THE WORLD’S NUMBER 1 SPORTS MAGAZINE
SPORTS WORLD JONNY BOWS OUT WITH WIN GET READY FOR RIO!
CATCH UP WITH RYAN GIGGS
THEY LEFT THEIR MARK ON THE GAMES
Brian O’Driscoll took part in his last game by helping his team win the pro12 title. He also helped win a triple crown for the first time since 1985. He won the 1st grand slam with Ireland since 1948 and 3 Heineken with Leinster. Despite beingleft out of the final lions test in Australia last year his response was to win the 2014 six nations with Ireland Many people say we will never see anyone as good as him in Ireland ever. again.
He added yet another appearance to an already impressive tally 264 with a near defeat to Northampton which they lost in extra time. He has played for his country more than 50 times and captained England to the disagreement of many. He brings a 16 year career to and endwith just the one premiership title, won with Saracens in 2011. Borthwick will join the Japanese coaching team under former Saracens head coach Eddie Jones.
We caught up with Ryan Giggs after he finished his career. Giggs, 40, made a club record 963 appearances for United and played 64 times for Wales. He said: "Today is a new chapter filled with many emotions immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement." He added "My dream was always to play for Manchester United, "I am immensely proud, honoured and fortunate to have represented the biggest club in the world 963 times and Wales 64 times.�
SIR JONNY World famous legend Jonny Wilkinson bowed out in style with a final win and flawless kicking display. The former England, Lions and Newcastle flyhalf started in a 18-10 win over Casters kicking 15 point and making no mistakes. The remarkable Wilkinson helped win 2 back to back Heineken cups with Toulon and kicked the winning drop goal in the World Cup final, to lead England to victory over Australia. Winning 91 caps for England adding up a tally of 1179 points. He also made 6 appearances for the lions, scoring 67 points. During his career he played for 2: he played with Newcastle 1997–2009 appearing 182 caps and scoring 2049. He won his only premiership title with Newcastle in the first year the competition went professional. His second club was Toulon - scoring 1884 points and making 141 appearances between 20092014. He told us he had no regrets about retiring "I don't feel I'm as effective, which is behind the decision". And he said winning a second which was a back to back Heineken Cup was something he would "remember forever". "It's such a good feeling, and I just want that to continue for as long as it can," said Wilkinson. "It's such a good feeling, and I just want that to continue for as long as it can," said Wilkinson. Wilkinson, who will join the Toulon coaching staff at the end of the season, said he was "proud and pleased" to be part of the club's success.
FRANK’S FARWELL BOW Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has not been offered a new contract and will leave the club when his contract runs out in the summer, which will end a fantastic 13 year career at Stamford Bridge. The England international, 35, is the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with 211 goals. He has won 11 major tropes since joining West Ham in 2001 including 3 league titles and the 2012 champion’s league. He has appeared 648 times for Chelsea which is the third most appearances. Frank is currently in Miami with the England squad ahead of the world cup which starts for England this Saturday when they meet Italy. He made the move from West ham for a fee of £11 million. When we caught up with him he said “I have had a great career at the club and made friends that will last a life time along with moments I will never forget and will always be in the back of my mind. I am sad to be leaving the club but it will be good to have a new challenge.”
FLINTOFF’S COMEBACK SWING! Legend Andrew Flintoff continues his cricketing comeback, after playing his first match back after retirement, he took three astonishing wickets. The 36 year old former England allrounder retired in 2010, and has
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come out of retirement last week, to play for Lancashire in the T20 bash. Flintoff has not played for a pro side since 2010 and last for Lancashire in 2009. He got 476 caps in all formats for England. He made his debut on the 23 July 1998 against South Africa. “I will have to work very hard to get my place back in the squad, there are a lot of very good experienced players competing for their place in the squad. It will be hard, but I am prepared for the challenge and I will get my place back in the squad”.
Surfing in Style Youth Nike lowers pro winner, Gabriel Medina pulled of one of the biggest tricks ever, to beat Glenn Hall. Medina won the lowers pro with a huge backside air reverse. With a perfect 10 Gabriel medina best a close runner up Glenn hall. The young Brazilian now ranked 1st in the world, pulled the trick off with no falter to win the competition with a perfect 10. Medina pulled the hardest trick ever and he looked like it was just a normal easy trick. Named the most creative surfer ever, he has been practicing the trick in training all year waiting for this moment. Medina is the first person to perfect the trick. “When about to perform the trick, thoughts rushing through my head thinking what I have to do. Also the emotion was crazy. I have been waiting all year for the perfect wave to perform the trick on and it was that on that it had to be.”
RIO REARING TO GO? Is Rio ready for the world cup? The simple answer is no, Sao Paulo's stadium, the venue for the tournament's first fixture Brazil v Croatia, has fallen behind schedule. Tests that should have been completed months ago are only just being started. Three other stadiums have suffered delays meaning that trial games have had to be skipped. This month, more than three and a half million football fans are expected to head to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the World Cup. But there are some questions about whether Rio is ready to host the world cup. Protests have erupted in Brazil in recent weeks over the high cost of hosting the tournament. Brazil is reportedly spending $11 billion, more than double what South Africa spent and five times more than Germany spent on previous world cups. Protests are just one of several problems facing the Brazilian government ahead of the World Cup. Several of the 12 stadiums being built are not finished. Major infrastructure updates have either been postponed or cancelled. But apart from a few hiccups the world cup looks to be one of the most existing and close yet. It will showcase lots of young talent.
The home team are favourites. Strong favourites brazil and hoping to win another world cup seeing as it’s a home tournament. “Its brazils year” said sheerer. Brazil are set out to win another world cup, they have one of there best teams ever. Players such as Naymar, Oscar and Alves are all determined to win the cup for their home country at home. Using a model based on each team's track record and characteristics, Brazil emerges as the clear favourite, with a 48.5% probability of winning in Rio, followed by Argentina, expected to be knocked out in the semi-finals alongside Germany. “We will go out all guns blazing, with nothing to lose. It our home tournament and we are prepared for whatever come at us. We will do all the country and fans proud to be Brazilian”. Says Neymar However non favourites England still keep there hopes up to win it. The slim chances are still alive as they still hope for an away win. The low chances of 1.4% are not putting them down. The youth full side are still very experienced with the likes of Lampard, Gerard and Hart are all still thinking they can win it. With the young squad but talented are still very able to win it. They all still have very high and hopeful hopes of winning it. Get ready for lots of shocks!
ENGLAND YOUNG STARS 1) Raheem Sterling: The 19-year old's blistering pace and quick feet on the pitch has impressed many. He played a vital role in Liverpool's title challenge as the young Brit scored 9 goals and made 5 assists. His impressive performances also earned him a spot on the list for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. With Theo Walcott missing in the squad, Raheem Sterling might provide the pace needed for the English side required in counter attack.
2) Ross Barkley: The 20-year old midfielder has been impressive for Everton this season. Barkley has scored 7 goals in 34 matches for the Merseyside team. His contributions have been instrumental for Everton as he has put forward many man of the match performances. Ross Barkley scored an amazing solo goal as he dribbled from inside his own half to score the opener in the match against Newcastle, which Everton won 3-0. Barkley has also scored an amazing long range goal against Manchester City, which proved his potential to be one of the best. He has been praised by many pundits including Alan Hansen who said that Ross Barkley has absolutely everything. Gary Lineker stated that he is a star in the making and he is prodigious talent. Club manager Roberto MartĂnez described Barkley as a mix of Paul Gascoigne and Michael Ballack. On 18 April 2014, he was named as one of the six players on the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. He has the potential to help England win their second FIFA World Cup.