From Australia’s sandpaper storm to some impressive popularity contests, via José Mourinho and worm denial5 January: “We have money for sardines and I’m thinking lobster. I will do my best to try and bring in the best players. I will look to the lobsters and sea bass, but if not we must buy sardines. But sometimes the sardines can win games” – Perhaps, Carlos Carvalhal, but they couldn’t keep Swansea in the Premier League. Related: The alternative sport review of 2018, from Kanté’s curry to Salah’s statue Haters gonna say I didn’t mean it https://t.co/HjZg57U6Cx Continue reading...
The final event of the UFC’s 25th anniversary year served as a proper example of how the promotion has made it this farWhen it opened for business in 1993 the Ultimate Fighting Championship was designed to disrupt.Challenging basic conventions about traditional martial arts this is exactly what the UFC did in its opening act, and from that point forward the company has operated at its best approaching the margins where most people would see only chaos and controversy. Related: Jon Jones stops Alexander Gustafsson in three to win UFC light heavyweight title Related: How Jon Jones sparked UFC 232's 'atypical' move from Vegas to LA Continue reading...
The winner of 23 major singles titles blamed all and sundry after falling foul of the rules and losing to Naomi OsakaThe turmoil that enveloped Serena Williams and Carlos Ramos during the final of the 2018 US Open had little or nothing to do with racism or sexism as it was widely portrayed at the time and is lingeringly perceived.However, from the player’s perspective it did have distant roots in prejudice and struggle, which exist beyond tennis. Also, it was made possible by an uneven battle of wills, the lauded and entitled champion bumping up against the inconvenience of authority, which is part of the culture of modern sport. Related: Serena Williams’s US meltdown was handled badly all round, says...
This week’s roundup also features Paul Sherwen, NHL deflections and Dean Jones’s very bad idea1) It wasn’t always widely known, but Buzzcocks’ brilliant Pete Shelley, who died this past week, wrote the music for the iconic Channel 4 Tour de France theme, itself taken from within 1984 track Give It To Me. Another sad passing this week was Paul Sherwen. It’s well worth a listen to the Cycling Podcast’s tribute, while Sherwen recalls how he met his broadcasting partner Phil Liggett.2) The Miami Miracle! Obviously there’s already a Tecmo Super Bowl version out there. Gronk’s still stumbling. More laterals: here’s the Music City Miracle, which always features highly among some of the NFL’s most famous. There are more in college...
The Eagles look well set for an automatic Olympic place. Rugby’s sleeping giant is most definitely stirringThe USA men’s sevens team has found a way to win – or at least to lead – while losing. Related: Twickenham considers NFL-style plan for elite to split into two regions Related: Pools of intrigue: how the Rugby World Cup groups stack up | Paul Rees Continue reading...