Sporty Sam

The Spanish LA LIGA concluded this week. All 20 teams have played their 36 matches, so we know which club are campeones de la Liga, which teams have qualified for Europe and which have been relegated.

Here's a summary.

[Image courtesy of ESPN Deportes]    

Champions and European qualifiers

Winners of the primera division for the 28th time are FC Barcelona under their 60-year-old German trainer Hansi Flick. Seven points adrift were Real Madrid under their Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, who is leaving to be head coach of the Brazilian national team.

    [Photo of El Barça courtesy of MARCA]

Real Madrid have qualified for the Champions League, along with Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Villareal.

Real Betis and Celta Vigo have made it into the Europa League and Rayo Vallecano will go into the Conference League.

    Carlo Ancelotti [YouTube]                                                      Hansi Flick [Sportschau]

Relegated clubs

Leganes, Las Palmas and Valladolid face the drop into segunda division.

History of La Liga

In its 93-year history only six teams have ever won the league, and of these, two have won just a total of three titles.

Way out in front is Real Madrid with 36, second is Barcelona with 28. Atletico Madrid comes in third with 11 and Valencia has six.

Real Sociedad (San Sebastian) won two years running in the early 1980s and Deportivo La Coruña sneaked a solitary victory in the 1999-2000 season.

[Image courtesy of Amazon]    

The question has to be asked .....

Is Spanish football the most boring of all European soccer leagues? No that "honour" surely goes to the Bundesliga with the utter dominance of Bayern Munich.

© Sporty Sam

Acknowledgements:

AS, Wikipedia

Pictures:

ESPN Deportes, MARCA, Sportschau, YouTube

Tags:

AS, Athletic, Atletico, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Betis, Brazil, Bundesliga, Carlo Ancelotti, Celta, Champios League, Conference League, Deportivo, ESPN Deportes, Europa League, Hansi Flick, La Liga, Las Palmas, Leganes, MARCA, Premier League, primera division, Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, San Sebastian, segunda division, Sportschau, Sporty Sam, Valencia, Valladolid, Wikipedia, YouTube  

It's the 101 again. The 2025 edition is the 25th anniversary of this important event in the Ronda calendar. Catering for MTB cyclists, runners, walkers, as well as a shorter junior event. The 101 has a national and international profile.

101 km [Image courtesy of oronda natura]    

The event is organised by the Spanish Foreign Legion in Ronda.

Participants come from all over Spain, as well as from abroad.

Me and the 101

I've never taken part and never shall. It sounds like torture. But I admore the people - men, women, children - who do participate.

Some are serious cyclists, others top class runners, and even more are walkers who just fancy the challenge. At all events, it is indeed a challenge, and those who take part and complete the course, 9000 people this year, acquire significant bragging rights.

The start [Carreras de montaña]    

The route

The 101 route starts and ends in Ronda and visits Arriate, Setenil de las Bodegas, Alcala del Valle, Grazalema, Montejaque and Benaojan.

I live on the route in the pedania of Fuente de la Higuera. So, I usually set up a table, chair, sun umbrella and camping fridge in front of my house and watch some of the race.

The ups and downs of the 101 [Facebook]    

The cyclists tear past first, then come the fast runners. The walkers don't stroll past my house until night-time.

I know people who take part. Borja, from Montejaque, a really good amateur cyclist, passed my house  in fifth position in 2023. Sadly, the heat that day got to him and he didn't finish. Adri. also from Montejaque, is the popular son of "Chico" owner of Bar Adrian in the village.

This year six young soldiers in the army, based in Pamplona (Navarra), have rented my house in Montejaque. They are taking part as runners.

Saturday, May 10th - Race day

La salida - the start

This is at the football stadium of C.D. Ronda. To cope with the numbers of participants, over 9000, the start is staggered. First off at 08.45 are the cyclists, followed at 09.30 by the runners and walkers. At 10.00 it's the kids, who do a shortened course.

Back home I set up my "stall" outside my house in Fuente de la Higuera, which the race will pass in the course of the 24 hours the 101 lasts. My "stall" is a table, chair, sun umbrella, cold drinks and paraphernalia associated with Spain and Andalucia.

Saul Ortega and Jorge Milan, two legionarios, stopped for a chat and a cold beer. They are both from the Spanish legion barracks in Almeria, members of a group seconded to Ronda to help out.

The leader in the cycle race came through at 10.10, followed closely by another dozen or so in the next 20 minutes. Then it was a constant stream until the first runners came past at 13.10. My guest from Pamplona, Mario Aguilar, trotted past in 9th position. Later, Adri and Borja, passed by.

   Saul and Jorge                                                   Mario                                     My "stall"

   [All above photos by Paul Whitelock]                     

I drove to Montejaque to watch the runners pass through the square and the feeding and watering station, but I was too slow and by the time I got there, the leading runners had already gone through.

La meta - the finish

I had intended to go to Ronda for the finish, but the traffic was mad, so there would be problems parking. I was able to pick up information online.

MTB cyclists

Male - 1st - David Gonzalez Tirado (03.58.25 hours)

Female - 1st - Victoria Mayoral Cesar (05.16.44 hours)

[photo of David and Victoria]

Runners

Male - 1st - Francisco Javier Mariano Martinez (08.17.44 hours)

Female - 1st - Maria Romero Ledo (09.06.23 hours)

   The first three runners [photo: Cadena SER]

Other results:

Mario Aguilar - 20th in 9.40 hours

Victor Español and team - information not currently available.

[photo to follow]

Borja's story

Borja Tornay, from Montejaque, is an accomplished cyclist who has ridden the 101 before. This year he decided to run the 101 kilometres as a tribute to his good friend, Cayetano Postigo, who died last month in a cycling accident, aged just 30.

[photos to follow]

STOP PRESS:

We had lunch today at the inestimable Molino del Santo in Benaojan Estacion. To celebrate my 75th birthday next Sunday, when we shall be away in Germany at a family christening with no chance to celebrate just us two.

The food was, as always, to die for.

[photos of our food]

On the next table was an American lady who had just come sixth in the 101 for cyclists. xcx hails from Minnesota but has lived in Rota (Huelva) for a number of years. Whilst not a profesional she has raced al over Spain. For her the "101 de Ronda" is the best. Because of its friendly atmosphere.

[photo]

NOTE: This article continues to be updated as more photos and more information come in.

Links

(11) Facebook

© Sporty Sam

Pictures:

Cadena SER, Carreras de montaña, Facebook, oronda natura, Paul Whitelock, Ronda Diario

Acknowledgements:

Diario de Ronda, Karl Smallman, La Legion, Paul Whitelock, Ronda Diario, Ronda Semanal, Wikipedia

Tags:

101, 2025 edition, 25th anniversary, Alcala del Valle, Arriate, Benaojan, Cadena SER, Carreras de montaña, David Gonzalez Tirado, Diario de Ronda, Facebook, Francisco Javier Mariano Martinez, Fuente de la Higuera, Grazalema, international profile, junior event, Karl Smallman, La Legion, Maria Romero Ledo, Mario Aguilar, Montejaque, MTB cyclists, oronda natura, Paul Whitelock, Ronda, Ronda Diario, Ronda Semanal, runners, Setenil de las Bodegas, Spanish Foreign Legion, Sporty Sam, Victor Español, Victoria Mayoral Cesar, walkers, Wikipedia

It’s 25 years since Italy joined “the elite club” and turned it into the Six Nations Championship. The 2025 edition kicked off last weekend, when all six teams played.

    Key players [Photo Montage by World Rugby]    

France are no longer the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, but Ireland are getting better and better in their quest to be champions for the third year in a row, a feat never before achieved in the history of the Six Nations.

Image courtesy of The Grainstore Brewery    

Friday - Italy v Wales in Rome

On Friday afternoon, Wales could only watch as Italy, the favourites, raced into a lead which Wales never looked like hauling back.

They gave away far too many penalties and had a man sent off.

That’s now 14 losses on the trot for the Welsh Dragons.

[Photo courtesy of Europa Press]    

Saturday - England v France at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

Favourites to win the match were bookies' choice France. Yet, they were sloppy and spurned so many chances to score tries that the half-time score was 7 – 7.

In the second half, debutant fly half Fin Smith (Harlequins) took control and had a great second half. It was "nip and tuck" with England aggressive and dominating the territory, yet France scored some great breakaway tries to keep in touch.

When full-back and goalkicker Marcus Smith missed two straightforward kicks at goal, his namesake Fin took over the goalkicking and displayed nerves of steel.

Daly try in the last minute [The Telegraph]    

With barely time left on the clock it looked as though England were about to lose yet again in the final moments of a match, until substitute Eliot Daly used his pace to score near the posts. Time was up and England needed the conversion to win by one point.

Pressure? Fin Smith popped the kick over and the team could celebrate a famous win.

The young fly half, on his first start for England, deservedly won Player of the Match.

England captain Maro Itoje [Photo: The Guardian]    

Sunday – Scotland v Ireland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Regarded as having a strong chance before the match, Scotland barely got a look-in. They were soundly beaten by an Ireland side back in top form.

Player of the Match was Sam Prendergast, Scotland’s new fly-half.

Final score 18 – 32. Ireland the new favourites to win the Championship.

Photo of Sam Prendergast by Six Nations Rugby

Remaining Six Nations fixtures and kick-off times

Matches are subject to late changes, so details may differ from this page. All times are GMT. Kick-off times in brackets.

   [Image by Charlie Ps]

Saturday, 22 February

Wales v Ireland (14:15) - BBC One from 13:15-16:30 & listen on BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website and app

England v Scotland (16:45) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 23 February

Italy v France (15:00) - ITV & updates on BBC Radio 5 Live

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

Saturday, 8 March

Ireland v France (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Scotland v Wales (16:45) - BBC One from 16:00-19:00 & BBC Radio 5 Live or Sports Extra TBC

Sunday, 9 March

England v Italy - ITV & listen on BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website and app

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:30-19:30

Saturday, 15 March

Italy v Ireland (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Wales v England (16:45) - BBC One from 16:00-19:00 - BBC Radio 5 Live

France v Scotland (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 16 March

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

© Sporty Sam

Photos:

BBC, Charlie Ps, Europa Press, Getty Images, Irish Times, Six Nations Rugby, The Telegraph, World Rugby

Tags:

BBC, BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport, BBC Two, Charlie Ps, Edinburgh, England, Europa Press, Fin Smith, France, Getty Images, Guinness,  Highlights, Huw Jones, ITV, Ireland, Ireland Grand Slam, Irish Times, Italy,  Marcus Smith, Murrayfield, Player of the Match, Radio Times, Sam Prendergast, Scotland, Six Nations, Six Nations Rugby, Six Nations Rugby Special, Sporty Sam, The Guardian, The Telegraph, TMO, Tom Curry, Tommy Freeman, Twickenham, Wales, Wikipedia, World Rugby

áéíóú

It’s 25 years since Italy joined “the elite club” and turned it into the Six Nations Championship. The 2025 edition kicked off last night with France thrashing Wales 43 – 0 in Paris.

Key players [Photo Montage by the BBC]    

So, France remain the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, but Ireland are keen to win it for the third year in a row, and they play an improving England this evening.

Scotland v Italy at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

On Saturday afternoon, Scotland survived a scare, as they watched Italy pull back from 29 – 6 to 29 apiece early in the second half.

Then, Scotland scored two more tries to run out winners 41 – 29.

Huw Jones scored a hat-trick and deservedly won Man of the Match.

    Huw Jones scores his hat-trick try [BBC]

Ireland v England at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Favourites to win the match are Ireland, yet 12 months ago England beat the men in green at Twickenham to prevent an Ireland Grand Slam, although they still won the Championship.

England are fast out of the blocks and looking full of intent. They score a try through new boy Caden Murley. Soon after, following a period of Irish pressure, they "score", but following an intervention by the TMO it is chalked off. One of the new tweaks to the laws has "saved England's bacon".

The game is fast and exciting, but there are a lot of handling errors by Ireland and defensive penalties conceded by England. Fly half Marcus Smith is shown a yellow card and goes to the bin for ten minutes.

Caden Murley scores the first try [Getty Images]

England are under pressure for the whole of this period and concede a try towards the end of it. Sam Prendergast missed the conversion.

England get a penalty in front if the posts.

Half-time 5 - 10 in England's favour. England on top.

What happened in the break?

In the second half, England didn't turn up. With 10 minutes to go Ireland were winning the half 22 - 0.

With 3 minutes to go, Tom Curry touched down for England after a good move. Then, in the final minute winger Tommy Freeman finished off a break by Theo Dan to win a losing bonus point and make the score respectable at 27 - 22

I am very disappointed. I think the match was there for the taking by England. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Dan Sheehan scores a try for Ireland [The Irish Times]

Remaining Six Nations fixtures and kick-off times

Matches are subject to late changes, so details may differ from this page. All times are GMT. Kick-off times in brackets.

Sunday, 2 February

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

   [Image by Wikipedia]

Saturday, 8 February

Italy v Wales (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

England v France (16:45) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 9 February

Scotland v Ireland (15:00) - BBC One from 14:20-17:10 & BBC Radio 5 Live

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

Saturday, 22 February

Wales v Ireland (14:15) - BBC One from 13:15-16:30 & listen on BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website and app

England v Scotland (16:45) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 23 February

Italy v France (15:00) - ITV & updates on BBC Radio 5 Live

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

Saturday, 8 March

Ireland v France (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Scotland v Wales (16:45) - BBC One from 16:00-19:00 & BBC Radio 5 Live or Sports Extra TBC

Sunday, 9 March

England v Italy - ITV & listen on BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website and app

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:30-19:30

Saturday, 15 March

Italy v Ireland (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Wales v England (16:45) - BBC One from 16:00-19:00 - BBC Radio 5 Live

France v Scotland (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 16 March

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

© Sporty Sam

Photos:

BBC, Getty Images, Irish Times

Tags:

Aviva Stadium, BBC, BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport, BBC Two, Caden Murley, Dublin, Edinburgh, England, Five Nations, France, Getty Images, Guinness, hat-trick, Highlights, Huw Jones, ITV, Ireland, Ireland Grand Slam, Irish Times, Italy, Man of the Match, Marcus Smith, Murrayfield, Paris, Radio Times, Sam Prendergast, Scotland, Six Nations, Six Nations Rugby Special, Sporty Sam, Stade de France, The Guardian, Theo Dan, The Telegraph, TMO, Tom Curry, Tommy Freeman, Twickenham, Wales, Wikipedia

áéíóú

It’s 25 years since Italy joined “the elite club” and the Five Nations Championship was no more.

Favourites to win the tournament are France, but Ireland are keen to win it for the third year in a row, which would be unprecedented.

[Image courtesy of Wikipedia]    

England are a young and improving side. Scotland are playing well. Italy continue to get better, but Wales have lost their last 12 tests, including every game in last year’s Six Nations.

    Championship winners Ireland [The Telegraph]          Championship hopefuls England [Radio Times]

The first match, on Friday night, is France v Wales at Stade de France in Paris.

On Saturday Scotland take on Italy at Murrayfield, Edinburgh and Ireland host England at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

Six Nations fixtures and kick-off times

Matches are subject to late changes, so details may differ from this page. All times are GMT. Kick-off times in brackets.

Friday, 31 January

France v Wales (20:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live

    The Six Nations captains 2025 [Guardian]

Saturday, 1 February

Scotland v Italy (14:15) - BBC One from 13:15-16:30 & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Ireland v England (16:45) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 2 February

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

Saturday, 8 February

Italy v Wales (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

England v France (16:45) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 9 February

Scotland v Ireland (15:00) - BBC One from 14:20-17:10 & BBC Radio 5 Live

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

Saturday, 22 February

Wales v Ireland (14:15) - BBC One from 13:15-16:30 & listen on BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website and app

England v Scotland (16:45) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 23 February

Italy v France (15:00) - ITV & updates on BBC Radio 5 Live

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

Saturday, 8 March

Ireland v France (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Scotland v Wales (16:45) - BBC One from 16:00-19:00 & BBC Radio 5 Live or Sports Extra TBC

Sunday, 9 March

England v Italy - ITV & listen on BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website and app

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:30-19:30

Saturday, 15 March

Italy v Ireland (14:15) - ITV & BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Wales v England (16:45) - BBC One from 16:00-19:00 - BBC Radio 5 Live

France v Scotland (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Sunday, 16 March

Highlights - Six Nations Rugby Special - BBC Two from 18:00-19:00

Stop Press:

France 43 : Wales  0

Wales have now stretched their losing streak to 13 games on the trot.

France ran in seven tries against the hapless “taffies”. As an Anglo-Welshman, I am gutted.

Attissogbe scores a try for France [Getty Images]    

© Sporty Sam

Photos:

BBC, Getty Images, Radio Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Wikipedia

Tags:

Attissogbe, Aviva Stadium, BBC, BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport, BBC Two, Dublin, Edinburgh, England, Five Nations, France, France 43 : Wales 0, Getty Images, Guinness, Highlights, ITV, Ireland, Italy, Murrayfield, Paris, Radio Times, Scotland, Six Nations, Six Nations Rugby Special, Sporty Sam, Stade de France, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Wales, Wikipedia

These are the sports which provided the top three in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The live programme on BBC 1 on Tuesday night culminated with the announcement of the winner and the two runners-up, based on viewers votes beforehand and on the night.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

The winner was Keely Hodgkinson, the 22-year-old 800-metre runner from Wigan, Greater Manchester, who burst onto our screens this year when she won gold at the Olympic Games in Paris. Four years earlier she took the silver medal in Tokyo beating the British record set by Kelly Holmes 25 years earlier.

The runner-up was Luke Littler, the teenage darts sensation, who came from nowhere - actually from Warrington, where I lived for a quarter of a century - to take the world of professional darts by storm. He is 16 years old!

In third place was Joe Root, the former England cricket captain who has smashed records left, right and centre since being relieved of the responsibilities of skippering the Test side. Root is an old man, turning 34 at the end of this month.

In her acceptance speech Keely Hodgkinson said:

“This year has been absolutely incredible for me. I’ve achieved everything I’ve set out to do on the outdoor track which is kind of rare so I’m so grateful to be in this position. Thank you everyone that voted at home, I hope you all loved watching Paris as much as I’ve loved competing in it and I wish you all a wonderful evening.”

Keely Hodgkinson

Keely Hodgkinson’s magnificent 2024 culminated in a brilliant 800m gold at the Paris Olympics. She stormed to victory, securing Team GB’s first Olympic track title since Mo Farah’s 5,000m and 10,000m double in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Her flawless performance broke a string of near misses on the global stage and confirmed her status as one of Britain’s greatest ever middle-distance runners. Her win at the Stade de France saw the 22-year-old become only the 10th British woman to win an Olympic track and field gold.

Keely is the first athlete to win Sports Personality since Sir Mo Farah in 2017 and the first female athlete since Dame Kelly Holmes in 2004.

Other Award Winners

The Helen Rollason Award was presented to former champion boxer Dr Mark Prince OBE. After a tough start to life, in which he ended up on the streets and involved in street crime and drugs, he turned his fortunes around through boxing and the discipline it brought him, culminating in a world title fight in 1998.

However, tragedy struck when his 15-year-old son Kiyan, who was an aspiring footballer with QPR, was murdered in 2006. Mark battled through the pain and grief to set up the Kiyan Prince Foundation (KPF) to combat knife crime and inspire young lives through boxing, life coaching, and motivational talks. The KPF has impacted over 100,000 children, gained global recognition with campaigns like “Long Live the Prince”, and was awarded naming rights to QPR’s Loftus Road in 2019. Prince’s incredible resolve through adversity and hardship to achieve so much progress on knife crime following his son’s death is a truly remarkably accomplishment.

***

Armand Duplantis was awarded World Sport Star of the Year after the greatest pole vaulter in history enjoyed another record-breaking year. He defended his Olympic title in spectacular style at the Paris Games breaking his own world record, something he managed three times in total in 2024. The man known as “Mondo” also won golds at the World Indoor and European Championships and claimed a fourth consecutive Diamond League title, leaving no doubt about his overwhelming supremacy in the sport.

***

Wigan Warriors took home BBC Sport’s Personality’s Team of the Year. In an all-conquering 2024, Wigan Warriors became the first team in the Super League era to complete the quadruple of World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final.

So the town of Wigan picked up two gongs on Tuesday night: Keely Hodgkinson and Wigan Warriors Rugby League team.

***

Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows were awarded Coach of the Year. The husband-and-wife pair coached Keely Hodgkinson to her sensational Olympic gold in the 800m. Painter and Meadows also coached Georgia Bell to 800m bronze in Paris, as well as Lewis Davey, who took bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay.

***

The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year was awarded to Luke Littler. Luke shook darts to its core in 2024 with one of the most astonishing breakthrough years the world of sport has ever seen. At just 16-years-old, and ranked a lowly 164th in the world, the prodigy stormed to the PDC World Championship final, smashing records and taking down some of the game’s biggest names along the way. His first major title soon followed at the Premier League of Darts, while his victory at the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts made him just the fourth player in history to win 10 trophies in one season and took his earnings over £1m.

***

Jean Paton from Lymington, Hampshire, was the overall winner of the Unsung Hero award. At 90 years old, Jean is one of the most dedicated volunteers of Salterns Sailing Club in Lymington, Hampshire, where she has contributed for nearly 40 years. As an RYA Dinghy Instructor, she has been a cornerstone of the club’s twice-yearly “Moppy Camps,” inspiring generations of young sailors.

***

Sir Mark Cavendish received the Lifetime Achievement award. The most successful sprinter cyclist of all time was presented with the award for his incredible career and dedication to cycling.

The 39-year-old legend from the Isle of Man, initially planned to retire in 2023, but postponed his farewell to chase a record-breaking 35th stage win at the Tour de France. In a stunning display of determination and skill, the “Manx Missile” claimed victory on stage five in Saint-Vulbas, securing his place in history as the sole holder of the record. This triumph marked the 165th win of his distinguished career and solidified his reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

He twice won the Tour de France green jersey, awarded to the rider with the most points, and boasts a further 17 stage wins in the Giro d’Italia, three in the Vuelta a Espana and he also claimed the road world title in 2011. On the track he won omnium silver at the 2016 Olympics, three madison world titles and a Commonwealth Games gold for the Isle of Man. He was also honoured with a knighthood earlier this year.

Endpiece

Once again the BBC put on a great evening of sporting entertainment.

In the absence of Gary Lineker, who was dropped pending the end of his contract with the BBC in 2025, the three female presenters Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott, did a great job.

© Sporty Sam

Photos:

BBC

Kerry Spicer

Olympics

The Guardian

Links:

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

England take on Spain in the Final of Eurocopa 24

Tags:

800m gold, Alex Scott, BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, Clare Balding, cricket, Gabby Logan, Isle of Man, Joe Root, Keely Hodgkinson, Luke Littler, Mark Cavendish, Mo Farah, Olympic Games in Paris, Paris Olympics, professional darts, Rio de Janeiro, Team GB, Tour de France

Next Tuesday, 17 December, the six nominees for this prestigious accolade will be presented to the viewing public live on BBC1.

The programme will also contain a review of the sporting year, one which has included The Olympic Games in Paris and UEFA European Championship in Germany.

By  Sporty Sam

We know that Christmas is nigh, and not just because of all the Christmas items for sale in the shops, municipal Christmas Trees everywhere and all the Christmas-themed films on the telly.

Tomorrow evening, Saturday 14 December, it’s the grand finale of “Strictly Come Dancing” and next Tuesday, 17 December it’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024. Just over a week after that it’s Christmas Day.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

The shortlist of six candidates was announced just over a week ago.

Presenters Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott will guide us through a night packed with highlights from 2024’s most exhilarating sporting moments.

Note the absence of Gary Lineker who has been dropped as lead presenter. His contract with the BBC ends in 2025.

The winner’s name gets called live on the evening, based on viewers having cast their votes in the run-up to this finale and also on the night.

The shortlist

The shortlist was put together by a panel of sporting royalty and top sporting journalists including Dame Laura Kenny, Ade Adepitan, and sports journalists from the Athletic and PA media, alongside the BBC’s own big sporting legends.

But the real decision lies with the fans, based on their votes.

Who’s got what it takes to take home the trophy? Let’s meet the contenders: four men and two women from six different sports.

The nominees are:

Jude Bellingham

The boy wonder taking modern English football to new heights. Jude is English football’s golden boy who lit up the Bernabeu in his debut season with Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals and bagging a Champions League winner’s medal.  

Keely Hodgkinson

The golden girl of the track. After years of heartbreak, Keely finally struck Olympic gold in the 800m, dominating the track and becoming just the 10th British woman to win athletics gold.

Luke Littler

The teenage darts sensation. Just 16 years old, fresh from taking his GCSEs, and this darts prodigy has already taken the PDC World Championship by storm – straight from the classroom to centre stage. With over £1m in winnings and records shattered, he is looking like the future of darts.

Joe Root

Arguably, England’s cricketing GOAT. Former England cricket captain, since being relieved of that responsibility Joe has smashed records left, right, and centre this year, passing Alastair Cook as England’s top Test run-scorer.

Dame Sarah Storey

Paralympic royalty. Three decades on from her first gold, Dame Sarah Storey keeps the medals coming. Her double gold in Paris this year cemented her as Britain’s most decorated Paralympian with a staggering 30 medals.

Alex Yee

The London-born triathlon star who has sprinted into stardom. Alex sprinted into history with Olympic gold and a world title, showing he’s not just fast – he’s unstoppable. His breathtaking finishes have made him the big name to watch in triathlon.

Other awards will be made during the televised broadcast, including

• World Sport Star of the Year
• Young Sports Personality of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

Who will make history?

Last year’s winner, Mary Earps, brought women’s football glory to the BBC podium as a member of the English Lionesses national team. 

In 2024 will it be another footballer? Or will a new star rise to the top? Bookies' favourite is Keely Hodgkinson.

Tune in on December 17 to see who takes the crown!

© Sporty Sam

Acknowledgements:

BBC

Euro Weekly News

Google

Marc Menendez-Roche 

Photos:

20 Minutos

BBC

Evening Standard

La Liga

Olympics

Runner's World

The Independent

Tags:

20 Minutos, Alex Scott, Alex Yee, BBC, BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, Clare Balding, Dame Sarah Storey, Evening Standard, Gabby Logan, Joe Root, Jude Bellingham, Keely Hodgkinson, La Liga, Luke Littler, Marc Menendez-Roche, Olympic Games in Paris, Paul Whitelock, Runner's World, Sporty Sam, The Independent, UEFA European Championship in Germany

áéíóúü

….. at Goodison Park!

Yesterday, Storm Darragh permitting, Everton FC and Liverpool FC were due to play their last ever football match at Everton’s home ground, Goodison Park. From next season the “Toffees” will play at their new ground, Everton Stadium.

[Image courtesy of Instagram]

Where is the new Everton Stadium?

Everton Stadium is at Bramley-Moore Dock in Vauxhall, Liverpool.  

The Blues new stadium is located on the banks of the River Mersey, on Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront, and has a capacity of 52,888.

The new Everton Stadium [Photo courtesy of Wikipedia]

A brief history of Everton FC

Everton Football Club is a professional association football club based in Liverpool, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Founded in 1878, the club was a founding member of the Football League in 1888 and was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, one of just three clubs to have been a founding member of both leagues.

Everton is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in England, having won twenty-four major trophies: nine league titles, five FA Cups, one European Cup Winners' Cup and nine Charity Shields.

    Goodison Park, Liverpool [Photo: Wikipedia]

Sporty Sam and Goodison Park

I worked for ten years for Sefton Council’s Education Department based in Bootle. My role as a school adviser, with responsibility for modern foreign languages (MFL) and European Matters, partly entailed organising events and conferences for pupils and teachers.

Goodison Park was one of my regular choices of venue, as they were geared up for hosting large-scale events. The only equivalent space within Sefton was Aintree Racecourse, but they were more expensive and not always available.                                                                                  

Main Conference Room at Goodison Park [CC Events]

I had a soft spot for Everton and their stadium. Goodison Park worked very well as a conference space, was easy to get to on public transport and had a large free car park for those who needed to drive there.

In 2001 Liverpool was European City of Culture. The UK was still a member state of the European Union back then so was eligible for funding from the Socrates and Comenius programmes. I made a successful bid for some 80,000 pounds which enabled me to run a number of projects to promote Europe with school pupils and students. For some of the events I used Goodison Park.

[Image courtesy of Instagram]

What will happen to Goodison Park after Everton FC leave?

Goodison Park is to be knocked down after Everton relocate to Bramley Moore Dock.

Liverpool Council's planning committee has backed the proposals for a second time.

A report to Liverpool Council's planning committee detailed how the club plans, referred to as the Goodison Park Legacy Project, will transform the 3.39-hectare site into a mixed-use development, including housing, commercial space, community/retail uses and open space.

STOP PRESS: The match was postponed because of adverse weather conditions. A new date will be scheduled in due course.

© Sporty Sam

Acknowledgements:

Bing

BusinessLive

Wikipedia

Photos:

CC Events

Instagram

Wikipedia

www.evertonstadium.com

Tags:

Aintree Racecourse, association football, Bing, Bootle, Bramley Moore Dock, BusinessLive, Charity Shield, Comenius, commercial space, community/retail use, European City of Culture, European Cup Winners' Cup, European Matters, European Union, Everton, Everton Football Club, Everton Stadium, FA Cup, Football League, Goodison Park, Goodison Park Legacy Project, housing, league title, Liverpool, Liverpool Council's planning committee, Merseyside Derby, mixed-use development, MFL, modern foreign languages, open space, Premier League, school adviser, Sefton, Sefton Council’s Education Department, Socrates, Sporty Sam, Storm Darragh, Toffees, Vauxhall, Wikipedia

England against Spain in the Final. That was what I predicted and hoped for at the outset of the tournament over three weeks ago. My two teams. England because I am half-English and lived there for nearly six decades. Spain because  I have been a resident in Andalucia for the last 16 years. Spain is my adopted country.

Preamble

As we moved into the semi-finals this week, one of the bookies' favourites, Germany, have gone, beaten by a superior Spain. England are still there having escaped from the round of 16 and the quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth. Defending champions France sneaked into the semis after beating world champions Italy in a penalty shoot-out. The Netherlands have a strong team with many top players from the Premier League, the French Ligue 1 and the Primera Liga in their squad.

Semi-finals

On Tuesday Spain beat France by being the better side.

Photo: ORBITA Navalmoral

On Wednesday England beat the Netherlands in somewhat controversial circumstances.

England dominated the early play yet the Dutch scored a break-away wonder goal in the 8th minute.

Within five minutes England striker Harry Kane, a prolific goalscorer last season for his club Bayern Munich, was fouled in the box as he made a shot at goal. He missed the target but was brutally chopped down by defender Denzel Dumfries. For me it was a clear penalty and a sending-off. The German referee Felix Zwayer inexplicably gave a goal kick, until VAR intervened.

Harry Kane [Photo: FC Bayern Munich]

The VAR official invited the referee to view the pitchside screen. As a result of that the ref awarded a penalty and a yellow card. Anywhere else on the pitch and it would have been a straight red card.

Many so-called "experts", ie former-players-turned-TV-pundits  like Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer, Lee Dixon and Jamie Carragher declared it was NOT a penalty.

OK, they are ex-professional footballers who played at the highest level, so you would think they would know what they were talking about.

As for me I have never played football to a high standard, but I am a keen fan of the game and I think I know and understand the laws. IT WAS DEFINITELY A PENALTY and the Dutch defender should have been SENT OFF!

The match continued, Kane scored from the spot and the match became ever more frantic as both sides sought a winning goal.

Finally manager Gareth Southgate took off Kane and Phil Foden and brought on prolific Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and goal-scoring Wunderkind Cole Palmer from Chelsea.

Watkins scored in the 90th minute to seal a deserved victory for an improved England side. Palmer provided the assist. The goal was a masterpiece of precision.

The Final

At 21.00 hours in Berlin on Sunday, my two teams meet in the Final. But who shall I support? I back both teams, so shall have to dress in neutral fashion or in both liveries.

Which team do I want to win? Spain are the better team and have won all their games so far. England have been extremely fortunate to get through to the Final, but are improving.

I like the way Spain have been playing and I live here, yet I am English-born and would really like Gareth Southgate's team to win.

Photo: www.marca.com

If he leaves out Kane and plays Watkins from the start; if he gives Foden freedom to roam I think England will peak in the Final and surprise the world of football. I predict a 3-1 victory. The Three Lions' name is surely on the cup.

© Sporty Sam

Acknowledgements (Photos):

FC Bayern Munich

Julia Flynn

La Razon

Marca.com

ORBITA Navalmoral

Paul Whitelock

Wikipedia

Tags:

Alan Shearer, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Cole Palmer, Denzel Dumfries, Felix Zwayer, FC Bayern Munich, Gareth Southgate, Gary Lineker, Harry Kane, Jamie Carragher, Julia Flynn, La Razon, Lee Dixon,  Ligue 1, Marca.com, Ollie Watkins, ORBITA Navalmoral, Paul Whitelock, penalty, penalty shoot-out, Phil Foden, Premier League, Primera Liga, Rio Ferdinand, sending-off, Sporty Sam, TV pundit, Three Lions, Wikipedia, wonder goal, Wunderkind

After three weeks and 26 matches the 24 teams which qualified for the European Football Championships have been reduced to just four.

After the quarter final matches on Friday and Saturday there are just four teams remaining: England, France, the Netherlands and Spain. The only surprise is that Germany are not there, beaten by the tournament favourites Spain.

Semi-Finals

On Tuesday night, France play Spain and England take on the Netherlands for a place in the Final.

My money is on England v. Spain, my two teams.

Spain have been impressive, having won all their games. England have been poor, yet have found a way to win their matches. So, who will win on Tuesday? My head says Spain, but my heart hopes England can pull it off.

[Photo courtesy of OK Diario]

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane [Photo: RTVE.es]                                                             The Spanish Team [Photo: OK Diario]

© Sporty Sam

Tags:

England, European Football Championship, Euros, France, Germany, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Netherlands, Spain