Sport magazine issue 301

Issue 301 | April 19 2013

Contents

20

Issue 301, April 19 2013 Radar 04 A first look at FIFA 14 We’ve already booked every Monday off work for the entirety of next autumn to make the most of it

08 Ultimate fighters: our pick We bring you the deadliest, most badass fighters in the UFC. But we like the mouthiest one

10

Has Joe Hart still got it?

It’s not for us to question the form of Man City and England’s number one. So we asked David Seaman

oFeatures this coming week

20 Ronnie O’Sullivan

Cover illustration by Peter Strain: www.peterstrain.co.uk. This page: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

As snooker’s own enigmatic genius begins his World Championship defence tomorrow, we go in search of the real Ronnie

27 Mark Selby The world’s number one cueman on confidence, and his chances of bagging snooker’s Triple Crown

30 Amir Khan The King says he’s learned from his mistakes ahead of his homecoming fight against Julio Diaz next weekend

30

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62

35 Ashley McKenzie The Great Britain judoka on how his sport and Pokémon saved his life, and how he rates his chances of a medal at the Euros in Hungary

Extra Time 56 Grooming The new James Bond Ocean Royale fragrance: for your nose only, darling

58 Gadgets Sony’s new Bravia TV, and Star Wars iPhone cases to purr over.

Or whatever it is Chewy does

62 Entertainment American football gets the graphic art treatment at Somerset House, while the White House is redesigned

by North Korean terrorists | April 19 2013 | 03

Radar

p06 – The cricket books to read when the Ashes is washed out this summer

p08 – Our favourite UFC fighters and the wisdom of Chael Sonnen p10– Safe Hands on England’s current number one

Kicking on A first look at FIFA 14

A

first glimpse of a new FIFA is always an important moment for us. It’s on a par with starting a new job, or moving into a new flat, because we know that we’re going to spending an unhealthy amount of time in its slick footbally embrace.

Although the screenshots have looked identical for the past four years now, we’re assured that there are a raft of gameplay improvements to look forward to when it hits our consoles later in the year.

One of the biggest changes will be Pure Shot, which gives your players the intelligence

04 | April 19 2013 |

to adjust their stride and approach angle for a better chance of scoring. It’s just a shame that, in order to add it to the game, they had to surgically remove it from Fernando Torres.

And reworked ball physics mean you can score a greater variety of goals, from belters to screamers to scorchers.

There’s more emphasis on patient build-up play, and defenders will be able to recover quickly from missed tackles. With more new stuff to be announced, we’re officially excited.

No word on goalline technology yet, though.

FIFA 14, coming autumn 2013

Radar

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2.

Extra covers he new county cricket season was greeted, in time-honoured fashion, by the dreary British sky opening its taps. If you don’t fancy getting soaked all summer but still want your fix of bails and byes, here’s our pick of the best new cricket books.

The Official MCC Ashes Treasures (1, £24) will whet your appetite for the upcoming clashes with Australia.

It looks at the history of the rivalry, with reproductions of memorabilia such as scorecards and teamsheets included in pull-out form. Equally lovingly put together is photobook From the Boundary’s Edge (2, £20) by Laurence Griffiths, who captures scenic village grounds from around the country.

Gentlemen & Players (3, £16) by Charles Williams also delves into history and the death of amateurism – which ended in 1962. A different take on death comes from The Promise of Endless Summer (4, £10) a collection of beautifully written cricketing obituaries from the Telegraph. Finally, quarterly The Nightwatchman (5, £9, thenightwatchman.net) provides a more topical spin, with a fascinating collection of articles pulled together by the makers of Wisden. Howzat!

All from amazon.co.uk, unless stated

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06 | April 19 2013 |

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Radar

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08 | April 19 2013 |

Picking the most exciti

Anthony Pettis

Anderson silvA

Jon Jones

Did you watch The Matrix and wish you could perform the gravitydefying kung fu of Keanu Reeves? Anthony Pettis did. And then he pulled it off in real life, running up the side of the octagon and kicking Ben Henderson in literally jaw-dropping fashion. That was arguably the zenith of his (and all MMA) entertainment so far, but his high-kicking high-octane style means the lightweight known as ‘Showtime’ never fails to disappoint.

The best fighter in the history of the UFC, ‘The Spider’ puts on brutal fight clinics that veer from disinterested disdain (see his clowning against Demian Maia) to enthralling brilliance (witness his one-minute knockout of James Irvin).

Whether he’s dispatching opponents with Karate Kid-style crane kicks or bobbing and weaving like Muhammad Ali in his prime, the middleweight champ is the one fighter in the UFC you never want to miss.

Unbeaten (apart from one disqualification) and seemingly unbeatable, ‘Bones’ is set to be the all-American face of the UFC for years to come.

A whirlwind of razor-sharp Muay Thai knees and elbows, he has beaten a who’s who of former champions to retain his light-heavyweight title.

His clinical finishing blows have led to accusations of arrogance, but Jones’ professionalism and politeness have bagged him a deal with Nike.

All pictures Zuffa LLC

x

FIVES

STAR

x

ing fighters in the UFC

Cain VelaSqUez

Chael Sonnen

Sporting a ‘Brown Pride’ tattoo on his chest and a thousand-yard stare, the UFC heavyweight champ is a fighting machine, having knocked out nine of his 11 victims. His most recent victory, a December 2012 revenge win over Junior dos Santos, was a chilling display of controlled, systematic destruction and one of last year’s standout performances.

The UFC describes him as the “baddest man on the planet”. We’re inclined to agree.

Sonnen’s brand of fighting, while effective, can be a little dull – but there is simply no better trashtalker in MMA, or perhaps any sport, than the ‘American Gangster’. As he himself says: “Chael Sonnen is a tyrant. Chael Sonnen is a dictator. Chael Sonnen is the leader of the free world. Chael Sonnen has the skills to make Superman run and hide like a little girl.” And that is why he’s on this list.

x

See Velasquez, Jones, Anderson and many more on the UFC Best of 2012 DVD and Blu-ray (which includes three hours of bonus footage), released on April 22.

Available via amazon.co.uk

Martin Potter @theboxingbrain

| 09

Radar

Has Joe Hart still got it? england’s top keepers Peter Shilton 125 caps, 80 goals conceded David Seaman 75 caps, 44 goals conceded Gordon Banks 73 caps, 57 goals conceded Ray Clemence 61 caps, 54 goals conceded David James 53 caps, 46 goals conceded Joe Hart 30 caps, 22 goals conceded

The form of England’s number one hasn’t been quite as good as it was last year, with a few significant errors earlier in the season.

We asked former England stopper David Seaman for his thoughts...

“Obviously he’s made a couple of high-profile mistakes, but the pleasing thing for me is that he reacts positively. He makes a mistake and it doesn’t effect him, and that’s exactly what you want in a goalkeeper – and especially in a goalkeeper of Joe Hart’s stature. He’s playing for England, he’s by far number one. And he’s playing in top-quality football every week, which is great

because it’s high-pressure football for his club.

It’s what I always used to have, and it puts him in good stead for England. As long as he stays clear of injury, he will be the goalkeeper for England for a long, long time.”

Could complacency creep in now that he’s automatic first choice for club and country?

“No – he won’t let that happen. He’s too young and eager to learn, and when you get to the stage where you become the number one, you want to stay there at all costs. You don’t want to give any other goalkeepers a chance to get any closer to you. He will just keep driving himself to make sure he’s number one all the time.”

He has conceded a lot of goals to his left-hand side this season – could he have a problem there?

“I doubt that, because if it’s common knowledge it would be exposed. So he will train at that all the time, and make sure it isn’t a weakness.

But you know, if people are taking time to think about his weaknesses on shots, then he’s got them worried.”

Is he still undisputed number one for England?

“By a long way. I’m sure he’ll beat my 75 caps, and then I hope he beats Peter Shilton’s 120-odd caps.

NOWTV offers instant 24-hour access to all six Sky Sports channels. Visit nowtv.com for more details

A

furious fan runs on to the pitch to attack you. A player springs to your aid, punching the spectator and knocking him out.

What do you do? If your answer is a Roy Keane-like ‘yell in the unconscious fan’s face’, this book probably isn’t one for you. Seek help.

What you should actually do, after thanking the player, is to send him off. That scenario comes from You Are The Ref, a new book that brings together some of the classic scenarios from the long-running strip featuring iconic artwork from Paul Trevillion and the sage wisdom of Keith Hackett, the former head of the Premier League referees.

The book tests you on the full Laws of the Game, and will serve as a useful guide if you don’t know what you’re doing. We’d like to see a version that extends to other realms of officialdom. You are policing the city centre on horseback after an ill-tempered Tyne and Wear derby.

A drunken fan runs up and punches your horse in the face. What do you do?

You Are The Ref (Bloomsbury), out now, £15

10 | April 19 2013 |

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images, Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

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28/03/2013 10:47

Radar Editor’s letter

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Punch drunk Let’s give the morons a beer or six and let them loose, eh? On second thoughts, let’s not

S Editor-in-chief Simon Caney @simoncaney

Well, maybe it is. Robertson is right to say that whatever the circumstances, that level of behaviour is wrong. It makes no odds whatsoever whether the protagonists were smashed out of their tiny minds.

But that does not get around the fact that it was not a good idea, in any way, shape or form, to have a late kick-off.

It may have been good news for broadcasters, who picked up a slightly bigger audience. But set against the fact that it merely encouraged spectators to spend a day on the sauce, it backfired spectacularly.

Let’s not forget, this was not organised violence. This was just a drunken rabble. Robertson is right to say this was not a return to scenes of the 1970s and early ‘80s, when rival firms would plot their fights weeks in advance. But Millwall have a reputation going back to that time, and some supporters clearly thrive on it. It only took a small altercation before dozens of people had waded in – the image of a terrified young girl crying in the midst of the violence was deeply upsetting.

I don’t blame Millwall – football violence has never been about the clubs any more than society at large. You can ban Millwall from next season’s FA Cup, but that won’t address the problem.

You can ban them from existing, but that won’t do it either.

Idiots will find a place to get drunk and have a fight, if that’s what they’re after – football’s tribal nature has just always made them gravitate to the game. But letting them get unnecessarily drunk before a big match? That’s just asking for trouble.

In the main, I was delighted to see Adam Scott win the Masters last weekend. He seems a thoroughly decent human being, and (much more importantly) has a golf swing to die for. However, my enthusiasm for his victory was tempered by the fact he achieved it wielding a broomhandle putter. I’m delighted they’re being outlawed, though you have to fear for the likes of Scott, who simply could not make a conventional putter work for him.

I hope he proves me wrong and goes on to win more Majors.

The very best of luck to everyone competing in the London Marathon on Sunday. Events in Boston this week beggar belief and will cast a long shadow over the event, but it will go ahead because that’s simply the only way.

Reader comments of the week

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Cover of the Year

LAUNCH OF THE YEAR

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@simoncaney not a big fan of golf, but the top 10

Thanks @Sportmaguk for

Fantastic BOD article in

Congratulations

Why does @davidflatman

@simoncaney on

helping with my #golf

Masters finishes looked

knowledge...turns out I’ll be

@Sportmaguk on your 300th edition! A must read

in @sportmaguk always

@GNev2 & @fizzer18 in

@Sportmaguk today. Put him on the plane to Oz, the

today’s Sport. Was

bloody lovely on the page.

watching the #masters this

Lions would be poorer

mag which has made

cartoon but not in his

w/e after all!

without him! @simoncaney

commuting a joy!

head shot...?? His article

#HappyBirthdaySportMag

is reason I pick up btw.

@patrickalexande

@dompisani

Great comment by

always a huge Neville-ite.

Their love of the game

have a beard in his

was always clear. @thomasjohnsonpr

12 | April 19 2013 |

@Cricketer_Dan

@parsonsknows

@c1arke23

Getty Images

ports Minister Hugh Robertson says it’s “a bit of an excuse” to blame last weekend’s FA Cup violence on the late kick-off, which gave fans the chance to spend all day drinking and taking drugs.

Colour reproduction: Rival Colour Ltd Printed by: Wyndeham Group Ltd

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Radar Opinion

Flats on Friday

It’s like this…

Bill Borrows

Y

David Lyttleton

ou know what they used to say about nostalgia – well, in the week that Margaret Thatcher made a dramatic return to the front pages of the newspapers, extras from the new Danny Dyer film (see Plank of the Week, below) started getting all lively at Wembley and measles made a comeback, it would be remiss not to cast a gimlet eye over what we really miss about football from the 1980s.

So, as former Top of the Pops presenter ‘Ooh’ Gary Davies would never have put it: “Here’s the top 10, in no particular order.”

Giving the beautiful game a bad name

A

s a rugby player, it never crossed my mind that I was working every weekend.

This is probably because I had every Wednesday off for 15 years and only really worked hard one afternoon a week, but it’s also because I didn’t see it as work at all. As Saturdays go, mind, 20 scrums and 40 rucks constitute a pretty tough afternoon when compared to Average Joe’s fry-up, dog walk and a day spent plonked in front of the telly.

But as I approached retirement it occurred to me that, for the first time since the age of eight, when I started playing, my weekends would be my own. What plans I made: I would indulge in sightseeing; I would tuck into the red on a Friday night without a care; and I would mow that lawn like a banshee on a John Deere.

How wrong I was. What with work and children, I now have less time at weekends than ever. So, 24 hours off last weekend was too good an opportunity to turn down. “At last,” sighed Mrs F. “A weekend with no bloody sport.” How I laughed as I got to the hotel in London and found a bit of rugger on channel 19. “Get the club sarnies in, love,” I said with all the romance of a house brick, and was promptly clipped round the cauliflower ear and dragged on to the streets of the capital.

Unfortunately, our fun trip through the big smoke was ruined by, yes, sport. Well, in a way.

As we approached the Tube platform, we heard a lot of loud chanting coming from behind and above, and wondered what on earth was happening.

16 | April 19 2013 |

Seconds later, a posse of blokes draped head to toe in their team’s merchandise burst into the small space in which we were awaiting a train and proceeded to give the beautiful game a bad name.

I love a bit of footie, but grown men walking through the streets and Tube stations necking lager, lobbing cans on the floor, swearing at women, flobbing on the pavement where children are standing and then, in a killer move designed to ingratiate the masses, accusing a father – while standing, looking terrified and holding his young son’s hand – of being a paedophile, was a bit much.

Just in case the child didn’t know what the word meant, these adult males offered a practical demonstration by way of definition. Oh, and the children who were with them joined in with cackles of intimidatory laughter, knowing no better.

Of course, as soon as the theatre and intimate meal for two was finished, I got online and checked the sports news: crowd trouble at the football.

It’s just such a massive shame. I love football and would watch it every day if I could. Just not live, as the experience is too unpleasant. Earlier this season I went to the Emirates and looked down to see a grown man spitting over the heads of the stewards and on to a woman for supporting the opposition. All the while, his little son cheered him on. This is about a tiny minority of fans, I know that – and maybe I’ve gone soft since retiring – but I think I’ll stick to watching on television for now.

Mrs F’s marital regime aside, it seems safer. @davidflatman

• Real semi finals. Why should fantastic old grounds like Villa Park and Goodison be denied top-level football matches of consequence beyond the procedural completion of their respective clubs’ fixtures?

• Brian Clough. Just that. Brian Clough.

• Refreshments. Full Members Cup final 1986, Manchester City v Chelsea – a pie and a pint: £1.89.

FA Cup semi final 2013, Manchester City v Chelsea – fish and chips and a pint: £13.

• The elegance of Glenn Hoddle, the genius of Liam Brady and Bryan Robson always being injured. Beautiful, inspiring and hilarious, in that particular order.

• Scottish players. I’ll say it again: where the hell have they all gone? At what point did somebody stop all the kids in Scotland playing football? I don’t think even Thatcher can be blamed for this one.

• Proper referees. Mark Clattenburg? Pah! When George Courtney sent off a player, the crowd thought they’d have to serve the suspension.

• The football special. A service laid on for the convenience of thousands of ‘customers’ who need to travel from A to B on a given day. Ridiculous idea.

• Man City, Chelsea and Newcastle being involved in relegation battles. One out of three will have to suffice for the time being but, in a nod to modernity, it was refreshing to see the Geordies raiding a recycling bin to find bottles to throw at the police.

• Season ticket books. Substantial and valued items that slipped in the back pocket of your stone-washed jeans like a hand in a velvet glove.

• Mark Lawrenson. On the pitch and therefore, mercifully, off the television.

All that and – because there’s always room for one more – the Like a Virgin video. Is it really all that long ago?

Can you hear me, Cissy? Cissy? @billborrows

Plank of the week Tony Shannon, east London (probably) New haircut? Check. New value-brand jacket? Check.

Ticket for the semi final at Wembley? Check. Knobhead who has heard too many stories from the big boys in the pub and steals a copper’s hat? Er... check.

Rules of

Rule 37: ILLEGAL DROP A player is allowed to enjoy a beer and burger while practicing.

He or she may also wear jeans and t-shirt.

A two-shot penalty will only be incurred if the player must explain to a non-playing partner waiting at home about any illegal drops (ketchup

or beer) when he or she has claimed to be working late.

The Urban Golf Rules Committee is a bit more laid back than its colleagues at Augusta National. Except when it comes to getting your game into shape for the season ahead. Then it’s deadly serious. Only the world’s best aboutGolf™ simulators are allowed. There are 20 at our three London clubs and you can use them to practice, play up to 60 different championship courses or have a lesson with one of our PGA coaches. Why not book an hour for you and your mates next week? Mondays and Fridays (after 5pm) are half price. Just go to urbangolf.co.uk/illegaldrops or call 020 7248 8600. Urban Golf rules.

Frozen in time

18 | April 19 2013 |

| 19

We’ve used Photoshop to delete the horse from this picture, taken shortly after a besuited Paolo Di Canio rode the winner of the 3.45 at Uttoxeter last Tuesday. That’s a lie, of course – he’s giving it large as the new gaffer of Sunderland, winning over the fans on Wearside and becoming public enemy number one on Tyneside last weekend.

Mind you, it seems they’re not keen on horses up there either, invisible or otherwise.

Kingdom for a horse Stu Forster/Getty Images

Illustrations by Peter Strain, www.peterstrain.co.uk

Ronnie O’Sullivan A Study

20 | April 19 2013 |

une 6 2012, and a statement appears on the official website of world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.

"I have decided not to enter any tournaments for the time being, including this year's Premier League and forthcoming WPBSA ranking events," it began, going on to explain that he didn't want to sign what he saw as a "too onerous" players' contract. "I still want to play snooker... and hope to remain involved in the sport in some way in the future."

To anyone who has watched O'Sullivan during a 20-year career of sumptuous highs and seemingly merciless lows, the statement didn't come as a huge surprise. For every maximum break achieved with staggering ease, for every one of his four World Championship wins, there have been regular exclamations of despair, increasingly anguished expressions of frustration with his form, his mood, his life. The path of this particular sporting genius has rarely run smooth.

"He is clearly a snooker player of huge ability, but one who has had big struggles with depression," says Matthew Syed, a writer and broadcaster who has interviewed O'Sullivan on numerous occasions, and whose book Bounce pays particular focus to the mindset of sporting champions.

"Occasionally you see him in the chair as the other guy is playing, and he just looks anguished by it all. I think he's a complex figure who finds it hard to reconcile playing high-end sport, and the focus that requires, with the inner difficulties he has had."

What of those inner difficulties?

Broadcaster Andy Goldstein, who presents his weekday Sports Bar show on talkSPORT, has known O'Sullivan since they attended Wanstead High School together more than 20 years ago. As such, he knows more than most the devastation caused by his father's imprisonment for murder back in 1992 – when the younger Ronnie was just 16.

"A lot of people say he's not normal, that his head's not right," says Goldstein. "But if you're 16 years old and your dad gets put

away for life, and then not long after your mum goes away for tax evasion, and you have this talent and everyone wants to be around you because of that talent, it wouldn't be normal if you turned out normal. There was only one way he was ever going to go."

The implication, by extension, is that O'Sullivan's significant talent has only served to exaggerate his depressive tendencies.

"One of the reasons that snooker does his head in so much, and why when he plays badly he wants to crucify himself, is that he

has this gift which means he doesn't need to put in as much effort as anyone else," continues Goldstein. "It's natural. He can open his cue case for the first time in a year and knock in a 147. No one else on the planet can do that.

"So I think that, when it goes wrong, he can't put his finger on why. Players like Steve Davis or Stephen Hendry would practise for six or seven hours a day, and if their practice dropped off their game would get worse.

They would know that if they upped their practice again, they would get better. k

| 21

Ronnie O’Sullivan A Study

22 | April 19 2013 |

with perhaps the most sustained display of composed and controlled snooker he had put together in his entire career. The triumph was in no small part attributed to the work he had done with Steve Peters, a highly respected sports psychiatrist best known for his successful association with British Cycling, and Victoria Pendleton in particular.

"He has never not loved snooker," Peters explains. "I think what happens is that things have clouded the issue in his own mind, so what he did with me was say: 'Can you just remove the clouds?' I don't think it was ever a case of helping him fall in love with snooker again. I think he's always been in love with it; it's just that things cloud you and influence your feelings.

"What I do is try to educate people into understanding what the mind does and how it functions, so you learn what you can and can't do with your mind. Ronnie engages amazingly with that; he takes on board what you say, he goes away and thinks about it, he comes back and questions it so he can understand it better, and then he applies it.

O'Sullivan celebrates world title number four with his son, Ronnie Jnr

He's an excellent student, and it has been a privilege to work with him."

Therein lies the enduring enigma of snooker's greatest talent. Those who know him identify a man who is both charming and open one minute, yet guarded and distant the next. As soon as he seeks society, it seems, he craves isolation. "Sometimes at tournaments he would speak to me and be really friendly, k

Michael Regan/Getty Images, Paul Ellis/AFP/GettyImages

But with Ronnie, he can't understand why he's not playing well."

It's a confusion that has been all too evident throughout his career – not least when a tormented O'Sullivan walked out of a UK Championship quarter final against the aforementioned Hendry in 2006. He trailed 4-1 in a best-of-17 match when, after running out of position and missing a tricky red, he shook his opponent's hand and departed... leaving Hendry, referee Jan Verhaas and a stunned crowd behind him.

"It was incredible, I was absolutely amazed," recalls Hendry. "But I remember asking him afterwards if he was okay, and he said yeah, that he just didn't fancy it. I think Ronnie is different to the rest of us in that way, in that he just goes with his instinct – if he's not feeling it or doesn't want to do it, then he just doesn't do it. In a way, you have to commend him on that."

This weekend, O'Sullivan returns to championship snooker more than 10 months after he last played a competitive match, and a year after claiming his fourth world title

WingS FOr All TASTES.

THE TASTE OF crAnbErry, limE Or bluEbErry.

THE EFFEcT OF rEd bull.

Credit

and then at others he wouldn't speak to me at all," remembers Hendry. "You never really knew where you were with him, but in the last two or three years we've got on a lot better. We share a common view on snooker in general, and we speak quite a lot. I've always liked him, and would like to think we were mates."

Goldstein tells a similar story. "I've been presenting Premier League Snooker and spoken to him for half an hour in the green room beforehand, just like best pals," he says.

"Then I've gone out and opened the show, and he's come down and answered my questions like we've never met before.

"He's the sort of guy who will send you 40 texts in a night and then the next day not reply to any of yours. I've been in a text conversation with him one night, and then not heard from him for weeks."

O'Sullivan has proven particularly elusive since announcing his intention to return to snooker for the World Championship back in February. That is less surprising than it sounds, given that he has been working on a second book with the Guardian features writer Simon Hattenstone – another who has documented his subject's inconsistencies.

"He's a hopeless friend, really," he revealed in a piece in early 2006, after working on the Rocket's first book. "He only phones if you tell his mum that he's not been returning calls, then he rings out of the blue at 1am to tell you he's popping round tomorrow."

As much as O'Sullivan's personal life may have been defined by his father's long-term

24 | April 19 2013 |

absence, his professional life has been defined by his relationship with snooker.

Regardless of how much time he has spent away from the game, and of what he has at times said about it, he has always returned.

"If Ronnie found something beyond snooker that he enjoyed doing and that gave him meaning, he could retire soon," says Syed. "I'd be very surprised if he was still going on in the way that Steve Davis has, and I think at some stage he's going to want to do something else with his life. But maybe the problem is that snooker is still the thing he cares most about."

How does Hendry, who retired from competition after exiting last year's World

Championship, see it? "People ask me why I didn't keep playing just for the enjoyment," he says. "I tell them that winning games was the enjoyment for me – so if I'm losing to players I know shouldn't even be on the same table as me, then there's no enjoyment.

"But I think snooker means a lot to Ronnie.

He still loves playing, and I think he still needs the thrill of winning, of making 147s, of playing at the Crucible and feeling that special buzz of the crowd. The thing that killed me was knowing that I wasn't the best any more. But right now, Ronnie is still the best player in the world, the biggest draw and the defending world champion.

"He's had a good few months practising, and I actually don't think it will be that much of a shock if he comes back and wins the World Championship again. John Higgins was banned for six months [in 2011], came back and won his first two events. Higgins is one of the best players in the world, of course, but Ronnie's better."

Time will tell which O'Sullivan turns up at Sheffield in the next fortnight: the composed champion of 12 months ago, or the troubled character who walked out on that match against his old rival Hendry in 2006.

It augurs well that he continues to work with Peters, however.

"What you've got with Ronnie is two very different parts of the brain working that present very different outlooks and personalities," he explains. "Ronnie has realised that, and is now managing the skill of saying: 'I don't want to go with this impulsive emotional machine; I'm going to present the real Ronnie O'Sullivan.' And the real Ronnie O'Sullivan is an extremely pleasant, courteous person."

Perhaps even more than that, the real Ronnie O'Sullivan is still the 12-year-old prodigy who walked up to an older boy at school back in the day, and challenged him to a game of snooker.

"One day, this little pipsqueak came up to me and said: 'I'm better than you,'" recalls Goldstein of their first meeting. "He introduced himself and I found out that he lived round the corner from me. He'd heard I was pretty handy, so he challenged me to a game at his house the following weekend.

"My dad dropped me off that morning and I knocked on the door. His dad answered and immediately asked: 'You here to play my boy?' I nervously said I was, and he said: 'Yeah, how much for?'

"Bearing in mind I was about 14 and Ronnie was about 12, I knew I needed to go big with my answer to impress his dad.

The last thing I wanted to do was make a fool of myself by saying something stupid. '£1?' I replied. 'Nah, £50 or nothing,' he said, as the door slammed shut."

More than a quarter of a century later, that 12-year-old playing for £50 a time has grown into a four-time world champion still playing the game he has always loved. When it comes to Ronnie O'Sullivan and snooker, the door will never be slammed shut.

Christopher Lee/Getty Images. All Ronnie O'Sullivan quotes taken from Sports Life Stories: Ronnie O'Sullivan, first broadcast on ITV 4 last year

Ronnie O’Sullivan A Study

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Mark Selby

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happy p tter

This time last year, Mark Selby could barely bend down to hit a ball.

Now he’s won two of the season’s big three events, and has his eyes on the hat-trick with a first World Championship. Is it any wonder the world number one is feeling good? k Saturday > World Snooker ChampionShip | The CruCible, Sheffield | bbC TWo 10am | April 19 2013 | 27

Mark Selby

How big a part does confidence play in snooker?

“It’s huge, I’d say 85 per cent of the game is about confidence. There are so many great players on the tour who people probably don’t get to see – and it’s not because they’re not good enough, just that they lack that little bit of self-belief. You can’t teach confidence – it just comes from winning.”

Steve Davis has said there are a lot more good players on the tour now compared with when he was at his peak. Do you agree?

“I think the standard’s probably as good as it’s ever been today, and that’s down to Barry [Hearn] getting on board and putting more tournaments on, because it means everyone’s a lot more match-sharp.

Three or four years ago, we had only six or seven tournaments; after one finished, you’d be having a break for four or five weeks before the next, so not everyone was that sharp. With the PTC [Players Tour Championship] going well, too, players coming into big tournaments in the first round are getting to play the likes of John Higgins and Mark Williams week in, week out. So the fear factor they might once have had in qualifying for a ranking event isn’t there any more.”

How serious was the neck injury you had last year?

“Very. When I first pulled out of the China Open, I couldn’t get down on the cue at all – but I didn’t know what it was and I was scared I might never play again.

I got an MRI scan, and they said I had a disc bulge in between C5 and C6 on the vertebrae – so when I was tilting my head back, it was putting pressure on it that was causing it to go all down my arm and affect the nerve system. Thankfully, I got some treatment... it’s still there now, just nowhere near as bad.”

Heading to the Crucible knowing you had that injury must have been tough?

“It was tough, because it’s the biggest tournament we play in and the pinnacle of our sport, so everyone wants to win. Going there knowing I was only 40 to 50 per cent fit was hard. I thought I might be able to squeeze through the first round, and then get four

or five days’ break to get more treatment, but it wasn’t to be [Selby fell at the first hurdle, going down 3-10 to Barry Hawkins]. Thankfully, I’m in a better frame of mind this year.”

You won the UK Open in December. Was that the point at which the injury was finally put to bed?

“Yeah, just playing again this season was a massive plus, considering I more or less pulled out of the last two tournaments last year. Once you get over the hurdle of actually winning another tournament, you realise that you can still play at the top level. I’ve pushed on from there and I’m feeling good now.”

Then you won your third Masters in January, so the worlds would give you the Triple Crown in one season. Is that a distraction, or great motivation?

“It’s in the back of my mind, because obviously it would be a great achievement – but at the same time, even if I hadn’t won those two events, it is still massive to be going to the World Championship with a chance of winning. It’s going to be tough, though – especially with Ronnie coming back.”

Wars of the worlds We pick out three first-round matches to keep an eye on in the first few days at the Crucible Ronnie O’Sullivan (1) v Marcus Campbell He has played only one tour match since winning last year’s title (a defeat to then world number 75 Simon Bedford in Gloucester), so all eyes will be on Ronnie’s return when he steps up to the table on Saturday morning. He needs to be careful, too, because the man he faces has previous.

Campbell battered Stephen Hendry 9-0 in the UK Championship back in 1998 – and, having reached a first ranking semi final at the start of this season, is a man in (relative) form. It would be typical Ronnie to whitewash Campbell here. It would also be typical Ronnie to lose miserably and retire once again. Hell, it would be ‘typical’ of Ronnie to get on the table and dance a jig. Either way, it’ll be worth watching.

Judd Trump (4) v Dominic Dale Does his return help take the pressure off you?

“A bit. He’s only played in one tournament this year, and I think the tour has progressed without him – but he gives a lot to the sport when he does play, and as defending champion I think it’s great that he’s back.

There’s another factor – if you win a tournament with Ronnie involved, it makes it that much more special.”

You’ve said you like the Masters because it’s a one-table format, so every game feels like a final – and you also have a knack of winning from behind.

Do you thrive under pressure?

“Well, I’d rather not be in the position of coming from behind – but I never give up until the last ball is potted, whereas some players go three or four frames behind and let their heads drop. That’s something you either have or you don’t. I’ve been like that ever since I started playing, although it helps that I still love the game as much now as I did when I started.”

So if you win the World Championship, you wouldn’t be tempted to walk away on a high?

“No way. I feel like I’ve got a lot left in me, and my hunger for the game is as great as it was when I first got on the tour. If I get to the stage where I feel like I can’t compete any more, I’ll knock it on the head.

Until then, I want to play for as long as possible.”

A Sport favourite ever since he sang My Way in a press conference, Dominic ‘The Spaceman’ Dale took on Trump at this stage last year, and led the tie 4-2 before a slice of luck gave Trump a way back into the match. The number four seed has struggled for consistency in a season during which he has been world number one, but he has also beaten Dale twice since last year’s meeting – and accused him of slowing his game in a bid to put him off the last time they played. The Spaceman did it his way, Judd – that’s just the way he is.

Graeme Dott (12) v Peter Ebdon Two former world champions meet in this rematch of the 2006 final, in which Dott (below) prevailed after one of the most tediously titanic battles ever seen on the baize. Both men have struggled for form this season (no great surprise there), so don’t expect a classic. Instead, expect a whole bunch of slooow frames and a shot clock that just runs and runs. Settle in for the long haul, this one could be a case of last man standing.

Mark Coughlan @coffers83

“You can’t teach confidence – it just comes from winning” 28 | April 19 2013 |

Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images, Paul Gilham/Getty Images

You lost to Neil Robertson in the final of the China Open last month, but you’re still world number one.

How’s your confidence going into the worlds?

“It’s probably the best season I’ve had, so confidence is pretty high going into the weekend. Having said that, I know what it takes to become a champion – and it’s obviously very tough. With the standard how it is today, it’s going to be very difficult.”

Amir Khan

Unfinished BUsiness Ahead of a UK homecoming fight next weekend, Amir Khan tells us that he’s learned from his mistakes

The advantages are openly acknowledged in sports like football, but can fighting at home have an impact on boxers?

“Being backed by home fans can make a massive difference – especially because, when you’re in the ring, you’re on you’re own.

So to have people cheering for you and supporting you can give you that extra edge in tough rounds. Also, my fans have followed me everywhere from day one; they’ve spent a lot of money to travel and see me fight in Vegas and all over, so I thought I’d show a 30 | April 19 2013 |

bit of loyalty and come back home to put a fight on.”

You’re fighting in the hometown of your rival Kell Brook. Is there an element of one-upmanship here?

“Well, it’s partly that I’ve never fought in Sheffield before, and it’s a big boxing city.

They had Naz [Prince Naseem Hamed] there, and it’s not too far for boxing fans to travel from London or Bolton or Manchester. But I did speak to the people who run the venue [the Motorpoint Arena] and they said the most Kell Brook has ever sold is probably 8,000 tickets. He’s never really had the place sold out fully, and they were impressed that we’re on course to sell a lot more.

Kell Brook is more than welcome to come by and experience a show that will be 100 per cent full.”

Tell us about your opponent on the night, Julio Diaz. What does he bring to the ring?

“Julio Diaz is a tough guy. He fought [unbeaten US prospect] Shawn Porter in his last fight, and I thought he might have won – but it was declared a draw. He’s a former world champion and it was very difficult to get any opponent in the 140lb division. We offered it to [Vyacheslav] Senchenko, who beat Ricky Hatton, and he refused it. We offered the fight to so many names and they just didn’t take it. So I had to negotiate with guys who are at the weight above me. Diaz is coming down from 147lb and I’m going up to 143-144lb.”

Is that also because you’re struggling to make 140lb now?

“It’s never easy to make 140lb, but I’m a dedicated and disciplined fighter. So if I >

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Amir Khan in a way – to not cheat myself and to be more professional. That’s what I am now.”

have to make 140lb, then I will. But this time, just by putting that three or four pounds on, I’ll hold a little bit more muscle and I’ll be more hydrated. Maybe you’ll see a better Amir Khan at 144lb.”

It’s nine months since your stoppage loss to Danny Garcia [pictured right]. What have you learned from that fight?

“Getting into all the arguments at press conferences and reacting to the criticism from his team was a mistake. It’s not really my style, and all the back-and-forth got to me a little bit. It taught me just to be myself.

Next time, I know to stay nice and calm.

Also, we trained very hard for the fight, but one of the reasons I moved to [new trainer] Virgil Hunter is because I thought that offensively I’ve got it, but defence is something I need to improve. I should never have been getting caught with the shots I was getting caught with in that fight. I was getting caught with every shot he was throwing.

It’s all about being smarter next time.”

Was it difficult to lift yourself again after that defeat?

“It was tough, but I had to make a change – so I went with Virgil, and I also changed the way I am in between fights. I’ve been doing mini training camps, going for a jog or to the gym for a little bit – whereas before, I didn’t used to do anything between fights. So that will help me, because it’s made me more hungry

32 | April 19 2013 |

After December’s win against Carlos Molina, this is your second fight with Virgil Hunter.

What differences has he made for you?

“He’s honest. He tells you how it is, and he’s not really bothered whether you’re happy or unhappy about what he has to say. That’s what I want: to have a trainer who’s very straight up.

Having him in my corner against Molina was a big help. He was always shouting, motivating me and giving me the right instructions.

Also, he told me about my style, the way I make defensive mistakes and how I can improve.

He’s making me understand boxing, instead of just telling me what to do and what not to do.”

“I was gettIng caught wIth every shot he was throwIng”

What’s made you such an exciting fighter, though, is that you have that warrior streak: when you’re hit, you hit back...

“Yeah, I know, but that can be a bad thing sometimes. There were times in the past where I could have just taken a step back to breathe and boxed instead of being too brave.

It can be bad for you, but that stuff made me an exciting fighter, because I’ve traded in fights and no one knew what to expect from me. But I’ve learned from that now. When I used to get hit before, I’d want to hit my opponent back with a shot twice as hard; now, it’s about what I can do differently to avoid getting hit again. After you recover fully, that’s when you go back in to attack.”

Promoters Golden Boy have a plan for your weight division: the winner of Danny Garcia v Zab Judah takes on the winner of Lamont Peterson v Lucas Matthysse – then you fight the overall winner at the end of this year.

Who do you think that fighter will be?

“I think Garcia will beat Judah, but Matthysse and Peterson is a tough one because of the workrate and the pressure that Peterson puts on. That will be a close fight, but I believe either Peterson or Matthysse could beat Garcia if they box him smartly. So it could be one of those two.”

But you definitely want to fight the winner?

“Yeah, it’s good in that it quickens the route to becoming the world’s best light-welterweight.

The winner of that tournament will then be number one in the division, and then against me everything will be on the line. Hopefully I can beat the winner of that tournament and then move up to the next weight. It is getting very hard now to make 140lb, but I’ve got unfinished business in this weight category, so I don’t want to move up yet. It’s a must-win against Julio Diaz, though, and I’m focused on that first.”

You talk about training more professionally – but please tell us the chocolate drawer you keep at home still exists?

“Definitely! It’s more of a mental thing than anything: to know you have a chocolate drawer.

You do crave chocolate and stuff when you’re making weight, but mainly because you know you’re not allowed it. When at home, I hardly touch it. It’s mainly for the [friends’ and family’s] kids – they use it more than I do.”

What’s your weapon of choice if you do go for one, though?

“Something like a Kit-Kat or a Twix. Or I might spoil myself and go for a posh one like a Ferrero Rocher or something. But there’s often not any left because the kids tend to choose that one before I can get to it.”

extra iPad content

Download the free Sport iPad app for more images of Amir in training

Alex Reid @otheralexreid Tickets for Amir Khan v Julio Diaz on April 27 can be purchased from motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk or by calling 0114 256 5656

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand | 33

John Gurzinski/AFP/GettyImages

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FINAL 2013 TWICKENHAM 25TH MAY

Judo Ashley McKenzie A tearful first-round exit in the 2012 Olympics wasn’t what -60kg judoka Ashley McKenzie had in mind. But things have rarely gone to plan for the 23-year-old from Queen’s Park, who starred in BBC Three documentary Bad Boy Olympian before the Games and has since appeared in Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother. As McKenzie prepares to fight in next week’s European Judo Championships in Hungary, he tells us how different his life could have been were it not for a run in with an estate bully at the age of 11...

Why did you get into judo?

“Basically, I used to play on the street as a young kid, and I used to play with Pokémon cards.

One day I was trading my cards, and one of the guys on the estate took it off me. It was a nice little shiny one. He took it

How the Olympics (and Pokémon) saved my life off me and I was like: ’Mate, you need to give me that back.’ He didn’t want to give it back and he threw me, and so I went to hit him and he threw me again.

“I went home and asked my mum to type ‘throwing’ into the internet, and judo came up. So I went to my nearest judo club and there was the guy who had my Pokémon card. So I got my card back, and after that I made a success out of judo and went to the Olympics.”

If only someone had taken our Pokémon cards, we might have made it to the Olympics, too...

[Laughs] “Honestly, I was a lucky one. I wasn’t the best in school, and judo helped balance that out. I was getting excluded from school and my mum wasn’t the happiest with me, but every time I got another judo medal she was actually pleased with me.”

You have ADHD – did that make it difficult to concentrate?

“Yeah it was hard at times – I just wanted to get everything done, and school was quite a long process. I’d want to walk out of class and I just couldn’t concentrate for that long. I take Equasym, which helps. I was also on Ritalin – but that wasn’t allowed once I started judo.”

You’ve had other problems, too?

“Yes, I’ve been banned [from competing] a few times – once for one month, once for three months and once for six months, thanks to me just going out and doing what I want, really. I didn’t really go according to what they wanted me to do. When I was younger, I was just a rebel.”

What was the turning point?

“When I was 16, the Olympics in London were announced.

Believing in myself wasn’t my strongest thing, but someone said to me: ‘You could go to the Olympics if you put your mind to it’. From then, I just went for it.”

It must have been devastating to go out in the first round?

“For me it was always going to be about my first experience.

I was always looking forward to Rio – I think London was always going to be a learning curve.”

Do you think you can come back from Hungary with a medal?

“I like to think I can. I’m in the top 10 in Europe at the moment, so I don’t see why not.”

Why did you decide to go on Celebrity Big Brother?

“They asked me to do it, and I thought: ‘Why shouldn’t I?’ It was like living in a cave and everyone telling you what to do 24/7. It’s a big game, but I wasn’t really playing the game, so I kind of enjoyed the experience.”

Where would you be without judo, do you think?

“Probably in jail, if I’m being honest with you. I wasn’t going to be working in McDonald’s or nothing like that, cause I can’t hack a job like that. So yeah, probably in jail.”

Amit Katwala @amitkatwala Ashley is supporting the BHF’s campaign Fight for Every Heartbeat.

Text FIGHT to 70123 and give £3, or donate by visiting bhf.org.uk | April 19 2013 | 35

johnangersonarchive.com

Olympic judoka and reformed ‘bad boy’ Ashley McKenzie spoke to Sport ahead of the European Championships next Thursday

BMX Liam Phillips

Crash Course A pedal malfunction saw him crash out of the medals in the Olympic final. Now Liam Phillips is out to make amends at today’s BMX Supercross World Cup No London regrets “I can’t really look back on 2012 without going back even further. In 2011, I didn’t race BMX at all. I basically got scared of getting injured, so I took some time out and went on to the track instead. That meant I didn’t race [a BMX] from October 2010 until February 2012. So I felt like I was playing catch-up for a lot of the past season.

So, despite what happened in the Olympic final, I have only fond memories of 2012.

Ultimately, I know the sort of risks that are involved in the sport. You need only make one mistake and that’s it – your chance has gone.

That’s almost what’s so appealing about the sport, in some respects.”

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone...

“It got to the stage where I was absolutely sick of working my socks off and making gains in BMX racing, only to get an injury and end up back at square one. So I evaluated things at the start of 2011 and decided that it was all about the Olympics for me, and if I had a better chance of success in another area then I’d be stupid not to take it. So I switched to track cycling. But almost immediately, I missed BMX more than I ever could have imagined. I didn’t think I’d be

36 | April 19 2013 |

bothered at all. Sometimes when you do something for so long – and I’ve been racing BMX bikes since I was five – you take it for granted a bit.”

Breaking my collarbone 10 weeks before the Games was brilliant “When I crashed at the World Championships last May, I thought my Olympics was over before it had begun. The type of impact I had and the speed I was going at meant I feared the worst. So when the doctors said I’d only broken my collarbone and a few ribs, that was brilliant... although I did break my shoulder blade as well. But it could have been so much worse. I went in for surgery straight away and was back on the track after five weeks. That was really pushing it, but I had no choice. It was time to go all in.

I knew that if the medical team could give me five weeks on my bike, I could still go to the Games and perform at a high level.”

Come rain or shine, we ride “The indoor BMX track in Manchester has been a complete game-changer for us since it opened about 18 months ago. It’s the only permanent indoor BMX facility in the world, and with the weather we have

here it means we can actually plan our sessions because we know we’re going to be able to train every day. Before, when we couldn’t ride because of snow or heavy rain, we used to go out to a series of tunnels that run underneath the runway at Manchester Airport to get our sprint sessions on the bike done. It was still bloody cold down there, though. It was brutal, in fact. But it’s really made me appreciate the facilities we’ve got now.”

Home advantage is huge “Having the Supercross World Series opening round on our home track [in Manchester] this weekend is a huge advantage, really, in terms of knowing the track itself. But having said that, with the way BMX is now, [the critical part of] the race is actually from the top of the start ramp to the bottom. And that’s only about two and a half seconds. There are other countries that have the same start hills as we do in Manchester, so it doesn’t matter how good you are around the track – if the start of your race isn’t up to scratch, then it’s essentially worthless. But from a psychological aspect, being comfortable with the surroundings and the environment – and knowing that you use that track day in, day out – is worth its weight in gold.”

Sarah Shephard @sarahsportmag Liam Phillips will be competing at the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester on April 19 and 20. For more information and to find out how to buy tickets, visit bmxsuperx.com

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7 Days OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD

APR 19-APR 25 HIGHLIGHTS » Football: Premier League Preview » p40 » Football: Champions League Semi Finals » p42 » Rugby Union: London Wasps v Exeter Chiefs » p44 » Athletics: The London Marathon »p46 » Boxing: Nathan Cleverly v Robin Krasniqi » p48

SUNDAY FORMULA 1 | BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX | SAKHIR | SKy SPORTS F1 1PM, HIGHLIGHTS ON BBC ONE FROM 5PM

Desert blues For the second year in succession, Bernie

Their soft tyre was used for the first time in China,

victory in Augusta, on the other side of the world

but drivers found it degraded so quickly that no one

to Bahrain amid an atmosphere of unrest that's

another was having one of the worst weekends of

spent more than seven laps on it in the race.

undoubtedly been stirred up by the world's gaze.

his life. After losing out to Sebastian Vettel's

Mercedes and Red Bull are quick, but Fernando

disobedience in Malaysia, Mark Webber's luck in

Alonso demonstrated in Malaysia that his car looks

human rights activists are again arguing that the

China was so bad that his team principal Christian

after its tyres better than most of his rivals.

race should be cancelled because of the use of

Horner was forced to deny there was a conspiracy

Elsewhere, Nico Rosberg has had luck of Mark

torture by Bahraini authorities. Online group

against him. Demoted to the back of the grid after

Webber-like proportions, having finished just one

Anonymous has threatened to disrupt websites and

running out of fuel in qualifying, the 36-year-old

race this season thanks to technical problems, while

online services relating to the race. Meanwhile, in the

ended up parked by the side of the road in the race,

Australian Daniel Ricciardo put in an impressive

captial Manama, tear gas has been fired at protesters

his right rear wheel rolling across the track after it

performance in his Toro Rosso to finish seventh in

demanding the release of a colleague arrested last

was not properly secured at a pit stop.

China. McLaren struggled again, with Sergio Perez

Protests against the government continue, and

Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

While one Australian was belly-putting his way to

Ecclestone's travelling circus has made its way

week, and last Sunday a car bomb was set off in the

In the desert heat, tyre management will again

Financial Harbour district of the city. With so much

be crucial – and Ferrari (above) look best equipped

upgrades waiting for when they get back to Europe.

money invested in the race, however, the show will

to take advantage of that, despite Pirelli deciding

And, much like the F1 authorities, will just hope to

go on – whether it should or not.

not to take the softest compound tyre to the race.

finish this controversial race without any disasters.

38 | April 19 2013 |

failing to score points. They will, however, have

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7 Days

Premier League

saturday fulhaM v arsenal craven cottage | 3PM

Tottenham return from their late-season break hoping it’s not too late to steal fourth, while Rafa Benitez looks forward to an Anfield love-in. It’s been a while, after all sunday tottenhaM v Manchester city | white hart lane | sky sPorts 1 1.30PM

Is the belief back at Arsenal?

Results ahead of their midweek tie against Everton suggested so, but the feeling that a defensive calamity lies around the corner won’t go away.

Luck was on their side last weekend – and one win in their last four at Craven Cottage suggests they could do with more on Saturday. With Fulham boss Martin Jol happy that they’ve now reached their goal of 40 points, Arsenal will hope Fulham’s foot is well off the gas.

saturday norwich v reading | carrow road | 3PM

Tottenham have had 10 days to muse upon their Swiss

Sergio Aguero has been almost as influential for City

Reading’s club record run of eight

heartbreak and rouse themselves again for one last

in recent weeks, scoring four goals in his past five

straight defeats in all competitions

push in the league. Their fight for fourth begins with

appearances ahead of City’s midweek tie against Wigan.

ended with a draw against Liverpool

the visit of FA Cup finalists Manchester City on Sunday,

The Argentine has also scored two goals in City’s last

last weekend. However, as manager

the champions having played twice in the time since

three games against Spurs, netting the equaliser in their

Nigel Adkins said: “It’s only one

Spurs last laced up their boots.

2-1 win at the Etihad last November. He also scored the

point; we need three.” The Royals

last time City played at White Hart Lane, but that was a

are without a win in their past three

the break, and specifically the chance to welcome key

mere footnote to Edin Dzeko’s four-goal haul that resulted

against the Canaries (though two

players back from injury, including Gareth Bale – who

in a 5-1 hammering. A repeat is unlikely, but you have to

of those have been draws), but

could return despite being carried off on a stretcher

go back to December 2012 to find the last time Spurs kept

then Norwich have to play fellow

during Spurs’ first-leg draw with FC Basel. The Welshman

a clean sheet at home in the league (against Stoke). Odds

relegation battlers Stoke and Aston

has netted 22 club goals this season, and Spurs haven’t

are that City will score, then – while the odds on Spurs

Villa after this – three six-pointers

won a match in which he’s not scored since January 1.

winning almost certainly hang on the fitness of Mr Bale.

in a row that could seal their fate.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas will have been thankful for

40 | April 19 2013 |

SATURDAY swansea v southaMpton liberty stadiuM | 3pM

SATURDAY sunderland v everton | stadiuM of light | 3pM

SATURDAY west broM v newcastle | hawthorns | 1.30pM

Stoke’s record away from home

With the Paolo Di Canio effect

The Swans have had two weeks off

Newcastle’s defeat to Sunderland

is dire. They have one win from 17

in full swing at Sunderland,

after ending a run of three defeats

last weekend was compounded by

on the road in all competitions this

David Moyes will be wary of taking

with a draw against Norwich. With

the loss of goalkeeper Tim Krul to

season and face three more before it

Everton to the northeast for their

boss Michael Laudrup insisting

injury for the rest of the season.

comes to a close, starting Saturday.

third game in a week. But the

a top-10 finish is within reach, he’s

With the Magpies not entirely safe,

QPR’s time in the Premier League is

journey will at least conjure some

targeting two wins out of their three

and with games against Liverpool

all but over, though Harry Redknapp

positive memories for the Toffees

remaining home games. With one of

and Arsenal to come, Alan Pardew’s

can’t yet admit it... “otherwise I may

– their last away win (before their

those against Manchester City, one

bum may be squeaking should they

as well go on holiday now”. QPR

midweek game at the Emirates)

imagines Saturday’s game against

lose on Saturday. The Baggies

beat Stoke 1-0 at Loftus Road last

came at Newcastle in January.

Southampton is one he has marked

haven’t won in their past three,

May – a result that helped keep them

Then again, Everton have drawn

with a ‘W’. Saints are unbeaten in

though, and have lost their previous

up. It’s never too la... actually, in this

their previous three at Sunderland

five, though, and will equal Swansea’s

two meetings with Newcastle.

case, it probably is.

in the league.

points haul with a win here.

So Pardew may yet beat the squeak.

SATURDAY west haM v wigan | upton park | 3pM

SUnDAY liverpool v chelsea | anfield | sky sports 1 4pM

After both teams had tough

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez chose an

midweek games against Mancunian

interesting time to voice his conviction that his

opposition, this could be survival

future lies back at Anfield. The ex-Liverpool boss

of the fittest. Wigan have the

took the Chelsea job 10 days after these two teams

motivational edge, knowing their FA

last met (in a 1-1 draw at the Bridge), so this will be

Cup success will mean little should

his first visit to Anfield as occupier of the Chelsea

they fail to beat the drop. They can

hot/ejector seat. After their FA Cup defeat last

take comfort from the fact they have

weekend, which was swiftly followed by a game

already beaten West Ham twice this

against local rivals Fulham in midweek, Benitez

term, their Capital One Cup win

could struggle to get the best out of his side

coming at Upton Park, too. The

on Sunday. Considering the Spaniard’s long-term

Hammers have lost only four league

ambition involves him ending up as manager of

games at home this season, though.

their opponents, that might suit him best.

monDAY Man utd v aston villa | old trafford sky sports 1 8pM

19 Liverpool have had more shots on target than any other Premier League side in April, but are one of only two sides not to score

The predicted ‘bounce’ from Matthew Lowton’s incredible strike against Stoke didn’t materialise.

A draw at home against Fulham last weekend was a disappointing result for a team fighting relegation and with a trip to the likely champions on the horizon. It wasn’t for lack of effort – Villa’s 33 interceptions were the most made by any side last weekend. But too many chances were wasted... not something they can afford to do at Old Trafford.

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| 41

All pictures Getty Images

SATURDAY qpr v stoke | loftus road | 3pM

7 Days TUESDAY FOOTBALL | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL FIRST LEG: BAYERN MUNICH v BARCELONA | ALLIANZ ARENA | ITV 7.45PM

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images, David Ramos/Getty Images, Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images, Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images

No Pep talk required

Pep Guardiola will be watching this one with

leg, when David Alaba opened the scoring, to the

the Nou Camp. A 1-1 draw in Munich followed –

interest. The Spaniard coached Barcelona to 14

closing stages of the last, as Claudio Pizzarro netted

expect a similarly tight game between two teams

trophies in four years, and will take over from Jupp

to add the final touches to the 4-0 aggregate

that have only matured since then. And, of course,

Heynckes at Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

scoreline. The Germans are in unbelievable form

a Spanish manager in the crowd wondering how

With his side already crowned Bundesliga champions

– they have won 17 of their past 18 games, and have

he can possibly improve on this.

(they have a 20-point lead with six games to go),

lost just three games in all competitions this season.

Heynckes is bowing out on a high, and he insists he

An equally formidable stat: Barcelona are unbeaten

A big night for...

won’t be tempted to call on his successor to find out

in their last 17 games against German sides, a run

Tactically, there are parallels between the

the secrets to Barcelona’s success.

stretching back to 2001.

sides – both Heynckes and Tito Vilanova

At any rate, Barca’s secret was obvious during the

Bayern’s top scorer Mario Mandžukic is suspended

normally ask their sides to press high

Catalans’ lacklustre first hour against PSG in the

for Tuesday’s clash, but Mario Gomez is a worthy

up the pitch, and both teams have

second leg of their quarter final. Leo Messi’s arrival

replacement – he hasn’t started regularly this

players who like to start wide and

from the bench has been written about in awed

season, but Messi and Karim Benzema are the only

drift inside. Munich are more

terms that haven’t been used since the Gospels;

active players with a better goals-per-game ratio in

likely to attempt to hit their

although it was far from miraculous, his performance

the Champions League than the German.

opponents on the break. With Carles Puyol

certainly seemed to galvanise Barca when they looked to be heading out of the competition.

In contrast, Bayern were in control of their tie against Juventus from the first minute of the first

Both teams have made regular appearances at

and Javier Mascherano both injured and usual

this stage in the past few years, and it’s slightly

stand-in left-back Adriano suspended, 22-year

surprising that they’ve only met once. In 2009,

old centre-back Marc Bartra (there he is, look –

Barcelona got the job done with a 4-0 home win at

to your right) could be in for some hard running.

One manager will be on the ford.co.uk 42 | April 19 2013 |

Proud sponsor of the UEFA

WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL FIRST LEG: BORUSSIA DORTMUND v REAL MADRID | WESTFALENSTADION | SKY SPORTS 2 7.45PM

Germany divided José Mourinho's Real Madrid are also

the Portuguese forward has scored 11

heading to Germany, where their hunt for

in his past eight club games; his brace

a tenth European Cup came off the rails last

against Atlético last weekend included

season. They have pursued that goal with a

a free-kick that would have looked

single-minded obsession that has seen all

ridiculous even on FIFA.

other competitions fall by the wayside this

Regardless of who goes through, it's

season – and with the manager surely on

likely to be a German-influenced outcome.

the way out, it's his last chance to complete

Because, as well as Dortmund's central

the job he was hired for.

five, Madrid's own Deutsch-duo could be

Looking to stop him are Jurgen Klopp's

pivotal. Khedira has the energy to disrupt

exciting Dortmund team. On paper, they

Die Schwarzgelben’s clever play and, at the

might seem like the easiest proposition

other end, Mesut Özil will try to find space

of the four semi-finalists, but they caused

and unpick Dortmund's defence.

Madrid real problems in the group stages,

Eleven years is a long time for a team as

taking four points from the Spanish

accustomed to success as Real Madrid to

champions. Admittedly, Madrid were

wait for a European trophy – they last won

suffering from defensive injuries and were

Ol’ Big Ears by beating another German

forced to pull in former Chelsea hatchet

side, Bayer Leverkusen, at Hampden Park

man Michael Essien to play at left back,

in 2002. But Mourinho will make sure they

but Dortmund pressed high and were

know that these two ties with Dortmund

deserving winners.

could prove as tough as anything another

Klopp is an astute tactician, and he will

final might throw at them.

likely ask his side to set up in a similar way – although they may not have as much luck

A big night for...

against a full-strength Madrid, who also lost

Both teams are at their best when on the

Sami Khedira to injury that day.

counter-attack, but Madrid might

As well as taxing our subeditor,

dominate possession at the

Dortmund's home-grown midfield quintet

Westfalenstadion – as they did in

of Kevin Großkreutz, Sebastian Kehl, llkay

the group stage. Dortmund

Gündogan, Marco Reus and Mario Götze

goalkeeper Roman

will pressure Madrid’s own midfield, and

Weidenfeller (right) could

look to win the ball high up the pitch, then

be kept busy – as you’re

create chances through clever interplay.

probably well aware by

They may also target the left back again, as

now, both Ronaldo and

Cristiano Ronaldo tends to be given licence

Ángel di María will cut in

not to track back when out of possession.

from their respective

It's well justified in his case, of course –

flanks to shoot.

FC Bayern München v FC Barcelona Tuesday 23rd April 7.45pm

edge of his seat. Guardiola.

Champions League for 21 years Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand | 43

7 Days Sunday Rugby union | aviva pRemieRship: Wasps v exeteR | adams paRk | espn 2pm

Heineken for one Two games are left in the Premiership season, and three points separate the three sides currently chasing the all-important sixth place that means Heineken Cup rugby next season. What a time, then, for Wasps (in eighth) and Exeter (sixth) to meet – especially considering that Bath, in seventh, face Leicester and Saracens in their final games, so face an uphill task to trouble the top six.

Wasps’ recent form has been patchy, to say the least, but the power they possess up front is always dangerous, and Billy Vunipola is sure to want to bow out in style before he leaves for the plastic pitch at Saracens. It’s out wide where the Londoners’ real threat comes, though, with Tom Varndell (with 12) and Christian Wade (10) the league’s top try scorers, and Elliot Daly (pictured) at 15 having twice troubled the try of the week committee in recent rounds. Admittedly, Wasps’ defence has been pretty poor of late – but with the finishing class they have, the good weather and firm grounds could have arrived just in time.

The Chiefs have shown in recent weeks that they can compete with the best – most notably with their win away at Harlequins. They’ve slipped out of top-four contention (bar a miraculous final fortnight), but they will not give up on Europe.

Fly half Gareth Steenson has been in electric form since that visit to The Stoop, while their all-round fitness and desire mean Wasps won’t get a moment’s rest. Neither side can afford to lose, but the neutrals could be the real winners here.

SaTuRday Rugby League | ChaLLenge Cup: huLL kingston RoveRs v st heLens | CRaven paRk | bbC one 2.30pm

Saints on the cup run from Hull Following their 84-6 hammering by Wigan

quality of Rovers’ Michael Dobson (pictured)

Warriors on Easter Monday, Hull Kingston

– the Australian is the heartbeat of his side,

Rovers came back impressively six days

and his kicking game is exemplary. Up front,

later to beat St Helens 22-14 at Craven Park.

meanwhile, Cory Paterson, Micky Paea and

And the pair meet again in the fourth round

Rhys Lovegrove are a real handful. Saints’

of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup on Saturday,

youngsters have been competitive of late,

with all the promise of a typical blood-and-

but they need the likes of Tony Puletua and

thunder cup tie.

Jonny Lomax back to give them a real edge.

The only other all-Super League tie sees

place for the Saints, and they will need some

Leeds Rhinos at home to Castleford Tigers

of their injured personnel back on board if

(Friday, 8.30pm). The Tigers recently parted

they hope to progress. History is on their

company with head coach Ian Millward but

side, though, in that they have won the

got a morale-boosting win over Widnes last

Challenge Cup 12 times (the last time in

weekend. They will need to step up another

2008) while Rovers have only carried off the

level if they are to unseat the Rhinos, though.

trophy once – and haven’t made the final since way back in 1986.

But St Helens are struggling up front and

A possible cup upset could come at The Stoop, where London Broncos take on Championship side Featherstone Rovers

at half-back, while the home side are well

(Saturday, 3pm) – a team with Super League

placed in both departments. And what the

ambitions who knocked Castleford out of this

Saints would give for a scrum half of the

competition last year.

44 | April 19 2013 |

Tom Dulat/Getty Images, Mike Egerton/Getty Images

Craven Park has traditionally been a tough

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7 Days Sunday Athletics | Virgin london MArAthon | BBc one 8.30AM

The show goes on The mood around one of the nation's favourite

many of whom will be holding out to get there; and

Half a Mo

sporting events will inevitably be more sombre

then you have Canary Wharf – a quieter part in terms

Much has been made of the fact that Olympic track

than usual on Sunday, as thousands of runners from

of the crowd, and the calm before the final six miles.

hero Mo Farah will be running only the first half of the

the international elite to the everyday jogger

Then you hit Tower Bridge again [mile 23], and come

marathon this year, but Yelling thinks this is a very

congregate in the capital for the London Marathon.

along Embankment – that always felt like the home

wise move for the long term.

Events in Boston on Monday will rightly be to the

straight for me, where the crowd practically carries

forefront of people's minds, but organisers moved

you to the finish line."

"I did exactly the same the year before running London for the first time," she reveals. "It was a great learning curve, and will really help Mo get experience

swiftly to insist that the race would go ahead as planned this weekend – hopefully in part as a fitting

New girl

of the start of the race, the vibe around it and the

tribute to those affected by the blasts.

The 2013 race marks a decade since Paula Radcliffe

preparation you need to go through. That will all

set a world record for the women's marathon that

help him for when he does step up to the marathon

Fast track

still stands – in her absence, though, Yelling sees

distance. He still has some business to do on the

"The London Marathon course itself is one of the

hope for the future. "Paula was an extreme talent,

track, but if he's careful with his training and stays

fastest in the world," says Liz Yelling, who competed

and to have had her in our country in our lifetime was

injury-free, he has another eight to 10 years left

for Great Britain in two Olympic marathons. "Paula

just incredible," she says. "She's inspired a lot of girls,

on the road – and that could be great for British

Radcliffe has run a world record on it, so it must be

I think, but this year we have a great challenger in

distance running."

fairly quick, but for all the runners there are key

Freya Ross. She made her marathon debut in last

landmarks. The little loop featuring the Cutty Sark

year's London Marathon and went on to run at the

If you are going down to watch on the day, visit

[between miles 6 and 7] is usually a really great

Olympics [where she finished 44th]. She's a really

#Mile23, where Lucozade Sport will be fuelling

section for the crowd; Tower Bridge [just short of

promising British runner who will be trying to hang

runners, and a few famous faces will be giving

halfway] is a massive landmark for a lot of people,

on in there with the top international elite."

them an extra boost towards the finish line

Saturday horse rAcing | corAl scottish grAnd nAtionAl | Ayr | chAnnel 4 & rAcing uk 3.50pM

An encore from Auroras?

The 11-year-old, trained in Yorkshire

Saturday, when the Scottish Grand

by Sue Smith and set to be ridden by

National takes place at Ayr. There is

a fit-again Ryan Mania, was second in

a certain buoyancy about jumps racing

the race last year – but he will have to

at the moment, after the success of

carry top weight here after his Aintree

the English equivalent at Aintree a

heroics, and may encounter softer

fortnight ago – and the winner of that

ground than he would like at the

race, Auroras Encore (right), could line

Scottish course. The odds are stacked

up to bid for an historic double that

against him, then, but he's a horse and

hasn't been achieved since the great

doesn't know that. An encore may yet

Red Rum won both races in 1974.

be possible.

46 | April 19 2013 |

Tom Shaw/Getty Images, Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Another marathon of sorts on

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. gy er en d ee n I en h w ls ge e es th I use , ch a om st e th on sy ea d n a ke ta to le p They’re sim . n ru y m on s cu fo is o d to ve a h so all I

Endurance nutrition. Without compromise. scienceinsport.com Twitter Facebook YouTube Available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Boots

7 Days SATURDAY BOXING | NATHAN CLEVERLY v ROBIN KRASNIQI | WEMBLEY ARENA | BOXNATION 7PM

SATURDAY BASKETBALL | NBA PLAYOFFS | SKY SPORTS (DETAILS TBC)

Too hot to handle The NBA playoffs begin on Saturday,

Perhaps the New York Knicks have the

and the main question will be whether

best chance of stopping the Heat – they

anyone can stop the Miami Heat. The

beat them three times during the regular

bookies have them as favourites to be

season, with Carmelo Anthony scoring 50

NBA champions, at odds of just 5/6. They

points in their previous meeting at the

had the second longest winning streak in

beginning of April, and are 9-1 in their

NBA history – winning 27 straight – and in

past 10 games (at the time of going to

the second half of the season they have

press). They face the Boston Celtics in

been virtually unstoppable, losing just

the other confirmed first-round tie.

three times since the end of January.

Theirs is (at the time of writing) one of

Last season’s runners-up, the Oklahoma City Thunder, are second

only two fixtures to be confirmed – they

favourites for the title – but after trading

will take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the

James Harden at the start of this season,

first round more determined than ever,

they are even more reliant on star man

says LeBron James (pictured): “We had

Kevin Durant and were easily beaten in

that feeling [of being champions last

the finals last year (4-1). The LA Lakers

year], and we want it back. That makes us

should scrape into the playoffs, too, but

even more hungry.” James himself is

without the injured Kobe Bryant it will

coming off a season with career highs in

require something special to see them

three-pointers and field goal percentage.

progress beyond the first round.

Warren’s night finally comes It has been a turbulent few months for promoter Frank Warren, but a much-altered Rule Britannia show at Wembley Arena finally takes place this weekend. And topping the bill will be one of Britain’s most underappreciated world title holders: Nathan Cleverly (above).

Cleverly faces Kosovo-born German Robin Krasniqi in the fourth defence of his WBO world light-heavyweight title, in a fight seen by many as a stepping stone to a unification bout between Cleverly and Bernard Hopkins, boxing’s elder statesman. However, after a series of mismatches and less-than-stellar showings from Cleverly, Al Bello/Getty Images, Scott Heavey/Getty Images

the Welshman knows that only a punch-perfect performance will do.

A stacked undercard sees the return of Dereck Chisora, as he looks to get his career back on track against the Argentinian Hector Alfredo Avila following a spate of losses – most recently (and notably) to David Haye. Fireworks can definitely be expected as southpaw Liam Walsh puts his unbeaten record on the line against the talented but unpredictable Scott Harrison.

As is often the case on Warren shows, fans will be treated to a look at the future of British boxing. Young prospects with huge potential such as Frank Buglioni, Mitchell Smith and Gary Corcoran round out what has the potential to be a great night in the ring.

48 | April 19 2013 |

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14 - 15 SEPTEMBER 2013 Take on the Thames Path Challenge. Walk, jog or run either 100 or 50km from Putney to Henley along the famous Thames Path – all in aid of a charity of your choice!

Walk It – An epic endurance walk along the iconic Thames Path – a real test of mental strength and stamina – go at your own pace, with a target time of 12hrs for the 50km or 24hrs for the 100km.

Run / Jog It - step up from a marathon distance with either a 50km ‘Marathon-Plus’ or 100km Ultra Challenge - go further than ever before and set a new personal record.

Enter as an individual, or with a team of friends and colleagues.

Exclusive corporate packages available allowing you to fundraise and support your charity of the year.

T T T IIII T

T I T I T K I T T T K L I I T T T K L I I A T I T G K L T I K T A T I I G K L T I K T W O A T I I I G L T I K T W J O T A N I I I G G A T K T T W O J O A N I I G UN G AW T T W O J O N I I G U A R T I O J O N L I I G G U T A R T T I O J L I K G G G U T A R T I O U L I K G G U T R T UR IIII N KL G NU GT G U K N G N T T TI T

OR

www.thamespathchallenge.com

Extra timE Making the most of your time and money

P62 Something for everyone at the Pick me Up art fair – even an elephant on strings

Watches

Photography by James Lincoln, www.jameslincoln.co.uk

That time has come around once more, when we present you with the very best new watches on the market.

We kick off four themed pages with our pick of timepieces in negative, from Storm going slimline to an iconic piece from Hugo Boss.

First row (L-R): Storm Slim-x xL, £119.99 | www.stormwatches.com; Hugo Boss iconic, £395 | www.bosswatches.co.uk; Braun x Dieter rams, £120 | www.mrporter.com Second row (L-R) : Nooka Zub ZenV 38, £100 | www.urbansurfer.co.uk, rado D-Star rattrapante, £4,425 | www.rado.com; Citizen Stiletto Blade, £399 | www.citizenwatch.co.uk Third row (L-R): meccaniche Veloci Due Valvole, £1,775 | www.djjdistribution.co.uk ; Nixon Newton, £100 | www.nixon.com; Uniform Wares 100 Series, £120 | www.mrporter.com 50 | April 19 2013 |

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Swiss movement, English heart

In 1912 Malcolm Campbell christened his car “Blue Bird� and a legend was born.

More than 100 years later this iconic name continues to challenge for world speed records using futuristic electric vehicles.

Christopher Ward is proud to be Bluebird Speed Records OfďŹ cial Timing Partner and, in celebration, we have released this stunning timepiece in a limited edition of 1,912 pieces.

Extra time Watch Special

First row (L-R): Citizen Royal Marines Commando, £299 | www.citizenwatch.com; Casio GA-1000, £250 | www.hsamuel.co.uk; TW Steel Pilot TW422 45mm, £325 | www.twsteeluk.com Second row (L-R): Bell & Ross BR 01-92 Carbon, £2,950 | www.bellross.com; Nixon Quad, £100 | www.nixon.com; Victorinox Original Chronograph Limited Edition, £395 | 020 7647 9070; Police Raptor, £160 | www.watchshop.com 52 | April 19 2013 |

Military precision

Battle your way into work every morning with one of these top-rate watches, from Citizen’s Royal Marines Commando to the Hamilton Khaki Aviation QNE. If your pockets run deep, you have a fighting chance of being able to afford the Tutima Military NATO Chronograph.

Third row (L-R): Timex Originals Indiglo Weekender, £47.99 | www.watchshop.com; Hamilton Khaki Aviation QNE, £900 | www.hamiltonwatch.com; Rotary Gents White Case, £199 | www.rotarywatches.com; Tutima The Military NATO Chronograph 760-01, £3,520 | www.djjdistribution.co.uk

| 53

Extra time Watch Special

A good vintage

Aim for the classical look with one of these vintage pieces.

The Ball Trainmaster Eternity could help improve your carriage, or you could be a touch more adventurous with the 1967 Rolex Explorer. Sail through life with the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra on your wrist, or just go for the power of the Cartier Tank Americaine. The choice is yours.

Kit

Ultra look It’s a definite first-world problem, but we find it quite hard to watch football in standard definition now. At first it was terrifying – being able to see every crude gesture from the crowd, every gaping furrow in Alan Hansen’s storied brow – but now we’re used to it. We can only imagine what new depths of excitement and terror Toshiba’s new range

Top to bottom:

Top to bottom:

Tissot Visodate, £385 | www.tissotshop.com;

1967 Rolex Explorer,

Cartier Tank Americaine,

£2,000-£2,500 | www.watchesofknightsbridge.com;

£5,500-£6,000 | www.watchesofknightsbridge.com;

OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra,

CK Surround, £185 | 0845 296 2447;

£3,420 | www.omegawatches.com;

Certina Podium Square, £480 | www.certina.com;

Ball Trainmaster Eternity,

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Cinq Aiguilles,

£1,350 | www.roomofluxury.co.uk;

It’s a definite first-world but we find it quite hard to watch football in standardGrand definition At first it was terrifying – being able to see every crude £3,150problem, | www.mauricelacroix.com; Seikonow.

SBGH001, gesture from the crowd, every gaping furrow in Alan Hansen’s storied brow – but now we’re used to it. We can only imagine what new depths of excitement and Dreyfuss & Co Rose Gold Half Skeleton, £5,000 | www.grand-seiko.com; terror Toshiba’s new range of UltraHD televisions will bring, then. The first of their kind Corum to be launched £1,725 | www.dreyfussandco.com Gran Précis, £11,500 | Harrods, 020 7730 1234 50 | April 19 54 5 2013 2013| |

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£100

The Great Evans Cycles Trade-in.

Bring in your old banger this week and we’ll give you up to £100 off a bike from our wide range of famous brands.

evanscycles.com/tradein

eT

Grooming

Thunderball

The snooker starts tomorrow. And if Ian Fleming’s super-agent wouldn’t approve of this selection, we’re sure Nigel ‘00-147’ Bond would

The fragrance

007 Ocean royale

‘Thunderball’ was a term used

by US soldiers to describe the mushroom cloud seen during the testing of atomic bombs, and therefore lends the fourth Bond movie its name. Bond himself never wore cologne, but shoorly he’d find thish hard to reshisht: an invigorating, aquatic fragrance with top notes of lime, aniseed and bergamot, and a heart of teak wood. Base notes of cedar wood and sandalwood are complemented by tonka bean and Jamaican coffee to “harness the dangerous sophistication and masculinity of the world’s favourite secret agent”. So shplash shome on, old shun, and create a thunderball of your own. £25 for 50ml | boots.com

The post-shave lotion lab Series PrO lS all-In-One Face Treatment

The close shave The bluebeards revenge

Bond appears, briefly, with a beard in Die Another Day (take our word for it – for god’s sake don’t watch the film), as he does in Skyfall.

Both soon return to the smooth, sharp-suited stud we know and love – thanks, in Daniel Craig’s case, to the cut-throat razor. Bluebeards’ Shavette (£9.99) will do you the same service, the difference

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between this and a straight razor being the changeable blades.

Prep first with the brand’s luxury Shaving Cream (£9.99 for 100ml) and doubloon bristle Shaving brush (£6.99), then reach for their Post Shave balm (£9.99 for 100ml) with witch hazel and aloe vera to nourish the skin. Then simply look your best in front of anyone who has been expecting you, Mr Bond. bluebeards-revenge.co.uk

Now pay attention, 007, because this Lab Series formula not only instantly soothes and calms the look of redness and irritation from shaving while potent moisturisers restore moisture back to your skin – it also leaves you with a shine-free appearance and, over time, helps diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. So no matter how long you’ve been kicking villains’ backsides and saving the world, a dab or two of this and you can return to any poker game as unruffled as you left it – without the wrinkles of Roger Moore. £22 for 50ml | labseries.co.uk

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THE LENGTHS WE GO TO

21 STORES NATIONWIDE AND AT HIGHANDMIGHTY.CO.UK

eT

gadgets

THe gADgeTS yoU’re Looking For

Revamp your spare time. Because, once you show your friends your new Star Wars phone case, you’re going to have a lot more of it

Sony Bravia W900A

Bravia TVs offer ‘colour like no other’, and we can’t think of a better way to put that to the test than with Barcelona’s horrific away kit. As well as doing that... er, justice, the W900A includes a wi-fi connection and punchy audio.

Available for pre-order from £1,400 | store.sony.com

ASUS FonePad

Ever wished you could make a phone call from your tablet?

Well now you can, with the FonePad – a seven-inch Android tablet that, unlike most similar offerings, includes the ability to make phone calls. Not to be confused with the ASUS PadFone, which is (actually) a different product entirely. £180 | amazon.co.uk

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Philips Soundbar HTL5120

This isn’t, as we first thought, a high-tech vuvuzela. It’s actually something much better – sit it under your TV and this integrated sub-woofer will boost your bass without taking up space. Your home entertainment system will sound so good that watching African football on it will be almost unbearable. Brrzzzz! £250 | John Lewis stores from

Samsung DA-F60 Speaker

NFC technology like that found in your Oyster card makes it easy to pair this wireless speaker with all the latest smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth and wi-fi. We also tried tapping our contactless bank card on it, but it just played the ‘wrong answer’ buzzer noise from Family Fortunes. Upsetting. £249 | johnlewis.com, from May

Star Wars iPhone 5 Cases

Let’s face it – if you’re not already geeking out over this, nothing we can write here is going to convince you. So we’ll only add one thing – the Chewbacca case has a coating of ‘real’ Wookie fur. All the other phones will make fun of yours, of course, but it’s a small price to pay. Easy, Chewy. £20 | firebox.com

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Extra time Lauren Vickers

Pretty polymath picdesk.com

W

hen last we brought you model, Playmate and MotoGP grid girl Lauren Vickers, she was engaged to MotoGP Power Electronics Aspar rider Randy de Puniet. In other words, there was still some hope.

Our wildest dreams were, however, crushed (they always are) last December, when she mystifyingly said ‘I do’ to the handsome 32-year-old French action man. That’s the bad news.

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The good news is that ol‘ ‘Legz’ here (she’s still 5ft 11ins) remains something of a polymath.

As the lady herself explains: “Fashion. Beauty. Glamour.

Motorsport. TV presenting. Charity.

Spokesmodelling. I do it all, and I love every minute of my work.”

So, aside from the marriage snafu, what – we ask you – is not to like?

Apart from the spokesmodelling.

We’re not really sure what that actually is.

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ET

Entertainment

A GOOd dAy TO dyE HArd

The White House comes under attack – not for the last time this year – and there’s T-shirt printing at Somerset House

Film

Exhibition

Pick Me Up Graphic Arts Festival

Olympus Has Fallen

If films about one man’s mission to stop terrorists who have taken over the White House are your thing, 2013 is shaping up nicely. Channing Tatum’s White House Down arrives later in the year, but first the duty of protecting the home of the leader of the free world falls to Gerard Butler. The president, played by Aaron Eckhart, is kidnapped and held hostage by North Korean gunslingers who kill a bunch of people, take over the presidential hangout and demand missile

Music

Stepping Out Anthony Strong

Not since Jamie Cullum burst on to the scene have jazz and mainstream seemed such natural bedfellows, but Anthony Strong’s second album mixes classic jazz and upbeat swing to create an ideal soundtrack for long summer evenings. BB King called Strong’s work “real great music”, and who are we to argue?

Out now

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In addition to showcasing and selling original artworks, this fair at London’s Somerset House offers plenty of variety beyond the usual ‘old painting on wall’ format. Whether it’s 3D models, Modern Toss comics, interactive T-shirt printing or playing with claymation gurus Aardman (of Wallace & Gromit fame), something is bound to pique your interest. And, with tickets at just £8, they’ve done a cracking good job, Gromit!

Open until April 28

launch codes – all of which is somehow related to reuniting North and South Korea. Cue Secret Service agent Butler – who, out to redeem his prior failings, sneaks in and takes out the terrorists one by one. But if you’re thinking Die Hard in the Oval Office, you’re wrong.

Director Antoine Fuqua insists they’re nothing alike (spoiler alert: they are).

The worryingly timely plot has all the explosions and cheesy lines you’d expect, except one: Yippee-ki-yay, Mr President.

Out today

Book

My Criminal World Henry Sutton

David Slavitt has a strained marriage, a pushy editor and an agent who thinks his writing needs more violence. But the issues for the protagonist in Henry Sutton’s literary crime novel really begin when his latest story starts intertwining with his life – leaving him to question what’s real and what’s fiction.

Out now

Book

Music

Edgeland Karl Hyde

The Underworld lead makes his solo debut with a nine-track album he says was inspired by cityscapes and hidden corners.

Cut Clouds is the standout track, but the album’s full of percussion-light and deliberately crescendoing treats. “Shouting lager lager lager” seems a very long time ago now.

Out Monday

The Prisoner of Heaven Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The third in the Daniel Semperenarrated series takes us back to the atmospheric Barcelona backstreets and bookshops that Zafon so wonderfully creates, as the Spanish author interweaves narratives to explore another mystery long thought lost among the pages of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.

Out now

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