Youth vs Experience

November review

UEFA Euro 2012

Talk about the commentators' curse. In my October blog I'd been praising Spain to the rafters, but an experimental England XI beat them 1-0. In this & the Sweden game we saw the promise of youngsters like Rodwell & Jones. We've been here before of course, it's one thing having good results in friendlies & qualifying, but can they deliver at the business end of a major tournament ? The first game against France will be crucial. If England win the group they would avoid Spain (assuming the Spaniards win their group) in the quarters. I think the semis is the best England can hope for.

ATP World Tour Finals

Roger Federer won the ATP Masters for a record sixth time. I think the shorter format (best of 3 sets) suited him. At the Slams, with the best of 5 set matches, I think fatigue can be a issue and the younger guys will still prevent him from winning a 17th major. Both Tsonga & Djokovic beat him this year from 2 sets down, something that Roger had suffered only once before, in Davis Cup (2003) to Hewitt.

Frazier & Lyle

Last month saw the passing of two great heavies, Joe Frazier & Ron Lyle. They fought in the golden age of the heavyweight division, the 1970's, an era packed with quality: Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Larry Holmes, Earnie Shavers, Jerry Quarry, Lyle. This is in stark contrast to the current situation where Eastern European fighters dominate. Sadly there is no statue of Frazier in his native city of Philadelphia despite his achievements-only one of Rocky Balboa.

Performance of the Month

Federer for winning at the O2, his 70th career tournament title.