ME Sports Talk - December 2013 by mesportstalk_me

Issue 14 December 2013 mesportstalk.com

EXCLUSIVE: ROGER FEDERER COLUMN: MN: ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC TU TUITION: U I T I O N : RRHYS HYS BEEC BEECHER

AED 15

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

DAVID HAYE ADMITS HE PREFERS BUSINESS TO BOXING

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

PLUS DOUBLE ‘2020’ GLORY FOR THE UAE STENSON MAKES HISTORY IN DUBAI IS MESSI BETTER THAN MARADONA?

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PRE-MATCH TALK The Swede makes history in Dubai; Mickelson returns to Abu Dhabi

SENIOR WRITER: TOBY GREGORY toby@mesportstalk.com FASHION EDITOR: GIZEM MUTLUAY gizem@mesportstalk.com SUBBING EDITOR: AELRED DOYLE CONTRIBUTORS: ARSENE WENGER, ANDREW STRAUSS, HARRY REDKNAPP, HAYLEY MONK, JOE HARRIS, KEVIN PIETERSEN, SHAHZAD SHEIKH

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HAYE

PHOTOGRAPHERS: ANAS CHERUR, JAY COLINA

IBRAHIMOVIC

FIRST HALF

AGENCIES: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR: VASS MAFILAS vass@cpidubai.com

HALF-TIME TALK

Zlatan admits he would die for Mourinho, but calls Guardiola spineless

The Swiss star has no plans to quit tennis; The ‘Hayemaker’ prefers business to boxing

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Montgomerie pro says think before you drive; Daf on how to get the heart of a Lion

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SECOND HALF

Is the Barca ace better than Maradona?; Our South American football scout reveals his top10 ten talents;

KIT ROOM

Our car editor trials the 2014 Maserati Quattroporte

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

THE GAFFER BEN JACOBS EDITOR

EXPO 2020 WON’T LEAD TO A DUBAI OLYMPICS D

ubai’s exceptional Expo 2020 triumph has inevitably fueled talk of a bid for the Olympics. However, contrary to popular belief, one won’t be forthcoming any time soon. As with Qatar 2022, there remains major doubts about whether the Middle East’s searing climate is conducive to a summer Games, which is perhaps why Doha failed to glean IOC support for either the 2016 or 2020 Olympics. In the wake of all the Expo 2020 fanfare, the talk of a Dubai Olympics has (rather spuriously) materialised since the UAE National Olympic Committee toyed with a 2016 bid; they even formally announced their interest in the 2024 Olympics back in 2012, only to withdraw their name at the last minute due to, ironically, a focus on winning Expo 2020. With Dubai romping to Expo 2020 in late November – with a record 69 percent of the vote – and celebrating its 42nd birthday just days later, it is natural Olympics rumblings have emerged. Yet Her Excellency Sheima Al Zarooni, a senior board member for the UAE National Olympic Committee, told me there’s very little truth to rumours Dubai will enter the race for either the 2024 or 2028 Games. “Dubai, and the UAE at large, has a very strong infrastructure and a passion to put on top events,” she said, speaking at the second annual Host Cities conference. “We are capable of hosting an Olympics, but it is currently not a focus. We have Expo 2020 and all our efforts are on that right now. If we can stage that we know we can pull off an Olympics, too, but it’s not currently the aim. The mandate, to bid for an Olympics, would have to come from the government and, if they agree, I am sure we would do a wonderful job.” That’s a sentiment echoed by Olympic Minister Dame Tessa Jowell. The Labour MP, who was also Secretary for Culture, State and Sport, has no doubt Dubai could follow in London’s footsteps, although she raised legitimate concerns about the weather – the same kind being levelled at Qatar, but arguably more relevant given outdoor Olympics venues aren’t allowed roofs. “I think an Olympics is possible here, but much will depend on the success of Qatar in hosting the World Cup,” said Jowell. “If FIFA decide they can alter the dates of the World Cup that could be the incentive for the IOC to do the same. If a Dubai bid is so compelling and advantageous to the Olympics brand then anything is possible. “Unlike football’s World Cup, which is really striving to be global, certain hurdles – economic, geo-political or climate – are stopping the Olympics from following suit. That prevents the Games from being truly global. The question is, are we going to face a future where the Gulf can never host an Olympics because it is too hot, or will the IOC start being more flexible? Only they know the answer…” Jowell makes a poignant point – and perhaps one that’s stopping Dubai making a whole-hearted bid. Yet, Olympics-aside, the beauty of Expo 2020 is it will still strengthen sport in the region. At the same time as Dubai’s bid contingent were celebrating Expo 2020 in Paris, the UAE’s cricket team qualified for their first World Twenty20 with a ten-run victory over Holland in Abu Dhabi. All of the qualifiers for next’s year’s event in Bangladesh were staged in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Sharjah, and the success of these may persuade the ICC, who have their global base in Dubai, to award the UAE the 2024 World Twenty20. Sadly, 2020 has already gone to Australia! Furthermore, Dubai Autodrome, which narrowly missed out on next year’s Formula One preseason testing to Bahrain, is still keen to host a Grand Prix, and Bernie Ecclestone is refusing to rule this possibility out. However, most intriguingly, what Expo 2020 should also achieve is to raise the commitment to grass roots sport and fitness levels across the region. The hype of an Olympics or World Twenty20 is tremendous for PR and tourism, but very rarely is it accompanied by a legacy. Expo 2020 has seven years to build one and it’s refreshing to see plans are already being in place. 200 Expo 2020-specific sports events have been scheduled as part of Dubai’s manifesto. Thus, by Expo 2020, Ali the ketchup-guzzling Emirati will be 17 and, if goals to promote sport come off, he just might be a world-class professional footballer, cricketer or golfer – three big aims (all of which he’d have to give up ketchup for!). This month, alongside reviewing the UAE cricket team’s success, we also look back on the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens (won by Fiji) and the DP World Tour Championship (won by Henrik Stenson). We talk to David Haye, too – who is facing retirement after shoulder surgery, but admits he is starting to prefer business to boxing – and Phil Mickelson, who will return to the UAE capital for January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Enjoy December’s issue, and may I take this opportunity to wish you a happy, healthy and successful New Year.

benj@mesportstalk.com @JacobsBen facebook.com/mesportstalk

WITH DUBAI ROMPING TO EXPO 2020 IN LATE NOVEMBER, AND CELEBRATING ITS 42ND BIRTHDAY JUST DAYS LATER, IT IS NATURAL OLYMPICS RUMBLINGS HAVE EMERGED. YET HER EXCELLENCY SHEIMA AL ZAROONI, A SENIOR BOARD MEMBER FOR THE UAE NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, TOLD ME THERE’S VERY LITTLE TRUTH TO RUMOURS DUBAI WILL ENTER THE RACE FOR EITHER THE 2024 OR 2028 GAMES. DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

BREAKING NEWS » CONTENTIOUS VIEWS » TOP TWEETS

PRE-MATCH TALK

08 DOUBLE ‘2020’ GLORY

The UAE cricket team qualiﬁed for the World Twenty20 on the same night that Dubai won Expo 2020

12 HENRIK STENSON

The Swede makes history as he becomes the ﬁrst golfer to win the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup in the same season

18 PHIL MICKELSON

The ﬁve-time Major winner speaks to us ahead of his return to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

PRE-MATCH TALK

DOUBLE ‘2020’ GLORY FOR UAE mazingly, the UAE enjoyed two ‘2020’ triumphs on the same night. On Thursday 27 November, Dubai celebrated winning Expo 2020 (a result announced just after 2020). At virtually the same time, the UAE cricket team qualified for next year’s World Twenty20 in Bangladesh courtesy of a ten-run victory over Holland in Abu Dhabi. It’s the first time the UAE have ever qualified for a World T20, with the success largely down to an outstanding bowling display at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. Having set Holland a modest 118 for victory – thanks largely to 32 from captain Khurram Kham – Shadeep Silva took an economical 1-9, while Nasir Aziz finished with figures of 3-21, as the visitors made just 107-9 from their 20 overs. “My players have been doing well for the last six months in all forms of the game and this is a very special moment,” said coach Aaqib Javed. “I attribute the victory to the enormous belief in their abilities. The hard work that everyone has put in over the past year has been rewarded through

this achievement. Huge credit to all my players, especially Shadeep Silva, who bowled tightly to give us a good start.” The UAE last featured in a top-tier tournament at the 1996 World Cup. In fact, their sole win back then was a seven-run victory over Holland in Pakistan. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Ireland, Nepal, Holland and Zimbabwe also qualified for next year’s World Twenty20, but Scotland missed out. Given cricket is the most followed sport in the UAE, it was fitting that the UAE should book their place in Bangladesh at practically the same time as Dubai securing Expo 2020, with a resounding 69 percent of the vote. It is likely Expo 2020 will massively benefit sport in the region over the next seven years, with talk of more top-class cricket coming to the UAE and maybe even a bid for a World Twenty20 itself, given the success of the qualifiers that took place across the region. Sadly, a World T20 in the UAE in 2020 is impossible, since Australia has already been announced as the host, but 2024 is a distinct possibility.

gossip: THE UAE May BID TO HOST THE 2024 WORLD TWENTY20

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

IRELAND RETAIN WORLD T20 TITLE Ireland successfully defended their World Twenty20 Qualifiers title with a comprehensive 68-run triumph over Afghanistan in the final in Abu Dhabi, thanks largely to blitzed fifties from Paul Stirling and Trent Johnston, which propelled them to a mammoth total of 225. Set a daunting 226 to win – a record, if they achieved it – Afghanistan began well, as Mohammad Shahzad smashed 14 runs off Max Sorensen’s first three balls. At the other end Nawroz Mangal made 12 from Tim Murtagh’s opening four deliveries. The pair put on 36 in 3.2 overs, but then the wickets started to fall. Gulbadin Naib offered a bit of resistance with 43, but received little support from the rest of the middle order, thus allowing Johnston to make a telling contribution with the ball (3-34) to wrap up victory.

PRE-MATCH TALK

FABULOUS FIJI WIN MAIDEN DUBAI RUGBY SEVENS iji won the men’s title at the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens. Led by former England coach Ben Ryan, the Pacific Islanders beat South Africa 29-17 in the final, but it was their 44-0 eight-try massacre of pre-tournament favourites New Zealand in the semi-final that really caught the eye. Fiji were not only dazzling in attack but superb in defence, enjoying a 19-0 lead at half-time thanks to a brace from Benito Masilevu and a Samisoni Viriviri score. In the second half, speedy Emoni Mulevoro scored a breakaway try to extend Fiji’s lead to 24-0 before South Africa – who beat England 26-12 in their semi-final – staged a late fightback. Chelsin Kolble and Sampie Mastriet both went over, but Fiji sealed victory when Leo Naiksau scored with a minute left. It was a sweet triumph for the Fijians, who have been runners-up five-times since Dubai became part of the HSBC Sevens World Series in 1999. As for New Zealand, they bounced back to beat England 17-14 in the third-place playoff,

yet their thumping semi-final loss remains their heftiest in Sevens history. Elsewhere, Argentina saw off Wales 21-5 to take the Plate; Australia beat Portugal 17-2 to win the Bowl; while France took the Shield with a 28-17 victory over Spain. Australia won the women’s title courtesy of a surprise 35-27 win over New Zealand, despite trailing 22-7 at half-time and 27-7 shortly after the break. Yet the Aussies, spearheaded by top try-scorer Kyla McAlister, managed 28 unanswered points en route to victory. Away from the pros, Scottish outfit Xodus Steelers defended their International Veterans title with a thrilling 17-14 win over Joost van der Westhuizen’s J9 Foundation. Andy Craig’s late try proved the difference between the sides. Van der Westhuizen, who is sadly suffering from motor neurone disease, was in attendance. The 1995 World Cup winner is now confined to a wheelchair, but came onto the pitch at full-time to a standing ovation from the 45,000-strong crowd and received a tunnel of applause from both sets of teams in the most moving moment of the weekend.

OTHER RESULTS

International Invitation Men Samurai International 38 HFW Wailers 14 International Invitation Women Almaty RFC Women’s 36 South Africa Select 12 International Open Men Tribe 7s 21 Wyvern Harlequins 5 International Open Women Moody Cows 19 DSI Predators 5 International Social Hunters 35 PROJECX Waterboys 24 International U18s France 7 Development 26 Mantella Blitz Bulle 0 Gulf Men’s League Jebel Ali Dragons 19 Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1 7 Gulf Men’s Open Unofﬁcially Retired 36 Lanka Lions 14 Gulf Men’s Social Flying Muppets 19 Barasti 17 Gulf Veterans Dubai Hurricanes 24 Doha 7 Gulf U18s Dubai College 19 DESC 17 Gulf Women Trophy Abu Dhabi Harlequins 36 Jebel Ali Dragons 12 UAE National Schools Trophy Al Ain Wolves 33 VDEC 5

gossip: NORTHAMPTON’S ENGLAND FULL-BACK BEN FODEN WILL MISS THE SIX NATIONS WITH A KNEE INJURY

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

PRE-MATCH TALK DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP 1. Henrik Stenson – 263 (-25) 2. Ian Poulter – 269 (-19) 3. Victor Dubuisson – 271 (-17) 4. Joost Luiten – 272 (-16) T5. Rory McIlroy – 273 (-15) T5. Luke Donald – 273 (-15) T5. Lee Westwood – 273 (-15) 2013 RACE TO DUBAI 1. Henrik Stenson – 4,086,936 points 2. Ian Poulter – 2,969,469 3. Justin Rose – 2,776,244 4. Graeme McDowell – 2,512,696 5. Jamie Donaldson – 2,181,113

STENSATIONAL! HENRIK MAKES HISTORY IN DUBAI enrik Stenson became the first golfer to win the Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup in the same season after a scintillating six-shot victory at the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The 37-year-old, who is a former Dubai resident, made six birdies and finished with a sensational eagle at the last to card an imperious 64 and close on 25-under – a new tournament record. Ian Poulter was second following a classy 67, with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson a further two shots back. US Open champion Justin Rose, who could have taken the Race to Dubai title with victory, finished 10 shots adrift. Stenson’s eighth European Tour title was his first of 2013 and caps a remarkable run of form for a player who plummeted to world No.230 less than two years ago, largely due to a blood parasite that was incorrectly diagnosed. He finished second and third in the final two Majors of the year (Open, USPGA), and in September became the first European golfer to capture the $10 million FedEx Cup. Stenson, who started the final day just one stroke in front of Dubuisson, is the second Swedish golfer to claim the European money list, after Robert Karlsson won the Order of Merit in 2008 – the year before it became the Race to Dubai.

The metronomic Swede got off to a fast start, with a birdie at the first, and went on to card a flawless outward nine of 32. Then, at the formidable 12th – a 476-yard par-four with the wind gusting across – he moved five shots clear when a majestic five-iron from 177 yards nestled just two feet from the pin. Yet somehow that moment was eclipsed at the last when, after bisecting yet another

fairway with his trusty three-wood, his approach trickled back to just 12 inches from the pin, paving the way for an eagle. “It has been a dream season,” grinned Stenson, who is assured of a place in next year’s Ryder Cup team for the first time since 2008. “I played so well this week. I knew the guys would try to catch me, especially Ian, who never gives up. I don’t know how I am going to be able to top this next year but I am going to give my best in the Majors and that would be the icing on the cake.” It wasn’t just a memorable week for Stenson, but all connected with Jumeirah Golf Estates, since it was also announced that the Race to Dubai finale has been extended until 2017. The season-ending tournament, as Sports Talk exclusively revealed in November 2012, will shift to Greg Norman’s other course, Fire, at least once during this time-frame, probably starting in 2015.

EPTI OPENS AT JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES The ﬁrst European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) in the Middle East has opened at Jumeirah Golf Estates, with Justin Rose, David Howell, Brett Rumford and Peter Uihlein present for the ribbon-cutting. The quartet simultaneously struck the opening shots from the impressive teaching bays, which are located between the Earth and Fire courses. The new ETPI, only the second of its kind on the European Tour following the launch of the inaugural Performance Centre at Terre Blanche Golf Resort in France last year, contains facilities unrivalled in the UAE. “The European Tour has been linked closely to the UAE, and Dubai in particular, for the past quarter of a century and it has been a privilege to see how the game has grown in this vibrant city, both professionally and at grass roots level,” said European Tour chief

executive George O’Grady. “The construction of this superb new Performance Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates provides further evidence of that growth and re-emphasises the Tour’s commitment to this internationally acclaimed golfing destination. Everyone – from Tour players to club members and the casual visitor – will benefit greatly from the first rate facilities attached to the ETPI.” “The European Tour Performance Institute brings an holistic approach to refining, improving and optimising all areas of a player’s performance,” added Jumeirah Golf Estates’ director of instruction, Wayne Johnson. “Strength and conditioning studios, sports therapy treatment and cutting-edge video analysis help us to understand all areas of a golfer’s DNA, enabling them to realise and achieve their goals.”

gossip: THE HSBC CHAMPIONS IN SHANGHAI WON’T COUNT TOWARDS THE RACE TO DUBAI NEXT YEAR

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

CLIVE AGRAN

eluctant though I am to admit it, my interest in birds could well be rooted in envy. Those who have heard me ‘sing’ The 5th Dimension’s ‘Up, Up and Away’ in the shower could easily be forgiven for concluding I am jealous of their warbling. But it’s not that – nor is it their talent for building a snug abode out of nothing but twigs and feathers. Quite simply, I wish I could fly! As a young nipper, I even dreamt of one day becoming a real life paratrooper rather than just whimsically wishing I was Superman like my other chums. When you think about it, flying is the only significant means of locomotion we mortals haven’t yet mastered. We can walk, climb, crawl, run, sail, swim and even slide along on skates, skis or rollerblades, but we haven’t yet figured out how to shake our arms vigorously, rise gracefully up from the ground and then flap off down to Tesco. The fact mankind can’t yet (quite literally) fly in the face of gravity hasn’t stopped us from trying. A trip to the annual celebration of non-flight, the Worthing International Birdman Festival, conclusively proves this. Staged in August, presumably to take advantage of any helpful thermals (rising bubbles of heated air that can be used to gain height), the endearing if ludicrous event offers £10k (AED 60k) for “The furthest flight should a birdman achieve over a 100-metre distance.” The rather cautious (and grammatically cumbersome) wording suggests the organisers are a tad anxious about the possibility of multiple birdmen fluttering past the 100-metre mark. Since Worthing isn’t all that far from where I live (95 miles by road, but only 64 by air), and £10k would enable me to fill up my car with diesel at least half a dozen times on those rare occasions when it is perhaps too foggy to fly, I aim to enter one day – probably before my impending 100th birthday. However, before doing anything as reckless as jumping off Worthing Pier in a feathered costume, I thought it prudent to see if I have an aptitude for self-flight. Dave Lewis certainly does. In his early 40s and a qualified paraglider pilot for 14 years, he has managed to

stay aloft for over 1,600 hours without once tumbling to earth in a crumpled heap. A full-time instructor, he now specialises in taking wannabe swallows up in a tandem machine. Not to be confused with a TARDIS, this is a sort of two-person sky bike entirely incapable of time travel. While I frantically sipped a large mug of tea in a glam café, Dave oozed serenity as he patiently explained a few pertinent pointers. I struggled to pay attention, since I was both hastily scribbling my will on a used napkin and pondering why he hadn’t offered me a pre-flight Red Bull, considering it is supposed to give you wings! Although thankfully sparing us any complicated aerodynamic theory, Dave didn’t hold back elaborating on the inherent risks associated with the sport. The good news is, compared with its early pioneering days, paragliding has grown progressively safer. “A nasty falling out of the sky is most unlikely,” he reassured us. “Take off and landing are the most dangerous parts.” I foolishly asked about his hairiest moment and he graphically described a dramatic incident over the Himalayas where he struggled to stabilise his paraglider after the wing collapsed in turbulent air. Despite hurtling earthwards at a frightening pace, he didn’t freak out and eventually straightened things out at the fifth attempt, so never seriously contemplated deploying his parachute. The real positive I took from this otherwise harrowing tale was the welcome presence on every flight of a parachute on his back, which I assumed he would share in the event of a real emergency. Dave also talked a bit about thermals and how to locate them; the helpful phenomenon known as ridge lift (where wind hits a hill and deflects upwards); and glide ratios (the ability of an aircraft to convert height into distance). Broadly speaking, the sleeker and more delicate the craft, the greater its efficiency and thus the further it can travel. Fortunately, for my health, we had the Phil Mitchell of paragliders – robust, workmanlike and no doubt handy (for self-defence) in a dark alley.

CL VE CLI CLIVE E AGRAN A RAN N

FLYING IS THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT MEANS OF LOCOMOTION WE MORTALS HAVEN’T YET MASTERED. WE CAN WALK, CLIMB, CRAWL, RUN, SAIL, SWIM AND EVEN SLIDE ALONG ON SKATES, SKIS OR ROLLERBLADES, BUT WE HAVEN’T YET FIGURED OUT HOW TO SHAKE OUR ARMS VIGOROUSLY, RISE GRACEFULLY UP FROM THE GROUND AND THEN FLAP OFF DOWN TO TESCO.

clive would feel VERY MUCH at home at the worthing International birdman festival given it attRacts lunatics!

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

As he chatted knowledgeably, Dave occasionally glanced up, lovingly, at the fluffy cumulus clouds forming above our heads. These indicate thermal activity and suggest favourable conditions. Thus, I drained what I feared could be my last-ever cuppa and then hopped into a battered old Land Rover, which took me to a field at the foot of a colossal hill just outside Lewes in East Sussex. Myself and Dave were both armed with hefty rucksacks (each approximately the size of Susan Boyle) full of various paragliding gizmos, including Dave’s parachute – or ‘Clive’s parachute’, as I quickly rechristened it! We lugged these up the steep escarpment of the imposing mound, eventually settling almost 500 feet above sea level. Sitting on the summit, I devoured what I was now convinced was my final-ever packet of cashew nuts and raisins and downed one parting bottle of ginger beer. While I panicked… erm, I mean picnicked, I watched a few fellow fliers assemble their paragliders before stepping off the side of the knoll, then angelically floating over the vast valley below. Meanwhile, Dave scoured the horizon and rather elatedly confirmed the absence of any thunderstorms. “I think we’ll wait for the thermals and wind to pick up,” he gleefully pronounced. Although it felt both humid and pretty gusty to me, I did notice that the guys who took off a few minutes earlier were struggling to gain any real height. My appreciation of the glorious view was cut short when I suddenly realised it was my turn. Final preparations, however, weren’t aided by a last-minute sneeze that resulted in the accidental blowing of my nose with my will. I became worried that, if I didn’t survive, no one would know who to give my moderate riches or comic book collection to. Nonetheless, I boldly donned my crash helmet and harnessed my creaking limbs to Dave’s hardy thighs (the process wasn’t nearly as erotic as it sounds). He then instructed that when he yelled, “GO, GO, GO,” I should lean forward and try to run off the hill in the direction of a small pond on the far side of the (now disturbingly busy) road. He double-checked everything was clipped in correctly and then clung softly to my back and buttocks as we went through one final rehearsal.

agran plans to lobby (or bribe) the ioc for paragliding to BE introduced at rio 2016

The Dubai skyline is arguably even more spectacular than Five minutes later and it was time to lose my paragliding Lois Lane’s cleavage, so paragliding there would be a true treat virginity for real. I could hear the wing fluttering in the breeze and – although the Burj Khalifa is so blooming high there’s a danger my heart thumping. Due to the strong pull behind, running isn’t that the sharp pole at the very top could quite the right word to describe my frantic efforts puncture a parachute! Away from all the to put one foot in front of the other as quickly as skyscrapers, however, you can apparently go possible. No matter, I was up, up and away and to Oman’s Zighy Bay, where you can enjoy Dave was soon guiding me through the clouds! PARAGLIDING wonderful views of the sparkling Strait of “Lean right. Lean left. Now, right again. Okay, IN THE UAE Hormuz. Hotel guests can even paraglide now straight,” he screamed, as we slid back and down to reception to check in! forth across the hill in search of a lift. Dubai Paragliding Club As I contemplated whizzing through the Being a closet ornithologist, Dave kept

: +971 5 5178 6714 Arabian Gulf, saving princesses from ogres, geekily pointing out various birds. We saw : feller@sfeller.com the hill we had just taken off from suddenly kestrels, crows, seagulls, falcons and buzzards : dubaiparaglidingclub.com disappeared, and the altimeter’s beep-count – well he did, I kept instinctively looking up to more than matched my pulse rate, as we try and locate them, but they were all beneath Abu Dhabi Micro Aviation Club piggy-backed on a big dollop of warm air us! At least this meant, for once, they couldn’t

: +971 5 5843 5254 that had soared skywards from the hot poo on my head! The birds provided useful : microaviation@hungary.org fields below. “We are now 1,500 feet up,” clues as we went in search of beneficial : microaviation.org yelled Dave. thermals. The upward progress of other Being so high, we could afford to peel away paragliders was another promising indicator. Zighy Bay and explore. I could see all of Sussex, most of An altimeter attached to Dave’s arm emitted a

: +968 2 673 5888 Brighton, a chunk of Kent and possibly even range of beeps to let us know whether we were : reservations-zighy@ Dubai (or perhaps just the Camber Sands). climbing, dropping or staying level. sixsenses.com Then, all too soon, it was over. We ambled By now, and to my slight surprise, I wasn’t : sixsenses.com down and landed on precisely the same spot terrified at all. I was relishing the thrill of flying from which we had taken off half an hour high over the magnificent English countryside. It earlier. I remembered to keep my legs is at this point, though, I realised that if I was a outstretched as we gently touched down but paratrooper I would probably have to start forgot to stay on my feet, so lost quite a few style points. What an lobbing grenades at a target, so I decided pretending to be experience! Plus, I learnt that flying isn’t just for birds – but it’s Superman was preferable and began musing over the obvious definitely not for chickens either! benefits of rescuing damsels in distress. DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

PHIL MICKELSON

What brought you to the region? I really enjoyed playing there in 2011 and am thus glad to include it in my schedule again. The golf course and facilities at Abu Dhabi Golf Club are outstanding, and with the quality of the field and good weather itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great place to start my 2014 season.

In 2011 you finished joint 37th: what have you learnt from your previous appearance? I know the National Course is very tight off the tee. The rough was also long and pretty thick in 2011. The course was a fair test, with very true greens. I am driving the ball well now, so getting a feel for the speed of the greens, which was a challenge two years ago, will be essential. I struggled with the same problem at the Open Championship for many years, but I put that right at MuirďŹ eld last July.

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

PHIL MICKELSON

What is your favourite hole on the National Course? I think the 18th is a fantastic closing hole with some real potential for drama. A good drive gives you the chance to go for the green in two, but the approach can be a risky shot. I love risk and reward holes and, as you probably know, I will take my fair share of calculated risks where possible!

The highlight of your season was finally winning the Open. How does that victory over Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood compare to your other four Majors? It is hard to choose between Majors, but winning the Open was very special – deﬁnitely a highlight of my career, let alone my season. With so many of the world’s best in the hunt that week I don’t view it as just a victory over Lee or Henrik but a wonderful achievement for me and my team. It took 22 years for me to win the Open, and although I had made progress there in the last few years I was beginning to wonder if I would ever lift the Claret Jug. I played arguably the best round of my life – a 66 that included four birdies in my last six holes – on Sunday and it felt even more important after the disappointment of again ﬁnishing second at the US Open at Merion just a few weeks earlier.

2014 is another Ryder Cup year; does Europe’s miraculous win at Medinah in 2012 still hurt? Europe really pulled off a remarkable victory in Chicago – just like we did at Brookline in 1999. We look to Gleneagles 2014 20

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

IT TOOK 22 YEARS FOR ME TO WIN THE OPEN, AND ALTHOUGH I HAD MADE PROGRESS THERE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS I WAS BEGINNING TO WONDER IF I WOULD EVER LIFT THE CLARET JUG. as an opportunity to banish the ghosts of two years ago, just like Europe did after ‘99.

Talk us through your singles loss to Justin Rose, where even you were forced to applaud his putting over the final three holes. Justin played phenomenally over those closing holes. I had a chance to go 2-up at the 16th, but he made a good 12-footer to halve the hole. Then I chipped in on 17, enough to win the match in my mind. Yet Justin sank a miraculous 40-footer to take the hole. Then he made a great birdie on the last. I thought I played pretty well, but he was just better over the last three holes, which turned the match.

Has 2013 just been a blip for Rory McIlroy or was it a mistake to switch to Nike clubs? I don’t like commenting on other players’ choices. I’ve changed clubs during my career and know that process can take some time to sort itself out. Rory has a long career ahead of him, is tremendously talented and closed out 2013 on reasonable form. I am sure he’ll be one to watch out for in Abu Dhabi.

Is winning the US Open, where you have been second six times, your main aim for 2014? It is deﬁnitely a career goal and I will be doing all I can to prepare for it. In the meantime I will be focusing on each tournament I play, so the ﬁrst target for 2014 will be to give myself a great chance on Sunday afternoon in Abu Dhabi. Winning breeds more winning. You can’t only focus on the Majors.

PHIL MICKELSON

Nickname: Lefty Born: 16 June 1970 Nationality: American Height: 6ft 3 Residence: Rancho Santa Fe, California Turned Pro: 1992 Wins: 51 Majors: 5 The only Major missing from Mickelson’s trophy cabinet is the US Open

Do you plan to play at the Rio 2016 Olympics? I want to be an Olympic athlete. I think it would be an outstanding experience. It’s something I never thought would happen because golf’s been absent from the Olympics since 1904. By 2016 I will be 46 and it will be a challenge for me to be playing at the highest level, but right now I’m still one of the top guys in the world. I’m so excited about these upcoming years, but really with the longerterm goal of being an Olympic athlete in Rio.

Has retirement ever crossed your mind? I am playing some of the best golf of my career so retirement really isn’t on the cards anytime soon. I have goals I still want to achieve and believe they are reasonable ones. I fully expect to be playing at a high level and developing my off-course interests, such as my design business, for a long time yet. DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM » INTERVIEWS » PREVIEWS

FIRST HALF

24 ROGER FEDERER

The 17-time Grand Slam champion has no plans to retire despite a dip in form in 2013

30 DAVID HAYE

The British heavyweight ﬁghter gives us a tour of the Hayemaker Dubai and reveals he prefers business to boxing

ROGER FEDERER

FEDERER IN NO MOOD TO

QUIT

any have asked why Roger Federer continues to tread the boards when he has played all the great roles. As the owner of 17 Grand Slam titles, he has already delivered his definitive Hamlet, Macbeth and Henry V. Does he really want to end his career as the second gravedigger, two or three years down the road? But this question misunderstands Federerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost pathological selfbelief, as well as his ability to see the upside of every challenge. For this famously

THE SWISS STAR MAY HAVE SLUMPED THIS YEAR BUT HIS SELF-BELIEF IS AS STRONG AS EVER, WRITES SIMON BRIGGS

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

ROGER FEDERER

FEDERER’S 2013

serene character is relishing the sense of being the scrapper for once. Everyone knows about his artistry, poise and grace. But now, for the first time, the 32-year-old is beginning to show his cussed side. “I always knew that eventually it was going to be tougher,” Federer told us. “You can’t just keep on playing and keep on winning. And that’s why it’s been interesting for me myself to see how I handle it, to take the bird’s view and see myself battling it. “It’s actually been OK, it’s been a different process. I don’t want to say it’s fun in any way, but it’s refreshing in the sense that I never really had to deal with it to this extent.” Federer is referring to the travails of a year that has seen him slip down to No.7 in the rankings, the lowest position he has occupied since 2002. If his millions of fans were concerned about his early-season form, they were downright shocked by high-profile defeats to Sergiy Stakhovsky (the world No.116) and Tommy Robredo (in straight sets). Yet Federer never lost his unique ability to turn a racket into a scalpel. What he did mislay for a while was the physical freedom to wield the blade. His back tightened up through the summer months, so that he couldn’t train properly. Then, when it came to match day, he started going for the miracle shot too early in the rally — a bad habit that has taken a while to erase.

14 January: Australian Open – SF 11 Feb: ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament – QF 25 Feb: Dubai Tennis Championships – SF 7 Mar: Paribas Open – QF 6 May: Madrid Open – R4 13 May: Internazionali d’Italia – F 27 May: French Open – QF 10 Jun: Gerry Weber Open – Won 24 Jun: Wimbledon – R2 15 Jul: German Tennis Championships – SF 22 Jul: Suisse Open – R4 12 Aug: Western & Southern Open – QF 26 Aug: US Open – R4 7 Oct: Shanghai Masters – R4 21 Oct: Swiss Indoors Basel – F 28 Oct: Paribas Masters – SF 4 Nov: World Tour Finals – SF

Federer’s last Gram Slam came at Wimbledon in 2012, where he beat Andy Murray in four sets to claim his seventh title at SW19 26

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Federer’s round two exit was his worst Wimbledon performance since 2002

FEDERER’S GRAND SLAM RECORD Tournament

19988 19999 2000 2001 20022 20033 20044 20055 2006 2007 20088 20099 20100 2011 2012 20133

W-L -

Win %

Australian Openn A

4 / 14 68–10 – 87.18

French Open

1 / 15 58–14 – 80.56

Wimbledon

7 / 15

67–8 –

89.33

US Open

5 / 14

67–9 –

88.16

Win-L - oss

0–0 – 0–2 – 7–4 – 13–4 – 6–4 – 13–3 –3 22–1 – 24–2 –2 27–1 – 26–1 – 24–3 –3 26–2 –2 20–3 –3 20–4 – 19–3 – 13–4 –4 17 / 588 260–41 – 86.38

I ALWAYS KNEW THAT EVENTUALLY IT WAS GOING TO BE TOUGHER. YOU CAN’T JUST KEEP ON PLAYING AND KEEP ON WINNING. “I really felt that I didn’t have enough practice, because I was injured,” said Federer. “I lost build-ups and that’s something I’m still catching up on. I’m still not 100 percent playing-wise, just because it’s been a rocky year. But even though I’m still not moving as well as I’d like to be and all these things, I’m so close.” Of all the major sports, men’s tennis is arguably the finest generator of plot-lines. 2013 has given us Rafael Nadal’s comeback and re-ascent to world No.1, Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon title and Djokovic’s bloody-minded refusal to move aside (exemplified by his straight-set win over Nadal at the season-ending World Tour Finals at London’s O2 Arena). Yet Federer continues to fascinate as much as any of them. Indeed, the question of his alleged decline – some say it is terminal, others a mirage – has become the main talking point of the season, despite everything else that is going on. And whether he is winning or losing, he remains the spectators’ darling. Greg Rusedski has questioned whether this appetite for all things tennis can survive the next major change in Federer’s home life, which will come when his twin daughters Charlene Riva and Myla Rose – who turn five next summer – start at school (in Switzerland,

primary education begins at six). But Federer insists that he is still following his usual routine of planning 18 months ahead. “I was speaking to Nike the other day, and we were talking about designs for the 2015 US Open,” he revealed. “I don’t think in terms of ‘Will I still be playing then?’ It’s just part of the process and while I am enjoying myself. I don’t even think of the end. Anyway I think that all the talk about all these things is actually quite boring to be honest.” So what about his daughters’ forehands? Have they started out on the coaching trail yet? “When we go on holiday together, we just build sandcastles,” Federer laughed. “They don’t need to make it on the tennis tour. Anyway, I don’t want to go back on tour with them. I’ll be the dad who says, ‘Alright, see you then, come back in four weeks.’ Of course they have held rackets, but it’s very early. I’m very supportive of them; playing sport is a good education.” Federer must be a good ally to have in your corner, for his undentable optimism is perhaps as great an asset as his whip-crack of a serve. His life has been one long illustration of Henry Ford’s dictum “Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you’re right.” WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO...

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

wo instant, and not especially flattering, images often come to mind when David Haye’s name is mentioned. The first is a fiery brawl with Dereck Chisora – following the latter’s loss to Vitali Klitschko in 2012 – which saw both fighters suspended by the European Boxing Union. The second is the unnerving sight of Haye’s exposed buttocks during a bizarre (and extremely naked) cameo in reality TV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

DAVID HAYE Yet these stunts are just an act, and behind Haye’s brash war-face lies a business-savvy entrepreneur who has shrewdly planned for life after boxing. This time may come sooner than expected… When Haye visited Dubai in November to give a hard-hat tour of his high-end Hayemaker Gym in DIFC, which opens in January, he was preparing for an 8 February bout with Tyson Fury, and implying victory could prove a stepping stone for either a re-match with Wladimir Klitschko – who he lost to in Hamburg last year – or a fight with his older brother Vitali. However, just weeks later shoulder surgery put the 33-yearold’s career in jeopardy, with doctors advising him to retire following a ruptured subscapularis and bicep tendon. Even Haye hinted he would struggle to get back in the ring. “There’s a long way back currently,” he revealed. “I have got six pins in my shoulder and really don’t have any idea what the story is going to be. As long as my arm can function properly I will want to come back. “If you took the right hook away from Joe Frazier, or the jab away from Muhammad Ali, they would be different fighters and without the Hayemaker I would be a shell of my former self.” Haye has already retired from boxing once before (October 2011) but was coaxed out following his spat with Chisora, which catalysed a heavily criticised (and unsanctioned) fight at West Ham’s Upton Park stadium in July last year, which Haye won in round five. Whether the so-called ‘Hayemaker’ fights again or not, this black incident – which even ear-gnawing Mike Tyson condemned – will form part of his legacy. Haye, however, should also be remembered as one of the greats of British boxing. The Bermondsey-born bouter has 26 wins from 28 fights, with his only losses coming against Wladimir Klitschko and Brit Carl Thompson. As a cruiserweight, Haye pummelled Jean-Marc Mormeck to claim The Ring, WBA and WBC titles, before adding the WBO crown in March 2008 after an explosive second-round victory over Enzo Maccarinelli. Then, in 2011, he claimed the WBA heavyweight belt with a unanimous points-decision triumph over 7ft Frankenstein Nikolai Valuev in Nuremberg. “Fighting Nikolai in Germany was definitely the most surreal and challenging fight of my career,” said Haye. “It was billed as David versus Golliath, and that wasn’t too far off the mark – except I didn’t have a sling-shot… just a right hook! He was twice my size and reach, but I had the speed and power to land key punches. It was always going to be a big ask to knock him out, but I also knew part of the battle was just to last the distance, and if I did so he would run out of steam and I would win on points. In the end, that’s exactly what happened. “Victory against Nikolai made me the WBA heavyweight champion, having already dominated at cruiserweight level, where I believe I should be remembered as one of the best cruiserweights of all time. I say ‘one of’ since I think I’m second behind Evander Holyfield. I have never been the biggest guy in the ring, but I have never been afraid to take on the biggest.

“If this is it for me, then I have achieved everything I wanted to. I have become world champion, which virtually no one thought I would do. This was my aim when I was just three and I’ve achieved it. How many people end up being what they say they want to when they are a kid? Thus, if I have to retire, so be it. I couldn’t have asked for a better career.” Haye’s boxing career is severely under threat, and yet he still holds faint hopes of finally fighting Vitali Klitschko. The 42-year-old Ukrainian – who has won 45 of his 47 fights and has never been knocked out – has now ventured into politics. He is leader of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform and, since 15 December 2012, is a member of the Ukrainian parliament. Haye believes he can take a small amount of credit for Vitali’s political ascendency. “I think Vitali used the prospect of a fight with me for political gain,” he mused. “He made a lot of a noise about a bout between us since he knew it was what the Ukrainian people wanted to see. It was a vote-winner, but I am suspicious as to how genuinely he ever wanted to get in the ring with me. “If I am fit, I would still like to fight Vitali, or even Wladimir again – if only for revenge. Vitali is my preference, since he is more of a fighter. Wladamir is more of a physical specimen, but not quite as exciting. I am not sure either fight will ever happen. I still hold some out some hope but, certainly in Vitali’s case, it feels like he’s moved on from boxing these days.” The press may widely bill a Haye versus Wladimir bout as the former’s swansong – something he desperately needs before retiring. Yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Hayemaker might not have officially retired yet, but he has planned for life after boxing for quite some time, and is even starting to prefer business to boxing. That’s why taking such a hands-on role in the design, construction and marketing of his soon-to-be-open Hayemaker Gym in Dubai has proven so enjoyable. “I love the world of business, and have definitely planned for life after boxing,” said Haye. “My parents instilled in me the belief that being anything but No.1 was failure. I would come second in a race of 10,000 runners and be fuming with myself. I took that attitude into the boxing ring, and it’s the same with business. I have had countless opportunities to put my name to things, but unless I believe in them, and can take an active role, I don’t see the point, since all that does is damage my brand. “I am really proud of the Hayemaker Gym, which will open in Dubai in January. It is something I have been working on for an awful long time. It is a first-of-a-kind facility. I have a couple of Hayemaker Gyms in the UK, but they are only for me and my fighters. The gym in Dubai is totally different. It is a high-end health club – on the doorstep of the Burj Khalifa – that has a boutique feel. So many gyms are samey – with marble floors and mirrors everywhere. When you walk into my facility I want you to feel like you are in a luxury hotel. People think boxing, and they assume back-alley, grungy gyms with a tattered punch bag. I wanted to move away from that stereotype. This is the Burj Al Arab of gyms – a true seven-star one.”

IF YOU TOOK THE RIGHT HOOK AWAY FROM JOE FRAZIER, OR THE JAB AWAY FROM MUHAMMAD ALI, THEY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FIGHTERS AND WITHOUT THE HAYEMAKER I WOULD BE A SHELL OF MY FORMER SELF.

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DECEMBER 2013

Hayeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s win over Chisora failed to earn him a re-match with Wladimir Klitschko

For more information on the Hayemaker Dubai visit hayemakergym.com

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

DAVID HAYE

Haye hasn’t just lent his name to the Hayemaker Dubai, he has been involved in the design, construction and marketing since the very beginning

Haye’s gym also comes complete with a restaurant and spa, while it is decorated with wooden arches and 100-year-old bricks specially flown in from Holland. It will boast one of the world’s largest hypoxic chambers, too. By manipulating the oxygen levels, members can train at high altitude. This allows for shorter, sharper classes, helping busy expats or Emiratis get fitter faster. “A lot of the classes will be 20 minutes rather than an hour but, trust me, you will really be gasping,” said Haye. “People who live in the desert won’t be used to training at high altitude. Your body will produce far more red blood cells and thus you get a fantastic yet short workout that you can do in your lunch break. “On the note of lunch, we have a fantastic on-site restaurant, run by a chef with a six-pack! One thing I have noticed about the UAE is there are plenty of top fitness facilities, but they are very rarely coupled with healthy food outlets. You have to drive half an hour to find these, and thus you lose the optimum time to get nutrients back in your body. There are gyms with juice bars and pre-made food, but nothing like we have in mind.” 34

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

DAVID HAYE

Born: 13 October 1980 Nickname: The Hayemaker Height: 6ft 3 Reach: 78in Fights: 28 Wins: 26 KOs: 24 Losses: 2

Haye has clearly planned ahead, and the Hayemaker Gym is surely going to be one of Dubai’s most exclusive fitness hotspots. More professional fighters should follow his example and get involved in business. After all, unlike football or rugby, there’s virtually no infrastructure to help boxers post-retirement. “There’s no body whatsoever for boxers to help them in the real world,” bemoaned Haye. “These guys give their lives to entertain and once they get beaten they are forgotten and discarded. That is very sad. There’s no pensions; no one looks after you when the lights go out. The authorities need to follow football and rugby’s example and look after their ex-pros better. “Thankfully, I have thought about my future outside the ring. Boxing isn’t forever. I have projects like this gym and a supplements range, a plant-based protein that I will bring to the UAE in 2014, and I also launched a new men’s fragrance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.” Shrewd Haye clearly isn’t reliant on returning to the ring. His ‘Haye sera sera’ attitude thus should ensure he, and his brand, remain successful and prominent long after he hangs up his gloves – whenever that may be.

I wan

! t a e w u o S y e k a na m

Join the Tribe ! Facebook.com/TribeFitme

Call 800 TRIBE (87423) tribef it.com

Al Manzil Hotel Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard | The Old Town | Downtown Dubai PO Box 114822 | Dubai, UAE Tel +971 (0)4 4285888 | Fax +971 (0)4 4285999 a l m a n z i l h o t e l . a e

BIG-NAME WRITERS » GUEST COLUMNISTS » DEBATE

HALF-TIME TALK

38 ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC

The PSG striker admits he would die for Jose Mourinho, but calls Pep Guardiola spineless

40 AWAY DRESSING ROOM

Nick Trend travels to Lenzerheide – a town that’s about to slalom into the top 10 Swiss ski haunts

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC

I WOULD DIE FOR MOURINHO I LOVED WORKING FOR JOSE MOURINHO, BUT PEP GUARDIOLA WAS A SPINELESS COWARD, writes Zlatan Ibrahimovic

ose Mourinho is a big star. He’d been my manager at Inter. He’s nice. The ﬁrst time he met my partner Helena, he whispered to her: “Helena, you have only one mission: feed Zlatan, let him sleep, keep him happy.” That guy says whatever he wants. I like him. He’s the leader of his army. But he cares, too. He would text me all the time at Inter, wondering how I was doing. He’s the exact opposite of Pep Guardiola. If Mourinho lights up a room, Guardiola draws the curtains. I guessed that Guardiola was trying to match up to him. Mourinho would become a guy I was basically willing to die for. Already during the 2008 European Championship I was told that Mourinho, my new manager at Inter Milan, was going to phone me, and I thought: “Has something happened?” He just wanted to say: “It’ll be nice to work together, looking forward to meeting you” – nothing remarkable, but he was speaking in Italian. I didn’t get it. Mourinho had never coached an Italian club. But he spoke the language better than me! He’d learned the language in three weeks, I couldn’t keep up. We switched to English, and then I could sense it: this guy cares. After the match against Spain I got a text message. “Well played,” he wrote, and then gave me some advice and I stopped in my tracks. I’d never had that before. A text message from the coach! I’d been playing with the Swedish squad, which was nothing to do with him. Still, he got involved. I felt appreciated. Sure, I understood he was sending those texts for a reason. He wanted my loyalty, but I liked him straight away. He works twice as hard as all the rest. He lives and breathes football 24/7. I’ve never

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

met a manager with that kind of knowledge about the opposing sides. It was everything, right down to the third-choice goalkeeper’s shoe size. It was a while before I met him. He’s elegant, he’s conﬁdent, but I was surprised. He looked small next to the players but I sensed it immediately: there was this vibe around him. He got people to toe the line, and he went up to guys who thought they were untouchable and let them have it. He stood there, only coming up to their shoulder, and didn’t try to suck up to them. He got straight to the point: “From now on, you do it like this.” Can you imagine! And everybody started to listen. They strained to take in every shade of meaning in what he was saying. Not that they were frightened of him. He was no Fabio Capello, who was a demon manager. Mourinho created personal ties with the players with his text messages and his knowledge of our situations with wives and children, and he didn’t shout. He built us up before matches. It was like theatre, a psychological game. He might show videos where we’d played badly and say: “So miserable! Hopeless! Those guys can’t be you. They must be your

Zlatan got 57 goals in 88 appearances at Inter

brothers, your inferior selves,” and we nodded. We were ashamed. “I don’t want to see you like that today,” he would continue. “No way,” we thought. “Go out there like hungry lions,” he added. “In the first battle you’ll be like this…” He pounded his fist against the palm of his open hand. “And in the second battle…” He gave the flip chart a kick and sent it flying across the room, and the adrenaline pumped inside us, and we went out like rabid animals. I felt increasingly that this guy gives everything for the team, so I want to give everything for him. People were willing to kill for him. There was one thing that really bothered me: no matter what I did, there was never any hint of a smile. I was doing totally amazing things, but Mourinho had a face like a wet weekend. One time we were playing Bologna and I scored a goal that was absolutely insane. It was later voted goal of the year. Mourinho stood there stony-faced. What the hell is it with that man? I thought. If he doesn’t react to a thing like that, what does get him going? One way or another, I was going to make that man cheer. It happened, but only once we had won three titles and I was top goalscorer. Mourinho, the man with the face of stone, the man who never batted an eyelid, had woken up. He was like a madman. He was cheering like a schoolboy, jumping up and down, and I smiled: “So I got you going, after all. But it took some doing!” I also saw Jose wildly celebrate after his Inter side beat Guardiola’s Barcelona 3-2 to reach the Champions League final in 2010. By then, I had moved to the Nou Camp, where I never felt welcome. After the loss, Guardiola looked at me as if it was all my fault and I thought: “That’s it. I’ve played my last card.”

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC PSG STRIKER

IF MOURINHO LIGHTS UP A ROOM, GUARDIOLA DRAWS THE CURTAINS. I GUESSED THAT GUARDIOLA WAS TRYING TO MATCH UP TO HIM. MOURINHO WOULD BECOME A GUY I WAS BASICALLY WILLING TO DIE FOR.

Whereas Ibrahimovic and Mourinho are still in regular contact, Zlatan hasn’t spoken to Guardiola since leaving Barcelona

After that match, it felt like I was no longer welcome at the club. I felt like **** when I sat in the locker room, and he glared at me as if I was a disturbance, an alien. It was mental. He was a brick wall. I didn’t see any signs of life from him, and every hour with the club I wished I could be out of there. I didn’t belong any more, and when we had an away match with Villarreal, he let me play for ﬁve minutes. I was seething inside, not because I was on the bench. I can deal with that, if the manager is man enough to say: “You’re not good enough, Zlatan. You haven’t made the grade.” Guardiola didn’t say a word, not a peep, and now I’d had

ZLATAN’S CAREER 1981: Born 3 October in Malmo 1996: Signs for Malmo FF 2000: Rejects a move to Arsenal 2001: Joins Ajax for a Swedish-record transfer fee of £7.7m 2004: Moves to Juventus for £14m and nets 16 goals in his ﬁrst season 2006: Joins Inter for £21m 2009: Moves to Barcelona in a £39m deal plus Samuel Eto’o 2010: Loaned to AC Milan, who win their ﬁrst Serie A title in seven years, then signs a £21m deal 2012: Seals a £15.7m move to Paris Saint-Germain

enough. I could feel it in my whole body, and if I’d been Guardiola, I would’ve been scared. Not that I’m saying I’m handy with my fists! I’ve done all kinds of ****. I don’t get into punch-ups, though. All right, on the pitch I guess I’ve headbutted a few people. When I get angry, the red mist descends. You don’t want to be nearby. I went into the locker room after the match and I hadn’t exactly planned any frenzied attack. But I was not happy, to put it mildly, and now my enemy was standing there, scratching his head. Yaya Toure was there, and a few others, and then there was the metal box where we put our kit from the match, and I was staring at that box. Then I gave it a kick. I think it went ﬂying about three metres, but I wasn’t ﬁnished yet. Not by a long chalk. I yelled, “You haven’t got any balls!” and worse than that I added, “You’re ******** yourself in front of Mourinho. You can go to hell!” I completely lost it, and you might have expected Guardiola to

say a few words in response, but he’s a spineless coward. He just picked up the metal box, like a little caretaker, and then left, never to mention it again, not a word. There was just silence and mind games, and I thought, I’m 28 years old. I’ve scored 22 goals and 15 assists here at Barca alone, and I’m still being treated like I don’t exist. Should I sit back and take it? Should I carry on trying to adapt? No way! Oh, I had tried. When I came to Barcelona, they told me I could not take a private jet and had to take a commercial flight. “At Barcelona we keep our feet on the ground,” they explained. “We are not like Real Madrid. We travel on regular planes.” It sounded reasonable. There were other things. “Listen,” Guardiola said. “We don’t turn up to training sessions in Ferraris or Porsches.” I nodded, didn’t go off on one and say things like: “What the hell business is it of yours what cars I drive?” At the same time, though, I was thinking: “What kind of message is he sending here?” I do love cars. They’re my passion, and I could sense something else behind what he was saying. It was like: “Don’t think you’re anybody special!” I’d already got the impression that Barcelona was a little like being back at Ajax, it was like being back at school. None of the lads acted like superstars, which was strange. Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, the whole gang — they were like schoolboys. The best footballers in the world stood there with their heads bowed, and I didn’t understand any of it. It was ridiculous. Everyone did as they were told. I didn’t fit in, not at all. I thought, just enjoy the opportunity, don’t confirm their prejudices. So I started to adapt and blend in. I became way too nice. It was mental. I said what I thought people wanted me to say. It was completely messed up. I drove the club’s Audi and stood there and nodded my head. I hardly even yelled at my teammates anymore. I was boring. Zlatan was no longer Zlatan, so leaving on loan to AC Milan in 2010 was a godsend. I Am Zlatan Ibrahimovic, published by Penguin, is available for AED 50

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

AWAY DRESSING ROOM

Lenzerheide

hanks to its new link with Arosa, little-known Lenzerheide – a mountain resort in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland – is suddenly on the ski map. Plus, if you journey there you just might bump into Roger Federer on the pistes! There are lots of mountain restaurants in the Alps with wonderful views, but I don't think any of them can quite match the Panoramarestaurant Rothorngipfel, high above Lenzerheide. The enormous picture window looks west across the snowbound valley below and on, apparently forever, over hundreds upon hundreds of jagged, glittering-white peaks.

NICK TREND GOES TO LENZERHEIDE – A TOWN THAT'S ABOUT TO SLALOM INTO THE TOP 10 SWISS SKI HAUNTS

AWAY DRESSING ROOM While I try to orient myself after a morning's skiing, the waitress points out a large building site among a cluster of chalets overlooking the frozen lake on the other side of the main access road. "That is Federer's new place. He is building a chalet for his parents too, next door." It is a big investment for the 17-time Grand Slam champion.The site, in the hamlet of Valbella on the outskirts of the resort, cost him over £7 million, and the total bill for the family complex will be around £11.6 million. But Federer's taste – and timing – is, as ever, impeccable.This is the heart of the Graubünden, Switzerland's southeastern-most canton and one of the greatest ski areas in the Alps.

Getting there... Lenzerheide is about two hours south of Zurich, which is generally a less crowded and more pleasant option than ﬂying through Geneva. There is a rail link (sbb.ch/en) direct from Zurich airport to Chur, where you must change for the train to Arosa or the bus (30 minutes) to Lenzerheide.

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

To the south is St Moritz, to the north-east Klosters and Davos, and to the west Laax-Flims. You couldn't ask for a better pedigree, and this season, just as Federer's new pad is being ﬁnished, Lenzerheide is about to get bigger and better. Until this season, the local skiing around this small, discreet Alpine town consisted of a relatively modest terrain of about 155km of mostly blue and red pistes, combined with some extensive off-piste, spread out across both sides of the valley. For the most part it is above the tree line, though there are some pleasant tracks through the forest – all in all, just about enough variety to keep you going on a ﬁve-day ski holiday.

Lenzerheide hasn' t been quite so lucky in the PR stakes. Despite the Federer connection, how many British skiers have even heard of it, let alone skied here? All that, however, will change early this season, when a new 1.7km double-track cable car will open, uniting Lenzerheide with the resort of Arosa in the adjacent valley to the north. With a capacity of 150 skiers in each car, it will connect the Hörnli of Arosa with the Urdenfürggli in Lenzerheide. On the Lenzerheide side, two new six-man chairs form a new link from Heimberg to Urdenfürggli via Motta. The result – which is currently scheduled to be operational by the New Year – will transform both resorts, catapulting them into the top 10 Swiss ski areas with a fully linked domain of 42 lifts and 225km of pistes, at an altitude of 1,230-2,865m. Clearly this is good news for Lenzerheide, which next season is also opening a new four-seater chairlift to improve the connection across the two sides of its own valley. But perhaps the primary beneﬁciary will be Arosa, which is set in a south-facing bowl, well above the tree line. With fewer than half the number of pistes offered by its neighbour, its aspect also means that the snow is vulnerable to spring sunshine. It's a pleasant option for a weekend break, though rather too limited for a longer stay. From December it will be able to offer more than three times as much skiing, and the alternative aspects of the two sides – one facing east, the other facing west – of the Lenzerheide valley. DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

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Despite its smaller local ski area, Arosa also has far more accommodation (over 5,000 beds, compared with 2,000 in mostly rather exclusive hotels in Lenzerheide). And it had a huge publicity boost last March when Princes William and Harry turned out for a friend's wedding at the Grand Hotel Tschuggen, which is connected by its own private ski lift to the main Arosa slopes. Though Lenzerheide is clearly the better base from a skier's point of view, with a much bigger domain on its doorstep, it hasn't been quite so lucky in the PR stakes. Despite the Federer connection, how many British skiers have even heard of it, let alone skied here? In two days exploring the resort last season, I heard only one other British voice. So few of us come here that the Panoramarestaurant is about the only place here that bothers to print menus in English. Don't let that put you off, though. I've 44

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DECEMBER 2013

never known such friendly service in a European ski resort – perhaps because it has for so long depended on local Graubünden people and weekend skiers from Zurich and Germany. In fact, back in the sixties and seventies Lenzerheide was a little better known in Britain, but it fell out of favour as the fashion grew for high resorts with big ski domains. Now that it is catching up, it is attracting interest from one or two of the more upmarket British ski operators and agents. The tailor-made and family specialist Powder Byrne, which trialled the resort last season in anticipation of the new link, will be expanding its programme with a choice of ﬁve high-end hotels. So while it's not clear whether Federer will enjoy the growing attention on his new mountain home, it looks pretty certain that he has made a canny investment. WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO...

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TOP TUITION » SPORTS NUTRITION » GYM ROUTINES

TRAINING GROUND

48 RHYS BEECHER

The Address Montgomerie’s director of instruction warns you to think before you drive

50 RASHED AL QUBAISI

Al Forsan’s deputy general manager on why karting is the first step to becoming a Formula One driver

52 DAFYDD JAMES

The Welsh international explains how PHA training can give you the heart of a Lion

RHYS BEECHER

TH IN K & DR IV E! UNLEASHING A MONSTER DRIVE IS ALWAYS SATISFYING, BUT IT’S NOT ALWAYS THE BEST APPROACH, writes The Address Montgomerie’s director of instruction Rhys Beecher

THE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH (DRIVER)

The aggressive approach must be based on conﬁdence, not just in the ability to hit the tee shot, but in the approach that follows. A long drive on this short par-four will leave a short pitch into the green. I thus must factor in the pin location and the best approach before taking this shot on. If I then decide the right play is driver I like to start by choosing a landmark on the horizon that’s on the line I want my ball to travel. Thankfully, there are plenty of tall buildings to aim at in the Dubai skyline! Once I pick that landmark, I ﬁnd a spot on the tee or in the fairway, a few yards ahead of my ball, on the same line. That way, I’ve got a far closer frame of reference when I actually set up over the ball.

RHYS’ TIP

Although I am taking an aggressive line, notice how I have placed my ball on the far left of the tee box. By doing so I am hitting away from the trouble on the left (just in case the shot doesn’t come off as planned). Remember, you can be aggressive and still play safe. 48

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

he difference between a good and average golfer has little to do with the quality of shots they hit. Better players visualise where they want the ball to go, but just as crucially, where they are willing to miss. Producing consistent golf is as much about having playable misses as it is about hitting high-quality shots. A solid round is a collection of strong positioning decisions (one at a time). First, you must picture where you want to hit the ball, then pick a starting point, shot shape and trajectory. From there, you think backwards

from the green and find the spot where a miss leaves you with the easiest next shot. This is course management 101. However, most amateurs don’t take enough care with where they are aiming, especially from the tee. Instead of perusing the fairway and thinking anywhere out there is fine, you need to have more of a game plan. Using the short 402-yard par-four first here at the Address Montgomerie, I will show you three different options in order to help you make better decisions from the tee box.

THE SAFE APPROACH (HYBRID)

Sometimes it is important just to get the ball in play. After a nervous start to the round, or even if you see no benefit from taking an aggressive line, pars or even birdies can still be made from playing more conservatively. Here is where the hybrid club can be effectively utilised. It provides the confidence to take a positive swing and although distance will be severely reduced, compared to pulling out a driver, this tactic significantly reduces the chances of carding a big number. From the middle of the tee box, my aim is dead centre of the fairway, making my target as wide as possible. The hybrid does not necessarily require a tee; however as we only get that advantage eighteen times a round, I advise you to take all the help you can get!

THE POSITIONAL APPROACH (FAIRWAY WOOD)

Hitting a driver on a short par-four is not always the best option. Often you will leave a short approach which, depending on the pin position, could prove harder than a full mid or short iron. Another option, therefore, is to employ a fairway wood, providing a ‘fuller’ shot into the green and the ability to control both trajectory and spin. For many golfers, it is also easier to play a full shot rather than a three quarter or half swing, making this tactic a better one. Here, the tee height for my fairway wood is considerably lower than the driver. However, the shallow face will promote height and reduce side-spin from an errant swing. Again, just like a game of chess, I have considered my second and third shots before hitting from the tee.

SEQUENCING & POWER DRILL

Unhinging the wrists through impact creates that last-second burst of speed you see in all top golfers. Amateurs tend to let the wrists unhinge too early, but the root of the problem is in the lower body. If you fail to make a good lateral move toward the target on the downswing, your left leg straightens too soon, which causes you to throw the club away from your body and unhinge your wrists way before impact. The below drill will ensure more proﬁcient lateral shift. Place an alignment rod or shaft in the ground just outside your left foot and practise hitting drivers, trying to bump the shaft with your left knee as you start down. You might not actually contact the shaft, but you’ll shift to your front side, and your arms and the club will drop into a powerful inside position, with the wrists staying fully hinged. Try to feel as if you’re squatting into your left leg as you move laterally to your front side. You’ll have a much better chance of maintaining that powerful wrist hinge as you swing into the ball. Rhys Beecher is director of instruction at The Address Montgomerie. To contact him about private lessons, email rbeecher@emaar.ae or call +971 4363 1209

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

RASHED AL QUBAISI

TH E AR T OF KA RT IN G IF YOU WANT TO BE A FORMULA ONE STAR, KARTING IS THE WAY TO START, writes Al Forsan deputy general manager Rashed Al Qubaisie

THE TRACK International circuit National A

e have all played Mario Kart on the Nintendo, and real-life karting isn’t too dissimilar! It’s fantastic fun, but also a challenge – both against yourself to beat your fastest lap, and against the other drivers you’re trying to overtake. When starting out there’s a few key things you need to grasp in order to stay safe and speedy. Once you have mastered the basics, you’re well on your way to becoming the next Lewis Hamilton!

National B START/FINISH

PIT GARAGES

START/FINISH

SPORTS TALK

MAY 2013

RASHID’S TIP

Look out for marks on the track to help guide you when to brake.

SAFETY

CONQUERING CORNERS It is very important, before you even set foot in the kart, to carefully study your racing line. Every track has a map, so you can work out precisely where to drive. To master a corner you should plot an ‘outsideinside-outside’ path, thus effectively ﬂattening out each bend. The idea is to hit the apex (the geometric centre of the turn), since this allows you to take the straightest path and maintain the highest possible

OVERTAKING Passing other drivers is not only incredibly satisfying, but also pretty easy. The biggest thing that holds most people back is usually just fear of spinning or crashing. Luckily, there’s some simple ways to eradicate such paranoia. For a start, keep reminding yourself that if you’re about to overtake it’s because you’re going faster than the person in front. Decide early which corner you want to make your move on and build up to it. Ideally, you should place your kart on the inside of the corner, brake later than the other driver, use the positional advantage you have over them to force them to slow down and then accelerate faster than they do as you exit the corner. The basic rule is, once you’re on the inside you have the advantage. If you’re on the outside, you must keep looking to your inside to check if you need to give way. Since your kart doesn’t have mirrors, if you don’t do so manually you risk causing a crash.

speed. Try to drive ‘in slow, out fast’. Brake nice and early so you can accelerate out of the corner. Always brake in a straight line, before turning into the corner, so you can control your speed with the throttle. If you wait until you’re midway through the corner you are far more likely to spin. If this does happen, don’t just panic and slam on the brakes. Lift off the throttle and steer gently into the slide.

SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT, AND SOMETHING WE TAKE EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY AT AL FORSAN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS RESORT. KARTING REQUIRES A HELMET, GLOVES, JUMP SUIT, PROTECTIVE PADDING AND RACING SHOES, ALL OF WHICH WE’LL PROVIDE.

另

RASHID’S TIP

Don’t bump into another kart or you could JHW D EODFN ÀDJ ,W·V EHWWHU WR SXOO RXW RI D manoeuvre than risk a needless penalty.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH...

Karting is one of 18 sports at the 2013 Abu Dhabi Corporate Games. It will be staged at Al Forsan International Sports Resort between 13-14 December and costs AED 1,980 per driver.To enter, or for more information, call +971 2 404 8821, email abudhabi@corporate-games.net or visit corporate-games.net.

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

DAFYDD JAMES

HO W TO GE T TH E HE AR T OF A LI ON PERIPHERAL HEART ACTION (PHA) TRAINING WILL HELP YOU START THE NEW YEAR WITH A ROAR, writes ex-Lions star Dafydd James

HA is a fantastic form of circuit training. The concept sees you continuously switch exercises over a prolonged period without taking a break. It is designed to target the cardiovascular system, improve overall muscle mass and promote healthy blood supply. The key is to maintain a high heart rate, so don’t pause between exercises. That said, pace yourself and drink plenty of water before you start. The beauty of PHA is it can help you get a beach body to show off in a relatively short space of time. It is perfect for busy expats, whose New Year’s resolution is to shed a few pounds during their lunch hour.

PHA SESSION (45-60 MINS)

Try repeating the following routine three to ﬁve times without a rest, before ﬁnishing with a simple static (or stretch-based) warm-down.

WARM UP (5 MINS)

Do two minutes of gentle cycling on a bike machine, followed by a dynamic warm-up. I suggest squats, lunges, press-ups, calf-pumps and chest openers (10 of each). This will help prime your muscles for more intensive action.

TREADMILL (3-5 MINS)

A rigorous jog or sprint will quickly raise your heart rate. Before you start, tweak the dial so you have at least a couple of degrees of incline. This will remove the advantage of momentum and thus imitate a good old-fashioned outdoor run.

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

SQUAT WEIGHTS, BENCH & SHOULDER PRESSES (15 REPS)

Do about 15 reps for each. The trick is to keep them as pacy as possible. Don’t just grab the highest possible weight you can handle – choose one you are comfortable with. Keep your chest elevated and your feet shoulder width apart.

SEATED ROW (10-15 REPS)

A seated row is a piece of apparatus predominantly used to build back muscles. It is easy to use because, as the name suggests, you can remain seated at all times. It can also help correct posture and even improve shoulder-muscle balance.

DAF’S TIP

Don’t go all out: you will be excercising constantly for 4560 minutes, so try to maintain a 7580 percent intensity level or you might burn out.

CORE EXERCISE: PLANK

Position your body in a straight line from head to heels, with your feet together and elbows just beneath the shoulders. Keep looking down at the ﬂoor. Hold this position for at least 30 seconds (or as long as you can) without letting your hips sag.

Dafydd James is now a Dubai-based personal trainer. For inquiries about private sessions with him, please contact Daf on dj@dafydd-james.com or visit dafydd-james.com.

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

AWARDS » DREAM PRIZES » RIB-TICKLING HUMOUR

SECOND HALF

56 LIONEL MESSI

Ben Jacobs compares the Atomic Flea to the Barrilete Cosmico (aka Diego Maradona)

58 TIM VICKERY

Our South American football scout reveals the top 10 talents he discovered before anyone else

Is Messi better than Maradona?

LIONEL MESSI

BEN JACOBS COMPARES THE ATOMIC FLEA TO THE BARRILETE CÓSMICO essi is the antithesis of flamboyant Diego Maradona, whose capacious cockiness coaxed Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser into awarding the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Consequently, he feels uncomfortable being mentioned in the same breath as the former Al Wasl boss. “I often get asked if I believe I am better than Maradona,” mused a blushing Messi. “I can’t answer that. I am flattered by the comparison with such a great player. All I know is Maradona is a legend who is still worshipped by the people of Argentina and will be foreverr remembered for some of his ievements I will have had a goals. If I get close to his achievements brilliant career.” Unlike Diego, Messi is yet to win a World Cup (something 14), but nor did that may change at Brazil 2014), uld dare Johan Cruyff and no one would dismiss the legendary Dutch midfielder as unworthy of football’s halll of fame. ympic Messi has at least won Olympic gold for his country (Beijing 2008) hree along with five La Liga and three Champions League titles at rn era, Barcelona. Plus, in the modern nto the World Cup surely pales into he insignificance compared to the Champions League, if not in terms of prestige then certainly as far as quality is concerned. rope’s Lionel’s domination of Europe’s very bit premier cup competition is every as significant as the indelible mark 6, even Maradona left on Mexico ‘86, k so. if Diego himself doesn’t think “I am sick of hearing that Messi is dona, the new me,” chuckled Maradona, dor for the who is currently an ambassador ched him at Dubai Sports Council. “I coached Argentina, so I should know. No one is alent, with an like me. He is a very special talent, ou can’t exceptional work rate, but you compare the two of us – not now, only after his career is over. Until then, I have a legacy .” and Lionel is still creating his.” trictly true. In Maradona’s point is not strictly andful of fact, Messi is one of only a handful th David current footballers (along with aldo) who Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo)

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

already have football geeks across the globe nostalgically reminiscing about his past – almost as if he has already retired – even as he continues to write new scripts. The image of that towering header in the 2009 Champions League final against Manchester United (2-0) at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico (with an aghast Edwin van der Sar looking on) will surely stand the test of time. It was a moment preceded by widespread chatter about Messi being im useless in the air, and was followed, immediately, by his boot h body shrank for a falling off as (so the scientists tell us) his super split second as the super-human effort shot fram through his petite frame. Two years later, M Messi lashed in the second goal agains against Manchester United as Barcelona won 3-1 at Wembley, before bolting off to assault the corner flag in a savage celebration – it was unch gloriously uncharacteristic, the kind of thing Came Cameroon’s Roger Milla might do! The poin point is, at just 26 Lionel already has a Champions Le League legacy equal to Maradona’s in international one. His go in that 2011 final goal was his 12th of the tourna tournament, while last season he went two better, A Milan striker José equalling AC 5 Altafini’s 50-year record. He is odds-on to smash it this season. wh maintain Those who Maradona is still superior would i surrounded by other argue Messi is gen like Neymar, footballing genii, an Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and D who make his job easy. Diego, on the other hand, joined a shambolic Napoli side in 1984 tran and single-handedly transformed them from relegation contenders to Serie A (1986-1987, 1989-1990) and UEFA Cup champions h left the club in (1989). Tellingly, since he (Th Little Donkeys) 1991, I Ciucciarelli (The tr haven’t won another trophy. sca In addition, the scandalous handball con aside, Maradona’s contribution in Mexico

In its own way, Messi’s magniﬁcent header against Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League ﬁnal is up there with Maradona’s dazzling goal against England at Mexico ‘86

ALL I KNOW IS MARADONA IS A LEGEND WHO IS STILL WORSHIPPED BY THE PEOPLE OF ARGENTINA AND WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED FOR SOME OF HIS GOALS. IF I GET CLOSE TO HIS ACHIEVEMENTS I WILL HAVE HAD A BRILLIANT CAREER.

was sensational. Ten of Argentina’s 14 goals were scored or created by him, and his five included sublime strikes against England and Belgium. In the final, after West Germany had battled back from 2-0 down, he supplied the killer pass for midfielder Jorge Burruchaga to net the winner. He did all this with a knee injury that had threatened to rule him out of the tournament. You can clearly make a case for both players, but Messi’s certainly shouldn’t be damaged by Argentina’s recent World Cup woes – the last of which, in fact, was partly down to Maradona’s poor management. As the star name, Lionel took the brunt of criticism in South Africa, but he was actually quite unlucky, hitting the post more times than any other player. “It bugs me that I haven’t yet won a World Cup, but I will hopefully still have at least three more chances,” said Messi, who failed to score in South Africa. “In 2010, I thought we were fantastic during the group stage, but we lost our way in the 4-0 quarter-final defeat to Germany. That’s just cup football. If you have an off 90 minutes your dream is over and in the case of World Cups you must wait for four long years to get another chance.” If genial (and genius) Messi does raise the Jules Rimet trophy in Rio, there will surely be no question that he has surpassed Maradona, but even without international glory his 91 goals in 2012, and domination of the greatest club competition in the world, are arguably already enough to solidify him as history’s greatest ever footballer. With this in mind, it is just a shame he will probably never grace the Premier League, although perhaps a war over his signature between United and City is best averted – it would inevitably be ‘Messi’! DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

JOEL TIM OELVICKERY SJOHOLM

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

THE SOUTH

AMERICAN SCOUT

TIM VI VICKERY C E REVEALS L HIS TOP 10 FOOTBALL B SUPERSTARS WHO SPENT THEIR INFANCY ON SOUTH AMERICAN SHORES

outh American football has a vivid sense of its own history. There are century-old club rivalries and majestic, if sometimes outdated, stadia that can claim to have hosted the world’s top players, as well as some of the greatest games the sport has ever seen. The ghosts of football past so often send a shiver down the spine,

but it’s the stars of the future that really get my juices tingling. I have been based in Rio de Janeiro since 1994, and undoubtedly the most enthralling aspect of my work is the chance to get a glimpse of young sensations on their way to becoming household names across the globe. Below are 10 players I can claim to have seen before most!

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

TIM VICKERY

10. JUAN

SEBASTIAN VERON AGE: 38 CURRENT CLUB: ESTUDIANTES PEAK VALUE: £28.1 MILLION (LAZIO TO MAN UNITED)

My first trip to Buenos Aires was in January 1996, when en I went to see Argentina’s highly-rated Under-23 side, who would uld provide about 75 percent of the players for the next three ree World Cups. Back then, the most highly-rated midfielder was Christian Bassedas, who spent three years at Newcastle United. Alongside him, though, it was Veron who really stood out. With his build, dynamism and immense range of passing, I couldn’t help elp but compare him to tireless Brazilian midfielder Toninho Cerezo. As a veteran, Cerezo led Sampdoria to the 1991 Serie A title, tle, feeding the hungry strike partnership of Gianluca Vialli li and Roberto Mancini with countless assists. Fittingly, the Genoabased club, then managed by Sven Goran Eriksson, would ould also pip Boca Juniors to Veron’s signature in 1996.

8. JAVIER

9. ROQUE

MASCHERANO

SANTA CRUZ AGE: 32 CURRENT CLUB: MALAGA PEAK VALUE: £17.5 MILLION (BLACKBURN TO MAN CITY) Towards the end of 1998 came news of a precocious Paraguayan striker, only just turned 17, who had scored a hat-trick of headers for Olimpia past legendary Velez Sarsfield goalkeeper Chilavert in an international club match. I thus decided to check out Santa Cruz in the next round, against Brazilian outfit Palmeiras. His beanpole build accounted for his power in the air, but I was totally unprepared for the first thing he did in the game – as were the Palmeiras defence! He effortlessly pushed the ball past his man and then was off – with the acceleration of the Millennium Falcon (the speedy Star Wars spacecraft, in case you’re not a geek like me) he danced through the defence and was only denied by a desperate covering tackle. It was one of those ‘wow’ moments. “Ah, so he’s not just good in the air,” I thought! Santa Cruz was an electric talent back then. When Bayern Munich bought him in 1999 they were fully entitled to their belief that he would soon become the world’s most prolific striker. He has had a decent career, but without all those niggling injuries he could have achieved so much more.

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

AGE: 29 CURRENT CLUB: BARCELONA PEAK VALUE: £18.6 MILLION (WEST HAM TO LIVERPOOL) Mascherano was a player I first spotted at the 2003 South American Under-20 Championship in Uruguay. I vividly recall a game against Paraguay where Argentina had two men sent off. Mascherano fought like a lion to make up the disadvantage, dominating the space around him, snapping into some crunching tackles and using the ball wisely. He somehow reminded me of gritty Joe Frazier against Muhammad Ali – the tougher things got, the more he seemed to relish the occasion. At the time, Javier had yet to make his senior debut for River Plate, but it was abundantly clear he was going to be a star. Argentina obviously agreed because, just a few months later, he was handed his international debut – still without having ever played for River Plate!

7. DIEGO

FORLAN AN

There was this striker, with wavy golden locks, playing for Independiente in Argentina, who kept reminding me of a young Jurgen Klinsmann. nn. I loved his intensity, the fact that he would lurk in the penalty area and drop deep, and could uld score with both feet and his head – although ugh his finishing lacked a little precision. I wass surprised there wasn’t any hype surrounding ing him because to me he had tons of potential. al. Then, all of a sudden, in January 2002, Forlan was front-page news in England. Middlesbrough gh thought they had signed him, but Manchester ster United gatecrashed the deal. Hindsight tellss us Diego’s move to Old Trafford came too soon, n, but his subsequent exploits with Uruguay and in La Liga show what a classy, cultured footballer he is.

AGE: 34 CURRENT CLUB: INTERNACIONAL PEAK VALUE: £17 MILLION (VILLARREAL TO ATLETICO MADRID)

5. RONALDINHO

6. LUCIO

AGE: 33 CURRENT CLUB: ATLETICO MINEIRO PEAK VALUE: £21.2 MILLION (AC MILAN TO BARCELONA)

AGE: 35 CURRENT CLUB: SAO PAULO PEAK VALUE: £6.5 MILLION (BAYERN MUNICH TO INTER) The bellicose defender first caught my eye for being a bit too pugnacious! Brazil were just seconds away from elimination at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when Lucio charged out of defence to receive the ball from playmaker Roger. The pass, however, never came. Furious, at the next pause in play, he stormed over and gave his teammate the most ferocious (Zinedine Zidane-style) headbutt! The ploy back-fired as he hobbled off covered in blood! Consequently, there were concerns about Lucio’s temperament, a couple of months later, when he was given his debut in the senior side. Brazil were somewhat limping through World Cup qualification and Colombia were dangerous opponents, with Juan Pablo Angel a test for any centre-back, let alone a rookie. What might loose-headed Lucio do under pressure this time? Brazil need not have worried. He was sensational: strong, quick and, most importantly, decisive. The five-time World Cup winners had found a centre-back for the long haul.

I followed mesmerising Ronaldinho through Brazil’s Under-17 and Under-20 sides, but the thing that really sticks in my mind is his first competitive game for the full national team. He came off the bench in the 1999 Copa America opener against Venezuela and scored a wonder-goal that brought instant comparisons with 17-year-old Pele’s during the 1958 World Cup final. Ronaldinho delicately lofted the ball over a defender with the outside of his right foot, ran around the keeper and blasted the ball home, before celebrating with that childlike glee that so illuminated the game until he lost his spark in the middle of the last decade.

4. CARLOS

TEVEZ

AGE: 29 CURRENT CLUB: JUVENTUS PEAK VALUE: £25.5 MILLION (MAN UNITED TO MAN CITY) I remember Tevez, stocky and feisty, operating alongside playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme as he took his footballing baby steps for Boca Juniors in the first half of 2002. Soon after, his mentor was sold to Barcelona, and attempts were made to squeeze Tevez into a Riquelme-shaped hole – all part of the obsession Argentine football has with the No.10 shirt. The following year, Boca were really struggling in the early stages of the Copa Libertadores (South America’s Champions League). Carlos was thus pushed up to centre-forward, and there was no looking back from there. He spearheaded their path to the final, where they beat Santos over two legs to win player of the tournament. the trophy. Tevez was named the play

3. KAKA AGE: 31 CURRENT CLUB: AC MILAN PEAK VALUE: £56 MILLION (AC MILAN TO REAL MADRID) Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite’s moniker was actually spelt ‘Caca’ when he first emerged for Sao Paulo in early 2001. He soon put that right. Like the graphics of a Kinks album, suddenly the letter ‘K’ was appearing all over the place in the Brazilian sporting press! Within a matter of weeks, astute Tostao, Brazil’s seventies forward-turned-doctor, was proclaiming the greatness of this bambi-legged youngster who (annoyingly) just made everything look so simple.

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

TIM VICKERY

MARCELO BIELSA It would be remiss, in my list of talent that emerged from South America, not to include a quick aside on a coach. This year Bielsa has gone global with Athletic Bilbao. My little secret is out. When his side won 3-2 at Old Trafford in March, everyone could view and embrace his endearing eccentricities: the small-step wanders along the touchline, the constantly drooping head, which looks as if it is searching for lost car keys – and let’s not forget the touchline squats (which are not too dissimilar to Paula Radcliffe’s at that infamous 2005 London Marathon!). Suddenly the world knew why charismatic Marcelo is fondly known as ‘Loco Bielsa’ (Madman Bielsa). His mannerisms have been delighting South American audiences for some time. When he was appointed Argentina coach after the 1998 World Cup, Bielsa was not that well-known, despite some notable domestic successes with Newell’s Old Boys and Velez. Yet that all changed pretty soon. I ﬁrst met him during the 1999 Copa America after his team had lost 3-0 to Colombia. Forward Martin Palermo had missed three penalties, and Marcelo himself had been sent off. Against my better judgement, I asked him what he thought of the referee. “I don’t make a habit of commenting on ofﬁcials,” he predictably began, staring intently at a vacant point in space. I fully expected him to proceed with something like, “But this one should be hung!” Instead he continued, “However, this referee was absolutely correct to send me off because I protested in an ill-mannered fashion.” It was instantly clear that anything this man did was going to be both gloriously refreshing and highly unconventional.

1. LIONEL

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

AGUERO

AGE: 25 CURRENT CLUB: MANCHESTER CITY PEAK VALUE: £38 MILLION (ATLETICO MADRID TO MAN CITY) In his formative years, there was quite a fuss over Aguero because he made his Independiente debut shortly after his 15th birthday. I saw him about a year later, at the start of 2005, and the first thing that impressed me was he was already proficient at linking up play with his back to goal. This was something I didn’t expect to see. Soon, too, I was able to appreciate his real strength – the capacity to come up with something special in the cluttered confines of the penalty box. I was at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium for his international debut against Brazil just after the 2006 World Cup. He came off the bench and showcased his supreme vision, luring in the defence before finding room to dink a neat pass that put a goal on a plate for midfielder Federico Insua. It looked like being a moment to treasure for an entire career – until Insua ruined everything by blazing over. I am not sure if Aguero has found it in his heart to forgive him. I know I haven’t!

MESSI

Seeing Messi for the very first time was, without doubt, the highlight of my career. I was in Colombia at the start of 2005 for the South American Under-20 Championship. The tournament was held in the country’s coffee-growing region, but what I witnessed gave me a far bigger buzz than any of the local product! Argentina had called up Messi knowing virtually nothing about him, except that he suffered from a growth hormone deficiency. There were rumours of something special, but all Lionel had behind him was a single friendly cameo for Barcelona’s first team. Nonetheless, the Spanish national side were desperate to lay claim to him, so Argentina included him to deter a change of allegiance. Man-boy Messi was only 17, two years younger than most of the other players, and he looked half that age. When he took the field he gave the appearance of a pigeon-toed runt of the litter, but when he got the ball his talent became abundantly clear. His uncanny and dazzling ability to dribble, the capacity to unleash passes at

2. SERGIO

AGE: 26 CURRENT CLUB: BARCELONA ESTIMATED VALUE: £100+ MILLION (NO TRANSFER FEE TO DATE) ridiculous angles and then race on for the return and, of course, his ice-cool demeanour in front of goal – it was all there back then too. He found the tournament hard going – hardly surprising with nine games in three weeks – and was brought off the bench for some of the later matches, but he still always lit up the game. That summer, Messi also helped Argentina win the FIFA World Youth Championship in Utrecht, scoring the opening goal in their 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final. Ever since first coming across ‘La Pulga Atomica’ (The Atomic Flea), I have been besotted (or perhaps beswatted!?) and followed his progress with a giant (and slightly smug) dose of professional pride – I saw him first!

FASHION » GEAR & GIZMOS » SPORTS CARS

THE KIT ROOM

66 NEW SIGNINGS

Adrienne Harebottle chats to Maria Sharapova at the Porsche Macan launch in Los Angeles

68 DRIVE HOME

Shahzad Sheikh explains why the 2014 Maserati Quattroporte is more reliable than its predecessor

72 CLASSIFIEDS

Your three-page guide to sports clubs and events in the region

ADRIENNE HAREBOTTLE GRABS A CHAT WITH MARIA SHAROPOVA AS SHE FINDS OUT WHAT’S NEW IN THE MARKET THIS MONTH

SHARAPOVA SIZZLES AT PORCHE MACAN LAUNCH When you have a new vehicle vitally described as a “game changer” it makes sense to have a global superstar at the summit of their game. And they don’t come any bigger, glamorous or more fashionable than Porsche ambassador and tennis superstar Maria Sharapova, a long-time friend of Dubai, who helped launch the Macan at a sensational exclusive premier at the LA Motor Show. The 26-year-old leggy Russian millionairess has a demanding schedule, and little space for interviews, but she made time to have a chat at an event where she created rock star-like frenzy. So can she see she see herself scooting from Dubai Tennis Stadium to the Burj Al Arab for dinner?

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

“Absolutely,” smiles the woman who has won all four Grand Slams, WKH ±UVW EHLQJ DV D \HDU ROG when she beat Serena Williams at Wimbledon. “I really love Dubai. I wish I could spend more time there but there is only the one tournament. But every time I go there I’m astonished by the development. It’s always changing, it’s an amazing place.” Christer Ekberg, managing director of Porsche Middle East and Africa, dubs the Macan a “game changer” and his team is counting down to the vehicle’s arrival in the region in the second quarter of next year. Maria is already a 911 owner so she didn’t need any converting to the Porsche stable when she signed on as an ambassador but she confesses, “I might have a new favourite with the Macan.” And she’s also been luckier than the rest of us – she’s already driven it. “I wasn’t in it for long but it was great,” she raves. “They’ve brought so many of the best elements of the 911 to the Macan.” There’s no doubt that the Macan will have to earn its keep in whichever of Maria’s garages or hotels it finds itself parked. “I travel all over the world all the time and I have so much luggage,” Maria admits. “I use Cayennes but there are times when I need something a bit more compact. My team is really looking forward to us having the Macan. Parking can be difficult and I need room for all the luggage and things.” The Macan is six inches shorter than its sibling, the Cayenne SUV, but features the same muscular look. It appears more substantial due to a number of factors, like a broad, wraparound hood that encompasses the headlights. Porsche designed two versions: The Macan S, with a new, 3.0-litre V6 engine that gets 340 hp, and the Macan Turbo, with a new 3.6-litre V6 that gets 400 hp. The only downside of Porche using Sharapova to launch the Macan is she somewhat eclipsed it at the launch with her slinky Alexander McQueen Resort mini dress. To add further pizzazz to her look, Maria slipped on a pair of sexy Christian Louboutin ‘Estanodo’ leather ankle boots. Faced with a choice between the Macan or Maria, I know what most men would pick!

NIKEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;DARE TO BE BRAZILIANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CAMPAIGN

IIn a country known for turning football into an art form, Nike celebrates the Brazilian style of play with the launch of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dare to be Brazilianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. 7KH KHDUW RI WKH FDPSDLJQ LV D VKRUW ÂąOP featuring Neymar, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Paulinho, Bernard and members of the coaching staff, including coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, which highlights the playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unique styles and attitudes on the pitch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As their Confederations Cup victory on home soil last summer reminded the World, no one plays OLNH %UD]LO Â¨ VDLG 1LNHÂŞV FKLHI PDUNHWLQJ RIÂąFHU Davide Grasso. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their unique brand of phenomenal football is an inspiration to Nike and athletes around the world, and we are celebrating that unique style of play with this new campaign.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dare to Be Brazilianâ&#x20AC;? looks at the individual personalities and styles of Neymar, Silva, Luiz, Paulinho and Bernard, as well as the essence of their style of play, to create a visually stunning portrayal of the game through each playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective. In scenes unique to each player, we

WINTER MONET COLLECTION

The brand new Winter Monet collection is infused with a metropolitan vibe in tonal matte and shiny combinations of orange, ginger and subtle greys and brown tones. The next generation of GEOX renowned moccasins brings premium suede and smooth leather shoes that cater all needs of the modern man. With the revolutionary concept of the breathable membrane, these styles provide all the comfort youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d expect from urban shoes, which very much adapt to your foot shape. The combined effect of the cushioning and the full-size membrane over the entire surface of the sole optimise the breathability and the temperature control.

see the game through their eyes. Neymar plays like a kid; Luiz runs over the competition; Silva dominates the penalty box; Bernard is the Â˛HHW IRRWHG PLGÂąHOGHU LQ D ODQG RI JLDQWV DQG Paulinho is the responsible one of the group. 7KH ÂąOP RSHQV ZLWK WKH SOD\HUV SUHSDULQJ IRU the kick-off singing the Brazil national anthem. $V WKH JDPH EHJLQV LW WKHQ Â˛LSV IURP WKH SLWFK WR 7KLDJRÂŞV ZRUOG VKRW LQ D JDQJVWHU QRLU ÂąOP style. He is the Godfather of the penalty box, and, as Ivete Sangalo watches on, Silva attacks an opponent, stealing the ball. The scene cuts to Scolari, who is commanding a team of four-year-olds wearing the national team uniform. His fatherly style of management is clearly apparent in this heart-warming moment. One is a young David Luiz, and the defenderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world takes on an animated form courtesy of Brazilian cartoonist Rafael GrampĂĄ. The script follows this cadence between ÂąFWLRQ DQG UHDOLW\ XQWLO LW FORVHV RQ D JRDO E\ Neymar, closing with the statement, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one plays like us.â&#x20AC;?

PAUL SMITH A/W13

Paul Smith has expanded its menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accessories collection to include several new key styles, as well as revamping classic designs as part of its new autumn/winter 2013 (A/W13) collection. Each style has a signature theme, giving the accessories collection a cohesive feel and common focus on highquality materials and bold use of colour. Key styles include â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Artisan Stripeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a new premium collection of accessories, made in Europe, and the best-selling â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;City Webbingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; collection, with a revamped look that still stays true to the original. The autumn/winter 13 Show Bag collection revives the iconic Paul Smith â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;V Baseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; design, available as an oversized holdall as well as an attachĂŠ envelope clutch. Each one is handcrafted in (XURSH ZLWK WKH ÂąQHVW 6SDQLVK IXOO JUDLQ OHDWKHUV G\HG HVSHFLDOO\ for Paul Smith to complement the catwalk colours of grey, black, mustard and coral. The De Luxe V Base holdall features a contrasting colour origami-style folded V-shaped base and integrated handle. Subtle details such as chunky zips and the small polka-dot lining add a fun twist. Each bag has an interior iPad slip pocket. Wallets and belts are bold in hue for autumn/winter 13, made from butter-soft nappa leather. Each wallet has a contrasting interior colour and signature Paul Smith V-shaped credit card slots.

Fro T: ++ ,W L Ba sai GC tha tre sea circ we $1 Zal off

ADIDAS ICE DIVE RANGE

Adidasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new Ice Dive range has been developed by athletes, with the aim of helping you smell better for longer and sweat less. The antiperspirant lasts for 24 hours, while the cool blue shower gel boasts a fresh ozonic fragrance to awaken your senses, thus allowing for optimum sporting performance.

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

DRIVE HOME

MASERATI

QUATTR O 68

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBERR 2013

Shahzad Sheikh EXPLAINS WHY THE NEW

QUATTROPORTE IS MORE RELIABLE AND LESS CRUDE THAN ITS PREDECESSOR

R OPORTE DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

DRIVE HOME

he fifth generation of the Maserati Quattroporte (which ran between 2004-12) wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Sure it was a largish, premium Italian saloon with a Ferrari heart powering its ample libido, but it was claustrophobic in the back (a major failing for a luxury car) and the ergonomics were a mess, the transmission clunky and the switches hard to comprehend. Nonetheless, those of us who loved it – and I did so dearly – marvelled at its tremendous performance, astonishing handling, derived from a perfect 50:50 weight balance, and, of course, that deep, growling noise. Charisma just oozed off the car like an oil leak that couldn’t be fixed. The old Quattroporte was a petulant, enigmatic yet utterly engaging superstar amongst a sea of samey ‘luxo-barges’ that go banally about their business. These days, however, the Italian marque is on a new quest: it aims to up its sales dramatically – an eightfold increase, from 6,200 in 2012 to a staggering 50,000 by 2015. And to do so, Maserati must stop appealing to the maverick minority and raise the overall accessibility of the brand to meet the expectations of the minted masses. With this master plan in mind, the 2014 Quattroporte is the first offering, and will

culminate in an SUV arriving next year. So the big saloon is now exactly that, a big saloon. It’s grown literally and matured inherently, manifesting in a luxo-barge... oh dear. Has it simply tossed in the towel and adopted pragmatic prosaicism? Well, let’s look at the evidence. It is actually just 17cm longer and only fractionally wider and taller. However, it looks significantly bulkier and definitely feels it from inside. This is particularly evident in the back, which is now a spacious cabin where CEOs and directors can recline after a hard day’s graft – or indeed carry on tycooning, since there’s enough space for laptops, attaché cases, files and even a leggy secretary! Up front things are vastly better by a factor of… oh, let’s say eight. The seats are supportive and comfortable, the dashboard is cleaner, classier and far more coherent. All the buttons do what you’d expect them to, thanks in large part to owner Fiat’s marriage with Chrysler, from where a lot of the equipment you’ll encounter is sourced. The car is also substantially quieter inside, thanks to that improved refinement, tightened quality and sturdier insulation. Progress is relatively peaceful too, as the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission is the same as you’ll find in pretty much everything at this end of the

Maserati’s newest offering is now most definitely a luxury car, rather than a sports saloon pretending to be a luxury car.

20114 20 4 MA AS SER E AT ATI TI QU UAT A TR TROP OP POR RTE E Pric Pr icce: e S - AED ED 410 10k ($$11 112k 2k); GTS T - AED 5255k ($$14 1433kk) Ennggiine n : S - 3.00 liitr tree VV66, 6, 41 410b 0 hhpp @ 5,5 ,500 000rpm 00rp rpm, 405 rp 05lb 5lb l ft @ 1, 1,50 550000--5, 5,00 000r 0 pm p ; GTTS - 3..8G 8 lil tr t e V8, V88, 53 530b 0 hp @ 6,8 ,800 0 rpm, rppm, 479 79lbb ft @ 2,,00000 4, 4,00 0000p 0pm Tran Tr annsm smiissiion on: Eight on: igght h -sspeed peeedd auto uto, o, rea earr-wh whee wh eeel dr driv ie iv Perf Pe rffor rfor o ma m nce: e: S - 0-100 00kpph 55..1ss; to 00 top sp spee eeed 28 2 5k 5kp , 10 5kph 10..55L/ L/10 10000k 0km; m GTTS - 0-10 100k 0kkph 4.7s, top op spe p ed e 307 07kp kphh, 11.8L/1 /100 00 00km Weeig ight h : S – 1,86 860 60k 0kg; GTTSS – 1,9 ,900 00kkg 00

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

market – from Rolls-Royce to Jaguar, Bentley to Land Rover. It’s an excellent transmission that calmly and efficiently sends the torque from the engine up front, be it either the 530bhp V8 or the 410bhp V6 (both still Ferrari-made incidentally), to the wheels at the back, in the unflustered manner you’d expect from an executive express. With both power units, performance is more than adequate, the V6 alone launching you to 100kph in just five seconds (so don’t let that ‘3.0-litre’ designation fool you one bit). Granted, it’s not quite as rumbly or ‘lusty’ as the 3.8-litre V8, which naturally sounds sweeter, is four-tenths quicker to 100kph and can even break the 300kph barrier. That said, such is the reduced aural accompaniment in a new Quattroporte that even in Sports mode you will barely hear it, unless you crack open a window, which is a somewhat unseemly thing to do in a car of this ilk. And therein lies the problem. No, not that this Quattroporte isn’t capable of stooping to a level of boorishness with which its predecessor was patently at ease, nor the simple concern that the exhaust notes aren’t quite as prevalent as before. It is actually a summation of all of this and more, including the slightly tardy direction changes and the less sprightly dynamism displayed, despite being (allegedly) lighter than before. Maserati’s newest offering is now most definitely a luxury car, rather than a sports saloon pretending to be a luxury car.

Shahzad Sheikh is editor of Motoring Middle East. For more information about his work go to motoringme.com or email him via shahzad@motoringme.com.

And yet, idiosyncrasies remain. The ride is a bit firmer, more transparent of the road surface below it; it feels little on edge at slow speeds, somewhat as if it’s on a tight leash; and there is a hint of menace about its demeanour – a suggestion that it doesn’t quite fit in at the golf club festooned with Audis, Mercs and Beemers. Compared to those, the Quattroporte is still the bohemian choice. Fortunately, there is another, more sporty Maserati being lined up to take over – the gorgeous Ghibli, and we’ll bring you a review of that as soon as we get our hands on it! DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

CLASSIFIEDS

YOUR GUIDE TO SPORT IN THE MIDDLE EAST BASKETBALL MPAC SPORTS The UAE’s No.1 basketball academy Location: Abu Dhabi

+971 5 0142 9330 info@mpacsports.com mpacsports.com

BOXING HADDINS GYM Abu Dhabi’s premier ﬁtness centre Location: Zayed Sports City

+971 5 0800 6492 info@haddins.com haddins.com LE MERIDIEN DUBAI Box on the beach Location: Garhoud

+971 4 702 2430 info@lemeridien-dubai.com lemeridien-dubai.com

CRICKET ICC GLOBAL CRICKET ACADEMY The place new Tendulkars are born Location: Dubai Sports City

+971 4 448 1355 iccgca@dxbsport.com iccglobalcricketacademy.com G FORCE CRICKET ACADEMY Grass roots cricket at its best Location: Karama

+971 4 396 9994 jasapara@emirates.net.ae gforcecricketacademy.com MAX TALENT Maximise your talent Location: Dubai Sports City

+971 4 283 1705 info@maxtalent.org maxtalent.org

During their interview, Sports Talk editor Ben Jacobs spent so long chewing off Mike Tyson’s ear that ‘Iron Mike’ decided to bite back!

FOOTBALL AL AHLI SPORTS CLUB Dubai’s top football club Location: Airport Road

+971 4 672 122 info@al-ahliclub.com al-ahliclub.com AL NASR LEISURELAND Appreciate the inﬁnite pleasures of leisure Location: Karama

+971 4 337 1234 alnasrll@eim.ae alnasrll.com CARLTON PALMER ACADEMY First-class coaching by ex-pros Location: Nad Al Sheba

+971 5 0284 5061 kirkcpfa@gmail.com cp-fa.com

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

DUBAI FOOTBALL ACADEMY A world-class training facility Location: Sports City

+971 4 425 1111 football@dxbsport.com footballacademydubai.com DUPLAYS Play sport. Be social Location: Dubai Media City

+971 5 5224 0187 info.dxb@duplays.com duplays.com

INSPORTZ Air-conditioned indoor sports facility Location: Al Quoz

+971 4 347 5833 insportz@eim.ae insportzclub.com

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL ACADEMY UAE’s largest grass roots football family Location: Al Barsha

+971 4 454 1683 info@ifasport.com ifasport.com JEBEL ALI CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE The pitches the pros use Location: Jebel Ali

+971 4 883 0828 chris.brown@jaihotels.com jebelali-international.com MANCHESTER CITY SOCCER SCHOOL Are you the next Aguero? Location: Zayed Sports City

+971 5 610 9187 simon.hewitt@mcfc.co.uk mcfc.co.uk

+974 4 4960 7777 info@dohagolfclub.com dohagolfclub.com DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB The wettest track in the UAE Location: Dubai Creek

+971 4 295 6000 info@dubaigolf.com dubaigolf.com MANCHESTER UNITED SOCCER SCHOOL Learn football the United way Location: Airport Road

+971 2 449 8480 muss@manutdsoccerschools.ae manutdsoccerschools.ae SOCCER CIRCUS The world’s ﬁrst football-themed tourist attraction Location: Mirdif

+971 4 231 6275 info@soccercircus.com soccercircus.com

GOLF ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB Boasts the UAE’s ﬁrst two-tiered range Location: Al Mushrif

+971 2 445 9600 ofﬁce@adcitygolf.ae adcitygolf.ae

THE ELS CLUB Els, Westwood and McIlroy all train here Location: Dubai Sports City

+971 4 425 1010 golf@elsclubdubai.com elsclubdubai.com EMIRATES GOLF CLUB Home of the Desert Classic since 1989 Location: Emirates Hills

+971 4 380 2222 info@dubaigolf.com dubaigolf.com JEBEL ALI GOLF RESORT & SPA Unique, affordable and enjoyable Location: Jebel Ali

+971 4 883 6000 jagrs@jaihotels.com jebelali-international.com

AL BADIA GOLF CLUB Golf with a festival atmosphere Location: Festival City

+971 4 601 0101 albadiagolf@ichdfc.ae albadiagolfclub.ae AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB Excellent value and an even better course Location: Ras Al Khaimah

+971 7 244 7474 info@alhamragolf.com alhamragolf.com ARABIAN RANCHES A true desert challenge Location: Emirates Road

+971 4 366 3000 golfacademy@arabianranchesgolf.ae arabianranchesgolfdubai.com DOHA GOLF CLUB Qatar’s hidden gem Location: Doha

THE WAVE MUSCAT A Greg Norman links course that is making waves Location: Muscat

+968 2 452 4649 info@thewavemuscat.com thewavemuscat.com TOWER LINKS The most underrated club in the UAE Location: Ras Al Khaimah

+971 7 227 8555 membership@towerlinks.com towerlinks.com YAS LINKS The UAE’s top track Location: Yas Island

+971 2 810 7777 info@yaslinks.com yaslinks.com

HORSE RIDING HOOFBEATZ Horses and humans in harmony Location: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

+971 5 0181 0401 info@hoofbeatz.com hoofbeatz.com

ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB Unleash the Tiger in you Location: Sas Al Nakhi

+971 2 558 8990 info@adgolfclub.com adgolfclub.com AL AIN EQUESTRIAN, SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB Shoot balls and bullets Location: Al Ain

+971 3 768 4888 info@aesgc.ae aesgc.ae

THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE Address your golf swing here Location: Emirates Hills

+971 4 390 5600 info@themontgomerie.ae themontgomerie.com

MARTIAL ARTS

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES The Race to Dubai ends here Location: Dubai Sports City

+971 4 390 3333 info@jumeirahgolfestates.com jumeirahgolfestates.com ROYAL GOLF CLUB Bahrain’s premier golf destination Location: Riffa

+973 1 775 0777 golfevents@theroyalgolfclub.com theroyalgolfclub.com

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB One of Gary Player’s ﬁnest creations Location: Saadiyat Island

+971 2 557 8000 info@sbgolfclub.ae sbgolfclub.ae SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB Where golf is never over-Sharjed Location: Sharjah

+971 6 548 7777 info@golfandshootingshj.com golfandshootingshj.com

DUBAI AIKIDO CLUB Live the Samurai dream Location: Al Wasl Road

+971 5 0795 2716 aikido.jr@gmail.com aikido.ae DUBAI LADIES CLUB Fight in a tranquil ambience Location: Jumeirah Beach

+971 4 349 9922 marhaba@dubailadiesclub.com dubailadiesclub.com

info@shotokanuae.com shotokanuae.com

MOTOR SPORTS FERRARI WORLD Ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster Location: Yas Island

+971 2 496 8001 sales@faraleisure.com ferrariworldabudhabi.com YAS MARINA CIRCUIT Home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Location: Yas Island

+971 6 559 9999 customerservice@yasmarinacircuit.com yasmarinacircuit.com

POLO DUBAI POLO & EQUESTRIAN CLUB The place for camel polo Location: Dubai Studio City

+971 4 361 8111 info@poloclubdubai.com poloclubdubai.com DUBAI POLO ACADEMY Learn the world’s oldest team game Location: Arabian Ranches

+971 5 0887 9847 info@dubaipoloacademy.com dubaipoloacademy.com

RUGBY ARABIAN POTBELLIES True barbarian rugby in the Middle East Location: Jebel Ali

+971 5 6603 1989 francoscott@hotmail.com arabianpotbellies.com DUBAI EXILES An ‘exilent’ club Location: Al Ain Road

+971 5 0459 5693

MUAY THAI War on the shore Location: Sheikh Zayed Road

+971 5 5311 3503 info@muaythai.ae muaythai.ae ORIENTAL KARATE & KOBUDO CLUB Kicking ass since 1987 Location: Airport Road

+971 2 445 7375 karate@emirates.net.ae orientalkarate.com SHOTOKAN KARATE UAE’s ﬁrst Japanese sports centre Location: Sharjah

+971 6 554 6160

DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS TALK

CLASSIFIEDS

SPORTS CALENDAR 1-7 DEC, GOLF: DUBAI LADIES MASTERS

26-28 DEC, TENNIS: WORLD TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP, ABU DHABI

4-5 DEC, EVENT: HOST CITIES CONFERENCE

26-30 DEC, CRICKET: 4TH TEST, AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND, MELBOURNE

5-8 DEC, GOLF: HONG KONG OPEN

28-29 DEC, EVENT: DUBAI INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CONFERENCE

5-9 DEC, CRICKET: 2ND TEST, AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND, ADELAIDE

3-7 JAN, CRICKET: 5TH TEST, AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND, SYDNEY

6 DEC, FOOTBALL: WORLD CUP DRAW, SALVADOR

13-26 JAN, TENNIS: AUSTRALIAN OPEN, MELBOURNE

9-11 DEC, EVENT: DOHA GOALS CONFERENCE

16-19 JAN, GOLF: ABU DHABI GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

11-21 DEC, FOOTBALL: CLUB WORLD CUP, MOROCCO

22-25 JAN, GOLF: QATAR MASTERS, DOHA

12-15 DEC, FOOTBALL: NELSON MANDELA CHAMPIONSHIP

24 JAN, ATHLETICS: DUBAI MARATHON

13-17 DEC, CRICKET: 3ND TEST, AUSTRALIA V ENGLAND, PERTH

30 JAN-2 FEB, GOLF: DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

26 DEC, RACING: KING GEORGE VI CHASE, KEMPTON

1 FEB, RUGBY: SIX NATIONS STARTS

chairman@dubaiexiles.com dubaiexiles.com DUBAI FROGS ‘Oui nide iou’ Location: Umm Nahad

+ 971 5 0452 9596 im@aen90.com dubai-frogs.com DUBAI HURRICANES Cooking up a rugby storm Location: Al Ain Road

+971 5 0578 1479 hurricanepauly@hotmail.com dubaihurricanes.com JEBEL ALI DRAGONS Play with ﬁre Location: Jebel Ali

+971 5 0657 9827 woodtj@emirates.net.ae jebelalidragonsrfc.com SHARJAH WANDERERS Over 700 active members Location: Sharjah

+971 6 566 2105 swsc@eim.ae sharjahwanderers.com

SAILING ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL SAILING CLUB A cosmopolitan sailing experience Location: Abu Dhabi Corniche

+971 2 681 5566 sailing@adimsc.com adimsc.com ABU DHABI SAILING CLUB Your home from home Location: Meena Zayed

+971 2 673 1111 info@the-club.com the-club.com

SPORTS TALK

DECEMBER 2013

DUBAI OFFSHORE SAILING CLUB Internationally acclaimed sailing club Location: Umm Suqeim 1

+971 4 394 1669 administration@doscuae.com dosc.ae

SWIMMING AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SWIM SCHOOLS Get an aquatic education Location: Fairmont Dubai

+971 4 386 5718 swim@aiss.ae aiswimschools.com

CLUB JOUMANA Caroline Wozniacki sometimes swings by Location: Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa

+971 4 814 5555 jagrs@jaihotels.com jebelali-international.com THE RITZ-CARLTON DUBAI BEACH CLUB Tennis in a ﬁve-star environment Location: Ritz Carlton Dubai

+971 4 399 4000 dxbrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com ritzcarlton.com

WATERSPORTS

HAMILTON AQUATICS Learn to swim Location: Jumeirah

+971 5 0250 5216 info@hamiltonaquatics.ae hamiltonaquatics.ae MUSHRIF PARK Dubai’s largest, oldest park Location: Mirdif

+971 4 288 3624 info@mushrifcentralpark.ae mushrifcentralpark.ae STA AL WASL SWIMMING ACADEMY Become a stronger swimmer Location: Al Wasl Club

+971 4 446 7400 swimming@vipeduc.com vipeduc.com

TENNIS CLARK FRANCIS TENNIS An ace academy Location: Garhoud

+971 5 6719 7042 tennis@clarkfrancistennis.com clarkfrancistennis.com

AL BOOM DIVING Leading dive operator in the UAE Location: Al Aqah Beach Resort

+971 4 342 2993 abdiving@emirates.net.ae alboomdiving.com CLUB MINA 500m private beach and club Location: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi

+971 4 399 3333 club@lemeridien-minaseyahi.com lemeridien-minaseyahi.com DUBAI AQUARIUM An underwater zoo Location: Dubai Mall

+971 4 448 5200 enquiries@thedubaiaquarium.com thedubaiaquarium.com DUBAI WATER SPORT ACADEMY Try your hand at some of Dubai’s

wackier water sports Location: Dubai Marina

+971 5 0478 0114 info@bristol-middleeast.com bristol-holding.com EASY DIVERS EMIRATES Enjoy an underwater adventure Location: Emirates Hills

+971 4 447 2247 info@easydiversemirates.com easydiversemirates.com EMIRATES DIVING ASSOCIATION Inspiring people to care about our oceans since 1995 Location: Dubai Creek

+971 4 393 9390 diving@emiratesdiving.com emiratesdiving.com GLOBAL SCUBA DIVE Go on a diving break to Oman Location: Oman

+968 2 469 2346 enquiries@global-scuba.com global-scuba.com MONTY’S ROWING SCHOOL Getting ﬁt is just a stroke away Location: Al Boom Tourist Village

+971 5 0738 0910 details@montysrowingschool.com montysrowingschool.com NAUTICA 1992 Fish, windsurf, paraglide and kayak Location: Mina Siyahi Beach

+971 5 0426 2415 info@nautica1992.ae nautica1992.ae 7 SEAS DIVERS UAE’s oldest dive centre Location: Khor Fakkan

+971 9 238 7400 bestdive@emirates.net.ae 7seasdivers.com

Issue 14 December 2013 mesportstalk.com

EXCLUSIVE: ROGER FEDERER COLUMN: MN: ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC TU TUITION: U I T I O N : RRHYS HYS BEEC BEECHER

AED 15

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

DAVID HAYE ADMITS HE PREFERS BUSINESS TO BOXING

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

PLUS DOUBLE ‘2020’ GLORY FOR THE UAE STENSON MAKES HISTORY IN DUBAI IS MESSI BETTER THAN MARADONA?