Sport magazine 318

Issue 318 | August 16 2013

Contents

18

Issue 318, August 16 2013 Radar 05 Legendary images Stunning artwork – a new piece every day – of some of the greatest footballers of our times

06 Ledley King On having dogs named after him, what Edgar Davids said, and why he won’t play for our office team

08 Aussie rules Take a player from youth level all the way to Test match glory in Don Bradman Cricket 14 oFeatures this coming week

18

Jack Wilshere English football’s brightest young talent is ready for action after a gruelling battle for fitness

27 Nathan Cleverly The Welsh fighter on silencing the doubters ahead of his world title clash with Sergey Kovalev

30 The Ashes We look at the greatest individual Ashes performances in history.

Sorry Ian Bell, you’re not there yet

06

30

27

38 Premier League It’s back! All of this week’s matches previewed in our inimitable style

Extra Time 44 Gadgets

Cover: Antonio Petronzio. This page: Paul Gilham/Getty Images, Hamish Blair/Getty Images, Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

Three brand new mini smartphones.

Who says size doesn’t matter?

46 Kit All 20 Premier League kits, lined up next to each other. Shirt porn

48 Grooming Bulldog gets the London look as we scrub up like we’re starring in our own romantic comedy. We all do it

52

52 Entertainment Denzel Washington and Marky Mark Wahlberg in 2 Guns: up against bad guys and marauding cattle | August 16 2013 | 03

Radar

p06 – Ledley King turns down a spot on Sport’s 5-a-side team

p08 – A set of classic sporting reads, reprinted for the summer

Living legends W

ith some big names potentially on their way out of England, there’s a chance for some new players to establish themselves as Premier League legends when it all kicks off again this weekend. It’s an important season right across Europe – with the World Cup on the horizon, good performances are vital for those who want to make the trip to Brazil.

At theworldcupdraw.tumblr.com, illustrator Davey Blackett has been counting down to Rio by drawing a notable player each day, including the selection of Premier League and global stars featured here.

Buy prints, from $17 + postage, at society6.com/theworldcupdraw

| August 16 2013 | 05

Radar

ledley king one-kneed spurs legend

e caught up with former Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King, who in retirement works as a club ambassador.

W

Fans still sing your name at White Hart Lane, albeit referencing your injury, but how far has a fan gone to show their affection for you?

“There have been a few nice things, like people being given middle names or naming their dogs [Ledley]... which I think is a compliment!”

Harry Redknapp described you as a freak for your ability to play without training, but what’s the best compliment you’ve had from a pro?

“Edgar Davids said something that really stood out for me [‘Left and right foot perfect, fast, almost never made a foul. Technically, he is so gifted’] It was really nice to hear, because you just have to think about the players he has played with and the teams Edgar has been involved in.”

Tottenham have created their own interactive children’s game, Turfies.

Was a young Ledley into video games?

“I always played computer games when I was a kid, but they took a bit longer to load back then. With

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Action replay

06 | August 16 2013 |

Turfies, kids can swap things like cards with their friends virtually.”

What about swapping stickers – did you complete any albums?

“Yeah, football stickers were a big part of growing up – and they still are popular with kids, I think.

I managed to finish a few albums.”

Who did you pretend to be on the playground when you were growing up?

“Depends on what was working at the time. Sometimes it was Paul Gascoigne or John Barnes – and I was also Ronaldo, the Brazilian one, when I was a bit older. They were always attacking players.”

Sport is looking for an extra player for its five-a-side team. Interested?

“If I could still play five-a-side, then I’d probably still be playing some football. But I haven’t kicked a ball for a while. If that changes, then I’ll let you know.”

Damian Mannion @damian_mannion

Tottenham Turfies is the world’s first fully interactive children’s game created and developed by a football club. Tottenhamturfies.com

oads of apps seek to ‘gamify’ life, awarding you points for completing mundane activities such as going to the shops, doing your laundry, or even getting dressed in the morning. Trace (the circular thing to your left) is a new device seeking funding on crowdsourcing website Kickstarter – it applies that same concept to surfing, skating and snowboarding, and will be able to tell you how many tricks you’ve successfully pulled off, and compare your score to others with the app. Radical!

Search ‘Trace’ on kickstarter.com

L

Radar

Sporting stories S

another cricket game

ix classic sports books are getting reprinted as part of the Aurum Sports Classics collection, with more to come in 2014.

The pick of quality sportswriting from the past century, they’re a far cry from Theo Walcott’s Growing Up Fast.

The Football Man, Arthur Hopcraft.

A fascinating collection of characters around English football in the 1960s.

A Social History of English Cricket, Sir Derek Birley. Well-observed, it tells the story of cricket as ‘ritualised conflict’.

Bluebird and the Dead Lake, John Pearson. Donald Campbell tries for the land speed record in the Aussie wild.

How We Beat the All Blacks, John Reason. Interviews key figures from the Lions 1971 Tour win in New Zealand.

The Boys of Summer, Roger Kahn.

Baseball tome about the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1950s was voted one of the greatest sports books of all time.

The Hurt Business. A collection that delves into boxing’s dark side.

From £10, amazon.co.uk

F

ittingly for the most sedate of sports, the second cricket game to be announced this year is also sauntering in from lunch too late to be released during this Ashes series. Don Bradman Cricket 14 should be out in time for the action down under, mind. It lacks the official licence, but features a unique control system and career mode in which you take a player from youth level to Test glory.

Out this year on 360, PS3 and PC

08 | August 16 2013 |

Radar Editor’s letter On top of the world: Ohuruogu savours her 400m victory on Monday www.sport-magazine.co.uk @sportmaguk facebook.com/sportmagazine

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Ohuruogu laps it up Gold at the World Athletics Championships rounds off a magic Monday for British sport

S Acting editor Tony Hodson @tonyhodson1

In part, that reflected the incredible level of performance attained by our Olympians – in a golden fortnight, silver was always going to leave you as a bridesmaid of sorts. But the lack of fanfare around Ohuruogu also reflected her standing – or relative lack of it – in the hearts of the public. In an era of increasing success for British athletics, the 29-yearold has never captured the imagination quite like Jess Ennis-Hill, the golden girl with the golden smile, or Mo Farah, whose tale of arriving on these shores as an eight-year-old boy with barely a word of English will never cease to compel.

Perhaps, too, we struggle to forget the missed (note: not failed) drugs tests that saw her banned for a year in 2006.

Those who know her describe Ohuruogu as a thoughtful and intelligent character – she has a degree in linguistics from UCL – with a dizzy side that can amuse and infuriate in equal measure. But she is also a dedicated and powerful athlete who understands the rhythm of the 400m, a truly brutal event, better than any of her adversaries. This is

why she refuses to panic when others surge by her in the first 200m, and why she has a pleasing habit of winning her races, as she did on Monday evening, in the very last stride.

As a result, Ohuruogu is now the only British woman to be in possession of two gold medals at world level. Chuck in the Olympic gold she won in Beijing in 2008, and she deserves to be recognised as one of the all-time greats of British athletics. We should enjoy her while we can.

While Ohuruogu was racing to gold in Moscow, Stuart Broad was ripping through the Australians in Durham. It’s easy for critics to find fault with Broad and his teammates – they push the boundaries of sportsmanship, they score too slowly, they behave arrogantly – but England have just won the Ashes, and are on the verge of beating the Aussies to nil for the first time in my lifetime. All in all, I’ll take that.

Colour reproduction: Rival Colour Ltd Printed by: Wyndeham Group Ltd © UTV Media plc 2013 UTV Media plc takes no responsibility for the content of advertisements placed in Sport magazine £1 where sold Hearty thanks to: Duncan Ross, Simon Bayliff, Richard Maynard

Cracking series of tweets from Lee Westwood on Monday morning, biting back at the trolls giving him abuse in the wake of a poor final round at the PGA Championship.

Westwood later apologised for his rant, which was a shame – watching him slam the buffoons was a lot of fun.

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Brilliant article by

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Man Utd’s transfer activity

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damage to Liverpool.

I’ll spear tackle!

saga #knowyourhistory @rishkin82

10 | August 16 2013 |

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uch was the boundless British joy surrounding Super Saturday at London 2012 last summer, that the brave silver medal won by Christine Ohuruogu just 24 hours later passed by largely unnoticed.

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Radar Opinion

It’s like this…

Bill Borrows

Flats on Friday

Paula Lewis

A

Your real season preview

I

t’s finally happening, Brian, and this weekend you will be drowning in football supplements. For legal reasons, they will all have to list the players in and out (should save some ink with Manchester United), the player to watch and, of course, a prediction as to where your club might finish.

Because they are so predictable, we can safely assume that the majority of the London media are going to go for Chelsea to win it and will cite the ‘Mourinho factor’ – although why a man with the riches of Croesus at his disposal, yet who still failed to win La Liga by 15 points, should propel a team that scraped into the top three to title glory just because he has a nice smile is anybody’s guess.

Southern rags in the press will tip United because they have no real reason to support the team – other than the suspiciously familiar ‘I started supporting them when they were in the Second Division’ – and consequently have to impress their unswerving loyalty upon anyone they might meet in the Prawn Sandwich Suite at Old Trafford.

Those who actually know their football will go for Manchester City and, somewhere, one deluded soul will plump for Arsenal. Sad really, but let that not concern us here (for the record, the top four will be City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal – in that order).

Anyway, these are the predictions you need to be writing down ahead of the new season. So get on this lot and I’ll see you on the other side...

12 | August 16 2013 |

• An inebriated young lady will do ‘An Erica Roe’ (ask your dad) at Goodison Park in February and kick-start a trend for female streakers that outrages The Daily Express – who, naturally, produce a full-colour supplement and poster to catalogue their disapproval.

• Born-Again bibliophile Joey Barton will discover L Ron Hubbard, join the Church of Scientology and write a self-help book with John Travolta. He will later be arrested by the FBI after the Grease star goes missing, before being released after the latter is found fast asleep in a cupboard at Tom Cruise’s house.

• In March, an octogenarian will pass away in the lounge of a rest home in Walsall while listening to Michael Owen attempt to complete a sentence without saying ‘erm’.

Another will die of a heart attack in Hartlepool after the former Stoke striker is unintentionally amusing.

• Sam Allardyce will quit football in November to replace Tom Jones on The Voice. Will.i.am says it is really nothing.

• A visiting team will win a penalty at Old Trafford.

• Crystal Palace will beat Tottenham 4-1 in their first game of the season and, technically, go top for less than 24 hours. Ian Holloway is pictured partying with Sherrie Hewson off of Loose Women, but a scandal is averted when it transpires he is actually performing the Heimlich manoeuvre while wearing cycling shorts.

• England will fail to qualify for the World Cup, and in Chelmsford three England fans will attempt in vain to look for a car made in Montenegro to vandalise.

Eventually, they will ‘key’ a Skoda because it is the most foreign-sounding car available. @billborrows

s far as I know, what we now call a sportsperson’s testimonial doesn’t much resemble the testimonial of yesteryear. In the olden days, footballers would take part in a game staged in their honour after years of loyal service to the badge.

They would invite players past and present, and the game would be played with an accommodating spirit.

Fans would flock to watch old take on new and, of course, to say goodbye to the tired old hero. With the match done, said veteran would receive the gate receipts – a gesture designed to smooth the transition into the real world.

Things are different now. Testimonials are no longer a single match; they generally consist of a series of events spread apart over the course of a year, and they are big business. Or, at least, they were. Believe it or not, I am in the midst of my own testimonial year, and it’s a complicated affair. With financial controls (rightly) tightening around luxuries such as hospitality, city types can no longer just expense tables for thousands of pounds. With things unlikely to slacken up any time soon, I can honestly see the testimonial year dying out.

While it survives, though, it does so as a charitable pursuit – so a chairman assembles a committee to run the events on behalf of the player and their chosen charities. Many a committee has flogged the concept in the past, but mine will not. We have three events, and this is primarily because they cringe at the thought of the same attendees – and, therefore, contributors – being effectively rinsed in my name.

Key to success is to support charities that actually mean something to you, and to think of original events.

My beloved little brother has Down’s Syndrome, so I will support the Down’s Syndrome Association after all they have given him over the years. A close friend who also happens to be the man who saved my rugby career – twice – helps a charity called The Burned Children’s Club, which does incredible stuff with kids whose lives have been all but destroyed by fire. Google them, and you will cry at your desk. And Help for Heroes will get my support, for obvious reasons. Many of the injured soldiers I’ve met through rugby rank among the most inspirational characters I have encountered. They are all, in their own ways, national treasures.

As for the events, the next big one is in October in London, and it’s a punch-up. Danny Grewcock, English rugby’s most violent man (and also my best mate), will fight Justin Harrison, the Australian lock forward most famous for being called ‘Plank’ by Austin Healey. Oh, and Austin will be Danny’s cornerman, naturally. Frankly, whether it’s my testimonial or not, I need to see that.

But why are they fighting? Because they’re good blokes who are willing to put themselves on the line for these amazing charities, all of whom need our help.

Feel free to lend your support. And, if you have a few on the night and fancy it, I’m sure we can arrange a couple of rounds with Grewcock for the right price… @davidflatman

For information, go to davidflatmantestimonial.com

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Frozen in time

16 | August 16 2013 |

| 17

Julian Finney/Getty Images

A tip of the hat to Wayne C Davis The Second in lane five, who started this 110m hurdles heat at the World Athletics Championships as if someone had fired the starting pistol up his backside.

Still, proving the Christine Theory that it doesn’t matter where you are until you cross the line, Wayne C Davis The Second was aptly named – he was beaten by eventual silver-medallist Ryan Wilson (lane seven) by one one-hundredth of a second. A faster version of hare and tortoise.

More haste, etc etc

Jack Wilshere

Starting strong As the Premier League kick-off draws ever nearer, Jack Wilshere is fully fit and focused on bringing the good times – and trophies – back to Arsenal k Photography by Antonio Petronzio

18 | August 16 2013 |

Jack Wilshere

E

ver since Jack Wilshere left the field after just seven minutes of Arsenal’s pre-season match against New York Red Bulls in July 2011, having picked up a

knock that initial scans showed to be a ‘minor ankle injury’, he has been locked in a battle against his own body. It was a battle he thought he’d won when, 15 months after the initial injury – eventually diagnosed as a stress fracture – he was back in an Arsenal shirt and making his first senior appearance for the club in 524 days. But it turned out to be little more than a ceasefire. By the end of last season, Wilshere was under the surgeon’s knife again – and forced into combat once more.

He’s four weeks into pre-season when Sport meets him at the Luton Hoo Hotel – a vast estate on the outskirts of Hertfordshire, where the serving of high tea proves to be a useful distraction from the arrival of one of the hottest properties in English football. Dressed casually in jeans and a plain white tee, Wilshere strolls through the lounge area attracting little more than a lingering look from guests with more pressing matters on their minds: jam then cream on the scone, or cream then jam? One can never quite decide.

Take two His day so far has consisted of a single training session – something for which the midfielder is thankful, because it comes sandwiched between two days of gruelling double sessions that combine fitness work and agility drills with more technical exercises. Not that Wilshere is complaining.

“I finally feel like I’m up to speed with everyone else. I’m feeling ready” “It’s the first time I’ve had a full pre-season in two years,” he says. “We’ve done a lot of strength and power training, and I finally feel like I’m up to speed with everyone else. I’m feeling ready.”

And the ankle? Wilshere glances down at the right leg that has been so troublesome for the past two years. “It was bothering me towards the end of last season, when I was on the bench a bit,” he says. “I needed to get a run of games for me to feel better, and I just couldn’t get going. But I had an operation at the start of this summer, to take out the screws I had put in and replace them with screws that don’t have a head, so it should hopefully be better now. For good.”

Frustration has been the buzzword for Arsenal supporters unhappy with the team’s inconsistent form in recent seasons, but it’s one that Wilshere can relate to on a very personal level, too.

“The original injury feels like it was a really long time ago,” he explains. “Because when you’re injured and you’re not doing what you love, it’s horrible and the time just drags. It was the first time I had to have surgery on an injury, too. > 20 | August 16 2013 |

Jack Wilshere

“I never, ever questioned whether I would play football again – I always knew I would”

So when I heard I needed an operation, it felt like it was really serious. And I suppose it was.

“Going through that whole process of rehabilitation and physio work was really eye-opening, though. Before, you might have seen injured players in the gym and thought: ‘Oh, they’re not working that hard.’ But it makes you realise that that isn’t true. You have to work hard, keep your fitness up and do the work the physios set you... otherwise you won’t come back as strong.”

The birth of his son Archie came just three days after Wilshere’s surgery for the initial injury, in September 2011. It was, he says, the perfect distraction from the monotony of the repetitive rehab regime: ice, sit, ice, sit. Repeat ad nauseam.

“He sort of kept me going,” says Wilshere, a warm smile inevitably appearing as he talks about his son. “When I was unable to do things and had all that time off, instead of sitting there doing nothing, I was with my son and could get to know him a bit.

So many footballers are away when their kids are born, so I was lucky in that sense. Does he take 22 | August 16 2013 |

after me? People do say he’s a bit like me in the way he walks and runs, even though he’s not quite two yet. And he’s kicking a ball now – but he’s kicking with his right foot, which is a bit different.

The temper tantrums have just started as well, so he can get angry easily. But it’s never for very long.”

The fear The rehab process is one most players have to endure at some point during their careers – and fathering a child isn’t the right solution for everyone – but Wilshere is one of the unfortunate few for whom the journey from operating room to dressing room has involved more detours, delays and random red lights than a trip on the London Underground.

“It’s hard, especially when, like me, you have a few setbacks,” he admits. “They’re probably the worst thing you can have. You work towards a target, and then all of a sudden you’re out for longer.

“You’re seeing all the boys going out to train and it’s just so frustrating. Is it hard to stay motivated?

Sometimes, but you just have to get your head down and do it, because if you don’t you’re not going to come back as strong.”

Wilshere’s last few words begin to reveal the fear that gnawed away at him throughout his time on the sidelines – one that must enter the brain of every injured player at one stage of their rehab: will I ever be the same player again?

“I never ever questioned whether I would play football again – I always knew I would,” he says.

“But you do question whether you’re going to come back to the same level you were at when you left. The game is always moving forward – it’s getting quicker, and the players are getting more aggressive.

“So when you’re out of the game for as long as I was, you start to question that. And that’s the tough bit, you know, because you can see other players getting better and better while you’re stuck in the gym. All you want is to be out there on the pitch improving, but you can’t. Mentally it’s really hard, especially when you’re 18, 19 or 20 years old. Because that’s when you’re > Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

Jack Wilshere learning the game and always improving. So to miss out on so much of that time was tough.”

But Wilshere has spent much of his young life dreaming of playing for Arsenal – ever since he joined the club’s academy as a fiercely determined nine-year-old in October 2001 and set his sights on joining Arsène Wenger’s squad of Invincibles.

It was never something he was going to give up without one heck of a fight.

Seasonal turbulence Returning to first-team action in October 2012, Wilshere was immediately thrust into another battle, as Arsenal looked to bounce back from two straight defeats. He was told by Arsene Wenger at 10.30am on the morning of the game against Queens Park Rangers that he would be in the starting XI, with the Arsenal manager reasoning: “Sometimes I think it is better that you don’t have much time to think about it when you have been out for a long time.” Wilshere emerged unscathed from 67 minutes of combative football, and the Gunners were back to winning ways thanks to a late winner from Mikel Arteta.

But, as the season progressed, the Gunners found themselves knocked out of one competition after another – and slipping further down the league table. A 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in March

left Arsenal seven points behind their bitter local rivals, with many feeling the balance of power in north London had shifted away from the Emirates towards the Seven Sisters Road. Was there a feeling among the players that they had been written off too early?

“That happens every year, I think,” says Wilshere defiantly. “Even this year, I’ve been reading things like: ‘Arsenal aren’t title contenders.’ But we’ve had that for years. We feel we have a great squad, as we showed towards the end of last season, when we went 11 games unbeaten [after losing that game at Tottenham]. So if we can reproduce that form, then we have a chance. When we had to get the results, we went out there and got them. And that’s what we need to take into this season.”

There is no doubting this is a crucial season for the club, with that trophy-related statistic bound to drag along behind the team until some silverware finds its way into the Emirates trophy cupboard.

“We understand the fans’ frustration, because we care as well,” says Wilshere. “Arsenal used to be a team that won everything, you know – trophies and titles. But now we haven’t won anything for eight years, so we know what we have to do. It’s time to start producing trophies and being closer to the top of the league at the end of the season.

We don’t just want to be fighting for fourth place – we want to be up there with the likes of Chelsea,

“Arsenal’s too good not to be winning trophies” One more year: Wilshere sinks to his haunches as Arsenal go down 1-0 to Blackburn in last season’s FA Cup

Manchester City and Manchester United. We feel we’re good enough to be there.

“Last season, we lost games in cup competitions in which we could have been there at the end.

We lost against Bradford away [in the League Cup] and Blackburn at home [in the FA Cup]. We should never be losing games like that. But this year we have to get over that, grow up a bit and realise that we need a trophy – Arsenal’s too good not to be winning trophies. We’ll be in four competitions this year. We know we have to win one of them.”

In the mix While little has changed in the Arsenal bubble since the end of last season, little has remained the same among the rest of the so-called ‘big four’.

The managerial departures at Manchester United, City and Chelsea leave Wenger as the longest serving manager in the country – one statistic that Wilshere is hoping could give Arsenal an edge in the title race this season.

“Time will tell, but sometimes players don’t get on with new managers, or they come in and change things [which doesn’t sit well with the players],” he says. “It will be interesting to see what happens – hopefully it will mix a few things up.”

Wilshere admits to being shocked when he heard news of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement from the game, just like the rest of the football world.

And, when it comes to the endless stream of transfer rumours that spend the summer months being angrily denied, refuted and rebuffed (before becoming reality in the days leading up to September 1), he says the players are no more enlightened than the rest of us.

“I suppose we’re a bit like the fans, we just see it on Sky Sports News or read it in the paper,” he insists. “We get excited like a fan if we see the likes of Luis Suárez – who has been mentioned – linked with the club. He’s a world-class player, so of course you get excited, and the boys would be excited, too. But who knows what will happen?

Are we the last ones to know when a deal is done?

I suppose we are – no one really wants to ask the boss what’s going on.”

Wilshere laughs as he imagines how Wenger would react to a group of excited players joining the media throng in quizzing him on the possible incomings at Arsenal. But he knows that, when Arsenal kick off their season against Aston Villa at the Emirates tomorrow afternoon, the Gunners squad as it currently stands will need to be united in their determination to bring success back to the club.

“I’m ready now,” he says, fixing us with a steely stare. “And if the boss wants me to play 40 or 50 games this season, then I’m ready to do that.”

Sarah Shephard @sarahsportmag

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Jack Wilshere is represented by Wasserman. Follow him @JackWilshere. With thanks to Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa Mansion House, Bedfordshire: 01582 734 437.

Visit www.lutonhoo.co.uk for packages and offers

extra iPad content

24 | August 16 2013 |

Download the free Sport iPad app for our exclusive video of Wilshere on his Arsenal teammates and playing for England

Ready foR the KRusheR

Nathan Cleverly

Ahead of the biggest test of his career against Sergey Kovalev, Nathan Cleverly says he’s relishing his underdog status

N

Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

athan Cleverly had a point to make.

After his WBO light-heavyweight title defence against 30-year-old Russian Sergey ‘Krusher’ Kovalev was announced, Cleverly chose to retweet the wildly varying feedback he’d been sent by boxing fans – including several messages predicting his brutal demise. You might assume that a boxer doing that would be trying to show up the doubters – perhaps even to stick his Twitter followers on to them – but the Welshman had rather purer motives.

“It was a matter of respecting people’s opinions,” he says evenly. “I was recognising the fans who supported me, but I was also respecting the people who are banking on Kovalev. Because it shows that people know how dangerous this fight is. It was a matter of illustrating to the public that, listen: this guy is the real deal. He may not be a household name, but he can fight and he’s a serious, destructive puncher. So it was a matter of getting that message out there.”

Cleverly doesn’t talk with any hint of bitterness, yet for an unbeaten British boxer with an alphabet title around his waist, he hasn’t yet enjoyed the national acclaim given to Amir Khan, Carl Froch or David Haye.

“It has been frustrating,” he admits.

“I’ve been slightly inactive over the past few years. Winning the big fights gets you a lot more credit, a lot more financial gain – and it is something I’ve wanted to do. But trying to nail down one of those fights can be difficult, so it was important that I kept winning in the meantime.” > | August 16 2013 | 27

Nathan Cleverly Winning is all Cleverly has done in his 26 professional fights, but his two-year title reign began in unsatisfactory fashion when then-champion Jürgen Brähmer was unable to defend his belt because of legal problems.

He was stripped of the title and it was awarded to Cleverly. Since then, Cleverly has taken the unbeaten record of Liverpool’s light-heavyweight contender Tony Bellew, but in general opponents pulling out and fights falling through has been a mark of his title reign. Few of these events were Cleverly’s fault, but he seemed in danger of being more famous for the fact that he’s a boxer with a BSc in Maths (from Cardiff University) than for his in-ring achievements. Cynics even labelled him ‘Nathan Cleverly-matched’ – but there’s no doubt that this weekend, he takes on a genuine threat.

From russia with gloves

Sergey Kovalev came fairly late to the paid ranks after 200+ amateur fights, but since turning professional at the age Cleverly is now, 26, his progress has been astonishing.

Of his 21 wins (against one technical draw and no losses), 19 have been knockouts – with a remarkable 18 of those coming in the first three rounds of a contest.

“His strength is his KO punch power, no doubt,” Cleverly says openly. “He’s very dangerous early on. But he hasn’t done a lot of 12-round fights, unlike myself, so that could be his downfall.”

While it’s true that Cleverly’s experience in going the full 12 rounds five times, not to mention his workrate (he threw more than 1,000 punches in his last fight) are big advantages, they’ve not been enough to convince the bookies. Despite the fight taking place in Cardiff, Kovalev starts as a narrow favourite. Cleverly insists it doesn’t bother him one bit: “The pressure has always been on me in the past as I’ve always been the favourite. Now someone else has the expectation of winning. That can help my performance, because I can go in slightly

Back to his best: Cleverly defends his WBO lightheavyweight title against Robin Krasniqi at Wembley in April

Saturday NathaN Cleverly v Sergey Kovalev | MotorpoiNt areNa, Cardiff | BoxNatioN SKy ChaNNel 437, virgiN ChaNNel 546 7pM Saturday daNiel geale v darreN BarKer | revel reSort, atlaNtiC City | SKy SportS 1 2aM

more relaxed – not so tensed-up, really. It’s a situation I’m enjoying.”

One of the reasons the Russian is favourite is that while Cleverly is a fine boxer with speed and height (he looks taller than his listed 6ft 2ins), he is prone to getting hit too often. Against a chilling puncher like Kovalev, that could be disastrous.

“This guy hits very hard and very accurate, so allowing him to land free shots on my chin is not really an option,” Cleverly says. “In the past, I’ve opened up and been a bit reckless, because I knew I had a great chin to back it up. But you can’t take that for granted.

One punch could change this fight. It’s important that I don’t give him any free shots, keep it nice and tight. I may have to weather the storm early, but when I get through that, then I can apply my gameplan.”

CyniCs and haters

He’s getting plenty of positive attention for this fight. But, in his heart, does Cleverly feel stung by a lack of recognition from

boxing fans? He answers after a long pause: “I suppose… yeah, over the past couple of years, I’ve not got the recognition. Partly I can understand that because I haven’t had the big fights that I’ve wanted, but that’s through no fault of my own. I can only beat the fighters in front of me at the time. Also, in the past couple of fights, I’ve looked back to my best again. Bit by bit, the cynics and the haters are gradually fading away. But they were great motivators for me as well.”

Cleverly is quick to mention the example set by his friend and compatriot Joe Calzaghe, who held the WBO super-middleweight title for many years before finally getting marquee match-ups later in his career.

“It’s been very similar,” he says. “It took Joe an awful long time to get established and to get those big fights – and it’s worked that way up until now for me. But fortunately we’ve got this Kovalev fight, which I feel is the breakthrough. This is the game-changer.

Win this and there’s no doubt the only way forward is those big super-fights. The likes of [veteran American legend] Bernard Hopkins will be there for me then.”

Before that, Cleverly admits he’s in for the toughest test of his professional career. It’s a challenge he’s relishing.

“It’s gonna be two guys not willing to take a backward step,” he says, smacking his lips.

“Kovalev fights on the front foot. He’s going to be letting big punches go, trying to assert his power and authority. But I won’t be willing to give ground. I’m going to do whatever I can to break this guy up. Having two guys who are willing to will stand and fight means it’ll give the fans a great, entertaining fight.

There will be big shots landing throughout.

This is gonna be so exciting while it lasts.”

Alex Reid @otheralexreid Six months for the price of five offer: get a free month of viewing and free registration when you subscribe to BoxNation with code: FREEBOXING (available to Sky TV customers subscribing online for £10 per month. The 6th consecutive month is free. Offer ends August 31). www.boxnation.com

I

n the wee hours of Sunday morning, another Brit goes into a career-defining clash as a narrow underdog. Barnet’s Darren Barker has much in common with his Australian opponent in Atlantic City, Daniel Geale. Both are classy, polished boxers. Geale is, at 32 years old, a year older than Barker, and has a 29-1 win-loss record to Barker’s 26-1. However, Geale possesses the IBF middleweight belt... it’s this that Barker would dearly love to wrestle from his grasp.

Injuries have plagued Barker, but he claims to be in peak condition now – and he’s facing a more beatable

28 | August 16 2013 |

opponent than in 2011, when he put up a worthy showing against athletic Argentine Sergio Martinez (he was stopped in the 11th round).

Since then, Barker has shown greater spite in his finishing, stopping two different opponents in four rounds to set up this clash. Geale has fast hands and, like Barker, a snappy jab. This even-looking fight represents Barker’s best chance of grabbing a major alphabet title. While it may not have the thrilling factor of the pulverising punch power present in the Cleverly-Kovalev fight, it looks a real nail-biter.

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Barker the live underdog

The Ashes

Individual performances in an A

Warne goes down fighting 2005 It might seem odd to include any performance that featured in an eventually losing cause, but the great leg-spinner’s efforts in his team’s historic demise eight years ago perhaps eclipsed anything else he had produced in one of the iconic Test careers. Forty wickets at an average of 19.92 puts him fifth on the all-time list of wickets in a single Ashes series – but that he took them at the age of 35, his variation rapidly diminishing as wear and tear took their toll on both shoulder and fingers, only serves to underline just how wily this old dog truly was. He also contributed 249 runs with the bat, including an aggressive 42 that almost turned a dramatic Edgbaston Test in his side’s favour. To confirm, though – it didn’t.

30 | August 16 2013 |

Taylor announces himself 1989 Future Aussie captain Mark Taylor arrived in England for the 1989 Ashes as a tyro opener with a Test average of 16.75 from two home matches against the West Indies. A weak link for the English attack to target, perhaps? No way, mate. Taylor hit 136 in his debut Ashes innings at Headingley, made an imperious 219 in the fifth Test at Trent Bridge, and overall contributed 839 runs to his side’s 4-0 romp. To this day, only Don Bradman has scored more for Australia in an Ashes series.

Chubby checks the Aussies 1924/25 During the 1902 Ashes, in his one and only Test, ‘Poor Fred’ Tate put down an easy catch in the deep and was duly blamed for England’s three-run defeat. “I’ve got a little boy who’ll make this up for me,” he reportedly said afterwards. And he was right. Well, almost. More than 20 years on, his son Maurice gave an exhibition display on his first Ashes tour, taking 38 Aussie wickets at 23.18.

No Englishman has taken more in an Ashes series down under... shame his team lost it 4-1.

Ashes series

Earlier this week, Ian Bell became only the third Englishman to score three centuries in an Ashes series on home soil. With that in mind, we’ve delved into the annals to pick out the best 10 individual displays in the history of this age-old rivalry

Hammond wallops the hosts 1928/29 There was little sign of what was to come when Wally Hammond boarded the boat for Australia in the winter of 1928. Eight games into a fledgling Test career, the Gloucestershire batsman had flattered to deceive with four half-centuries – but he went run-crazy in his maiden Ashes series, scoring double-centuries in Sydney and Melbourne before thrashing a ton in each innings of the fourth Test in Adelaide. In total, Hammond hit 905 runs, at an average of 113.12, in a 4-1 win for his team. It remains a record for an England batsman in the Ashes (one unlikely ever to be surpassed), and marks the point at which one of the game’s all-time greats was born.

Hogg stars in a pig’s ear 1978/79

Only three batsmen have registered more than 600 runs in an Ashes series in Australia in almost 40 years – Michael Slater in 1994/95 and the majestic Michael Vaughan (in a losing cause) in 2002/03, who scored 633 runs at 63.30. But the latter misses out on a place on our list to the man who has led England to Ashes glory this summer. Alastair Cook was imperious in 2010/11, hitting an unbeaten 235 in the first-Test victory in Brisbane, and two more centuries in Adelaide and Sydney as England strolled to a 3-1 series win. His 766 runs came in just seven innings and at an average of 127.66 – in Ashes history, second only to a man who is coming up later on...

Tom Shaw/Getty Images, Adrian Murrell/Getty Images, Hulton Archive/Getty Images, William West/AFP/Getty Images, Fox Photos/Getty Images, Central Press/Getty Images

Chef serves up a feast 2010/11

Kerry Packer and his controversial World Series Cricket decimated Australia ahead of the 1978/79 series, and a team led by the overwhelmed and underprepared Graham Yallop were duly thumped 5-1 by an England side skippered by intellect-with-a-bat Mike Brearley. Respect, then, to blonde bombshell Rodney Hogg – the Aussie paceman steamed in all summer, taking 41 wickets at an average of 12.85 and terrorising an elderly Geoffrey Boycott along the way. A quirky soul, Hogg once had his wife delete video footage of him losing his wicket in a Test, saying he did not want his son to think him a coward. >

| 31

The Ashes Top 10 Terry’s all gold 1981

Laker’s flood of wickets 1956 No one in the history of cricket has taken more wickets in a single Ashes series than the 46 Jim Laker snaffled in the heady summer of 1956. The right-arm off-break bowler had already amassed 20 in three Tests when the series moved to Old Trafford – a turning pitch that looked likely to play into the hands of Laker and Tony Lock, the spin partner with whom he famously didn’t get on. That turned out to be the understatement of the cricketing century, as Laker took 19 Australian wickets in a huge England victory – including a full house of all 10 in the tourists’ second innings. “Jim,” asked his Austrian wife upon his return home that evening, “did you do something good today?” He had indeed – to this day, India’s Anil Kumble is the only cricketer to have emulated him in Test cricket.

Should the fourth best individual display in an Ashes series come in a losing team? Possibly not, but it’s hard to ignore the spectacular Ashes bow made by a 25-year-old Terry Alderman in 1981. The Western Australian bowler took nine wickets on his debut at Trent Bridge, as Australia won by four wickets, and continued to wreak havoc even as his side fell apart in the face of a beefy onslaught. Alderman ended the series with 42 wickets, which despite his team’s 3-1 loss is still a record for an Aussie in an Ashes series. Eight years on, he returned to take 41 more in a victorious Australian campaign. In all, 100 of Alderman’s 170 Test wickets came against England. Talk about a specialist.

Adrian Murrell/Getty Images, Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Adrian Murrell/Allsport UK

Botham’s Ashes 1981

If they name the series after you, then the odds are you were pretty good.

There is nothing we can write about Ian Botham’s displays in the summer of 1981 that hasn’t already been written, so we will just remind you that, after two Tests of this Ashes series, Botham relinquished the captaincy with his team 1-0 down. His reign of 12 matches had ended winless, and with him registering a pair of ducks in the second Test at Lord’s. We will then remind you of the 149 not out he bludgeoned at Headingley in the third Test, somehow inspiring an England victory when defeat seemed all but certain; and of his figures of 5/11 in Australia’s second innings in the fourth Test at Edgbaston, where defeat had also seemed likely; and of the brutal 118 he hit in the fifth-Test victory at Old Trafford; and, finally, of the 10-wicket haul he picked up in a draw at the Oval in the sixth Test.

Some would term that ‘a return to form’.

32 | August 16 2013 |

The Don 1930

Donald Bradman did not turn 22 until after the end of the 1930 Ashes in England. He would have quietly enjoyed his birthday celebrations, however, being that he ended the summer on a winning Australian team, and having accumulated 974 runs in five matches, at an average of 139.14. That he scored those runs across just seven innings is staggering in itself; that those seven innings included scores of 8, 1 and 14 even more so, because that means his other four knocks of the summer were, in chronological order: 131 (Trent Bridge); 254 (Lord’s); 334 (Headingley); and 232 (The Oval). Bradman’s achievements with the bat that summer represent the pinnacle of a career that has never been, and probably never will be, matched. The greatest spell in the history of cricket, produced by its greatest exponent.

Tony Hodson @tonyhodson1

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Swansea’s new signing, who already seems to be developing a fruitful partnership with Michu.

He should provide a finishing touch to the end of the Swans’ pretty passing at home and in Europe.

The striker will score a lot of goals from free-kicks and penalties – they all count the same – and should collect some Star Man awards as the Saints march on.

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rafael – man Utd, £5m

| 35

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

AUG 16-AUG 22 HIGHLIGHTS » Football: Premier League » p38 » Rugby Union: The Rugby Championship » p40 » Champions League: Fenerbahce v Arsenal » p40 » Hockey: EuroHockey Championships » p42 » MotoGP: Indianapolis Grand Prix » p42

SaturDaY CRICkET | FRIEnds LIFE T20: FInALs dAy | EdGbAsTon | sky sPoRTs AsHEs 11AM

Judgement day Surrey are one of four teams taking part in

How do you prepare for the challenge of possibly

You’ve got Hampshire in the semi finals, but they

FriendsLife T20 Finals Day at Edgbaston this

playing twice in the space of a few hours?

have beaten you twice in the competition already.

Saturday. So we caught up Vikram Solanki, who

“It’s different – most big games you kind of turn up

Is there a degree of apprehension?

scored 38 off 26 balls in the quarter final to help his

and you prepare yourselves in terms of talking about

“Apprehension would be the wrong word. They’re

team make the finale for the first time since 2006.

the opposition and your role in that specific game.

a good team – they’re the current champions and

With Finals Day, you’ve got to be focused on the first

they’ve had a good campaign throughout this year as

Your captain Gareth Batty is suspended for finals day

game, but also be aware that there’s hopefully going

well. But we’re very confident that we’re a very good

[after an altercation with Somerset’s Peter Trego in

to be a second contest on the same day. It’s a bit

side and we can beat them. We won’t fear any of the

the quarter final]. How big a loss is that?

difficult for me to speak about it, because it’s my first

sides, but we’ll respect them.”

“Obviously it’s a big blow for us. Gareth is going to be

one... but I can imagine those are the challenges.”

a big miss, but we’ve just got to get on with it.”

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Was it gratifying to play such a big role in getting

Schedule

It’s your first crack at Finals Day after missing out

Surrey across the line in that quarter final?

three times in the quarter finals with Worcestershire

“Any game you can contribute towards the team

– are you looking forward to it?

winning is a good one. Through the group stages

Semi finals

“It was disappointing to miss out with Worcestershire,

that’s exactly what all the lads have done – [take]

Northamptonshire v Essex, 11am

but obviously I’m very pleased to have got there in

the skills of Jade Dernbach and Azhar Mahmood with

that first year with Surrey. There’s going to be a

the ball, and the dynamic opening partnership with

fantastic atmosphere and a great deal of support –

Steven Davies and Jason Roy. Zafar Ansari has made

that’s why we play cricket, to play in those big events.”

some great contributions as well.”

36 | August 16 2013 |

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7 Days

Premier League

sunday chelsea v hull city | stamford bridge sky sports 1 4pm

Baptisms of fire dominate the opening weekend, with tricky ties for all three promoted sides. There is also a tough trip for the man replacing The Man saturday swansea v manchester united | liberty stadium | sky sports 1 5.30pm

Referring to their opposition by their correct name is likely to be the biggest stumbling block Chelsea face on Sunday – is it, as their new owner insists, Hull City Tigers yet?

The visitors to Stamford Bridge represent a mere sideshow to José Mourinho’s return and, while we expect the class of Oscar (pictured), Juan Mata and Eden Hazard to signal a comfortable win, it’s the post-match interview that most people will be waiting for.

sunday crystal palace v tottenham | selhurst park sky sports 1 1.30pm

“I class that as a piece of silverware for Sir Alex, even

Michael Laudrup’s men, though, will provide a serious

The last time Palace were in the top

though I was in charge.” So said David Moyes after lifting

challenge. The Swans were the team the neutrals loved

flight (2004-05), their 3-0 win over

the Community Shield on Sunday.

to watch last season, particularly Michu. Laudrup has

Tottenham was one of few highlights

quietly added quality over the summer, with £12m Ivory

they took back down with them. But

at Old Trafford. And the lack of new arrivals over the

Coast international Wilfried Bony promising goals after

that particular reel is unlikely to be

summer, coupled with the ongoing Wayne Rooney saga,

notching 31 in the Dutch league for Vitesse Arnhem last

troubled here, as Spurs prepare to

means the return to footballing matters on the field is a

term . He will have had only a short time to reacclimatise,

deploy the attacking threats of

welcome relief. Last week’s Wembley runout showed a

however, after returning from representing his country

Paulinho and Roberto Soldado

worrying frailty at times – better sides than Wigan would

in Thursday’s friendly with Mexico in New Jersey.

(pictured) in a side that still (at the

Now Moyes is under the microscope like never before

have taken advantage – but prized possession Robin van

The Welshmen kicked off last season with a shock 5-0

time of writing) boasts Gareth Bale.

Persie (above, with Moyes) still bagged a double. The Scot

win away to QPR, while United were undone by a single

Dwight Gayle and new signing

will be grateful for his ace, and that he has a fully-fit deck

goal at David Moyes’ Everton. Clearly, a lot has changed

Marouane Chamakh are Palace’s

of cards for the first league match of his Manchester era.

since then – tomorrow could prove just how much.

main threats, for what it’s worth.

38 | August 16 2013 |

SATURDAY west ham v cardiff | upton park | 3pm

SATURDAY arsenal v aston villa emirates stadium | 3pm

SATURDAY west Brom v southampton the hawthorns | 3pm

Long before Luis Suárez embarked

It’s fair to say the red Bluebirds

Aston Villa struggled to recover

In many ways, West Brom’s final-

on his latest hearts and minds

have the easiest task of the

from a poor start last season, with

day 5-5 draw with Man Utd was

campaign, Brendan Rodgers will

promoted sides. And, much like the

one win in their first nine games.

typical of their season. They kept up

have been well aware change was

side they face on the opening day, it

This opener, then, followed

with the big boys, entertained and

needed at Anfield. Several unproven

probably won’t be long until they’re

by games away at Chelsea and home

Romelu Lukaku scored a hatful.

faces have arrived to join the quality

seen as a permanent fixture in the

to Liverpool, will have Paul Lambert

Rom-Lu may have gone, but Nicolas

of Philippe Coutinho (above), but

Prem. That said, West Ham are no

worried. In last term’s 19-goal

Anelka (from Shanghai Shenhua via

the top four is likely to remain out of

pushover, and have power to hurt

Christian Benteke (above), though,

Juventus) and Matej Vydra (from

touch. Victory over teams such as

any team – even with Andy Carroll a

the Villans possess the one thing

Udinese) are in. Saints are looking

Mark Hughes’ Stoke, then, are vital

doubt. Craig Bellamy (above) shone

that Arsène Wenger craves more

to avoid second-season syndrome

to dominating ‘the best of the rest’.

brightly in his brief spell at Upton

than anything: a natural goalscorer.

– new England discovery (at 31)

Luckily, the Potters have failed to

Park, and will relish doing the same

Maybe they could trade him for

Rickie Lambert (above) and £12.5m

win 26 of their past 28 on the road.

for his hometown club on Saturday.

three points? If you don’t ask…

Victor Wanyama should aid that.

SATURDAY sunderland v fulham stadium of light | 3pm

SUnDAY norwich v everton | carrow road | 3pm

monDAY man city v newcastle | etihad stadium | sky sports 1 8pm

Lord knows what sort of team Paolo

A funny opener, this one, because

Man City’s new manager Manuel Pellegrini has gone about his business

Di Canio (above) will throw out

we genuinely don’t know what

quietly and efficiently since arriving – if nearly £100m of spending can be

to mark his first full season at the

to expect from either team. The

classed as efficient. Jesus Navas adds quality out wide, while Álvaro Negredo

Stadium of Light, with 10 new faces

Canaries have a bevy of new talent,

and Stevan Jovetic should take the pressure off Sergio Aguerooooo up front.

having arrived already this summer

with the Dutch duo of Leroy Fer and

– among whom former Juventus

Ricky van Wolfswinkel (pictured)

unleashing has reaped benefits on many an occasion. At the back, City have

forward Emanuele Giaccherini looks

topping the bill. Everton come with

looked ropy during pre-season, and Matija Nastasic’s absence with an ankle

to be the pick. Shahid Khan’s new

a Wigan flavour thanks to Roberto

injury for the opening weeks is an unwelcome surprise.

charges include the magnificently

Martinez’s DW Stadium raids. Are

mercurial duo of Dimitar Berbatov

Norwich really favourites to beat

their unique brand of behind-the-scenes farce. Loïc Remy has finally been

and Adel Taarabt, two men cut from

Everton? Are we back in the 1990s?

secured on a season-long loan, but misses out with a calf strain, while we’re

the same cloth finally united. And

Jeremy Goss to score the winner?

sure Papiss Cissé (pictured) would put money on himself returning to form.

for that, we love the Londoners.

We just don’t know any more.

City’s weakened defence could provide the perfect platform for him to do so.

It’s Fernandinho’s arrival that could hold the key, though, as Yaya Toure’s

In the black and white corner, meanwhile, the Toon Army have continued

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand | 39

All pictures Getty Images

SATURDAY liverpool v stoke | anfield Bt sport 12.45pm

7 Days Saturday Rugby union | The Rugby Championship: ausTRalia v new Zealand | anZ sTadium, sydney | sky spoRTs 4 11.05am

Southern interest Barely six weeks after Sam Warburton and his men waltzed past the Wallabies, the Rugby Championship kicks off in Sydney tomorrow – with Steve Hansen’s world champions (as they mention every time they get a chance) in town hoping to pile the misery on the green and golds. Richie McCaw and co are bringing a serious squad to do so, too, with injuries to Dan Carter and Cory Jane accounting for the only notable absences – even if Piri Weepu, dropped after a storming Super Rugby season, might disagree.

The Wallabies, though, have a new man at the helm, and the good news for those who enjoy their rugby with a touch of unpredictability is that Ewen McKenzie’s arrival in the big seat could see the return of Quade Cooper (pictured). The enigmatic 10 has found himself in the wilderness since criticising Robbie Deans’ reign, but his link with McKenzie at the Reds means he might get a chance to reignite his international career in the coming weeks, starting on Saturday. Elsewhere, Israel Folau has climbed down off George North’s back and is ready to lay down a serious marker of his own. Julian Savea, however, might have other ideas.

WEdNESday FooTball | ueFa Champions league playoFF: FeneRbahCe v aRsenal | sukRu saRaCoglu sTadium, isTanbul | sky spoRTs 1 hd 7.45pm

Arsenal’s Turkish test the Court of Arbitration for Sport,

mediocrity to pip Tottenham to

but with the hearing not taking

fourth in the league last season,

place until August 28 – the day

Arsenal have been rewarded with

after the return leg at the Emirates

a trip to Turkey in their bid to reach

– both clubs will play without

the Champions League group

knowing Fenerbahce’s fate.

stages for a 15th consecutive year.

Fenerbahce’s squad contains a

The last time the two sides faced each other was in the 2008-09

number of familiar faces, including

season, in the Champions League

ex-Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt

group stage: the Gunners swept

(pictured), former Liverpool and

the Turks aside 5-2 in Istanbul

Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles

before being held 0-0 at home.

and ex-Everton centre back

40 | August 16 2013 |

They have lodged an appeal with

from the brink of Europa League

Celtic face an 8,000-mile round

Joseph Yobo. There is a degree

trip to play Kazakhstan champions

of uncertainty going into the tie,

Shakhter Karagandy in their first

however, with Fenerbahce fighting

leg next week, although the tie of

a two-year ban from European

the round sees PSV Eindhoven

football over allegations of

take on AC Milan (Tuesday, Sky

match-fixing.

Sports 1, 7.45pm).

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Chris Hyde/Getty Images, Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Having worked their way back

The nation始s beers are dropping into London

Great British

Beer Festival

London Olympia

13-17th August A fantastic fun packed festival atmosphere with over 800 quality beers & ciders, variety of food, live music, entertainment, games and activities to enjoy.

Book Today

0844 412 4640

www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets Tickets available on the door

GreatBritishBeerFestival

GBBF

7 Days Saturday > HoCkey | euRoHoCkey natIons CHaMPIonsHIP | BooM, BelGIuM | BRItIsH euRosPoRt 9aM

Electric sticks England’s hockey sides begin their Euro

test with a likely date against Germany or

challenge in Belgium over the weekend,

Belgium in the knockout stages.

and both head to the home of Tintin and waffles with high hopes.

The Germans should be the only real headache for the women’s team in a group

The men start against underdogs Poland

also containing Spain, against whom they

on Sunday (British Eurosport, 9am),

begin their campaign tomorrow (British

before their all-important showdown with

Eurosport, 9am), and Scotland. Danny

the Dutch on Monday (British Eurosport,

Kerry’s squad features a mix of youth and

7pm), which should decide who wins Pool

experience – 18-year-old Lily Owsley

B. That is unless Ireland cause an upset

travels despite making her international

when they face Bobby Crutchley’s men

debut only in June, while treble Olympian

on Wednesday (British Eurosport 2,

Helen Richardson lines up with eight others

10.30am). New faces abound, with just six

from the team that won bronze in London.

of last year’s unsuccessful Olympic squad

Most notably, Kate Walsh (left) will lead

in action, and captain Barry Middleton

the team in her seventh Euros, having

knows his side will face a far more serious

recently played her 300th international.

Sunday MotoGP | Red Bull IndIanaPolIs GP | IndIana, usa | BBC two 6.30PM

US hosts Spanish war We remember breaking a collarbone in our youth, and spending four weeks laid up in bed. So, pretty similar to Jorge Lorenzo, in many ways.

The Spaniard broke his collarbone in practice at the Netherlands Grand Prix in Assen back in June, before getting back on his bike to finish fifth just two days later, and then securing a sixth-placed finish at the US Grand Prix four weeks ago.

But Lorenzo’s toil needs to return podiums rather than points if the Spaniard is to stay in touch with the other pretenders to his drivers’ championship throne. Those two injured rides – together with his absence from the Sachsenring in July, due to another injury – have allowed fellow Spaniard Marc Getty Images, Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Márquez to open up a gap at the top of the table.

Two wins and one second-placed ride in the past three races have given Márquez a 26-point lead over Lorenzo, with Dani Pedrosa (another Spaniard) sandwiched between the two, 16 points off the top.

With this weekend’s racing taking the season past halfway, the pressure is on. Lorenzo’s sole Indianapolis win came back in 2009. A right royal performance is required this time around.

42 | August 16 2013 |

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Extra timE Making the most of your time and money

P52 Washington and Wahlberg fight for the guy next to them in 2 Guns

Gadgets

Small talk 2

1 3

1 Vodafone Smart mini

We start our round-up of mini versions of smartphones with the smallest of the bunch. It runs Android – although with limited processing power it’s probably best equipped to tackle browsing and maps over 3D gaming, and the two-megapixel camera won’t win many awards.

Still, it’s a great little phone – functional and affordable. ºIt reminds us of ourselves. £50 on pay-as-you-go | vodafone.co.uk 44 | August 16 2013 |

2 HtC One mini

Lacks the full aluminium shell of its big brother, but still feels reassuringly expensive. It runs the same mobile operating system as its elder sibling, too, and in our view is actually a much more manageable size – there’s plenty of real estate on its 4.3-inch screen, without it being unwieldy. The best feature on both phones is the camera – with clever modes such as HTC Zoe making clever shots easy. £TBC | Coming soon, htc.com

3 Samsung Galaxy S4 mini

Buoyed by the success of the S4, Samsung have gone a little bit crazy, firing out variants at the rate of a deadly bacterium.

There’s the S4 Active, the S4 Zoom, the S4 LTE and now the S4 Mini, which is still bigger than an iPhone. Processor speed is slightly reduced, and the 3.5-inch screen isn’t quite as sharp, but it’s an excellent mid-range smartphone.

Free on £25/mth contract | phones4u.co.uk Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

ET

46 | August 16 2013 |

Kit

sTrip show

All you need to show your loyalty ahead of the Premier League’s big kick-off.

(Disclaimer: we say it’s all you need, but wear something on the lower half too, eh?)

Arsenal, £50, Aston Villa, £46, Cardiff, £42, Chelsea, £50, Crystal Palace, £46, Everton, £50, Fulham, £50, Hull, £40, Liverpool, £45, Man City, £55, Man Utd, £55, Newcastle, £45, Norwich, £45, Southampton, £50, Stoke, £45, Sunderland, £45, Swansea, £45, Tottenham, £48, West Brom, £45, West Ham, £50

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand | 47

ET

Grooming

BuMBliNG rOMaNTic

We all secretly believe we’re playing the lead in our own rom-com.

So you might as well accept it and scrub up like you’re Hugh Grant

The face wash

Bulldog Skincare for Men

You saand like you’re from Laaandaaan, mate.

As does the very British Bulldog. The brand is pushing its UK heritage through its new Sensitive Face Wash, with a nod to its Portobello Road digs.

It’s formulated for sensitive skin, with essential oils and green tea to cleanse your mush. Simply lather on, rinse, grow a floppy fringe, open a bookshop and move in with a masturbating Welshman. £4.49 for 150ml | gbstore.meetthebulldog.com

The moisturiser Nip+Man Manotox

Also known as ‘brotox’, apparently (we thought it was just for film stars, not actual people), this is an anti-ageing moisturiser with trademark ingredient Liftonin that minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Also contains Gransil and sea minerals to smooth and revitalise.

Apply to a clean face daily – now if only you knew of somewhere you could get your hands on a face wash. £19.95 for 50ml | nipandfab.com

48 | August 16 2013 |

The hair stuff Trevor Sorbie Mg

Even if your friends do call you ‘Flopsy’, big Trev’s Styling Wax (£6.10 for 100ml) will give your barnet a messy texture or defined separation, a light hold and high shine – containing as it does anti-oxidant ginseng extract. Wash it out, as well as excess oils and dirt, with Trev’s nourishing and conditioning Two in One Shampoo (£5.50 for 250ml). boots.com

The toothpaste Oral-B Pro-Expert Gum Protection

Protects against cavities, tartar, plaque and sensitivity, while giving you a helping hand with fresh breath and whitening your gurning movie-star smile. Developed with dentists and using Oral-B’s most advanced technology, it’s also clinically proven to help prevent and reduce gum problems in four weeks. Surreal, but nice. £3.99 for 75ml | boots.com

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Losing your hair like your Dad? If you’re losing your hair, you’re looking for facts, not fiction. Fact: for 95% of men, hair loss is hereditary. REGAINE® scientifically proven foam could be the answer. It is proven to help stop and even reverse hereditary hair loss, working deep down at the root.

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REGAINE® for Men products and treatments are for male hereditary hair loss. REGAINE® for Men Extra Strength Scalp Foam 5% w/w Cutaneous Foam contains Minoxidil. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.

M

anchester United defender Chris Smalling returns home from training – and all he can picture (we speculate) is two big, bald spheres.

After all, it must be tough for the young defender to dislodge the image of the shaved bonces of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand – the imposing titans who stand between Smalling and his favoured central defensive position on the pitch – from his mind’s eye.

Still, even if he isn’t yet first pick with David Moyes, at least Smalling is always first choice with his good lady – the soulfully named Sam Cooke. While she probably isn’t as deft as Chris is on a football pitch (again, we’re speculating), Miss Cooke has gone in for a bit of adventure sports: she once skydived to raise £5,000 for a breast cancer campaign. Cheers to that. And to Chris.

Good luck getting ahead of your chrome-domed rivals and into the United first-choice XI this season.

Larging it

Extra time Sam Cooke

50 | August 16 2013 | Apix Syndication

| 51

Et

Entertainment

tiCKEts to thE Gun show

Denzel Washington and Marky Mark flex their pistols, while Earl Sweatshirt does his Ma proud with his debut album

Film

Music

Doris Earl Sweatshirt

2 Guns

Well, it has been a while since the last Lethal Weapon film, what with Mel Gibson a Hollywood pariah and Danny Glover genuinely too old for this shizzle now. So Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington take up the maverick cops mantle for this action comedy. 2 Guns starts with the two chaps unaware the other is undercover, a bank heist and the pair drawing shooters on each other. Later – inevitably – they have to work together despite their differences.

Event

Film4 FrightFest

Next week sees the start of this annual horror film festival at Leicester Square’s Empire Cinema. With a mix of foreign, independent and several classic spine-tinglers, it’s your ideal opportunity to see films such as Frankenstein’s Army or Bring Me the Head of the Machine Gun Woman on the big screen. Quite possibly for the only time.

Begins Thursday 52 | August 16 2013 |

For a lad of just 19, Earl Sweatshirt has had an eventful life. The LA native was sent to a boarding school in Samoa by his mom (Mrs Sweatshirt, we presume) after his hip-hop mixtape became an underground hit in 2010. Now he’s back with his first album, which sounds like a belter. The woozy, churning beats provide a backdrop for his lyrics to take centre stage. Whether referencing Quidditch, teen pregnancy or taking a pop at the media (“Breaking news: death’s less important when the Lakers lose”), he’s a world away from Jay-Z and Kanye West droning on about how fast their Rolexes are. A serious talent.

Out Monday

The bad guys are multiple (a Mexican drug kingpin, a corrupt CIA agent, a desperate thief – even some horned cattle have a gore at them at one point), the plot twists numerous and the concept hardly original. However, when you have a pairing as charismatic as this firing off one-liners even more rapidly than they’re shooting rounds, you know what you’re getting. A superbly cheesy slice of slick, high-octane action that will slap a big, silly grin across your kisser.

Out today

Book

Afterliff Jon Canter and John Lloyd

This The Meaning of Liff followup offers new words to describe something that English has no definition for. Such as: ‘Eworthy – Of a person: worth emailing but not worth phoning or meeting’; or ‘Clavering – Pretending to text when alone and feeling vulnerable in public’. More fun than reading the dictionary.

Out now

Film

Music

Absolute Zero Little Green Cars

Elysium

Debut album from this hyped Irish band who do a strong line in rousing if slightly earnest radiofriendly indie-folk. In common with seemingly every new band, they also have a boy-girl combo swapping (or harmonising on) the lead vocals, though Faye Rourke’s soaring, throaty voice produces the more stirring songs.

Out Monday

Neill ‘District 9’ Blomkamp directs another sci-fi film with a strong social message. It’s year 2154 and Earth is a third-world ruin, while pristine space station Elysium is home to the wealthy elite. Cue Matt Damon donning a metallic exoskeleton and sticking it to the man by breaking in.

A summer blockbuster with the brains to back up its beefy guns.

Out Wednesday

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