . Well that is it. As ever some of the Thistlecrack dividend made its way to Rojava Solidarity. As I write  powers such as Russia, Turkey and Iran are involved in 'peace' talks about Syria. Kurdish fighting forces including the multi ethnic SDF has been excluded despite the fact they doing the heavy lifting on the battlefield against Daesh. Sadly there have been a few recent deaths of international volunteers killed in action fighting with the Kurdish YPG . RIP Comrades. Last shout out to IceMan Junior residing in the USA who is getting amongst it with the Anti Trump resistance.  

IceMan Investment Portfolio. You can bet on it.

[cover32-yahoopartner-blog]

Super Bowl Preview: Falcons versus Patriots in a Seattle Seahawks world

The New England Patriots play the Atlanta Falcons for the championship of the National Football League in Super Bowl LI this coming Sunday at 3:30 pm PT. What both teams have in common this season is that they each lost to the Seattle Seahawks, although the Falcons clearly got revenge in the playoffs. What should a Seahawks fan look forward to in this game?

If the Falcons win Seattle can say they lost to the best team in 2017

This is basically meaningless, true. But any season that ends in another team winning the Super Bowl is a season without meaning to a long-time 12. Sure, one can pull for one team over another in any game that does not include the Seahawks, but the emotion is lacking for the most part. (See more on this last point a bit later.)

Seattle lost to the Falcons in the playoffs, however, so if Atlanta goes on to win the Super Bowl at least Seattle can say they did not lose to someone’s sloppy seconds. My father, bless his soul, used to say that if you are going to lose at least lose to the best. While long-term I cannot say that Atlanta is better than Seattle, the Falcons were clearly better and healthier than the Seahawks at season’s end. My hope is that the Falcons go on to defeat the Patriots simply because they defeated Seattle.

Atlanta should have every expectation of winning the game as well. They had the number one ranked offense nearly the entire season for a good reason: they are really talented. Quarterback Matt Ryan probably should be the league’s Most Valuable Player as he was productive for all 16 games, not just three-quarters of those games. Plus, his numbers were better than the Patriots’ Tom Brady overall.

Ryan threw for more touchdowns than Brady (38 to 28, respectively) and had a higher completion rate (69.9 to 67.4). While Ryan threw five more interceptions than Brady, Ryan had a better QBR (117.1 to 112.2).

I know what Patriots fans will say, “Brady was better!” Trying to get the average Patriots fan to admit anyone might be better than their patron saint, even momentarily, is impossible. Just attempt to argue with them about who is the greatest quarterback in the history of football. Suggest anyone other than Saint Tom and they might insist you have never watched a football game before. Ryan was better this year, though, and the numbers prove it.

Atlanta’s offense was not good just because of Ryan, of course. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan did a spectacular job of getting the most out of the Falcons talent. He incorporated two running backs into the system and both are versatile in that they can catch and run. The receiving corps was excellent and, even on those rare moments when Ryan was not his M.V.P.-quality self, was able to catch passes.

And let us be honest, the Falcons have an absolute freak in wide out Julio Jones. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick may be the greatest coach in the history of the game (other than Bill Walsh, of course; let us not get silly) and has an incredible (the people in charge of Cover32 are paying me by the superlative in this article, by the way) ability to take away the best option of the opposing team. But Jones is a different breed of lion.

AROUND COVER32

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Trivia Blitz:: Test your Super Bowl knowledge!

The Patriots may very well win this game, and they might do so even if Jones has a good game. Taking away the best options of other teams is one thing, but with Jones one might recall the Jack Nicholson line from Batman, “Wait till they get a load of me!” Jones’ numbers were not amazing (see, another superlative!) against the Seahawks in the playoff game as he had just six catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, but it just felt like he dominated his position. And against the Green Bay Packers, he had that little 73-yard touchdown reception where nothing much happened. Absolutely nothing. Nothing to see here…

The Patriots defense will be tough to overcome

The Falcons led the N.F.L. in scoring, but the Patriots were number one in scoring defense. The Patriots did this even after they got rid of Chandler Jones and Jamie Collins. As I said before, Belichick is really good. Belichick may be the best at scheming to his players’ strengths. Even without Brady the Patriots win games. Why? Because Belichick knows how to coach to each player’s strength and uses those strengths in his game plan.

This is truly the impediment to the Falcons winning: The Patriots may have a talented defense, but they are not the most talented. The Patriots may have Brady at quarterback, and he is a great player but not the greatest player. But to beat the Patriots you have to beat Belichick and he is a better coach than your teams’ coach.

The way to beat such a good coach is for the players to win their individual matchups. The Seahawks are 2-1 against the Patriots in their three most recent meetings. And yes, they should have been 3-0 if Seattle would have only given the ball to Marshawn Lynch. Why is this? Because the Seahawks’ individual talent matches up well with New England’s and no coach can fix that. Seattle secondary, in particular, is big and physical and talented, and uses press coverage to disrupt the other teams’ receivers. Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas are better than any individual Patriots receiver. Seattle wins their individual matchups. Atlanta, a team built to resemble Seattle defensively, will need to do the same. Or they will lose.

Or Atlanta could trade for Eli Manning, the obvious kryptonite to Belichick’s Superman. (Brady does not beat Eli in Super Bowls.)

Prediction

The Patriots can lose this game. Atlanta can win this game. The Falcons, though, will need to play at a high level offensively as the Patriots are also good on offense. The better team normally wins the Super Bowl. New England is a better “team” than the Falcons are. Atlanta is not as good as New England is defensively and two defensive stops might be enough to win the game. Here is thinking that New England gets one more than Atlanta.

Or Julio Jones just goes off and Atlanta wins 40-20.

Do not bet on this but…

Patriots 34 Falcons 24

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