My pre-tournament tip, Wales, deservedly took their third Six Nations Grand Slam in eight years.With only three players over the age of 30, they could dominate for some years.
England, who I thought would end up in the bottom half, finished up as runners-up; & in Owen Farrell may have found a dead-eyed kicker in the Wilkinson mould.
France will look to rebound next year from a disappointing 4th place.
Federer back in Form
Roger Federer showed he is still a force to be reckoned with, winning Rotterdam, Dubai, and Indian Wells. Until he lost in Miami it looked like he was on track to regain the world no. 1 ranking, amazingly, at the age of 30. It's still possible, as Djokovic has a huge amount of ranking points to defend this season, but the Fed would need to win a couple of tournaments in the upcoming clay court swing. Also, I still think in the best of five sets matches at the Slams, he will come unstuck against a top eight opponent.
Performance of the Month (Feb & March)
Wales.
Honourable mentions:
Federer.
The GB women 4 x 400 m relay squad, who won the 1st ever GB gold in the event, at the World Indoors.
Brad Wiggins, who became the first Brit since Tom Simpson to win the Paris-Nice stage race.
Vika Azarenka, who lost her 27 match win streak to Bartoli in Miami this week.
Quote of the Month
There is no script in sports, you know. I think that's what makes it the best entertainment in the world.
Andy Roddick, after beating Federer for only the third time in 24 meetings.
Saturday 31 March 2012
Saturday 3 March 2012
England Eclipsed
Champions League
With Chelsea & Arsenal facing first leg deficits of 3-1 & 4-0 respectively, it's looking highly likely there will be no English team in the QFs for the fist time since 1996. From 2007-9, English teams made up three of the four semi-finalists, with an-all English final in 2008. United were also runners-up to Barca last year & in 2009. So why are English clubs no longer dominant ? The other side of the coin is the opposition getting stronger. Barcelona have set a new level of excellence in recent years, & Real Madrid are perhaps Barca's closest challengers. So last season Barca accounted for Arsenal as well as Man U, while Madrid knocked out Spurs. In the last few seasons English sides have had the better of the Italians but this year Serie A have turned the tables, assuming the London clubs can't pull off miracle comebacks.
The question is whether this is set to last, or will English teams mount a strong challenge next season. I think they will. Man U will surely bounce back after their nightmare European season, although they need reinforcements in midfield for the vets: Giggs & the unretired Scholes. Man City you would expect to have a decent run after a difficult first campaign. Spurs are the only other team you can be fairly sure will qualify, with the 4th place being far too close to call at the moment. If Redknapp takes the England national team post, I wouldn't like to tip how well Spurs will do until seeing their new manager.
With Chelsea & Arsenal facing first leg deficits of 3-1 & 4-0 respectively, it's looking highly likely there will be no English team in the QFs for the fist time since 1996. From 2007-9, English teams made up three of the four semi-finalists, with an-all English final in 2008. United were also runners-up to Barca last year & in 2009. So why are English clubs no longer dominant ? The other side of the coin is the opposition getting stronger. Barcelona have set a new level of excellence in recent years, & Real Madrid are perhaps Barca's closest challengers. So last season Barca accounted for Arsenal as well as Man U, while Madrid knocked out Spurs. In the last few seasons English sides have had the better of the Italians but this year Serie A have turned the tables, assuming the London clubs can't pull off miracle comebacks.
The question is whether this is set to last, or will English teams mount a strong challenge next season. I think they will. Man U will surely bounce back after their nightmare European season, although they need reinforcements in midfield for the vets: Giggs & the unretired Scholes. Man City you would expect to have a decent run after a difficult first campaign. Spurs are the only other team you can be fairly sure will qualify, with the 4th place being far too close to call at the moment. If Redknapp takes the England national team post, I wouldn't like to tip how well Spurs will do until seeing their new manager.
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