Issue 292 | February 8 2013
The trouble with JosĂŠ
issue 292, February 8 2013 radar 06 The stolen stallion This week in sporting history: Shergar is horsenapped, plus other sporting mysteries
08 Kiwi cricket
What will England face in their tour of New Zealand? NZ legend Richard Hadlee has the answers
oFeatures this coming week
16 Still special? José Mourinho’s Madrid dream is falling apart – we ask where The Special One has gone wrong
Cover image: David Ramos/Getty Images. This page: Denis Doyle/Getty Images
25 Young and in charge
16 06
Fortunately for Ronaldo, Ozil and co, there is a new generation of talented managers out there – we bring you the best of them
31 Six Nations
What to expect from this weekend’s games – and what we learned from last week
36 Hulk Hogan Wrestling’s greatest skullet lays down the law on what’s fake, the Iron Sheik and who was great in his time in the ring
extra Time
36
60
52 Kit
The gear that gives you 200 exercises in the space of one square metre (not in your loo)
54 Grooming
It’s nearly Valentine’s Day. A spa visit probably isn’t a bad idea, then – for her, or indeed for you
56 Gadgets
Make music on your iPhone with the iRig Guitar Interface Adapter, and annoy your fellow commuters more than usual
60 Entertainment All of us harbour dark recesses of violence and horror – so says Anthony Hopkins’ English psycho | February 8 2013 | 03
Radar
p06 – This week in sporting history: Shergar, the stolen stallion
p08 – Sir Richard Hadlee on what England can expect in NZ
Getting shirty f, like us, you can section your life neatly into four-year blocks – remembering how old you were and what you were doing at the time of World Cups stretching back to your childhood – then the image to the left will immediately bring back a flood of memories. Created by David Sparshott, this elegant print shows the shirt worn in the final by each World Cup winner, from the 1930 Uruguay jersey pulled on by José Nasazzi to Xavi’s Spain 2010 effort. It’s a marvel to take in, marred only by the fact that there’s a definite drop in the quality of kit in the 1990s, compared with some of the wonderfully uncomplicated efforts that went before. Push us, and we have to admit that Argentina’s 1986 shirt looks superb when not being stretched out in all the wrong places by a tubby, handballing genius. Overall, though, this is a perfect blend of football, history and fashion.
I
Prints available for £60. From handsomefrank.com/shop
| February 8 2013 | 05
Radar
the great unknown On the anniversary of Shergar’s disappearance, we take a look at three other famous unsolved sporting mysteries... The PhanTOm Punch ali v liSTOn, 1965 Midway through the first round of their famous rematch, Ali swung a punch – seemingly without much power – that surprisingly knocked liston off his feet. Unhappy with the ease with which he had felled his opponent, Ali stood over him and shouted: “get up and fight!” his doing so delayed the count – Ali had not gone to a neutral corner, therefore referee Jersey Joe walcott correctly did not count liston out. liston eventually got up and the fight continued, only to end seconds later after the ringside official’s intervention. Fix or farce? theories still regularly surface.
1983 shergAr goes Missing
06 | February 8 2013 |
been discovered, it’s believed that those responsible panicked and killed the great thoroughbred. At least, that’s what the Tesco spokesman told us.
Also this week 1900 The first Davis Cup is established when American Dwight Filley Davis challenges British tennis players to play his Harvard team. A whole 113 years later, and still no one cares.
1979 Trevor Francis becomes the first £1m footballer when he signs for Michael Sheen’s Nottingham Forest.
1984 Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean become the biggest thing on skates when they win ice dancing gold at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics.
The PhanTOm waiTreSS SOuTh africa v new ZealanD, ruGby wOrlD cuP final, 1995 nelson Mandela. Francois pienaar. A nation united. the Crowne plaza hotel. okay, the latter – where new Zealand stayed in the build-up to the final – doesn’t get quite as much credit for south Africa’s 1995 world Cup win, but if rumours from the All Blacks camp were to be believed, maybe it should. listening devices outside rooms, synchronised car alarms going off the night before the final and food poisoning by the mysterious waitress suzie (whose existence was denied by the hotel) are just some of the theories behind the home side’s shock victory.
Allsport Hulton/Archive
this week W in sporting history
hile Frankel is enjoying the start of stud life (see over the page), spare a thought for poor Shergar. The Michael Stoute-trained horse had won the Epsom Derby by a record 10 lengths in 1981 and was subsequently retired to stud. Barely had he begun to fill up his little black book of contacts, however, when 20 years ago tonight, thieves broke into his stables and forced head groom James Fitzgerald to release Shergar before driving off with the beast in a horsebox. What followed was a catalogue of police ineptitude, as walking Irish stereotype Chief Superintendent Jim ‘Spud’ Murphy continued to come up short in investigations and scare the kidnappers off from any negotiations. And, despite the body never having
The PhanTOm jumP DevOn lOch, GranD naTiOnal, 1956 owned by Queen elizabeth the Queen Mother, Devon loch royally fu… er, fouled up in front of her Maj on the biggest stage of all. leading by five lengths into the Aintree home straight, the racehorse suddenly jumped in the air for no reason and landed on his stomach, allowing esB to gallop past and win the race. why Devon loch jumped is still a mystery, with cramp, crowd noise and a nearby jump’s shadow all having been blamed.
Radar
What should England’s crickEtErs ExpEct from nEW ZEaland?
TWO-TRICK PONIES “it’s going to be competitive in the t20s and the 50-over games, but clearly in the test matches our recent record has been very poor, and that doesn’t augur well. new Zealand are the underdogs – they’re under pressure to perform.” JURY OUT ON THE SKIPPER “the jury is still out on Brendon mccullum (pictured) and whether he should be captaining all forms of the game. his form is a concern, but he does energise the side. normally, he’s a very attacking, adventurous sort of batsman, but at the moment he’s caught between playing positively and taking his time. he’s not playing his natural game, and that’s because he’s the captain.” BIG CALL ON TAYLOR “ross taylor has been playing domestic cricket since his self-imposed exile [he
resigned from the team after being dropped as captain]. he’s been picked for the twenty20 games against England, but the selectors and management have to make sure there is peace between him and the coach, be confident that his form warrants selection, and find out how the players are going to react to him.” DAN WAS THE MAN “daniel Vettori is a huge loss – for his run-making ability, world-class bowling and his leadership role within the team. it’s a vulnerable batting order, one has to say. Quality bowling could test them, but there are one or two who could potentially stand up – BJ Watling is by far the most consistent of all our batsmen.” STRONG (LEFT)-ARM TACTICS “our young pace attack is handy. it’s very likely they’ll use trent Boult, the left-armer, who i really like. tim southee should be back for the tests, and i do like this young fellow mitchell mcclenaghan, who’s been playing in the t20s and odis. he’s a well-built strong left-armer.” Sir Richard Hadlee is promoting Sky Sports’ year of live cricket, including England v New Zealand, back-to-back Ashes and the ICC Champions Trophy
Neighbourly love
08 | February 8 2013 |
W
ith the breeding season starting on Valentine’s Day, recently retired racehorse Frankel will be seeing quite a bit of hot stud action. His fee is £125,000 per mare and, as he’s likely to cover two to three mares a day – the scoundrel – he could quickly exceed the £3m he won in prize money on the track. Rather cruelly, the British Horseracing Authority have calculated that he could be earning £6,270 per second, given that covering a mare could take ‘as little as 20 to 30 seconds’. Frankel will be visited by the likes of 2011 Arc winner Danedream, as well as Midday and Stacelita. Although, based on these figures, while their owners will be satisfied, the mares might not...
Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images, Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images, Marty Melville/Getty Images
England’s tour of New Zealand starts this week, with three T20 games followed by three ODIs and three Tests. We asked Kiwi legend Sir Richard Hadlee for his thoughts on the New Zealand team.
Radar Editor’s letter How many points did you drop against Liverpool on Sunday, Roberto? www.sport-magazine.co.uk @sportmaguk facebook.com/sportmagazine Free iPad app available on Newsstand
Sport magazine Part of UTV Media plc 18 Hatfields, London SE1 8DJ Telephone: 020 7959 7800 Fax: 020 7959 7942 Email: firstname.lastname@ sport-magazine.co.uk
The week the title went As Manchester United plough on, Roberto Mancini is cutting an increasingly desperate figure
T Deputy editor Tony Hodson @tonyhodson1
he Manchester City manager has a problem – and I don’t just mean with his scarf, which he seems to be sporting with less and less elan by the week. No, the problem facing Roberto Mancini is that his side trails their near neighbours by nine points with just 13 games of the league season remaining. Not insurmountable, of course, as we all remember from last year – but City look a pale imitation of the side that overhauled Fergie and co 12 months ago, while United have Robin van Persie and, as of last week, a back-to-form Wayne Rooney. Therein lies the difference. Mancini has openly said as much already, seemingly launching the pre-emptive strike he hopes might keep a demanding board off his back when, not if, City concede the title. But van Persie – a near shoo-in to retain the two player of the year gongs he won while with Arsenal last season – set Sir Alex
Ferguson back £24m in the summer, while the Italian spent a combined £36m on Javi Garcia, Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell. The latter has been plagued by injury and may yet come good, but Sinclair has proven an all-too natural heir to the lightly played, largely disappointing Adam Johnson – and Garcia has been little short of a disaster. He has ability, but it was evident on Sunday – as City scraped an undeserved point against Liverpool for the second time this season – how the Spaniard and Gareth Barry utterly failed to cope with a midfield of Lucas, Jordan Henderson and a renascent Steven Gerrard. Joleon Lescott didn’t look much like a £22m defender against the respective guile and pace of Messrs Suarez and Sturridge, either. How Mancini must be looking forward to having Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany back in his side. The pair rode to the rescue a year ago, but this time the task looks impossible – and the manager, scarf and all, knows it.
Earlier this week, European police revealed details of an investigation that has concluded as many as 680 football matches across 30 countries were fixed. One of these, they claim, was a Champions League game played in England ‘in the last three or four years’. More will be revealed with time, of course, but I am going to goad fate with a big stick and say that I fully expect an eventual list of miscreants – led by Far East gambling syndicates, as seems to be the way – to contain not a single match official, club official or player from these shores. The game in England has its faults, but I cannot believe that corruption is one of them. Last weekend, Elise Christie became Great Britain’s first short-track speed skating World Cup winner and Shelley Rudman took gold at the World Skeleton Championships. We may not be hosting next year’s Winter Olympics, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make our mark.
Editorial Editor-in-chief: Simon Caney (7951) Deputy editor: Tony Hodson (7954) Art editor: John Mahood (7860) Digital designer: Chris Firth (7952) Subeditor: Graham Willgoss (7431) Senior writers: Sarah Shephard (7958), Alex Reid (7915) Staff writers: Mark Coughlan (7901), Amit Katwala (7914) Picture editor: Julian Wait (7961) Production manager: Tara Dixon (7963) Contributors: Lee Roden, David Lawrenson, Mark Richardson Commercial Agency Sales Director: Iain Duffy (7991) Business Director: Kevin O’Byrne (7832) Advertising Managers: Steve Hare (7930), Aaron Pinto del Rio (7918) Sales Executive: Joe Grant (7904) Distribution Manager: Sian George (7852) Distribution Assistant: Makrum Dudgeon Head of Online: Matt Davis (7825) Head of Communications: Laura Wootton (7913) Managing Director: Calum Macaulay PA to Managing Director: Sophia Koulle (7826) Colour reproduction: Rival Colour Ltd Printed by: Wyndeham Group Ltd © UTV Media plc 2012 UTV Media plc takes no responsibility for the content of advertisements placed in Sport magazine £1 where sold Hearty thanks to: Simon Rothstein, Lauren Soar
Cover of the Year
Reader comments of the week @Sportmaguk really gets the weekend going. Every Friday without fail. Brilliant
@severinamiss Twitter
@chaitdesh Twitter
10 | February 8 2013 |
A refreshing read this evening was @Sportmaguk, funny what happens when you take football out the pages
OUCH to the Frozen in Time pic in @Sportmaguk. The horse’s head is where exactly???
Loving the @BorrowsSport column in @SportMagUk. Is there a hint of botox in that portrait? #PrettyboyBill
LAUNCH OF THE YEAR
2008
Total Average Distribution: 305,676 Jan-Jun 2012 Don’t forget: Help keep public transport clean
and tidy for everyone by taking your copy of Sport away with you when you leave the bus or train.
@KramLlegna Twitter
@dannerskatz Twitter
@NigelBrown01 Twitter
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
“Social pressures, lack of investment or coaching” – why UK tennis had been in a stalemate. Really? Often, the best school is to have little and a lot to fight for.
Flats on Friday
David Lyttleton
Radar Opinion
Beware a weekend across the water
A
s the England team prepares to travel to Dublin for its toughest assignment in this year’s Six Nations, I recall with great affection the first trip I made to play in the Emerald Isle. Yes, we were told of the passion to expect as we ran out at Thomond Park; and that the men of Munster would come at us like banshees. That prophecy proved to be accurate indeed, but we were also told that the best nights out in European rugby were to be found in Ireland. Those of us who were, at that time, flying solo through the ever-changing universe that is romance were assured that, just so long as we didn’t lose control of our bodily functions, love could be ours. We all made sure our hair was perfect (for me, that meant trimming them both), slathered ourselves in airport-purchased cologne and put on our snappiest shoes. Into the Limerick night we strode, chests puffed out and sleeves pulled up just far enough to reveal the biceps that might just seal the deal. This was in the days of Top Gun and Predator – macho was cool, and I won’t hear a word to the contrary. I woke up with a lovely new lady-friend called George Chuter. She was extremely hairy, her eyes were a bit too close together, and she did seem to know me rather too well. Hey ho, we had a great time. The game was epic and, although we lost in the very last minute, it was just wondrous to be involved as such a young man.
12 | February 8 2013 |
How the game has changed, for this weekend is certainly not about parties. I almost get the feeling that England weren’t meant to be this good yet. The boldness of Stuart Lancaster’s initial selections smacked of a development phase, of losses being forgiven and of talk of the bigger picture being prevalent. I did it – we all probably did. Then they smoked the All Blacks, and their world changed. I actually think a loss this weekend in Dublin would be entirely forgivable – the identical, pre-Rugby World Cup fixture in 2015 being the real must-win – but I bet they see it differently. You see, the reason our national cynicism and disappointment has been turned into ardent faith again is down to the ambition of the blokes in the team and the staff in the stands. All of the stubbornness they showed in Lancaster’s first Six Nations game in charge in Edinburgh, all the resilience they showed to come back from two cutting defeats at home to thump New Zealand, and all the control they exerted over the potential Scottish banana skin last weekend tells us in no uncertain terms: they will be satisfied only if they defy the odds once more. If England win, they will do the right thing and celebrate together, in private. As a retired old dog, the advice I would give them is simple: do whatever it takes to win and forget parties. They only ever cause problems. That George still pesters me now. @davidflatman
It’s like this…
Bill Borrows
W
hen I come to think about it, at repose, with pipe in hand and my feet up in the book-lined study at my second home in the Lake District, the all-time top XI is all so obvious. Some of them – Pele, Best, Cantona, Henry (Thierry, that is) and Maradona – name themselves. But do we forget Zidane and Johan Cruyff? Of course we don’t. Sir Bobby Moore? Would you care to step outside, sir? Let’s cut to the chase here; the dogs need walking, there’s a pheasant to defrost and a large brandy with my name on it. This is the all-time football endorsement XI. Up front, we’ve got ‘King Eric’ – as the idiots at Old Trafford still call him – who can currently be seen being French for Kronenbourg 1664 while overdoing the look to camera. Bestie is next to him, wearing Fore aftershave. Completing a dynamic attacking triangle is Maradona, who is selected despite having a nightmare wearing a Brazil shirt after drinking too much Guarana (it’s a soft drink – I don’t know either). But this is now where the team really begins to take shape, in the form of an incredible, world-beating midfield. Zinedine Zidane (Grand Optical) is a shoo-in despite concerns about his vision. If he can see him, he will obviously link up well with the extremely dark-haired Luis Figo (Just For Men). The aforementioned Henry (Renault Clio) is going old school and wide – yes, just for his ‘Va Va Voom’ – and Johan Cruyff’s in there too. It might only be a public information film advocating non-smoking, but you try juggling a pack of fags, heading it twice and then volleying it to camera. At the back, we have Sir Bobby Moore (“Look in at the local”) as captain to look after the work/life balance, Gareth Southgate (free Pizza Hut seasoned potato wedges for life, apparently) and Pele (Viagra). The latter is admittedly being played somewhat out of position, but we need him in there to stiffen the defence. I’m sorry about that. And that’s your lot. Nope, I’ve done a Stuart Pearce. Not miss a penalty and then capitalise upon the broken hearts of a nation, you understand. Rather, I have forgotten to select a goalkeeper. It is, of course, Pat Jennings (Unipart oil filters in the 1980s) – and do you know why? Because “a goalkeeper is just like an oil filter”. And if that’s what the advertisers tell me, I agree. @BorrowsSPORT
Plank of the Week Goran Popov, West Brom defender Disastrous week. Club need win. Spit at Kyle Walker, red card. Manager fuming: “There is no excuse for what he did… I would like to think there will be an apology from him at some stage.” Apology. Chooses to issue it to fans via Twitter account of QPR fringe player Peter Odemwingie. You really can’t make this stuff up.
Frozen in time
14 | February 8 2013 |
Al Bello/Getty Images
Jacobyan drama There was no shortage of stories going into Sunday night’s Super Bowl XLVII, but in the end it was the Baltimore Ravens’ wide receiver Jacoby Jones (number 12 here) who wrote the definitive chapter, returning the opening kick-off of the second half for a Super Bowl record 108-yard touchdown. It was his second of the match, helping his side inflict the San Francisco 49ers’ first ever defeat in a Super Bowl. Jones is a better runner than he is a dancer, mind.
| 15
Not so special now
16 | February 8 2013 |
The Trouble with José
The union of Europe’s best manager and greatest club was supposed to be a dream partnership, but the past six months have turned into a nightmare. Ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Madrid next week, Sport investigates José Mourinho’s season of fallouts, meltdowns and disastrous defeats
| 17
Cesar Manso/AFP/Getty Images
T
he pre-match press conference was over at the Santiago Bernabeu, but there was one journalist in attendance with whom José Mourinho wasn’t quite finished. Radio Marca’s Anton Meana soon found himself being led into a small offshoot of the press room, before receiving a personal rundown of Mourinho’s CV courtesy of the man himself. If the Madrid coach doesn’t mince his words in public, then in private they come with a side dish of razor blades. “In the world of football, me and my people are on top,” Mourinho barked. “In the world of journalism, you’re a piece of shit.” Inevitably, it all got out. Marca has the highest readership of any daily newspaper in Spain, while its dedicated radio stations are also among the most listened-to in the country for sports coverage. Either Mourinho wanted his words to be leaked, or he simply didn’t care. In any case, his actions flew in the face of the image of the calculated, controlled man sold to us all on Sky Sports. In England, Mourinho has a reputation for being a master psychologist – the man who took on Sir Alex Ferguson both on and off the pitch... and won. Every action, every answer at a press conference is planned meticulously in advance, part of a bigger scheme designed to take the pressure off his players and heap it back on the opposition. He is The Special One, lest we forget. But is he so special anymore? In Spain, that’s now up for debate. The Mourinho currently on display doesn’t fit that description. And, in the age of an exponentially growing digital media, it’s impossible to think that his recent behaviour hasn’t fed its way back to those parties in England who have a particular interest in tracking his performances. The people in charge of the Premier League clubs Mourinho may yet consider for his next job k
The Trouble with José
application will be more than aware of his recent activities. After all, Marca is available in English these days.
Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images
Thumbs (and fingers) down Pinpointing the root of the problem is difficult, but much can be traced back to Barcelona and Real Madrid’s fiercely contested Spanish Supercup tie in August 2011. That night, a heavy challenge by Marcelo on Cesc Fabregas had caused a mass brawl to erupt, with players such as Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez, who normally tend to avoid such confrontations, heavily involved. That night is also remembered for Mourinho’s now infamous finger in the eye of then Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova. For many, it was an act that brought shame upon Real Madrid as an institution. Casillas, their captain, decided to act. The following day, Casillas called Xavi to apologise for the ordeal. The two are close friends, and largely responsible for the lack of infighting between the large Barcelona and Real Madrid contingents that make up the most successful Spanish national side ever. Xavi’s father, Joaquim Hernandez, later revealed that Mourinho took offence to the Madrid captain’s attempt to broker a peace deal, seeing it as a personal betrayal. Since then, Casillas has had his card marked. With war firmly declared on Madrid’s captain, the next natural step for Mourinho was to do the same with his deputy. The tipping point in the relationship between Sergio Ramos and his manager also occurred after a Clasico encounter, this time in January 2012. With Madrid 1-0 up, Carles Puyol escaped his marker to head home from a corner, the equaliser in an eventual Barcelona victory. A few days later, Mourinho berated Ramos, who he had specifically asked to mark Puyol. Ramos had instead switched marker in order to track the taller Gerard Pique, who he believed was causing problems for the Madrid defence. When Mourinho grilled the defender as to why he had made the decision, Ramos replied that he wouldn’t understand, because he had ‘never been a footballer’. Such a clear lack of respect from the Madrid vice-captain towards Mourinho suggests his coaching methods are no longer being fully absorbed. Mourinho’s success is built on achieving the unquestioning loyalty of his players in an almost cult-like environment. All for The Special One, and one for all. Not this time. Quite the opposite, in fact. It isn’t a stretch to suggest that the disrespect Ramos harboured for Mourinho stemmed directly from what he perceived as the shabby treatment of his friend and long-term teammate, Casillas.
18 | February 8 2013 |
That night is also remembered for Mourinho’s now infamous finger in the eye of then Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova. For many, it was an act that brought shame upon Real Madrid as an institution. Casillas, their captain, decided to act Sleeping dogs Mourinho had every right to question the defender’s decision-making, but what is most striking is that he has refused to let either of the incidents lie. Instead of attempting to curtail the disillusionment seeping in to his squad, he now appears to be pushing his players further towards resentment. This season, both Ramos and Casillas have found themselves the target of their manager’s belated wrath. First was Ramos, who was dropped an hour before kick off against Manchester City last September. Mourinho claimed it was a technical decision. Few believed him. In the end it didn’t cost Madrid, but it was a huge gamble to take based on a personal grudge. A gamble that didn’t work out the second time round. The captain’s turn was next. In Spain, Casillas is known as Saint Iker – seemingly blessed from above. This is a man who, time and time again, is the difference between a goal conceded by Madrid and a goal scored from a trademark counter-attack launched after one of his saves. Many would say he is indispensable, but even he wasn’t safe. Once again, Mourinho’s axe fell on the eve of a key encounter: this time against Malaga. The Andalucians had already proven their quality by becoming the first Spanish side to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. And their coach, Manuel Pellegrini, is the man whose job Mourinho had taken when he joined Real Madrid. Mourinho knew the game would be one of the few genuinely tough ties for Madrid in the league – a league they were already losing to Barcelona. But in the end, he didn’t seem to care. With familiar timing, the news began to filter through an hour or so before kick-off. Casillas had been dropped, with reserve keeper Antonio Adan taking his place. Madrid went on to lose 3-2, their captain’s ability to organise his back four clearly missed. Mourinho, again, claimed it was a technical decision – but if few believed that excuse with Ramos, nobody believed it this time. k
The Trouble with José The Madrid captain wasn’t in particularly stellar form, but he certainly wasn’t the source of their misfortunes. There was little doubt that this was a personal, not professional matter – and a personal matter considered more important by Mourinho, it seemed, than results.
Denis Doyle/Getty Images, David Ramos/Getty Images, AFP Photo/Rafa Rivas
Cutting off his nose... What exactly Mourinho had hoped to achieve in reigniting his vendetta with Casillas and Ramos is hard to see. Some have suggested it could be an attempt to divide and conquer, with the aim of breaking down the core of Spanish players in the Madrid locker room. It is perhaps worth asking if destroying the close relationship between a group of players who have just won you the league is really a tactic worth pursuing, however. The insurmountable gap between Barcelona and Madrid in La Liga suggests not. In recent weeks, the whole affair has become a certified farce. Adan, the young keeper thrust into the limelight by Mourinho’s decision to drop Casillas, has found himself having to constantly deflect questions about the ordeal, with journalists ready to pounce on the slightest of errors in order to rub it in Mourinho’s face. They didn’t have to wait long. In Madrid’s first league game of 2013, Adan was sent off in the sixth minute of play, with Mourinho forced to sub Casillas on as a result. To say he looked a fool is an understatement. Then there are the press conferences. The press room, traditionally an arena in which Mourinho had been able to win a game before a ball was even kicked, now barely features his presence at all. More often than not, assistant coach Aitor Karanka is sent out into the firing line, ready to rattle off a by now fine-tuned lap-dog routine read straight from the gospel of Mourinho. This has proven nothing more than an irritant for the media, causing them to further scrutinise Mourinho’s every actions in order to get the story they want – and in turn heaping pressure on the players. Like his fights with Casillas and Ramos, his complete dismissal of the media he once manipulated paints the picture of a man drunk at the wheel. Clubs considering employing him must now be asking if this is what they want from their manager. While Madrid’s Champions League hopes are alive, so is Mourinho’s time as coach. But there is little doubt that the only thing preventing Florentino Perez from pulling the trigger sooner is the whopping ¤20m in compensation he would have to pay out for terminating his contract early. Lose against Manchester United, however, and that’s likely to change. With Casillas now out of action for the foreseeable future, the chances of a United win have increased significantly. The keeper fractured his thumb in a cup tie against Valencia, ruling him out for up to three months; as a result, former Real Madrid reserve keeper Diego Lopez has been drafted in as an emergency replacement. If anybody truly believed the Portuguese coach when he said he had benched Casillas because he thought Adan was a better option, they certainly won’t now. So highly does Mourinho rate Adan, in fact, that he took only a day after learning of Casillas’ injury before signing a replacement.
A team united Recently, Madrid’s performances have begun to pick up. But it is claimed by some that this is in spite of, rather than because of Mourinho. One Spanish football show recently reported that a group of senior Madrid players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, held a meeting in which they decided to put differences aside in order to pull Madrid through the final stretch of the season. Ronaldo himself, who was previously believed to be firmly in the pro-Mourinho camp, k
Rise and fall 20 | February 8 2013 |
The past 12 months have seen José Mourinho come so close to achieving his Read Madrid goals, before things began to fall apart
Barca bested
His complete dismissal of the media he once manipulated paints the picture of a man drunk at the wheel
April 21 2012 Barcelona are beaten 2-1 at the Camp Nou as Real Madrid move seven points clear in the title race with four games left to play. Mourinho has earned Real’s first La Liga win over Barcelona since 2008. Pep Guardiola concedes that the title fight is over.
Penalty heartbreak
April 25 2012 A Champions League final against Chelsea is a penalty shoot-out away, but Real lose out to Bayern Munich. However, a second successive semi final represents solid progress after exiting at the last-16 stage from 2005 to 2010. Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes praises “noble” Mourinho for congratulating his players and staff in the dressing room after the match.
Real record breakers May 2 2012 A 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao confirms Madrid’s 2011-12 title win. Mourinho has toppled a great Barcelona team and, by the end of the season, Real have broken a number of records – including gaining 100 points and scoring 121 La Liga goals.
Denis Doyle/Getty Images, David Ramos/Getty Images, Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images
The Trouble with José
was a recent recipient of a verbal battering – the manager criticised the striker for taking a quick throw-in after the first leg of that same Copa del Rey tie against Valencia. Even Ronaldo, it seems, is sick of it. So, where does Mourinho go from here? The least probable option is that he will continue as Real Madrid coach beyond the summer. Most believe Manchester City or Chelsea are the clubs most likely to offer him employment, but there is also the ever-present murmur that he will be the man to relieve Sir Alex Ferguson of his duties when the Scot decides to call it a day at Old Trafford. Parting with Real Madrid before fulfilling the length of his contract isn’t likely to damage Mourinho’s career prospects, but the manner of his dismissal surely will. In a matter of months, he has taken the well-oiled machine that toppled Barcelona and transformed it into an inconsistent, unpredictable soap opera. Mourinho’s shelf life has always been short, but this time his wrath has extended beyond the people upstairs to the players he needs to survive – leaving potentially irreparable damage to the squad that may last long beyond his tenure. Ferguson has worked tirelessly to create an unrivalled atmosphere of continuity at Old Trafford; with that in mind, would Manchester United really risk the prospect of his successor undoing much of that?
Process of elimination United wouldn’t be the first club to decide against employing him for that very reason. In 2008, Mourinho was a leading candidate for the FC Barcelona job, only for Txiki Begiristain to hand the position to Pep Guardiola. Begiristain was, by all accounts, impressed by Mourinho’s plans for the team – but when he asked the Portuguese to tone down his combative nature in order to avoid damaging Barcelona as an institution, Mourinho refused. Begiristain, now at Manchester City, will rightly feel vindicated by his decision... and, in the
Faltering start
September 15 2012 Madrid win August’s season-opening Supercopa de España, beating Barcelona on away goals after two legs, but the big story is their stumbling La Liga start soon after. Real lose two and draw one of their opening four fixtures. As early as September 15, Barcelona have an eight-point lead over their great rivals.
22 | February 8 2013 |
Big Ears struggles
November 21 2012 Qualification from the tough Champions League Group D is confirmed by a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in November. But, as top seeds in the Group of Champions, Real aren’t entirely convincing. The nine-times winners lose away and draw at home to German title-holders Borussia Dortmund, who qualify in top spot.
One Spanish football show recently reported that a group of senior Madrid players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, had held a meeting in which they decided to put differences aside in order to pull Madrid through the final stretch of the season aftermath of the Mourinho/Madrid meltdown, could justifiably decide against bringing him to the Etihad for the same reason. Which leaves Chelsea: the one club Mourinho did not spurn, but was spurned by. The story goes that Roman Abramovich and his former employee have long since made up. And, in a strange way, the Russian’s unpredictability fits Mourinho’s provocative nature. Yet Mourinho may view returning to his old club as a step backwards. Abramovich’s obsession with remodelling Chelsea’s football may even mean he doesn’t have the option to return at all. The ultimate irony is that Mourinho could finish the season as a Champions League and domestic cup winner – knocking Barcelona out in the process. His success rate isn’t up for dispute, but what comes afterwards is. At Madrid, Mourinho is just another name in a long list of coaches. Even he is not bigger than this club: the prestigious history of the nine-time European champions extends far beyond his reach. It is fitting, then, that the man whose job he would perhaps love to inherit most, the man he will face in the Champions League this month, is also the man who has helped to ensure that Manchester United is now a club bigger than someone like Mourinho. It is also a club that may now decide his influence is best avoided.
Captain dropped
December 22 2012 Rumours that Mourinho is at loggerheads with some of Madrid’s top players seem to come to a head in December, as captain Iker Casillas is dropped for a match against Malaga. Madrid lose the match 3-2 and fall all of 16 points behind flying La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Lee Roden @LeeRoden89
Booed at the Bernabeu
January 6 2013 Despite some minor discontent, the Madridistas had generally supported Mourinho through his trying season. No more. In January, as Casillas is left out for a second successive match, many Madrid fans boo and whistle as Mourinho’s name is read out pre-match by the Bernabeu stadium announcer. Madrid do still beat Real Sociedad – just – 4-3.
In the balance
January 30 2013 Real draw the home leg of their Copa del Rey tie 1-1 with Barcelona, the second leg to be played at the end of this month. But a Cristiano Ronaldo own-goal in the 1-0 loss to Granada leaves Real third in La Liga, seven points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Managers: The New Breed
A With more and more relativelY inexperienced managers getting the big european jobs, sport asks: Who is the best Young manager on the continent?
n evolution has happened in the dugout in the nine years since Jose Mourinho secured his special status with an unbeaten season at Porto. You only have to compare the suave suit on the cover of this year’s iteration of Football Manager with the howling drunk who graced the series’ debut to see how our perception of what a manager should look like has changed. The old names – Capello, Hiddink, van Gaal – have been flung from the swirling rumour mill, as teams look optimistically to younger managers who can ’build a legacy’. Sharp suits and skinny ties have replaced the tracksuit, and all over Europe young men are making their mark. But who will be the new special one now that José Mourinho’s star is on the wane? We make the case for some young managers from across the continent. >
| February 8 2013 | 25
All pictures Getty Images
Fountain oF Youth
Managers: The New Breed
Diego Simeone, 42 Atletico mADriD, SpAin
Probably best remembered on these shores for goading PSG‘s new Head of Giving into getting sent off at France ‘98, the Argentine has been at the helm at Atletico for just over a year. In that time, he‘s steered them to victory in the Europa League, and to a current second place in La Liga. “Simeone is known as a disciplined, regimented coach, much like he was as a player,” says talkSPORT‘s Lee Roden. “He came into Atletico and shook up the way the team were training, instilled a work ethic that wasn‘t there before in a way that‘s comparable to Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. His management of Falcao in particular has been excellent; by all accounts Simeone has never tried to pressure him into staying longer than he is due at the Calderon, and instead has focused on getting the best out of him in a way that will benefit both Atletico and his next move as a player.” Next move He‘s been linked with the Chelsea job for next season. But then, who hasn‘t?
Antonio conte, 43 JuventuS, itAly
In a similar vein to Simeone and Guardiola, Conte is another club legend returning to manage proceedings with great success. Helped by the move to their own brand new stadium, Juventus managed an invincible Serie A season last year, in Conte‘s first year in charge. “The most common reason posited for Conte‘s success is bringing the ‘Juve Spirit‘ back to the club,” says Italian football commentator and writer Owen Neilson. “He has an excellent rapport with the squad. He‘s a vocal coach who does have a fierce side, demanding the highest standards. After a 2-1 defeat to Sampdoria, having taken the lead and then played against 10 men, he reportedly said ‘this will not happen again‘ and then walked out. The players responded with two wins and two draws.”
All pictures Getty Images
Next move Supposedly in the frame for the Tottenham job before Andre Villas-Boas took it, while recent reports have linked him to Manchester United. Expect him to stay at Juve if his success continues, though.
Jurgen Klopp, 45 boruSSiA DortmunD, germAny
Until 2008, Klopp was the German Gary Neville, winning awards for the quality of his tactical insight
looKing locAl
There are some promising young managers plying their trade in England’s lower divisions, too – are any of these three deserving of a step up to the top level?
26 | February 8 2013 |
as a television pundit, while leading his club Mainz 05 into the Bundesliga for the first time in a generation. That earned him the job of rebuilding Dortmund, which he‘s taken to with aplomb; they won back-toback league titles with a young and talented team including Shinji Kagawa (now at Manchester United) and Robert Lewandowski. Now in his fifth season in charge, Klopp has a reputation as a “player‘s manager”, according to ESPN‘s German football commentator Derek Rae. “He‘s very much in tune with his own players and, if you watch Dortmund in any game, you can see the work rate and the manager‘s influence. What he‘s done is revolutionary, because he‘s come in there with an idea as to how he wants to play the game and he‘s got the players to do that. And they‘ve become the team that everybody is now firing at.” Next move Was linked to Liverpool post-Dalglish, and he‘s in the frame for the Chelsea job (but then, who isn‘t?). However, he is expected to turn that down in favour of the German national team.
ole gunnAr SolSKJAer, 39 molDe, norwAy
Three years under Fergie‘s wing as coach of Manchester United reserves have stood the Norwegian in good stead. Since leaving England in November 2010, he has led former club Molde to consecutive league titles, the first in their history, although we still find it hard to imagine the ‘babyfaced assassin‘ turning any kind of hairdryer on his players if they‘re not performing. Curlers, maybe. Next move Has already turned down the chance to manage Aston Villa and Norway. Is he saving himself for the big job at Manchester United?
FrAnK De boer, 42 AJAx, netherlAnDS
Ajax‘s resurrection under Frank de Boer has been swift and stylish. The Dutch club, absent from the Champions League and mired in Eredivisie obscurity for much of the past 10 years, is back where it belongs after back-to-back titles. It‘s de Boer‘s first top-level management job after a spell in charge of the youth team at Ajax, and as an assistant for his country at the 2010 World Cup. His twin brother Ronald is now assistant youth coach at Ajax – the potential for practical jokes at their training ground must be astonishing.
KArl robinSon, 32, mK DonS
The youngest manager in the Football League, Robinson has guided the Dons to the playoffs in the past two seasons, with consecutive fifth-place finishes. They have also impressed on their FA Cup run this time round, including going 4-0 up against QPR at Loftus Road in the fourth round.
Next move Rejected a big-bucks offer to take over at Spartak Moscow, and declined to interview for the Liverpool job because he wanted to do more at Ajax.
DiDier DeSchAmpS, 44 FrAnce nAtionAl teAm
It seems strange to think of the World Cup winner as a ‘young‘ manager, because he‘s been operating at the top managerial level for more than a decade, but Deschamps is still just 44. He started out at Monaco, leading them to the Champions League final against the odds, before getting Juventus promoted back into Serie A (very much with the odds). After that, he returned to France and Marseille, where he helped break up Lyon‘s seven-year hegemony with respective second and first-placed finishes in 2009 and 2010. He‘s been rewarded for that with the national team job, which has a reputation for chewing up and spitting out its incumbents. What‘s the French for poisoned chalice? Next move Will probably stay in place until the end of the current World Cup cycle, barring a disaster of Domenechian proportions. After that, Chelsea would seem an obvious choice, especially because he‘s already managed at two of his other former clubs.
AnDre villAS-boAS, 35 tottenhAm, englAnD
Mentored by Bobby Robson while still a teenager in Portugal, AVB‘s first management job was when he took charge of the British Virgin Islands as a 21-year-old. After a decade working under José Mourinho, he struck out on his own, guiding relegation-threatened Academica to safety in Portugal‘s Primeira Liga – his team eventually finishing 11th, 10 points clear of the drop. He then matched Mourinho‘s feat of an unbeaten league season with Porto, part of a treble in his first in charge, and won the league by more than 20 points. Still only 35, Villas-Boas has no professional experience as a player, and is probably the archetype of the new breed of young manager that was kick-started by Mourinho. Although he failed where his predecessor succeeded in what is now a seemingly impossible job at Chelsea, expect Villas-Boas – and more like him – to dominate the managerial scene in the coming years. Next move Anywhere but Stamford Bridge, really.
guS poyet, 45, brighton
The former Chelsea midfielder has been working wonders at Brighton for just over three years now. In that time, he‘s taken them from the foot of League One to the verge of the Championship playoffs. The Premier League surely beckons for the Uruguayan, whether it‘s with Brighton or another club.
Amit Katwala @amitkatwala
eDDie howe, 35, AFc bournemouth
Promoted from youth coach in 2009, Howe steered Bournemouth to safety despite a 17-point deduction, and then back into League One the following year. He returned in October after a spell at Burnley, and promptly took the Cherries on an 18-game unbeaten run. They currently sit third in the table.
2013 Six Nations
All EyEs On Dublin
F
Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
rance have bottled it, Wales are in disarray and Scotland are guaranteed the Wooden Spoon. So it’s Grand Slam glory for England if they can overturn Ireland this weekend – right? And after that, maybe a World Cup in 2015? We jest, of course, for last weekend‘s heavily expected victory over Scotland was just that – wholly expected. Had they lost, this season‘s Six Nations could have turned into a horribly slippery slope for England‘s young stars. A win it was, though, and that means one job completed, with four more to come. And, thanks to Stuart Lancaster‘s pragmatic leadership, this youthful England side won‘t be getting too carried away. Luckily, that‘s exactly what we‘re here for, starting this weekend against Ireland…
EnGland Ten years ago, England went to Dublin on the final day of the Six Nations and put 42 points on the board as they romped to a Grand Slam, before heading to Australia and World Cup glory. Since then, English rugby has been in somewhat of a funk, with coaches, captains and players introduced and discarded via Twickenham‘s overused revolving door.
After dismAntling the scots At hQ, englAnd Are out to mAke it two from two in irelAnd on sundAy. Sport cAsts its eye over the two heAvyweights heAding into bAttle
Whisper it quietly, then, but last weekend‘s victory over Scotland appeared to show the blueprints of a very bright future. It might have taken a decade, but English rugby is showing signs of recovery, and while victory over New Zealand in December came with all sorts of caveats – none more so than a tired opposition – last week‘s win offered a lot more answers than questions. When was the last time England fans have said that after a Six Nations opener? Ireland are sure to offer a much stronger challenge this week, and arguably enter the game as favourites after the way they blew Wales apart last weekend. But this England side showed maturity to go alongside their youth last week. When Scotland scored, the response was two quickfire penalties to put England back into the lead. The back row were everywhere, Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling looked like they‘d been playing together for years, and the wingers looked hungry for ball. Perhaps most pleasingly for England, Owen Farrell brought a talent to the big stage that has been growing for the past few months, and his link play with Billy Twelvetrees brought with it memories (allow us to get carried away for a moment) of Messrs Wilkinson and Greenwood. In Twelvetrees, Lancaster has introduced a talent at >
Sunday Ireland v england avIva StadIum BBC one 3pm | February 8 2013 | 31
Stu Forster/Getty Images
2013 Six Nations
the right time yet again – and with Manu Tuilagi ready to bring his destructive talents back to the field, England have power to trouble the Irish defence. There were mistakes last weekend, though, and Lancaster will have been highlighting the spaces that this English defence left out wide, and the poor hands in the tight that presented so much ball back to the Scots. But those are just minor details. The fact is that England travel to Dublin with a real glimmer of a chance for the first time in 10 years.
built in the backs, with Brian O‘Driscoll, Simon Zebo and Jonny Sexton each pulling strings all over the park. But this week is likely to be a tighter affair founded more on powerful forwards than speedy wingers. It will be a fascinating clash between the two back rows, and in particular between the two irrepressible number sevens. In Sean O‘Brien, Ireland have a man who can burst open defences and stop attacks dead with the swing of an arm. Use him well, and England will face something altogether different to what Scotland offered last week.
Ireland
Sport’S predIctIon
England might be travelling with a bit of confidence this weekend, but there will be no shortage of it in Ireland‘s changing room either. Last week‘s win over Wales was absolutely essential for a side that Declan Kidney has refreshed with an injection of youth. The manner in which Ireland played the first 50 minutes against Wales will be as worrying for their opponents as the final 30 minutes will be promising, but give any side a 27-point lead and you can say goodbye to your chances of victory. It is, however, the old heads that present the biggest danger for England this Sunday. In Cian Healy, Ireland possess arguably the best prop in the tournament, while the second-row and back-row options are embarrassingly rich compared with years gone by, when Irish sides struggled after just one injury. The platform for victory last week was
claSh of the tItanS
the past deCade has witnessed soMe MonuMental fixtures between england and ireland, although not all have proven that Close. we look baCk at four MeMorable MatChes froM the past 10 years, with reColleCtions good and bad for both nations
For both sides, confidence is high after last week – so a strong start can be expected, while the breakdown battle is absolutely crucial. With Jonny Sexton and Owen Farrell on the field, both sides know that penalties must be kept to a minimum, while the home side will be happy to soak up English pressure and look to punish them with the ruthlessness that made them top tryscorers in last year‘s tournament. In Lions terms, as well, the head-to-heads across the park will have neutrals, and Warren Gatland, salivating. Sexton v Farrell, O‘Brien v Robshaw, Healy v Cole. Come the full-time whistle, though, we don‘t expect to see more than two points in it. In whose favour is anyone‘s guess, but we‘re going for… err… Ireland. Just because they‘re at home. Mark Coughlan @coffers83
Ireland 6-42 england 2003 From the moment the golden generation of English rugby took to the field and forced Irish president Mary McAleese to step off the red carpet, there was a ruthlessness about this England side as they hunted the Grand Slam. Tries from Dallaglio, Tindall, Luger and a brace from Greenwood ensured England travelled to the World Cup on a high.
Ireland 43-13 england 2007 It was the first time England had travelled to Croke Park since the original Bloody Sunday had left a blot on both nations in 1920, so emotions were high among fans and players alike. Thankfully for a partisan crowd, Ireland set about demolishing a dismal England side as they raced into a 23-3 half-time lead they never looked like giving up.
england 33-10 Ireland 2008 One year on from the Dublin debacle, England got their revenge as a young Danny Cipriani inspired an England victory despite Ireland taking a 10-point lead. Jamie Noon was outstanding, Paul Sackey was unplayable, Cipriani was peerless, and Ireland – fresh from a World Cup capitulation – were en route to their worst ever Six Nations finish.
103 England have awarded 103 new caps since their match with Ireland 10 years ago. By contrast, the Irish have capped just 69 new players
Ireland 14-13 england 2009 Declan Kidney‘s first Six Nations in charge finished with Grand Slam glory, and it was this game – the third of five – that many saw as the biggest hurdle. Brian O‘Driscoll‘s individual performance, as he tackled, kicked and ran himself to a standstill, was the very epitome of a captain‘s example. It was fitting, then that his try should prove the difference.
| February 8 2013 | 33
2013 Six Nations
Scotland v Italy
With all the edge of humour and fun gone from his voice, Scott Johnson cut a frustrated figure last Saturday evening. The problem is, Scotland didn’t look too bad for the most part against England. Yes, the second rows need to make more of an impact, and the midfield trio lacked direction. But the danger Scotland possess out wide, along with their ability to counter-attack, caused England a few problems early on. Slowing the ball down on the floor will be key to stopping Italy building any momentum here. Fail, and the Italians will get their tails up – and it’s a seriously uphill battle from there.
one to watch
Tim Visser (right). While two of Scotland’s dangerous back three showed their promise last weekend, the Flying Dutchman didn’t enjoy much space. Expect to see him score his first Six Nations try tomorrow.
Italy
Yes, France were poor last weekend, but take nothing away from Italy – because the Azzurri made the French look ordinary. After years of slogging away at teams, and getting a bit lucky with the odd win, last weekend was arguably Italy’s finest victory – coming as it did with a mixture of flair, creative running, big defence and good rugby. Get Luciano Orquera on the front foot, and Italy will cause genuine problems for any defence. They’ve never put two huge performances together back to back, but then they’ve never had a better chance of two from two. As with the Scots, the first 10 to 15 minutes could set the tone.
one to watch
Luciano Orquera Man of the match last week. Could Italy have found a fly half to add a touch of creativity to their power game?
Sport’s prediction SCOTLAND 19 ITALY 11
FRancE v WalES France
So much for that new consistency that Philippe Saint-Andre had introduced to the national side. As good as Italy were last week – and as much as we’re keen not to take anything away from them – the French just looked disinterested, and have cost themselves a shot at a Grand Slam many thought they’d be in the running for. Saint-Andre has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes, and that trust in his side might pay dividends – but rediscovering a basic structure and a sense of self-belief is essential. With the ability this team has, the rest will follow.
one to watch
SATuRDAY france v wales stade de france BBc one 5pM
34 | February 8 2013 |
Thierry Dusautoir (left). With Pascal Pape out injured, the Toulouse man is back leading his country, and he will be hurting more than most after last week. Big carries, big hits and an all-round big performance is needed to inspire his team.
waleS
Where has it all gone wrong? A slow start, lack of direction in the half-backs and poor ball retention up front caused problems for the Welsh last week, but the 30-minute second half blitz showed what they can do. The biggest worry, though, is the lack of a Plan B once the big powerful runners get stopped, and a lot of pressure will sit on the man at fly half to open up defences with a clever kick, a pull-back pass or an eye for a gap. Up front, meanwhile, France are likely to play a power game; the Welsh need to compete in a way they failed to last week.
one to watch
Leigh Halfpenny While all around him lost their heads, the full back looked dangerous and solid throughout last weekend. Needs another big performance at the back to keep the French quiet.
Sport’s prediction FRANCE 23 WALES 17
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images, Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
Scotland
SATuRDAY scotland v italy Murrayfield BBc one 2.30pM
Win!
Competition
Football Manager HandHeld 2013 and a nexus 7 tablet!
T
o celebrate the launch of Football Manager Handheld™ 2013, which is available to download now for just £6.99 on iOS and Android™ smartphones and tablets, one lucky winner will win a Nexus 7 32GB tablet – so you can take control of your favourite football club on the move! We’ll even throw in a Football Manager T-shirt and doormat. Football Manager Handheld™ 2013 puts you in the hotseat and allows you to put your managerial skills to the test wherever, whenever and however you want. Take the reins of any club from a choice of leagues in 14 countries, and assume full control of transfers, training, tactics and managing your team live during match days as you strive for glory and silverware. This season’s release not only includes up-to-date player and competition data, it also has a number of gameplay enhancements, including an all-new player comparison module, Twitter support for all devices – allowing managers to share their exploits with friends – a host of in-game achievements for managers to strive towards, and a number of all-new ‘unlockable’ features.
To be in wiTh a chance of winning, simply answer This quesTion: What was the name of the England football manager who won the 1966 World Cup? Was it: A Alf Ramsey B Walter Winterbottom C Bobby Robson TEXT YOUR ANSWER A, B OR C AND YOUR NAME TO 81089 Texts cost 50p + standard network rate. Competition closes at midnight on Thursday February 14 2013. Full terms and conditions at sport-magazine.co.uk.
Football Manager Handheld 2013 is available now through itunes, google Play and the amazon app store for just £6.99. For further information, go to www.footballmanager.com
Completely free every Friday. The UK’s top sport magazine The biggest interviews The best previews
iPad edition on Newsstand now
Wrestling With
Hulk Hogan on wardrobe malfunctions, brutal injuries and How rowdy roddy PiPer was just too crazy to work witH
g
oing anywHere witH Hulk Hogan is a slow Process. Not because many years in the wrestling business has put some serious hurt on his body – more on that later – but because wherever he goes, giddy adults stop him to ask for a photo, an autograph or simply to exclaim “you‘re Hulk Hogan!” It‘s a fact we suspect he‘s already fully aware of. When coming face to face with a celebrity or sportsperson, many of us step away slightly disappointed at how much smaller and slighter they are in real life. This is very much not the experience you get with Hulk Hogan. He may turn 60 this summer, but Hogan still towers well above six foot in height. His pythonic arms bulge with muscles, the blonde moustache endures, the bandana is in place... and his skin is still the colour of rich mahogany. He‘s in the UK for a run of live shows with TNA Wrestling, for whom Hogan acts as the general manager. However, when he‘s finally been guided past a starstruck public and into our interview room, Hulk is only too happy to spill the beans on everything he‘s experienced in more than three decades in the incredible world of professional wrestling. Brother, it‘s been intense. Can you pinpoint a moment, back in the 1980s, that really launched Hulkamania? “On January 23 1984, I wrestled the Iron Sheik. At the time, the US was in a political conflict with Iran, and the Iron Sheik had been a bodyguard for the Shah of Iran – he was the real thing! That night was like a perfect storm where it all came together, because when I won it was like a rocket launcher that has kept me afloat, even until today. I don‘t mean this egotistically, but the name got so big that even if I died or went away, the name would live on.” Sounds accurate. We can‘t name many people who don‘t know the name Hulk Hogan. “Yeah, for good or for bad, right? But it didn‘t happen overnight. I‘d had three years of learning how to become Hulk Hogan, to do the ear [to the crowd], to rip the shirt. You can do it and look like an idiot, believe me.” So did you have any wardrobe malfunctions when the T-shirt tear went wrong? “I was in a steel cage match with Big John Studd in St Louis. I got ready to go to the ring and realised I didn‘t have a T-shirt. I said: ‘Somebody go out there and get me a shirt! Tell the fan I‘ll pay them for it, I‘ll meet them and take them out for dinner – I need a Hulkamania shirt.‘ But the person came back with a Hulkamania sweatshirt. So, I climbed into the steel cage and, as I pulled it, my arms went as wide as they could go, but the sweatshirt didn‘t really rip – it just kept on stretching. All of a sudden, I see Big John Studd coming after me. I drop the sweatshirt to try to get away and it wrapped around my feet and I tripped and stumbled. I couldn‘t get it off my feet. It wrapped around my legs like I was in a cartoon.” >
| February 8 2013 | 37
Paul Kane/Getty Images
the truth
Hulk Hogan
"PeoPle don't understand that these are great athletes – they get hurt all the time. after a couPle of knee rePlacements, hiP rePlacements and eight back surgeries, i wish it was all fake" You say ‘like a cartoon‘, but does it irritate you when people use the term ‘fake‘ when they talk about pro wrestling? “It doesn‘t irritate me, because it‘s not the fault of people who say it. I just wish they had more knowledge. When they say ‘fake‘, they‘re almost right: the matches are predetermined, which means it‘s an exhibition. From there, they drift right into: ‘Oh, it‘s all fake.‘ They don‘t understand that these are great athletes – they get hurt all the time. After a couple of knee replacements, a couple of hip replacements and eight back surgeries, I wish it was all fake.”
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
What‘s the worst injury you‘ve experienced in a match that you‘ve had to battle through? “We talked about the night I beat the Iron Sheik. Halfway through that match, I hit the ropes, jumped up and dropped a knee on the Sheik. My left knee hit an overlapping board in the ring and I just felt it explode. I got through the match, went back to my hotel room and told the lady I was married to at the time: ‘I‘ve totally blown my knee – it‘s gone.‘ But I knew if I told anybody else, they‘d have to take the title away. So I kinda limped around on it, taped it up and worked with it.” When you bodyslammed Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, didn‘t you do yourself a mischief in that match? “I did. There‘s a huge hole in my armpit, I tore my bicep, my deltoid was damaged in three places. It‘s because instead of getting him turned completely over my head, I got him to shoulder height and then rolled him down. Everything just tore. At Shea Stadium, when I picked him up to slam him,
38 | February 8 2013 |
I got him way up and really launched him. But it was a tough one in the Silverdome – he was a lot heavier. At Shea, he was about 520lb, but he was closer to 700lb at WrestleMania III.” Who‘s the best wrestler you ever faced? “For me, the best I was ever in the ring with was the guy I made the most money with, the guy I survived night after night. That has to be the Macho Man Randy Savage. He was the Macho Man in and out of the ring. You‘d see him in the airport and he‘d have all the clothes on, giving it the ‘Oh, yeahhh!‘ He never came out of that role. He was a total pro; the best there was.” Was it ever difficult wrestling guys who you legitimately didn‘t get along with? “Yeah, but most of them were professionals. When I drew my fist back they‘d be, like: ‘Oh my god!‘ [Hulk mimes cringing and cowering] Then there‘s guys like Roddy Piper. I love him to death now, but back in the day I would rake Roddy Piper‘s eyes and he‘d act like I didn‘t do anything. I‘d hit him with a punch and he‘d act like nothing happened. Piper and I have since become good friends, and I said to him: ‘Do you realise how much money we could have made, if we‘d been able to beat each other and go back and forth? But you wouldn‘t sell [act hurt]. You‘d act like you were Andre the Giant times 10!‘ That‘s why I went with Macho, brother, because he was about the money instead of the ego.” Moving on to the present, who do you like best out of the current crop of wrestlers? “I really have to go with [TNA champion] Jeff Hardy number one, because he‘s so
far ahead of the curve. He‘s out in no man‘s land with his look; even when he‘s down and getting his brains beat out, he‘s still shining. Also, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, and you can‘t say enough good things about Kurt Angle. So we have a good crew. It‘s hard to separate those guys, because that word greatness is right there for all of them.” Finally, what‘s your own high point in all of your time in wrestling? “Probably when I went back to the WWE and wrestled The Rock [in 2002]. I did everything in my power to be the most evil character ever. I put The Rock in an ambulance, hit him in the head with a hammer. Then when we went to ring at WrestleMania, people started booing [The Rock]. The Rock is a total pro, but we got caught off guard. What was so cool about that night was the fans made a statement: that you can tell us to hate somebody, but if we‘re loyal and we love someone, nobody – not the wrestling promoter, the company, the storyline – nobody is going to tell us who to cheer or boo for. It made a huge statement with how loyal the fans were for all those years, because I was basically a traitor. I left the company and went to work for Ted Turner, I‘d quit a couple of times. It was just amazing how the fans were very supportive.” Alex Reid @otheralexreid TNA‘s premiere event of the year, Bound For Glory 2012, is available from February 18 from www.amazon.co.uk. February is TNA month on Challenge TV. Watch IMPACT WRESTLING every Sunday night at 9pm
WORLD CLASS TRAINING
SINCE 1984
WE OFFER A VAST SELECTION OF FITNESS COURSES INCLUDING:
Personal Trainer | Gym Instructor | Exercise to Music | STOTT PILATES ® | Yoga | Plus over 30 CPD courses
start your journey here
Not for profit. Registered charity no. 1001043. Registered in England and Wales no. 2551972
7 Days OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD
FEBHIGHLIGHTS 8-FEB 14 » Football: Premier League Preview » p42 » Champions League: Madrid v Man Utd » p44 » Rugby League: Wigan v Warrington » p46 » Boxing: Frampton v Martinez » p48 » NBA: Miami Heat v LA Clippers » p49
Saturday CRICKET | NEW ZEALAND v ENGLAND: 1ST T20 | EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND | SKy SPORTS 1 5.30AM
Gareth Copley/Getty Images
A fresh beginning
While the rest of the nation basked in the many sporting glories that befell us in 2012, Stuart Broad will have ended his own year quietly seething. The England side he captained put up a damp squib of a defence of their ICC World Twenty20 crown in Sri Lanka in September, while Broad himself limped out of a victorious Test series win in India in November, questions being asked about both his form and fitness. For such a fierce competitor, this would not have been good enough.
40 | February 8 2013 |
Thankfully for the 26-year-old, the treadmill of international cricket guarantees that an opportunity for redemption is never far away. Thus has Broad returned to lead the England Twenty20 side in a three-game series against New Zealand, the first of which starts very early tomorrow morning. He has already signalled a renaissance of sorts, taking a hat-trick in a warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Whangarei on Tuesday – a game in which the exciting Jos Buttler hit a spectacular 57 off just 24 balls.
The hosts, meanwhile, look set to welcome back a captain of their own, with Ross Taylor returning to the squad after missing the side’s tour of South Africa in the wake of his controversial removal from the captaincy. He is now speaking to coach Mike Hesson, it seems, although he returns as a mere foot soldier under the leadership of Brendon McCullum. Like Broad, then, Taylor has a point to prove – and that could spell danger for an England attack likely to feature run-shipper extraordinaire Jade Dernbach.
Rules of
Rule 24.
DRINKABLE OBSTRUCTION A bottle of Asahi Super Dry that is placed in front of a player is his or hers to drink for free.
Bring this ad into any one of our three clubs - Royal Smithfield, Soho Golf & Country, or Kensington National - and you and a maximum of three playing partners won’t just get to play in the most advanced golf simulator on the planet (the same one Luke Donald uses), you’ll enjoy a round of Asahi Super Dry on us too. And the offers don’t end when February is over. There are half-priced Mondays and half-priced Fridays (after 5pm) all year long, and even more perks if you go to the web site and become a club member, like free membership. www.urbangolf.co.uk/freedrop Please drink responsibly. Only one Asahi beer available per person per booking regardless of the length of the booking up to a maximum of four beers.
7 Days
Premier League
saturday tottenham v newcastle | white hart lane sky sports 2 12.45pm
A pair of comeback specialists meet at Old Trafford, while African returns could aid Tottentham and Manchester City sunday manchester united v everton | old trafford | sky sports 1 4pm
The Spurs attack could either be reinforced or woefully depleted on Saturday, depending on the seriousness of Jermain Defoe’s ankle injury and Emmanuel Adebayor’s fitness upon his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Londoners have, though, coped well on limited resources up front, and are on a nine-game unbeaten league streak going into Saturday’s early kick-off. Newcastle are also on a decent run – albeit a much shorter one – after a 3-2 win over Chelsea gave them first back-to-back league wins of the season. Having spent most of December and January losing to almost everyone, Gerard DePardew seems to have turned things around at St James’ Park. God bless Moussa Sissoko and his French colleagues, eh monsieur?
Feeling blue
saturday southampton v manchester city | st mary’s espn 5.30pm
The football media might be happily handing Sir Alex Ferguson’s side the Premier League title already, but the Manchester United boss knows better than most that a nine-point lead is by no means conclusive. He’ll be pushing his side until their arses are at least 10 yards over the finish line this season – especially on Sunday, when Everton’s visit to Old Trafford will bring back some bad memories. A late goal from Steven Pienaar sealed a 4-4 draw between the two sides last April – a game United had led 4-2 with seven minutes left. The draw closed the gap in the title race, putting Manchester City back within reach of the title and shredding the nerves of everyone associated with the red side of the city. Fergie won’t want any repeat of that result this weekend, particularly with City playing Southampton a day earlier, meaning the gap could well have closed to six points by kick-off time on Sunday. David Moyes’ side showed their taste for a comeback hasn’t waned with last weekend’s 3-3 draw against Aston Villa coming after the Toffees had trailed 3-1.
It was big-haired Belgian Marouane Fellaini who came to Everton’s rescue with two goals – and it was he, too, who scored the only goal of Everton’s 1-0 win against United at the start of this season. Ferguson knows where the danger is coming from on Sunday, then. His opposite number can’t really say the same, however. If it’s not Robin van Persie sticking the knife in, it’s Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez or even Danny Welbeck – all four of whom were on the pitch when the final whistle blew on United’s 1-0 win at Fulham last weekend. Never has the phrase ‘strike force’ been so aptly applied. United are on the rise, and it may take more than a fired-up Fellaini to stop them.
27
42 | February 8 2013 |
The amount of points gained by Man Utd from losing positions in the league this season
Southampton’s threat to burst the champion’s bubble on the opening day of this Premier League season feels like a very long time ago now. Then, it looked like a swashbuckling Saints side might be the surprise package among the promoted teams. They have been surprising in one respect (sacking a boss on a run of two defeats in 12), but otherwise have failed to live up to the giant-killing potential they showed in the heady days of August. New Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino is yet to oversee his first victory, and he’ll be hard pressed to do so against a City side likely to be bolstered by Yaya Toure’s return, and being urged by manager Roberto Mancini to win all their remaining games this season. If they don’t, United could well be away and gone.
Rafa Benitez is losing the numbers game. In charge of Chelsea for 13 games, he has collected two fewer points than his predecessor did in one game less. With Roman Abramovich apparently furious with the mess that, er, he created, Benitez is teetering on the same precipice the past 976 (ish) Chelsea managers have been shoved from. Anyway, we digress. Chelsea will beat Wigan, and Benitez will survive the week.
saturday swansea v qpr liberty stadium | 3pm
Harry Redknapp can’t catch a break. QPR are four points adrift at the bottom of the table, new boy Loic Remy could be out for two months with injury, and on Saturday they face a team who thrashed them 5-0 at Loftus Road earlier this season. Swansea’s home form has been good, with just two defeats in 12 games. We’re not saying all hope is lost for Harry, but things are hardly looking teriffic.
saturday nOrwicH v FulHam carrOw rOad | 3pm
saturday stOKe v reading britannia stadium | 3pm
A match between two sides nurturing a comforting cushion between themselves and the relegation zone, Norwich and Fulham will both be looking to clamber above the other with three precious points this weekend. The Canaries have actually lost two fewer games than Fulham this season; had they been able to convert a couple of their draws into wins, they would be looking down on today’s opponents from a loftier perch.
Brian McDermott’s Reading side are becoming true masters of the late, late show, scoring eight of their past nine league goals in the closing 20 minutes of matches. And the tactic is serving them well; they’ve lost only once so far this year (to Spurs). Stoke have lost only once at home in the league this season, though, and with the last meeting between these two sides ending 1-1, we’re not expecting fireworks.
sunday astOn Villa v west Ham Villa parK | 1.30pm
monday liVerpOOl v west brOm anField | ss1 8pm
The Hammers haven’t left Villa Park with three points since 2006 – but this time take with them a refreshed (in the non-alcoholic sense of the word) Andy Carroll, after his goalscoring return from injury against Swansea City last weekend. And this Villa side is one that has picked up just three points from their past eight games and conceded the most goals in the league. Hardly the form to scare Carroll and co.
If Steve Clarke is up for allowing Peter Odemwingie out of the West Midlands again, he might well take him to Anfield where the forward scored in the Baggies’ 1-0 win over Liverpool last season. These teams have already met twice this season, Liverpool winning the League Cup tie and West Brom taking league honours. They are minus a league win since December, though – a fact that could ease Odemwingie’s return.
saturday sunderland v arsenal | stadium OF ligHt | 3pm
There will be a tidal wave of nostalgia flooding the away end at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, as Arsenal fans remember their previous league visit there – when a 90th-minute winner from Thierry Henry handed Martin O’Neill his first home defeat as Sunderland boss. The Mackems’ new boy Danny Graham will be looking forward to the arrival of the Gunners’ typically generous defence this time, though.
Premier League table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
P W Man Utd 25 20 Man City 25 15 Chelsea 25 13 Tottenham 25 13 Everton 25 10 Arsenal 25 11 Liverpool 25 9 Swansea 25 8 West Brom 25 10 Stoke 25 6 West Ham 25 8 Sunderland 25 7 Fulham 25 7 Norwich 25 6 Newcastle 25 7 Southampton25 5 Reading 25 5 Wigan 25 5 Aston Villa 25 4 QPR 25 2
51
D 2 8 7 6 12 8 9 10 4 12 6 8 7 10 6 9 8 6 9 11
L 3 2 5 6 3 6 7 7 11 7 11 10 11 9 12 11 12 14 12 12
F 60 47 51 42 40 49 44 34 34 24 28 28 36 25 33 33 32 29 23 18
A 31 21 27 29 30 29 32 28 35 30 36 33 42 40 44 44 46 47 49 37
Pts 62 53 46 45 42 41 36 34 34 30 30 29 28 28 27 24 23 21 21 17
Aston Villa have the most bookings this Premier League season. Arsenal have the fewest, with 25
| 43
All pictures Getty Images
saturday cHelsea v wigan stamFOrd bridge | 3pm
7 Days Wednesday Football | Champions league last 16 First leg: real madrid v manChester united | bernabeu | sky sports 1 7.45pm
Unmissable While David Beckham opted for a move to Paris instead of England because he didn’t want to face his old club, another of manchester united’s famous number sevens has no such qualms. Cristiano ronaldo welcomes his old employers to the bernabeu 10 years after a player with the same name on his back terrorised their defence in the quarter finals with a hat-trick performance. madrid still boast an expensively assembled and explosive attack, and sir alex Ferguson will be understandably nervous given the propensity for his defence to ship early goals, late goals and anything-in-between goals this season. it’s been three and a half years since ronaldo became the most expensive acquisition in football history. and, although he found his own net in madrid’s last home match, he’s become even more destructive at the other end, with a frightening 179 goals in 178 appearances in the white of real. Jose mourinho’s side have been struggling this season, but despite the manager’s power apparently unravelling before him (see page 16), he remains the ultimate Champions league specialist. and, with his team basically out of the la liga title race, he and they will be able to focus all their efforts on this two-legged tie. the danger for united comes from all angles – if they try and attack madrid, they
44 | February 8 2013 |
could get ripped up on the counter-attack by the pace of ronaldo and angel di maria. against tottenham, who carry a similar threat, Ferguson instructed his team to sit back and avoid being hit on the counter – the red number seven shirt’s current incumbent, antonio Valencia, might well be tasked with tracking ronaldo’s dangerous bursts forward as a belt-and-braces option. the problem with parking the proverbial bus, though, is that madrid boast enough midfield talent to pick even the most secure defensive lock. luka modric, mesut ozil and Xabi alonso will be more than a match for michael Carrick and tom Cleverley. that’s not to say the red devils don’t boast a considerable threat of their own – they have one of the most lethal strikers in europe in robin van persie, and a resurgent Wayne rooney, with four goals in his past three games. however, they’ve rarely come up against such a formidable defence – in particular, French youngster raphael Varane looked very accomplished in keeping leo messi quiet in a recent Copa del rey tie against barcelona. two of the most storied clubs in history meeting for the first time in a decade; the world’s priciest player returning to the club where he made his name, and the most successful managers in Champions league history renewing their rivalry. it all adds up to the tastiest of knockout ties. don’t miss it.
Tuesday Football | Champions league last 16 First leg: CeltiC v Juventus | CeltiC park | itv1 7.45pm
Wide load
A valiant home display against Barcelona helped Celtic through to the last 16, but Juventus pose a different set of problems. While Barcelona looked to hog possession in central midfield, the Serie A champions tend to use their width. The good news for Celtic is that Kwadwo Asamoah, the wing back who gave Chelsea a torrid time in their 3-0 loss to Juve, is unlikely to be ready for this tie after his Africa Cup of Nations exploits with Ghana. The dangerous Stephan Lichtsteiner will be on the right, however, and that could make for a fascinating encounter with Celtic’s adventurous Charlie Mulgrew (assuming the versatile defender is picked in his favoured left-back spot). Of course, crucial to stopping Juventus’ creative output comes in ruffling the luxuriantly bearded Andrea Pirlo, denying him the space to spray his passes. Much responsibility could fall on the broad shoulders of midfield powerhouse and Manchester United transfer target Victor Wanyama. The Kenyan has the ability to unsettle Juventus, though many of his Celtic colleagues will need to raise their games to the Barcelona match levels if they’re to get a result that gives them a fighting chance at the Juventus Stadium in March.
Haves and have-nots Financially ravaged Valencia are having a mediocre La Liga season, but the mestalla remains an intimidating venue. Fortunately for filthy-rich psg, they have an experienced hand at the tiller in two-time Champions league-winning coach Carlo ancelotti. While Zlatan ibrahimovic’s performance will be closely analysed, key for the paris club is likely to be the fitness of the world’s best centre back: brazil’s thiago silva, currently battling back from a thigh injury. David beckham’s role will be looking handsome on the bench.
Wednesday Football | Champions league last 16 First leg: shakhtar Donetsk v borussia DortmunD | Donbass arena | sky sports 4 7.45pm
Hip hip hooray The match of choice for football hipsters, this tie features the much-fancied german champions, who boast gifted youngsters marco reus and mario götze, as well as polish duo Jakub blaszczykowski and robert lewandowski. Donetsk are not a team to be taken lightly, as they showed in the attacking intensity they displayed in their group against Chelsea. but the loss of brazilian playmaker Willian to anzhi makhachkala is a blow.
THuRsday Football | europa league There are four English teams left in Europa League action, with kick-offs from early on thursday evening in the round of 32. Liverpool face a long round trip to russia to face Zenit St Petersburg (itv4, 5pm), while Chelsea head in a similar direction for their consolation tie against Sparta Prague (espn, 6pm). later that evening, and closer to home, Newcastle’s Frenchmen play Metalist Kharkiv (espn, 8.05pm) of the ukraine, while Tottenham make a French connection of their own against hugo lloris’ old club Lyon (itv1, 8.05pm).
| 45
Jasper Juinen/Getty Images, MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images, Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images, Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images, Clive Mason/Getty Images
Tuesday Football | Champions league last 16 First leg: valenCia v paris saint-germain | mestalla staDium sky sports 2 7.45pm
7 Days FRIday ruGBy leaGue | Super leaGue: WiGan WarriorS v WarrinGton WolveS | DW StaDium | Sky SportS 2 8pm
Who’s afraid of the big bad Wolves? The second round of Super League XVIII has thrown up the first big confrontation of the new season, with the Challenge Cup holders Warrington taking on last year’s league leaders Wigan at the DW Stadium. Both had comfortable wins in the opening round, with the Warriors walloping Salford 42-0 and the Wolves beating Castleford 40-24 – but the intensity will increase by several notches when these two clash. many predict that Warrington, who lost in the Grand Final to leeds last season, will go one better this year and land their first title since 1955. a league-and-cup double isn’t out of the question, either. the Wolves have lost only matty Blythe and David Solomona from last year’s squad; that coach tony Smith hasn’t signed any new players suggests significant confidence in those who remain. they do have nine first-choice players who are aged 30 or over, however, so this season could represent one last hurrah
for this team. much will depend on the form of influential hooker michael monaghan (pictured). By contrast, Wigan have had to make wholesale changes after losing half-backs thomas leuluai and Brett Finch, centre George Carmont and forwards Jeff lima and Gareth hock. the new half-back pairing of matty Smith and Blake Green will need to settle in quickly, while much is expected of young prop Scott taylor. Sam tomkins remains, however, and looked as dangerous as ever when claiming a hat-trick against Salford last weekend. if the Wolves’ house is to blow down tonight, he is the man most likely to have his cheeks puffed out.
MOnday > Snooker | WelSh open | neWport Centre, neWport | BritiSh euroSport 2 11am
No, not Prince Harry – but Ali ‘The Captain’ Carter, fresh from his Betfair German masters win and now with his eyes on the seventh ranking event of the season, the Welsh open. he has form for it, too. Carter won here back in 2009, and came close to defending his title the following year, losing to John higgins only in the final. to reach the main draw this time, he faces the winner of the Gerard Greene versus David Grace qualifier on Saturday morning. after success in Berlin, however, he will expect to win through to the last 32, which begins on monday. among the men expecting to join him will be world number one
46 | February 8 2013 |
mark Selby, who after landing the uk Championship and masters titles suffered a surprise 5-1 quarter-final defeat to Barry hawkins in Germany. Selby won here in 2008 and reached the final last year, losing to Ding Junhui. he could face Steve Davis in a best-of-seven second qualifying round on monday. Selby isn’t the only player keen to put a recent early exit behind him in newport, either. the man he usurped as world number one, Judd trump, went down 5-4 to Sheriff of pottingham (really) anthony hamilton in the last 32 in Berlin. For the ace, the Jester and the Captain, then, it’s time to fly.
Gareth Copley/Getty Images, Ian Walton/Getty Images
Captain Wales
HE’S BACK
© 2012 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC. All Rights Reserved.
TO DO WHAT HE DOES BEST
+
EXCLUSIVE
Scan & Buy
Simply download the Amazon app, click on ‘search’ and then use the ‘scan it’ option to find and buy the Blu-Ray and DVD
ALTERNATIVE
ENDING ON BLU-RAY TM
DVD
Blu-Ray
Available for Android, iPhone and Windows Phone 7. Find out more: www.amazon.co.uk/shopmobile Free Super Saver Delivery and Unlimited One-Day Delivery with Amazon Prime are available. Terms and Conditions apply. See Amazon.co.uk for details.
7 Days Saturday/Sunday Winter SportS | FiS World Ski ChampionShipS: men’S and ladieS’ doWnhill | SChladming, auStria BritiSh euroSport 9.45am
Going downhill, and fast The big beasts of skiing have been gathered in Austria since Tuesday for the biennial World Championships, but this weekend is when the biggest beasts of the lot unsheathe their pairs of wintry swords for the most dramatic action of the meeting. Yes, it’s time for the downhill. The men go first, on Saturday morning, with defending champion Erik Guay (pictured) of Canada out to defend the title he won in Germany two years
ago. He’ll face stiff competition from current World Cup leader Dominik Paris, who won the prestigious Kitzbuhel downhill a fortnight ago , as well as 2007 champ Aksel Lund Svindal and chief local hope Klaus Kroell. It’s the turn of the girls on Sunday, although World Cup leader – and the dominant force in women’s skiing – Lindsey Vonn will be absent after suffering a serious crash in the women’s Super-G on Tuesday.
Stanko Gruden/Agence Zoom/Getty Images, Andrew Yates/AFP/GettyImages, Harry How/Getty Images
Saturday Boxing | kiko martinez v Carl Frampton | odySSey arena, BelFaSt | Sky SportS 1 8pm
Day of the Jackal
His manager Barry McGuigan has long sung the praises of super-bantamweight Carl Frampton, and The Jackal is now taking on the kind of fights he can sink his teeth into. European champion Kiko Martinez is a perfect next step: an opponent in his prime at 28 years old (Frampton is 25), with 27 wins from 30 fights. His two points losses to Britain’s Rendall Munroe may illustrate the Spaniard’s shortcomings at the highest levels, but he’s a good boxer with heavy hands. Of Martinez’s 19 knockouts, 15 have come in the first three rounds. Frampton showed his own power in his win over a faded Steve Molitor in September, moving his record to 15-0 (10 knockouts). He might have to box off the back foot at times here, but assuming he boxes sensibly early on, the Northern Irishman’s hand speed and class should see him to victory via a decision or possibly a late stoppage. 48 | February 8 2013 |
FRI NBA | MiAMi HeAt v LA CLippers | AMeriCAN AirLiNes AreNA, MiAMi | espN 1AM
The new connected Edges: Let others follow
Clippers look to turn up the Heat An abundance of talent should be on display for NBA fans tonight, as the Miami Heat host the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Arena. It’s just one week until the NBA All-Star Game, and four of the 10 All-Star starters could feature here, including both captains: the Heat’s Dwyane Wade for the Eastern Conference, and the Clippers’ Chris Paul (injury permitting) for the Western Conference. The Heat – the reigning NBA champions – have dominated their division this season, with LeBron James and Wade both featuring in the league’s top 10 players for points per game. They are clear favourites to retain the title and, at the time of
writing, had lost only three of 22 games at home this season. The Clippers won the last time these two met, however, at the beginning of the season, when their own superstars – slamdunking behemoth Blake Griffin (pictured) and Paul, the sport’s top point guard – proved more than a match for the Heat. The Clippers have long lived in the shadow of the LA Lakers and, in a history spanning 32 years, they have never won their division. But they are leading it this season, and beginning to establish themselves as one of the NBA’s elite teams. Beating the Heat tonight in Miami would further establish their credentials. | 49
The new Edge 810 and 510 touchscreen GPS bike computers offer advanced performance metrics and connected features1 through your smartphone, including LiveTrack, social network sharing and weather. So now whether you’re sharing your activities live from the road or when you get back home, your friends and family can follow you live, comment at Garmin Connect and then be in your tyre tracks tomorrow. garmin.com/edge
©2013 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries 1 When paired with your compatible Android or Apple device.
Time To unwind... S
tuck for a Valentine’s gift? Here’s the answer: book a relaxing break at Stoke Park Hotel, Spa and Country Club – an oasis of calm (and no little sporting activity) just 35 minutes outside London in the Buckinghamshire countryside. A championship golf course (27 holes, with the original layout designed by the legendary Harry Colt), a state-of-the-art gym, 13 tennis courts, indoor pool, award-winning spa... not to mention the fact that the hotel is five-star and boasts a restaurant with three AA rosettes and 14 acres of private gardens. Stoke Park has all you need for a fabulous break – and film buffs will recognise it, too, from movies including Goldfinger, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Layer Cake. As long ago as 1910, it was written of Stoke Park: “Stoke Park is a beautiful estate, and there is very good golf to be played there. There are plenty of things to do besides playing golf. We may get very hot at lawn tennis, or keep comparatively cool at bowls or croquet – or, coolest of all, we may sit on the terrace or in the garden, and give ourselves wholly and solely to loafing.” Not a great deal has changed in more than 100 years. Book a weekend at Stoke Park now and you won’t regret it.
50 | February 8 2013 |
www.STokepark.com 01753 717171
Advertising Feature
See the StarS at the BoodleS
t
he Boodles tennis tournament is one of those rare occasions when you can see world-class sportsmen and women competing in an intimate, relaxed setting. But there’s nothing relaxed about the tennis; taking place from June 18-22, just before Wimbledon, it has come to be seen by the pros as a genuine chance to get in some last-minute grass-court practice. Why else would stars such as Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and, previously, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Boris Becker make this such a firm date in the diary?
Gourmet Golf
a
s 19th holes go, there aren’t many that boast three aa rosettes. But that’s exactly what you get at Stoke Park, where the award-winning Humphry’s restaurant is waiting for you at the end of your round. Executive Chef Chris Wheeler has been calling the shots in the kitchen at Stoke Park for 10 years now. His Modern British cuisine has to be tasted to be believed, and his signature dishes are superb. What’s more, to celebrate his time at Stoke Park he has created an amazing 10-course taster menu for 2013.
WWW.theBoodleS.com 020 7384 4877
| 51
ExTRA TiME Making the most of your time and money
TechnoGym Kinesis Personal Heritage
Kit
Promising 200 different exercises all within one square metre, the Kinesis Personal Heritage is the ultimate home workout tool – and its slick design makes a nice change form the usual gym equipment. Also available in cream and (for an extra £6,000) gold, the trainer lets you vary the load with the touch of a button (the weights are all behind the main board) and carry out whichever routines suit you, with the pivoting pulley system moving your workout in the direction you want. You’ll never have to leave the house again! Except to work. And buy food. And see people. And… well, you get the point. £7,980 | technogym.com
Get fit at home
John Lewis Ab Cruncher
Keep your tummy (or abdominal, oblique and core muscles, to be more precise) nice and toned with this handy ab workout accessory. Easy to take apart and store for those rare days you ‘forget’ to do your workout, the cruncher is ideal for sticking down on any floor and helping you carry out a quick session, with a built-in digital counter even keeping track of how many sit-ups you’ve done and ensuring you don’t cheat. Believe us, we tried. £40 | johnlewis.com
52 | February 8 2013 |
P60 Anthony Hopkins is just a man hiding in a corner with a camera
Lonsdale 5kg Medicine Ball
One of the oldest forms of strength and conditioning training, the medicine ball is still going strong, and this classy Lonsdale edition will look great in your workout area. Whether recovering from injury or trying to improve your core strength, the ball can be used for a wide variety of workout routines. It also holds a variety of medicines inside that can be accessed for when you’re feeling poorly. Okay, that last bit might not be true. £50 | lonsdale.com
Reebok Speed Skipping Rope
Great for strengthening your arms, the good old skipping rope is making more and more appearances in gyms – so why not get one to use at home? Skipping is also a great workout for anyone with bad knees, because the balls of your feet take the impact of your weight, rather than your heels. And, if you get bored of just jumping up and down, try a Cougar, Donkey Kick or James Hirst to mix things up. Seriously, look them up. They’re crazy. £7 | johnlewis.com
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
T A H W F O MADE
S R E T MAT
DRUG TESTED i
i
ll A All ll Kinetica i i products are screened and batch-tested within the framework of the World-Anti-Doping-Agency (WADA)
EXPERT DRIVEN Producing d d i protein for over 35 years, we own the manufacturing facility and use only the best quality raw materials
NATURAL FLAVOURS We only l use natural flavours to ensure Kinetica works hard and tastes great too
ORDER YOUR FREE SAMPLE
Text: “SAMPLE” to 64546 or Go to: www.KineticaSports.com/Sample *While stocks last, by texting you are giving us your number and agreeing to future communications, SMS messages are charged at standard network rate
ET
Grooming
ExprEss yOursElf
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Time to treat the lady in your life – or sort your feet out and give yourself a shot at actually snaring one
Jimbaran puri Bali: the only way to recover from bat and ball on the beach
The grand romantic gesture
Orient-Express
If you’re going to go big with this sort of thing, you’re only going to do it once, realistically. So do it properly, with Orient-Express and their Jimbaran Puri Bali beach spa. Traditional open-air terraces let the outside in while you enjoy luxurious treatments ranging from a Balinese massage to a body scrub, bath treatment,
facial, manicure, pedicure or the excellent-sounding Ultimate Spa Journey. If the beach is not quite your thing, there is the Ayung Spa in the Ubud Hanging Gardens – set among the smoky volcanoes and emerald rice terraces in the heart of Bali. All you have to do is actually get there. Treatments start from £42 | orient-express.com
The couple’s retreat Elemis Day spa, Mayfair
Treat yourself and your girly with a Rasul for Two: a unique and mystical ancient cleansing ritual perfect for couples, say Elemis, to relax and detoxify the body. Different medicinal muds and a facial mask are slapped on while you inhale herbinfused steam. It will help cleanse your respiratory system and smooth your skin. All in London’s first two-seater Rasul, nestled within the striking Moorish suite with rich ochrecoloured walls... and all for £80 for 45 minutes for the two of you. elemis.com
54 | February 8 2013 |
ubud Hanging Gardens: the Ayung spa will help if you’re absolutely hanging
Only the lonely The Hand & foot spa You’re single. Your feet are probably dreadful – yeah, that’s why. Do something about it with the Hand & Foot Spa’s dedicated men’s spa area. A Sports Pedicure (£67) is one of five man treatments on offer here, which will give their footcare specialists the pleasure of your ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, fungal infections and cracked heels. Choose from Chelsea, Esher or Wimbledon Village. Treatments from £27 | handandfootspa.co.uk
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
Scream if you want to go
Add some g-force to your internetting, without paying a hefty premium.
Our Ultrafast network speeds & coverage vary. You’ll need an Ultrafast enabled device. See three.co.uk/network
ET
Gadgets
bIG THInGS ComE In SmALL PACKAGES
Stuff your pockets with this lot and you can make music, find your keys and, er, store a lot of documents. Together, they’re like a digital penknife
iRig Guitar Interface Adapter
Okay, so it doesn’t quite have the same visual impact as a ceiling-high stack of amps, but this little gadget serves almost the same purpose when used in conjunction with the AmpliTube app. Plug one end into your guitar or bass, and the other into your iDevice, and you have yourself a portable music studio. Rocking. £21 | currys.co.uk
Pong Research Soft Touch iPhone Case
Don’t let the name fool you, because this ‘soft touch’ case comes with hard benefits. It can boost signal strength by up to 46 per cent and, consequently, extends talk-time battery life by an hour or more. It also diverts phone radiation away from your head and body. The battery life is the main thing, though. £48 | pongresearch.co.uk
56 | February 8 2013 |
hipKey
This device, designed to fit in the palm of your hand, pairs to your phone via Bluetooth. Use it as a keyring and it will help you find your phone, or clip it to your bag and it will alert you if it’s moved. Or stick it to your child and it will beep if they roam more than a set distance away. Arsene Wenger should consider gluing one of these to Andre Santos. £70 | store.apple.com/uk
Kingston Digital Data Traveler HyperX Predator
This is the BIGGEST FLASH DRIVE IN THE WORLD. It holds 1TB of data, which is the equivalent of a million and a bit Playstation memory cards, or a hell of a lot of (legally) downloaded films. It’s rumoured to cost about $4,000, so it might be cheaper to actually just buy the DVDs. £TBC | kingston.com
Logitech UE Smart Radio
If video had killed the radio star, but from within – Alien-style – it might have looked a bit like this smart radio. It can connect to internet radio stations and display the artwork and track information on its colour screen. You can even control it with your phone, using a bespoke app to select the station you want to hear. Is this the radio’s revenge? £149 | ue.logitech.com
Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand
Extra time Edurne
58 | February 8 2013 |
| 59
inger, actress and TV presenter Edurne first found fame on reality TV show Operacion Triunfo – a sort of Spanish version of The X Factor. More recently, she has been playing the role of Sandy in a version of Grease in her native Spain, and winding up Sir Alex Ferguson by suggesting to the press that her boyfriend – Manchester United goalkeeper David de Hair – fancies a return to La Liga. For an idea of her vocal talents, look her up doing These Boots Are Made for Walking on YouTube. Anyone who has seen Minnie Driver having a bash at Stand by Your Man in Goldeneye will know exactly what to expect. That said, she has also done a version of Queen’s Un Poco de Amor (that’s Somebody to Love, amigo), for which all is forgiven. And besides, Fergie – on current form, Edurne is surely doing you a favour.
S
Killer Queen
Mario Sierra/Lipstick Syndication
ET
Entertainment
ENgLiSH PSycHO
Anthony Hopkins is on lascivious form as Britain’s great suspense director, and a US football drama lights up long winter nights
Film
DVD
Friday Night Lights Season Two
Hitchcock
It’s not often that a Hollywood film with an A-list cast is in danger of being put in the shade by a BBC drama. However in Britain, Hitchcock arrives in the tall shadow of the Beeb’s The Girl, about the director’s obsession with Tippi Hedren. Despite being set at a testing career crossroads – as controversial slasher Psycho faces major film studio opposition – this tale is lighter in tone. He delivers a few lewd quips (“Call me ‘Hitch’, hold the ‘cock’,” he tells a
young female lead), but this is a less sinister Hitchcock. Anthony Hopkins gives a remarkable performance – one matched by his make-up artist, who has created a realistic, George Lucassized neck to transform the actor. The film’s focus falls mainly on the director’s complex relationship with his wife Alma (Helen Mirren) who collaborates with him on Psycho. In the end, it’s the sheer starpower of the cast that rescues this enjoyable biography from the plughole. Out today
Book
Office Politics Oliver James
Bearing the upbeat subtitle ‘How to thrive in a world of lying, backstabbing and dirty tricks’, this new book casts a light on the murky practices rife in office life. Written by psychologist Oliver James, it also promises to outline the strategies that can turn you from the office politics equivalent of Gordon Brown into a savvy Barack Obama type. Out now
60 | February 8 2013 |
Music
Holy Fire Foals
Oxford’s Foals show some kick for this third studio album. First single Inhaler divided opinion between those who love the band’s big, brash new sound and others who feel it’s indie-bynumbers compared with their early stuff. However, Holy Fire’s meaty, arena-sized hooks should sound ideal live. Mainstream, maybe, but with a touch of class. Out Monday
Book
A Hologram for the King Dave Eggers
Author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius tackles the American dream in his new novel. This story of a struggling salesman pitching an idea to the enigmatic King Abdullah in a Saudi Arabian city has already won praise for its scope and for Eggers’ trademark wry wit. The first major literary work of 2013. Out now
This powerful US high-school football drama finished in 2011 after five seasons, but we’re being drip-fed the DVD releases here in Blighty. After a breathtaking first year, Season Two might fumble the ball slightly with a few silly plotlines (hiding a dead body, anyone?), but overall this remains smarter than your average jocks-overcomingthe-odds yarn. The characters might seem like stereotypes – hot cheerleader, cocky running back, do-gooder quarterback – but they are given depth by quality writing and a strong cast. In particular, Gaius Charles (pictured) excels as ‘Smash’ Williams, desperate to be recruited into college football, but pissing on his teammates’ French fries at the same time. Out Monday
Theatre
Macbeth Trafalgar Studios
James McAvoy is the latest heavyweight actor to trample West End boards as he takes the title role in Shakespeare’s blockbuster tragedy. Ticket sales have been predictably rapid, although there are some still available. If he brings his Atonement-level intensity (but leaves out the Mr Tumnus legs), it promises to be well worth it. Opens on Saturday