Sport magazine 331

Issue 330 | November 8 2013

All eyes on me

Alastair Cook on Shane Warne, Stuart Broad and coping with pressure of an Ashes down under

Contents

16

Issue 331, November 15 2013 Radar 05 Farewell, Little Master As Sachin Tendulkar prepares to play his final Test,we look at the idolatry he inspires

06 Sexy sport Our eyes cannot unsee these pics, so you have to look at them too.

Mike Tyson as Miley Cyrus, anyone?

08 The men who might Will any of England’s new boys make their Ashes mark this winter? oFeatures this coming week

16

Alastair Cook England’s skipper on Shane Warne, Stuart Broad and the art of captaining your country

24 Familiar foes As England build to the World Cup with a friendly against Germany, we look back at some classic contests between the old rivals

30 World Cup playoffs Ronaldo or Ibrahimovic? Only one of them will go to Brazil. Portugal v Sweden is the big clash this week

32 Andre Ward: he’s back

Cover page: James Lincoln. This page: James Lincoln, Alessandro Abbonizio/AFP/Getty Images, Ezra Shaw/Getty Images, Ross Kinnaird/ALLSPORT

He’s been away for more than a year, but the American superstar climbs into the ring to face Edwin Rodríguez

05

Extra Time

32

42 Grooming Bolin Webb’s Alpine R1 razor says we must be close to ski season

44

44 Entertainment Don Jon, Dom Hemingway and the Dane who’s the don when it comes to dishing up a dumpling

46 Gadgets The very neat Google Nexus 5 tops our wishlist this week

24

And turn the magazine over... ... for our winter sports special: where to go and what to go with | November 15 2013 | 03

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Radar

p06 – Sexy Sport gives Sir Alex a taste of his own hairdryer treatment

p08 – Four men take on a big, scary mountain in The Last Great Climb

idol worship C

All pictures Getty Images

ricket is my religion, and Sachin is my God.” It’s a common refrain among Indian sports fans, who have virtually added the Little Master’s name to their stuffed pantheon of deities. And with good cause, as Sachin Tendulkar starts the 200th and final Test of his career today, against the West Indies in Mumbai.

It will be an emotional occasion. He is worshipped by fans (see above) and in particular by ‘superfan’ Sudhir Gautam (you can’t miss him, decked out in the Indian flag, right), who cycles around India following the team, lifted the 2011 World Cup with them and apparently once turned up at “Sachin Sir’s” house at 4.30am. To his credit, and perhaps proving his divinity, Tendulkar let him in. | November 15 2013 | 05

Radar

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W

ere we managing a team of footballers taking on giant aliens in a Space Jam-style match-up, we’d probably take the physique of Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi (who we’ve long suspected isn’t from this planet anyway). We’d also insist he wear these galaxy-inspired Nike Mercurial IX boots, from the newly launched CR7 range.

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Hairdryer treatment T

wisted illustrator James Husbands is back, with three Sexy Sport calendars.

They cover football, cricket and general sport, and feature famous sportsmen like you’ll never want to see them again – including Mike Tyson imitating Miley Cyrus (right), Sepp Blatter doing his best Tom Cruise impression (above, centre), and an eerily accurate rendering of Kevin Pietersen (above, right). The one that will scar us for life, however, is Sir Alex Ferguson (above) depicted in Thelma & Louise. It gives a whole new meaning to the famous ‘hairdryer treatment’. £10, giftscardspresents.com

06 | November 15 2013 |

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Radar

Who’s that?

our of England’s squad could make their Ashes debut in the 2013/14 series, which starts next week.

Sport assesses their chances

Gary Ballance BAtSmAn, 23

Michael carBerry OPEnIng BAtSmAn, 33

Boyd rankin FASt BOwlEr, 29

Ben StokeS All-rOUnDEr, 22

Burly left-hander Ballance battered the selectors’ door down, scoring 1,251 runs at an average of more than 62 for Yorkshire in the 2013 County Championship. Made a success of his Lions tour down under last winter, but scored a one-ball duck in his first Ashes Tour match.

A masterful 153 not out against Australia A in England’s second Tour match means chrome-domed county vet Carberry is suddenly a hot tip to add to his one Test cap. A sharp and athletic fielder, to boot.

Ex-Ireland international Rankin competes with fellow 6ft 7ins bowlers Steve Finn and Chris Tremlett for the ‘colossal seamer’ role in England’s team. His pace and aggression in this summer’s one-day series against Australia will have buoyed his chances of selection.

Explosively talented youngster was sent home from the Lions tour of Australia a year ago for one too many late nights, but his attitude and form have impressed since. Could bat at number six if England feel they need a fifth bowler to help share the load.

Verdict: With the attack likely to be rotated throughout the series, Rankin will get a chance at some stage.

Verdict: 50/50. It will require a tweak in England’s usual four-man bowling attack policy.

Verdict: One for the future, possibly not for the now.

Verdict: With Joe Root potentially dropping down the order to fill the number-six spot, we could well see ‘Cook-in with Carbs’ at the top of the order. Sounds healthy to us.

F

Final frontier Myth busters F

ollowing in the footsteps of pop science books such as Why Don’t Penguin’s Feet Freeze?, authors Paul Simpson and Uli Hesse shatter some football myths in Who Invented the Stepover?

It’s a mixture of tactical insight, number-crunching and stories from the archives, and provides definitive proof, if it were needed, that befuddled ex-Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis was not the creator of the bicycle kick.

Who Invented the Stepover? by Paul Simpson and Uli Hesse, £8.99 (Profile Books)

08 | November 15 2013 |

All pictures Getty Images

U

lvetanna Peak is about a third as tall as Everest, but only a handful of people have ever climbed it. There are simple reasons for that: it’s still 2,931m tall and it’s in Antarctica, miles from anywhere. Despite those minor setbacks, new documentary The Last Great Climb follows a group attempting the first ascent of Ulvetanna’s northeast ridge – one of the most technically demanding climbs in the world. It’s a fascinating insight into one of mountaineering’s last remaining challenges.

Out now, £20 from thelastgreatclimb.com

Radar Editor’s letter Hands on the trophy: BT Sport knows how Arjen Robben feels www.sport-magazine.co.uk @sportmaguk facebook.com/sportmagazine

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BT crank it up a notch Champions League deal worth £897m underlines their intention to challenge Sky hegemony

Editor Tony Hodson @tonyhodson1

and Adrian Chiles (but not Roy Keane, who will be shacked up with Martin O’Neill) sharing a bunk bed down the end.

Actually, I’ve always rather liked Townsend – affable and enthusiastic, if not overly insightful – to the same extent that Chiles’ continued employment by anyone has utterly baffled me. And, while few seem to be mourning ITV’s loss of Champions League coverage from 2015 – yes, I’m talking about the giant BT deal announced last weekend – there are plenty thinking it a shame that yet more free-to-air sport is being denied to an increasingly starved public.

That is another debate for another day, however. In the immediate short term, the new deal – worth £299m a year over three seasons, more than twice the deal UEFA currently has in place with Sky and ITV – has sent genuine shockwaves through sports broadcasting and beyond.

There is a fair chance that BT have overpaid, if perhaps not to the degree that Sky claim – but to talk numbers is missing the point. The fascinating thing here is the gesture.

BT fired a warning shot across the bows of the Good Ship

Sky when halting their dominance of Premier League broadcast rights; with this latest move, they are aiming squarely at a hull that has previously looked unbreachable.

We are not, BT are saying, the new Setanta – and nor are we going to become them. If Sky weren’t taking them seriously before, then they certainly will be now. It will be intriguing to see who makes the next move, and indeed what that might be. Whisper it, but sports business is threatening to get interesting.

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: James Woodroof, Alison Hackney, Rosie Groves

“We’ve got success at national level, and hopefully that will outweigh the temptation of going to France for a lot of players.” So said Wales captain Sam Warburton in this very magazine just one week ago. Within four days, however, his international and Lions teammate Jonathan Davies was announcing that he would leave Scarlets – a club he captains – for Clermont Auvergne at the end of the season. This is yet another huge blow for rugby in Wales, and highlights yet again the financial inequalities currently at play across the sport in Europe. It can’t be long, surely, before Warburton and Leigh Halfpenny – the two jewels in the crown of Welsh rugby – join the exodus.

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| November 15 2013 | 11

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B

y the time the 2016 Champions League final comes around, Andy Townsend may well be living in his tactics truck – possibly with Clive Tyldesley

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Flats on Friday

David Lyttleton

Radar Opinion

Use your head: ask the doc

T

he first time I got knocked out was by my own teammate. His name was Pete ‘Bucko’ Buxton, and he was a large, clumsy oaf. Bucko went on to play for Gloucester for a long time, and has only recently retired.

Respected and adored by colleagues and opposition players alike, Bucko is missed for his honest contribution to the game, but he is not missed physically. You see, such a wrecking ball was Bucko that the Gloucester physio team had to add another column to their injury description spreadsheet: the BRI – or Bucko-Related Injury.

My BRI had me sleeping mid-session after an accidental knee to the temple. I woke up and dived at Bucko to tackle him, before realising not only that was he on my side, but also that training had stopped to allow me to wake up. I took the regulation squirt of water to the face, finished the session and drove home. Madness.

The second time I was sparked was during a game against Saracens. There was a fiercely contested ruck going on and, short of anything better to do with my afternoon, I decided to whack my head into it. It worked, and we won the ball.

However, as play moved on, I was seen by the TV cameras (and my poor mum on the sidelines) lying prone with eyes wide open. There I stayed until the doc got to me, when I decided to bite his fingers off as he tried to remove my gumshield. I was helped

12 | November 15 2013 |

off and had no clue where I was. Mostly, I remember being livid at being removed from the field.

In rugby union there is a test to gauge recovery from concussion. Every player sets a benchmark score before each season begins, and not until he achieves this level of cognitive response may he be considered again for selection. I tried everything I could to cheat my way back early, but kept failing that test. In the end I passed, but it took far longer than I ever expected. The recovery time made me look back and wince at how my BRI was treated.

Rugby players get knocked out a lot. There is, in my experience, a difference between getting chinned and feeling dazed, and being knocked out cold. Machismo aside, if a rugby player left the field every time he caught a whack and felt dizzy, he’d barely play. But concussion is now considered serious business, and is treated accordingly.

Seeing Hugo Lloris knocked out was nasty, but the reaction was interesting. He got up and carried on, as rugby men have done for generations. It did make me think, though, as a now-retired player with gorgeous children to live for, how insane it is to risk your brain for a game. Allow the player to decide, and he will always battle on. This is how we got there. Managers, players, coaches – they all need to step aside and let the doctor make the call.

Football would do well to follow rugby’s example. @davidflatman

It’s like this…

Bill Borrows

F

orget the talk of the 2014 World Cup not happening because of domestic chaos in the host country – a successful tournament is the only chance the Brazilian government have of dissuading the populace from hanging them from lampposts up and down the Avenida Presidente Vargas in Rio. The reason I worry about next summer is due to the dire prognostications of former England boss SvenGoran Eriksson.

“I don’t believe [England] can win the World Cup in Brazil,” he says. “The quarter finals would be very good.”

If Ulrika Jonsson is to be believed, Eriksson might not know much about women – but he certainly knows his way around an Ikea construction manual and, after guiding England to the quarter finals at three successive major tournaments, he knows exactly what it takes to make the last eight of one.

In his polite Scandinavian way, he is saying: “It will be a miracle if these players make it out of the group stage.”

A quick look at the 28-man squad for the friendlies against Chile and Germany certainly suggests he might be right on the money. Let’s take it position by position.

Of the goalkeepers, Joe Hart has recently been dropped, John Ruddy has let in eight goals in his past two games, and Fraser Forster plays in Scotland – where the ball boys are often more adept at stopping the ball. The defenders are the strongest unit, as almost all are guaranteed starters for top-10 club sides, but the midfielders and forwards are a major concern.

This will be the last hurrah for Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, but both are undoubtedly world-class (although the latter needs a run in the Chelsea first team). James Milner and Tom Cleverly, however, are almost fringe players at club level, and Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Andros Townsend and Jack Wilshere have it to prove at the highest level – and they don’t have a lot of time in which to do it.

The same, of course, can be said of Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez up front, while Jermain Defoe and Danny Welbeck are both struggling to get off the bench and on the scoresheet. Daniel Sturridge is having a great season, as is Wayne Rooney, but there is no guarantee that either will remain injury-free.

“Expectation does not seem to be what it was in the past, and I think that’s very good for the team,” says Sven, but he doesn’t realise what that means for the fans. Willing suspension of disbelief and blind faith are all we’ve got. Don’t take that away. Please. @billborrows

Plank of the week Lance Armstrong, a bad place “It’s been tough,” said the self-confessed liar and drug cheat this week. “I have experienced massive personal loss, massive loss of wealth, while others have truly capitalised on this story.” Excellent news all round.

Frozen in time

14 | November 15 2013 |

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Never in doubt, eh?

That, right there, on David Moyes’ face, is the very look of satisfaction. His team – already written off by so many – are now just five points off the top of the Premier League, having beaten leaders Arsenal. This is, let’s not forget, largely the same group of players who won the league by 11 points last year. In this topsy-turviest of seasons, it takes just a few wins to right the ship – and Manchester United are unbeaten in their last nine games. Maybe it’s too soon to label Moyes as the new Wilf McGuinness after all.

| 15

Th w bl

Alastair Cook

here WiLL Be Lood Alastair Cook talks captaincy, Stuart Broad and Shane Warne – and how respect can be earned from Australia’s bloodthirsty crowds

k

Photography by James Lincoln

| November 15 2013 | 17

Alastair Cook

“

E

vEryoNE is ENtitlED to thEir owN oPiNioN,” says Alastair Cook, looking

Sport evenly in the eye. Many people this year have been keen to voice their opinions on the England captain, from a critical Shane Warne to a mixed British press. However, what we’ve asked Cook about is the claim from Australia coach Darren Lehmann that his side could have won the recent Ashes series in England 3-2.

“The fact is that we won 3-0, and it’s the first time for a long time [since the 1977 Ashes, in fact] that an Australian team hadn’t won a Test match in England,” says Cook. “When the games got close, we won the crucial moments, which is often the difference when two good teams play each other.

You can take all the bullshit out of it: the results say it was a 3-0 win, and I’m proud of the way the lads played. The next challenge – and it’s an even greater challenge, because of how big home advantage can be – is doing it again in Australia.”

Performing in Australia is something Cook knows all about. He famously scored a whopping 766 runs over five Tests in the last Ashes down under, in the 2010-11 series. He is a captain renowned for leading by actions more than by statements, but if one of his major strengths is an ability to overcome all challenges in his sport, it seems he is improving in his handling of matters off the field, too. Cook’s recent comments, breezily half-agreeing with Warne that perhaps he might need to be a more imaginative captain, took the bite right out of the Australian legend’s attack in a way that few England batsmen ever managed when facing his deliveries.

“Criticism goes with the territory,” he says when we meet up with Cook shortly before his departure for Australia with the England squad. “When you get the huge honour of being asked to become England captain, you appreciate what’s coming.

I’m long enough in the tooth now to know why it’s all being said. If you take the Shane Warne comments [over this summer] – obviously he’s pretty much in the Australian camp. He’s doing commentary for Sky, but he’s heavily involved with Darren Lehmann and Michael Clarke, so it’s all an attempt to try and unsettle the England team. I know that; we all know that. It’s pretty much water off a duck’s back.”

room for imProvEmENt

“shANE wArNE is iN thE AustrAliAN cAmP. it’s All AN AttEmPt to try AND uNsEttlE thE ENglAND tEAm. i kNow thAt; wE All kNow thAt”

Test series wins against Australia and New Zealand at home, plus over India in the subcontinent (as well as a drawn away series with the Kiwis), speak eloquently of the success Cook has overseen since becoming captain. Even he admits, however, that he’s still learning on the job.

“Of course when you’re young – without sounding big-headed – the best player captains the team,” he says of his early years. “So I was captain of the school team for the last two years, but I didn’t do a huge amount of captaincy apart from that.”

The ‘problem’ was that Cook was such a prodigious young talent that he was often fast-tracked to aid his development.

“I went to a very good cricket club at Maldon [in Essex],” he explains. “They were always looking to get you to the next level, maybe before you were meant to go there, which was fantastic for me.

“You’d either sink or swim, and luckily I swam on enough occasions to keep playing at that next level.

It was the same at Essex. Because I was always

playing a few years above me in these teams – I played Essex seconds when I was 15 – you’re never going to be captain at that age. And if I did step back and play at slightly lower age groups, there were always captains in place.”

Cook’s early international success also thwarted any senior county captaincy opportunities. His full England debut in 2006, at just 21, saw Cook score a 60 and then an unbeaten century in a Test against India in Nagpur. He’s been a fixture ever since.

“I didn’t do any captaincy at Essex because of that, so that’s partly why my learning curve has had to be so steep for England,” he says. “Fortunately, the ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board] invest in young players – doing leadership stuff, educating you along the way. It can’t replicate the real thing, but it gives you more of an understanding early on.”

So where does Cook think he can improve as a captain? “There’s a huge number of areas,” he says. “I’m probably not going to tell you all of

18 | November 15 2013 |

them right now, but most of it comes down to experience. Once you have seen situations, you remember how you dealt with them and assess whether you could have dealt with them better.

It’s a great job because of that – you’re always improving. Even Straussy [Andrew Strauss] at the end of his career was still improving as a captain.”

uNDEr thE microscoPE Two challenges that come with being England captain are maintaining your own form while dealing with leading a team and coping with media scrutiny on and off the field. Cook bats the latter of these concerns away with a typically crisp stroke.

“You get recognised a bit more, because when there’s a [cricketing] issue, there’s always a picture of you in the paper or on TV,” he says. “If the opposition have a batting partnership going, for example, they cut to the captain to see his reaction.

So you have a bit more air time, I suppose.” k Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

all in or nothing

al p play la olloud o predator now at

Alastair Cook

“BroADy will Be fiNe. he’s A tough mAN. gettiNg A Bit of stick will, if ANythiNg, just sPur him oN” Wednesday > 1st Ashes test: AustrAliA v englAnd BrisBAne CriCket ground, WoolloongABBA sky sports 2, Midnight

“But I only live around the corner from here,” he adds, gesturing to the Bedfordshire countryside outside. “My private life is lucky enough to be away from the microscope. We all know that, in the celebrity world, it depends on how you play it. If you want to be in the papers, you go to trendy clubs in London. It’s not hard. But if you want to get away from it, you go to the Green Man in Eversholt and it’s all pretty good. I don’t have any complaints.”

Of more concern to Cook, you’d wager, is a dip in his form with the bat, which saw him average just 27.7 in this summer’s Ashes. “This summer was frustrating,” he admits on that topic. “I got a fair few starts and never went on. If you turn just a couple of those starts into big hundreds, that’s the difference between averaging under 30 or averaging over 50. The beauty of the experience I have now as a player is that I know that you don’t have to chase it too much. You just have to trust yourself, that you are good enough at that level.

But I’m desperate to score runs out there.”

Cook says all this without in any way actually sounding frustrated or desperate. He exudes a calm faith not just in himself, but also in his belief that his fellow batsmen – who spent a summer in mixed form (the magnificent Ian Bell aside) – can turn it around this winter. One factor to England’s advantage could be Australia’s true, fast pitches.

The slow, low, dry pitches for the Ashes summer in England played to the home side’s advantage in giving spinner Graeme Swann plenty to work with, but the wickets didn’t always seem to suit England’s 20 | November 15 2013 |

batting line-up. Will England’s top order be happier with a bit more pace coming off the pitch?

“One of the skills you need if you’re going to survive in international cricket is to adapt, whatever the challenges,” says Cook. “So whatever pitches we’re going to play on in Australia, how quickly you can get used to them will dictate how successful you are in the long run. But, if you look down our batting line-up now, we have guys who’ve got a lot of Test hundreds around the world. Clearly they’ve done it in the past, so I’ve got no concerns about that. If you ask me whether we like the ball coming on to the bat, I would say that, yes – we do.

But that doesn’t guarantee us scoring runs.”

BroAD shoulDers Cook’s faith in his batsmen is mirrored by an even brisker response when asked how he thinks Stuart Broad will cope with the vilification that looks to be heading his way this winter. The blonde beanpole was at the centre of a few controversial moments this summer, most prominently when he chose not to walk having nicked the ball to first slip in the first Ashes Test in Nottingham. Despite that being par for the course for most Test cricketers, it led to Darren Lehmann’s infamous, apparently tongue-in-cheek comments on Australian radio that: “I just hope the Australian public give it to him right from the word go for the whole summer, and I hope he cries and he goes home.”

Cook concedes that Broad will be the subject of extra attention. “I’m sure he might be in for a fiery

reception at times at the beginning of the tour,” he says. “But this is sport – and one way to answer all those things would be for him to deliver the goods in the way he did at Durham [with a six-wicket, Ashes-winning spell], and like he did throughout the series. Broady will be fine. He’s a tough man. Getting a bit of stick will, if anything, just spur him on.”

Indeed, Cook would likely not admit it publicly, but Broad being public enemy number one might play into England’s hands if it deflects fan and media attention away from their younger players or Ashes debutants. Overall, however, the England skipper is full of praise for the hard but fair nature of Australian cricket.

“The main challenge of playing in Australia is the whole psyche of Australian sport,” he says.

“They’re very, very competitive. You’re going to have big crowds – and a lot of the crowds will be wanting blood, effectively. When we lost 5-0 [in the 2006-07 Ashes], they were pretty brutal about it.

They enjoy beating the Poms. That’s their thing.

“However, the way we played last time, we showed how it can be done. They are sports-mad in Australia – they enjoy watching good sport – so you can earn their respect, on and off the field. There’s nothing to be fearful of. I have absolutely no doubt in my lads that they can get the job done.”

Alex reid @otheralexreid

Get closer to the England team this winter – visit ecb.co.uk/ashes for bite-size Ashes highlights and the return of Swanny’s diaries Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

all in or nothing

al p play la olloud o 11pro now at

The Ashes

Ashes lowDowN Former England captain Nasser Hussain previews the series 3

BowliNg Big “England have gone for a very tall bowling attack, with Chris Tremlett, Boyd Rankin, Stuart Broad and Steve Finn with – obviously – Jimmy Anderson as the world-class swing bowler. It shows the resources England have that they can leave out someone as good as Graham Onions. I would have liked him in the squad as he gives you something different. He’s a line bowler, a skiddy bowler, and I can’t see them playing all the big guys at once – but then tall bowlers in Australia tend to go really well, so you can’t argue with the selection.”

one-day series], so his batteries will be recharged now, he’ll be raring to go. The good thing for him is that he’s starting in places where he’s got a phenomenal record – in Brisbane and then on to Adelaide. As they have with Jonathan Trott, sides have learned finally that you’ve got to pitch the ball up to Alastair Cook. There’s no point bowling short and wide – he’ll murder you all day. So Australia are bowling slightly better at Cook, but he knows what’s coming. When you set him a challenge, he’ll work out how to get the job done.”

are always right up for it. That said, it won’t always be easy for Stuart, but England look after their boys on the boundary – they send Jonathan Trott down to soak up all the abuse, while Broad will be at mid-on. Even away from the game, he’s going to have to be careful a little bit and maybe walk away from a situation or two – and I think he will. He’ll have to do what [David] Warner eventually did in England. He copped a lot of abuse, but he took it with a smile on his face, waved to the crowd and he handled it very well. I hope Broad learns from that.”

AustrAliAN streNgth

Ashes outCome

“I never listened to the rubbish people were spouting before the summer series that this was the worst Australian team ever. They’re a good team – extremely well led by Michael Clarke – and they have an excellent coach in Darren Lehmann.

In terms of their line-up, Mitchell Johnson will probably come in, but they’re looking for a number six. Maybe someone like Aaron Finch might pop into that position. Australia need to remember how to get over the winning line, but they will be a threat.”

“The gap between the sides is not as wide as some people think, but England do have more depth.

If their first-choice spinner Graeme Swann gets injured, Monty Panesar comes in. If Tremlett or Finn gets injured, the other comes in. They also have a slightly better batting line-up. I still think Swann is a major threat with the left-handers in the Australia team, albeit at the top of the order now.

Also, England cricketers do not fear Australian cricketers any more. I think England will win.”

Cook’s BAttiNg struggles

stuArt BroAD

“I don’t think it was the captaincy taking a toll.

He was just exhausted by the end of the summer.

Quite rightly, he was given time off [missing the

“Broad is the type of guy who loves the heat of battle. He won’t mind being the centre of attention.

England have three or four of those players who

The great sport keeps coming on Sky Sports, with live and exclusive coverage of the Ashes – part of an unrivalled winter of live sport available in HD and via Sky Go

CAPtAiN Cook “His record is very impressive and his team are playing for him. He’s very calm, very well liked, very popular within the team. He’s not a fancy kind of guy – not someone who will set unusual fields, for example. At times in Australia, when the Kookaburra ball goes flat and a partnership builds, he may have to think outside the box – use his part-time bowlers more and rest his quick lads, so they can come on and give more penetrating spells.”

22 | November 15 2013 |

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Shaun Botterill/Getty Images, Ryan Pierse/Getty Images, Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Walking away with it: Graeme Swann hits out (far left) and Stuart Broad celebrates (above) after taking Ryan Harris’ wicket in the fifth Test; Nasser Hussain interviews Alastair Cook (left)

they’re A gooD teAm – extremely well leD By miChAel ClArke – AND they hAve AN exCelleNt CoACh iN DArreN lehmANN

all in or nothing

al p play la olloud o nitrocharge now at

England v Germany

look who’s back Next Tuesday sees the 11th meeting between England and Germany at Wembley. Sport looks back at some of the matches that have left an indelible stain on the footballing histories of these two nations…

ENGLAND v GERMANY at Wembley December 1 1954 Eng 3 – 1 Ger

Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images,

TUESDAY ENGLAND v GERMANY | WEMBLEY STADIUM | ITV 8PM

December 1 1954 England 3 – 1 West Germany

February 23 1966 England 1 – 0 West Germany

Some five months after West Germany shocked the world by beating pre-tournament favourites Hungary to win the 1954 World Cup, Sepp Herberger’s side travelled to Wembley for their first game against England at the home of football (above).

The teams had met three times before – twice in Germany and once at White Hart Lane – with Germany yet to win a match.

But now they were World Cup winners in a tournament England had exited at the quarter-final stage (yes, even then), courtesy of a 4-2 defeat by Uruguay. It was an injury-ravaged German side that arrived at Wembley that winter, though, and Walter Winterbottom’s England team took full advantage. Such was their domination that the 3-1 home win – with goals from Roy Bentley, Ronnie Allen and Len Shackleton – flattered the visitors somewhat.

Sir Alf Ramsey’s second time taking charge of the Three Lions against Germany (England were 1-0 winners in Nuremberg in his first game the previous May), did not bode well for the upcoming World Cup (which you may have read a thing or two about, and therefore does not make it on to these pages).

Although 10 of the 12 players used that day would be among the 11 who hade history later in the year (that one finished 4-2, by the way), Ramsey set them up to strangle the life out of Germany, with Norman Hunter alongside Jack Charlton in defence and Bobby Moore pushed into midfield. It took a scrambled goal from Nobby Stiles in the 41st minute (pictured) to separate the sides. Despite the scoreline, England were booed off at the final whistle – the crowd entirely unimpressed.

Did you know?

Len Shackleton was the first footballer to publish his autobiography. It included a chapter titled “The Average Director’s Knowledge of Football” – which consisted of a single, blank page.

24 | November 15 2013 |

Did you know?

Known as Norman ‘Bites Yer Legs’ Hunter thanks to his penchant for a fearsome tackle, the Leeds centre-back once suffered a broken leg of his own. When club trainer Les Cocker told Hunter he had broken a leg, the player shrugged and asked: “Whose is it?” >

February 23 1966 Eng 1 – 0 Ger July 30 1966 Eng 4 – 2 Ger April 29 1972 Eng 1 – 3 Ger March 12 1975 Eng 2 – 0 Ger October 13 1982 Eng 1 – 2 Ger September 11 1991 Eng 0 – 1 Ger June 26 1996 Eng 1 (5) - (6) 1 Ger October 7 2000 Eng 0 – 1 Ger August 22 2007 Eng 1 – 2 Ger

all in or nothing

al p play la olloud o adizero f50 now at

England v Germany June 26 1996 European Championships semi final England 1 (5) – (6) 1 Germany Switzerland, Scotland, Holland and Spain had all been cast aside (the first with a draw, and last on penalties) by an England team flying high on a wave of home support at Euro ’96. Finally, the nation was breathlessly exclaiming, this could be our year. But then came the Germans, and the penalty shootout that would cut England’s fairytale short. It had all started so well, Alan Shearer’s header putting England ahead after three minutes. Stefan Kuntz’s equaliser came just 13 minutes later, though, sending the teams in level at half-time despite the best efforts of Shearer and Teddy Sheringham. The second half was tighter, leading to extra time and the dreaded ‘golden goal’ period. Darren Anderton hit the post, Kuntz had a goal disallowed and Paul Gascoigne was the length of his studs away from winning it. It wasn’t to be, though, and after Gareth Southgate’s spot-kick was saved, it was left to Andreas Moller to complete the agony. He didn’t falter.

Did you know?

Germany never lost a game in which Stefan Kuntz played. His 25 caps yielded 20 wins and five draws for Germany – a national record for most caps without defeat.

April 29 1972 European Championship quarter final England 1 – 3 West Germany A match often described as the beginning of the end of English football’s assumed superiority over Germany saw the visitors defeat England for the first time in this country.

“No Englishman can ever again warm himself with the old assumption that, on the football field if nowhere else, the Germans are an inferior race,” determined Hugh McIlvanney in The Observer the morning after watching a West German team playing “composed, intelligent but surgingly ambitious football” inflict Ramsey’s worst ever defeat at Wembley.

It was Germany’s third consecutive win over England (their first had come in 1968, and their second in the quarter finals of the 1970 World Cup) and proved a seminal moment in the history of both teams. Germany were European and world champions within two years, while England would have to wait 10 long years before reaching the World Cup proper.

October 7 2000 FIFA World Cup qualifying England 0 – 1 Germany Wembley’s final hurrah before it was ripped down and rebuilt turned into a farewell for more than the famed Twin Towers of north London. After a disappointing Euro 2000, Kevin Keegan was under pressure to oversee a smooth qualification for the 2002 World Cup. It was a burden that quickly proved too weighty to bear, his tactical masterstroke of playing Gareth Southgate (not that we’re blaming him again) in central midfield doing little to lift the spirits on a rain-lashed afternoon. After Dietmar Hamann’s quickly taken free-kick consigned the old Wembley to history with a defeat, Keegan reportedly handed in his notice from the Wembley toilets.

Did you know?

Did you know?

The man who scored a penalty for the Germans, Gunter Netzer (facing camera, above), was one of the Bundesliga’s first superstars, even opening his own nightclub, Lovers’ Lane.

His coach at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Hennes Weisweiler, was unimpressed, saying: “He’s gone completely mad.”

After Keegan’s sudden resignation, various names were mooted as his replacement. Writing in The Guardian, Ron Atkinson explained why he felt a certain Roy Hodgson would be the wrong choice: “The first real chance he had to manage here – with Blackburn Rovers – could hardly be described as an overwhelming success… When things started to go against him, he did not seem able to stop the rot. In fact when you look at some of his purchases… you wonder about his record in terms of selection. And I believe the England job is mainly about selection and strategy.”

Sandra Behne/Bongarts/Getty Images, Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Eitan Abramovich/AFP/Getty Images

FRIDAY football | ENGlaND v CHIlE | WEMblEY StaDIUM | ItV 8PM

A Chile Wembley warm-up Friday night’s match against Chile gives

The current Chile side qualified for the

England a chance to get back to winning

2014 World Cup by finishing third in South

ways against a team they haven’t beaten

American qualification, behind Argentina

in their past three meetings.

and Colombia. While Barcelona star Alexis

On their previous visit to Wembley in

Sanchez ranks among Chile’s best-known

1998, the South Americans left a dent in

names, his four goals in qualification were

England’s World Cup warm-up plans

trumped by both Juventus midfielder Arturo

courtesy of two goals from then Manchester

Vidal and Gremio forward Eduardo Vargas,

United target Marcelo Salas. In a game that

who notched five a piece.

saw Michael Owen become England’s

Coach Jorge Sampaoli has named three

youngest player that century (and a

England-based players in his squad: Gary

somewhat older Dion Dublin make his bow,

Medel of Cardiff, Jean Beausejour of Wigan

too), Salas stole the headlines.

and Nottingham Forest’s Gonzalo Jara.

26 | November 15 2013 |

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7 Days

NOV 15-NOV 21 HIGHLIGHTS » Boxing: Andre Ward v Edwin Rodríguez » p32 » Tennis: Davis Cup final – Serbia v Czech Republic » p32 » Rugby League: World Cup quarter finals » p34 » Formula 1: United States Grand Prix » p36 » Rugby Union: England v New Zealand » p38

OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD

Friday FooTBALL | WoRLD CUP qUALiFyiNG PLAyoFFS: PoRTUGAL v SWEDEN | ESTADio DA LUZ, LiSBoN | SKy SPoRTS 1 7.30Pm

There are few knockout games in football that hold

his countrymen are arguably favourites over two legs

points in 10 games) is no disgrace. Neither was

the same win-or-bust mentality as the World Cup

(the bookies think so – Portugal are 1/2 to qualify, with

battling back from 4-0 down with 30 minutes left

playoffs, which get under way tonight, with the return

Sweden at 7/4), with their attacking football boasting

to draw 4-4 in Berlin last October. It shows, at least,

legs on Tuesday. A place in Brazil is the reward for the

a creative midfield behind the goalscoring prowess

that they have goals in them. It is, of course, Zlatan

winning sides; the losers will be left to face a summer

of captain Cristiano.

Ibrahimovic, the master of the outrageous, who holds

of what-might-have-beens.

A side that averaged almost 16 shots per game in

their serious threat. On form for PSG (15 goals in 16

qualifying lost just once in their group – but there

games this season, which also includes a hat-trick last

Europe's final representatives at the World Cup,

does seem more than one way past them. That

weekend), he notched six of Sweden’s 19 in qualifying.

but there’s one that stands head, shoulders and

they ultimately fell short of Russia at the top of the

That one of these two inflated egos won’t be at the

overstyled haircuts above the rest: Portugal versus

group owes much to a draw at home to Israel in their

World Cup is a shame – that they go head to head to

Sweden. Not least because it features two stars

penultimate match; they also rescued an injury-time

decide who gets to go makes us all winners.

desperate to showcase their talents, egos and

point in a 3-3 draw in Tel Aviv in March, and were

overstyled haircuts on the world stage.

held 1-1 by Northern Ireland in Porto.

Four ties take place across the continent to decide

Cristiano Ronaldo (24 goals in 17 games for Real Madrid so far, including a hat-trick last weekend) and 30 | November 15 2013 |

That the Swedes, on the other hand, came second to a near-perfect Germany (who dropped just two

Elsewhere across Europe, lowly Iceland (ranked 46th in the world) aim to make their first ever World Cup, with Croatia standing in their way, while Greece take on Romania and France travel to Ukraine.

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Scott Heavey/Getty Images, AP/Press Association Images

This tourn ain't big enough for the both of us

7 Days SAtuRDAY BoxINg | ANDRE WARD v EDWIN RoDRígUEZ | CITIZENS BUSINESS BANK ARENA, oNTARIo, CALIFoRNIA | BoxNATIoN 2Am

Super man returns It’s intensely frustrating for

unbeaten in 24 fights and

any athlete at the pinnacle of

coming off the best win of his

their powers to be away from

career – a first-round KO of

their sport for over a year.

Denis Grachev. Rodriguez also

Californian super-

boasts Mr Tickle-length arms:

middleweight Andre Ward

his 76-inch wingspan is five

(left) last fought in September

inches wider than Ward’s,

2012 when cleaning out Chad

despite both fighters being

Dawson, who was stepping

the same height (6ft).

down from light-heavyweight.

Unfortunately for Rodriguez,

The only question mark over

Ward is no joke. He’s a master

Ward seemed to be whether he

at judging distance, a supremely

could potentially even snatch

intelligent and versatile boxer

Floyd Mayweather Junior’s

who can rattle you from the

crown as the best pound-for-

outside with a snappy jab or

pound fighter in boxing. Since

rough you up and outwork you

then: shoulder surgery, and

on the inside. Rodriguez has a

14 months on the sidelines.

solid jab, but he often throws

The good news for boxing

wide, looping hooks that don’t

fans is that the 29-year-old

make the best advantage of his

Ward is not coming back with

long reach. Expect Ward to

a gimmie. Edwin ‘La Bomba’

shake off the ring rust, break

Rodriguez of the Dominican

Rodriquez down and extend

Republic is 28 years old,

his winning run to 27 fights.

FRIDAY > TENNIS | DAVIS CUP FINAL: SERBIA v CZECH REPUBLIC | KomBANK ARENA, SERBIA | BRITISH EURoSPoRT 2.30Pm

Djokovic at the double Novak Djokovic embarked upon one of the greatest winning streaks in tennis history when he led Serbia to their first ever Davis Cup title in 2010. This weekend, feat against the Czech Republic – the defending Davis Cup champions – on the same hard courts where Serbia made history three years ago.

Tomas Berdych is the man leading the way for the holders, having helped them record a narrow 3-2 win over a Spain squad missing Rafa Nadal in last year’s final. The world number seven is joined in the Czech line-up by Lukas Rosol (best known for inflicting a shock second-round defeat on Nadal at Wimbledon in 2012), wise old pro Radek Stepanek and world number 104 Jan Hajek.

32 | November 15 2013 |

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images, Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

the world number two has the chance to repeat the

7 Days SATURdAy Rugby League | woRLd cup QuaRTeR FINaL: eNgLaNd v FRaNce | dw STadIuM, wIgaN | bbc Two 8pM

SATURdAy HoRSe RacINg | paddy poweR goLd cup | cHeLTeNHaM | cHaNNeL 4 2.30pM

Big eight battle The Rugby League World Cup reaches

at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, on

the quarter-final stage this weekend,

Saturday afternoon. The Kangaroos’

with the completion of the highly

progress after a tough opening victory

entertaining group stages throwing

against England has been serene; the

up some surprising qualifiers.

well-organised Americans will do well to

Holders New Zealand take on Scotland tonight (Friday) at the Headingley

breach an almost impregnable defence.

England (featuring Leroy Cudjoe,

Carnegie Stadium in Leeds. The Scots,

below) play France at the DW Stadium in

led by their mercurial half back Danny

Wigan on Saturday evening, and will be

Brough, have exceeded all expectations,

confident of progressing. The French

beating Tonga, the USA and drawing

have been a little disappointing, but

30-30 against Italy to finish their

showed a marked improvement in their

group unbeaten.

defeat to Samoa in Perpignan.

The Kiwis have been playing like world

The biggest hits of the weekend,

champions in winning their group with a

however, will undoubtedly take place at

100 per cent record. They have performed

the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington

with a potent mixture of power and guile,

on Sunday afternoon, when Samoa take

with dual international Sonny Bill

on Fiji. The fearsome South Sea Islanders

Williams outstanding.

were born to play rugby league and have

Favourites Australia take on another surprise package when they face the USA

produced some of the most spectacular tackles of the competition.

Horses for courses Sport is a weird science. Regardless of how badly they’re doing elsewhere, Sunderland seem to just love beating Manchester City at the Stadium of Light; no matter how injured or preoccupied by external affairs he may be, Tiger Woods wins pretty much every time he sets foot on the course at Torrey Pines; and, for whatever reasons, some horses just love to jump over fences at Cheltenham.

So it comes to pass that, of the 28 horses confirmed for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at the famous old Gloucestershire course, no fewer than 16 have tasted victory there. Picking the winner of a race that acts as the showpiece event of the excellent three-day Open meeting at the track (which gets under way today) is very, very tricky.

Paul Thomas/Getty Images, Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Even for us.

Antepost favourite is David Pipe’s flashy grey Dynaste, although at the time of writing the talented seven-year-old was not a guaranteed runner. Behind him in the market are John’s Spirit, who hosed up in a weaker race at Cheltenham last month; Champion Court (pictured), who has been placed no fewer than six times at the track; Rajdhani Express, a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last March; and Salut Flo, another David Pipe horse, who hasn’t been seen since destroying a competitive field at the festival more than 18 months ago.

And that’s just five potential winners in a field full of them. It’s a nightmare race to judge so early in the new jumps season, but the one thing we’re confident of is that whichever horse crosses the line first will have already won at the course. Probably.

34 | November 15 2013 |

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*Closing date for advanced tickets 5.00pm 22nd November 2013. Manufacturers listed represent a selection of those available at the Show. All information correct at time of publication. Motorcycle Live subsidised parking of £8. Everything at Motorcycle Live is FREE to watch and participate in, subject to availability.

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7 Days FRIDAY > MOtORSPORt | wORLD RALLY ChAMPiONShiP: wALeS RALLY GB | DeeSiDe, wALeS | SAtURDAY itV4 11.05AM (hiGhLiGhtS)

Former F1 driver Robert Kubica makes a welcome return to elite-level racing in Wales this weekend.

The Pole sustained compound fractures to his right elbow, shoulder and leg, and almost had to have his hand amputated, in a rallying crash in 2011 that left him lacking the mobility required to drive an F1 car.

He has, however, been rebuilding his motorsport career – he won the WRC2 series this year, and will use this weekend to prove he can be competitive at the top level of rallying.

The final round of the championship is something of a dead rubber, as Frenchman Sebastien Ogier sealed the title last month. In doing so, Ogier ended the 10-year wait for a winner other than Sebastien Loeb, but only prolonged the dominance of people named Sebastien in motorsport.

There’s British interest in the lower categories, in the shape of 24-year-old local boy Elfyn Evans and former Olympic skeleton champion turned rally co-driver Amy Williams, who clearly enjoys flying along at speed with little control over her direction.

Taff mudder

Big in Texas 36 | November 15 2013 |

There are two tracks on this year’s Formula 1 calendar

He continued his winning streak a fortnight ago in

on which Sebastian Vettel has never won. The first is

Abu Dhabi to make it seven on the spin, and it’s hard to

Hungary, and the second is this weekend’s host circuit

see him not making it eight in Texas. If he did, it would

in Austin, Texas. Granted, there’s only ever been one

bring Vettel closer to Alberto Ascari’s record of nine

Formula 1 race here – in which the German started

consecutive wins (albeit, in the midst of that run, Ascari

on pole and finished second – but you’d imagine

skipped the Indy 500). Two races to go, then, and the

that it’s the kind of thing that nags at the mind of the

biggest question is whether Vettel will do donuts on the

four-time world champion.

finish line in Austin. He probably will.

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Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images, Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images

SUNDAY FORMULA 1 | US GRAND PRix | CiRCUit OF the AMeRiCAS, AUStiN, texAS | BBC ONe & SkY SPORtS F1 7PM

© 2013 Sky Vision. All Rights Reserved.

£9.99

DVD

available at

While stocks last.

7 Days Saturday Rugby union | England v nEw ZEaland | TwickEnham | Sky SpoRTS 2 2.30pm

Saturday Rugby union | walES v aRgEnTina | millEnnium STadium | bbc onE 2.30pm

Southern focus Twickenham host the world champions tomorrow, but England’s fellow home nations all face Rugby Championship sides of their own. Wales are first up, with Argentina hoping to repeat their 26-12 win last year when they head to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Wales (led by Sam Warburton, pictured) haven’t beaten any of the four Rugby Championship teams since August 2011, and an injury crisis is hardly helping – Adam Jones and Jonathan Davies are the latest to be ruled out. Big performances up front are needed, with the back row coming under pressure after last weekend’s defeat to South Africa – but even a patched up Wales should have too much for one of the poorer Argentina sides.

Meanwhile, Ireland welcome Australia to the Aviva Stadium (BBC Two, 5.30pm), where they’ll be hoping Jonathan Sexton inspires them to another win against a dangerous Wallabies side. In the last game of the weekend, South Africa – who looked monstrous against Wales last weekend – face an injury-hit Scotland on Sunday (BBC One, 3pm).

A cracking second half against Australia,

combine to dominate the lineout, while

followed by a blistering opening 40 minutes

the All Blacks’ scrum showed weaknesses

against Argentina, sees England with two

in their 26-19 win over France last week,

wins from two this autumn. One good half,

and is sure to be targeted by the England

though, will not be enough when the All

front row.

Blacks arrive at Twickenham – particularly

New Zealand have the edge in the backs,

because Richie McCaw and co are still

but England’s workrate won this game last

hurting from last year’s 38-21 defeat (above).

year and the same can be done again – Tom

That stands as New Zealand’s sole loss

Wood is back to his best and Chris Robshaw

since August 2011. England, then, have

(pictured) has led the tackle count two weeks

their work cut out.

running, including a mammoth 20 against

Powerful runners off Lee Dickson will be

Argentine. Defend well and win the battle at

essential tomorrow, while set-pieces are key.

the breakdown, and England have the

Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes can

potential to lay down a huge marker.

38 | November 15 2013 |

Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images, Stu Forster/Getty Images

The ultimate test

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head&shoulders Extra Strength Tonic

When your hair’s spent all day under your silly hat (you know the one), the least you can do is use this tonic with caffeine and vitamins to nourish your scalp and thicken each strand of your barnet.

Use daily after your shower, but before your apres-ski. You shower daily, right? £9.99, 125ml | boots.com 42 | November 15 2013 |

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Kiehl’s lent its support – and this very moisturiser – to the Greenland First Ascent expedition in 2005. Six explorers completed their ascent of the country’s icecovered peaks using (among other things) this daily hydrator, made so your mush can withstand harsh weather conditions. £24, 50ml | kiehls.co.uk

Anthony Logistics Sun Spray SPF 15

We prefer a healthy glow around our goggle lines, as opposed to a light burn. To that end, this fragrance-free spray will screen the sun while it protects and nourishes, with vitamins A, C and E. The added ingredient of aloe vera will soothe while you slide down the slopes, meanwhile. £18.40, 177ml | mankind.co.uk Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

ET

Entertainment

kNoCkouT DEBuT

Hollywood’s best young leading man turns his jerking hand to directing, while Jude Law goes wild uncorking the Dom

Film

Exhibition

Hello, My Name is Paul Smith Design Museum

Don Jon

Porn addiction. It’s not a subject you’d expect a romcom to be based around – even one as edgy as Don Jon, which is directed, written by and stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He plays a womanising, gym-obsessed, superficial knuckleshuffler who meets the hot girl of his dreams, Barbara (Scarlett Johansson), which is when everything changes for him. Except it doesn’t. And getting caught by Babs while he’s interactively watching some vids on his laptop almost

Film

Dom Hemingway

Jude Law breaks out his best Ray Winstone impression in this black comedy about a safecracker out of the nick, keen to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, he tries to do it all in one night and awakes with more than just his hairline in a ravaged condition. A cliched set-up, but a powerhouse display from Law and a ribald script make Dom a filthy treat.

Out today 44 | November 15 2013 |

An eccentric Brit with classic designs, Paul Smith earned his (pun alert) stripes in the 1970s, when his first shop opened in Nottingham. It measured just 10ft by 10ft – and a recreation of it forms a part of this new exhibition, which takes you from those humble beginnings to the present day, where Smith has more than 200 shops in Japan alone. On display are a series of hand-drawn designs, archive photos, some of Smith’s favourite collaborations (from cars to Evian bottles) and – of course – some seriously natty clobber.

Adult tickets are £11.85, but each comes with a free suit. We wish.

Opens today

wrecks everything. So our hero changes – in that he becomes a lot more careful about where he does his streaming.

This isn’t your typical romantic comedy, not least because it’s actually funny – particularly in the scenes Gordon-Levitt shares with his on-screen Pops (Tony Danza!) and his full-of-unhelpful-advice pals. It’s also – as Don Jon slowly starts to worry about why he can’t get turned on without going online – a sharp observation of modern masculinity.

Out today

Music

Shangri La Jake Bugg

The Petri dish experiment to grow a combined Noel and Liam Gallagher 19 years ago has been (mainly) successful. Young Mr Bugg returns with a Rick Rubinproduced second album, his rollicking licks now arriving with a blues or country twang. His vocals still lack character, but his tunes are definitely improving.

Out Monday

Book

Film

A Work in Progress: Journal, Recipes and Snapshots Rene Redzepi

A three-books-in-one set from Dane Rene Redzepi, head chef at Noma – regularly heralded as the world’s best restaurant. The highlight is more than 100 brand new recipes, from a lip-smacking strawberries and camomile to smoked eel and sea snail remoulade. One for the foodies.

Out now

The Counsellor

Michael Fassbender plays a respectable lawyer who gets in over his head with a drug deal in this twisting, Ridley Scottdirected thriller. Penelope Cruz, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem and a sultry and scheming Cameron Diaz also star – a cast given plenty to get their lips around with a Cormac McCarthy script full of snappy dialogue.

Out today

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

ET

gadgets

arE you fEELiNg Lucky?

Well? Google’s Nexus 5 tops this week’s new gadgets, joined by some talented headphones and a pen so smart it’ll make you feel inadequate

google Nexus 5

The Android mobile operating system can be a bit confusing at times, but the Nexus 5 shows off the latest version, KitKat, as it’s truly intended. The five-inch smartphone from Google is built entirely around the operating system, including voice search and the almost creepily intuitive Google Now service, which gives you information based on your movements (such as train times when you’re leaving work). With 4G and wireless charging, it’s currently the definite leader in the w/o Apple market.

From £299 | google.co.uk/nexus/5

acer iconia W510

One of several tablets to come with a detachable keyboard, the Iconia W510 stands out from the crowd because of its immense battery life of up to 18 hours when the keyboard is attached. It is as powerful as some desktop PCs, with a 1.5Ghz processor and 2GB of RAM. It also has a vibrant 10.1-inch touchscreen, which can be tilted through 295 degrees or flipped around to watch films, with the keyboard used as a stand. £450 | currys.co.uk 46 | November 15 2013 |

Livescribe 3 Smartpen Pro Edition

Using some kind of dark magic, the Livescribe pen can transfer any notes you take with it automatically to a smartphone or tablet app, instantly making them searchable, taggable and shareable. You can also record pencasts, which sync recorded audio to the notes you’ve taken. Which is great if you have a tendency to drift off during meetings, lectures or – in our case – interviews with sportspeople. £170 | livescribe.com/uk

Sony Walkman NWZ-WH303 3-in-1 Headphones

How can a pair of headphones possibly have three functions? Allow us to explain: Sony’s new wireless headphones can be worn normally, but can also be used as speakers to play music out loud. Don’t worry if you have nothing to connect them to, because they also function as a standalone Walkman – an MP3 player with 4GB of storage. That’s enough for about 1,000 songs. £99 | sony.co.uk Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

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Snow

The Winter Sports Special 2013-14 The best places in the world to ski or snowboard, and the best kit to take with you

the mountain is eVerything We’ve got it covered

St Anton | Tignes | Whistler | Cervinia | Pas de la Casa | La Plagne and loads more

Visit crystalski.co.uk to ďŹ nd your next ski trip

atoL protected. For info please see our booking conditions.

Winter Sports 2013

Alfredo Escobar/Red Bull Content Pool

Winter wonderlands

When it comes to planning the annual ski or snowboard trip, there are two issues on which you need to make decisions: where do you go, and what do you take with you?

Tricky calls, both, but this is where our traditional winter sports special comes in.

We have pulled together 10 of the very best resorts to choose from over the coming months, and partnered with the good folk at Snow+Rock to bring you the pick of his and hers kit for the new season. Everything you need over the next 18 pages. Enjoy. | November 15 2013 | 03

Winter Sports 2013 Destinations

Chamonix, France It is not difficult to find reasons to knock Chamonix.

So popular are its slopes that they can often feel overcrowded; the buses that link its five separate ski areas are not hugely reliable, and often crammed to the point of bursting; and, situated on the steep side of the Mont Blanc valley, the pistes are generally unsuitable for beginners or inexperienced skiers.

But there are also a multitude of reasons why so many people head for Chamonix when the snow falls, and why it remains one of the destinations for top-class winter sports. Those very same steep slopes make for some of the continent’s most challenging and exhilarating pistes; the five separate ski areas offer 04 | November 15 2013 |

great variety – and, importantly, ensure that good conditions can generally be found somewhere in the valley; and, of course, Chamonix remains king of the hills for those who want backcountry skiing. It is no coincidence that so many freeriders return home reporting the best week of off-piste skiing they have ever experienced.

Chamonix doesn’t just offer serious snowsports, however. This is an authentic and vibrant year-round town offering some of the most breathtaking alpine scenery you could imagine, together with excellent accommodation, shopping and nightlife options.

Its atmosphere can be as electric as its skiing.

Slopes 950m to 3,300m 7-day lift pass €261 Online chamonix.com Fly to Geneva (GVA)

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Breckenridge, United States There is a distinct old-world western charm about Breckenridge, the highest ski area in Colorado, that perhaps explains why it is the number-one US resort for British skiers. The town itself dates back more than a century and a half, having been founded to serve gold miners, and as such offers a character not always present in the more purpose-built American resorts.

The fact it is so elevated makes Breckenridge an enjoyably snow-sure destination. The resort receives a hefty 300 inches of snow per season, falling across four separate mountain peaks that provide more than 2,300 acres of terrain. There is plenty of variety, too – 14 per cent of the trails are accurately listed as green and 31 per cent blue, meaning beginners and intermediates are particularly well catered for. And, despite its popularity, the resort is managed in a way that the runs rarely seem too cluttered.

All of this adds up to the relaxed atmosphere for which Breck, as it is affectionately called, has become known. No surprise, then, that it has also become a natural home for snowboarders – the resort is renowned for the quality and variety of its parks and pipes, with a certain Shaun White among the many to have sung its praises. If the Flying Tomato thinks it’s top-rate, then it really must be. k

Slopes 2,926m to 3,963m 7-day lift pass $569 Online breckenridge.com Fly to Denver (DEN)

| 05

Robert Harding Picture Library/SuperStock, Henry Georgi/All Canada Photos/SuperStock

Winter Sports 2013 Destinations The Gear

Kicking Horse, Canada

Grindelwald, Switzerland Switzerland is far from short on dramatic scenery, but it has little to match the magnificent setting of Grindelwald. The picturesque Swiss village, sprinkled with the kind of chocolate box chalets fit to grace any postcard, is set in the shadow of two of the country’s most imposing peaks – the Eiger and the Wetterhorn – and offers skiers a vista that is largely unrivalled throughout Europe.

Perhaps belying the breathtaking nature of the surrounding mountains, Grindelwald’s slopes are characterised by long, gentle runs that don’t offer much of a challenge to anyone beyond intermediate level. There are more difficult pistes for those who want to find them – including the fearsome Lauberhorn World Cup downhill course, over towards nearby Wengen – but that is maybe missing the point of a traditional old village that likes to go at its own pace.

The mountain is accessed by a cog train railway or gondola that can take up to half an hour to get you to where you want to be. When it comes to Grindelwald, time is not, it seems, much of the essence.

Away from the slopes, take the train to the UNESCO World Heritage Site just below the peak of yet another stunning peak, the Jungfrau. At 3,454m, that makes it the highest railway station in the whole of Europe.

06 | November 15 2013 |

Slopes 940m to 2,971m 7-day lift pass €259 (CHF319) Online grindelwald.ch Fly to Zurich (ZRH)

If Grindelwald is a traditional village offering gentle runs and a slow pace of life, then Kicking Horse is pretty much its exact opposite. The Canadian resort, 14km outside the logging town of Golden (only in North America), only opened under its new name as recently as 2000, but it has swiftly forged a reputation for high-octane thrills on some of the most challenging black runs on the continent.

That means paradise for the experienced skier or snowboarder, with the top of the mountain split into four main bowls and a whole bunch of ridges that provide no fewer than 120 named runs. Of those, a staggering 45 per cent are the most taxing (and dangerous) black runs; there is enough terrain for beginners to improve their skills at the base of the mountain, but what’s the point of visiting this particular horse if you don’t want to get a good kicking?

The difficulty of so many of the runs guarantees that they will never be crowded, but a short hike to the aptly named Terminator Peak opens up a whole Slopes new world of relatively 1,190m to 2,450m untouched backcountry that will have the 7-day lift pass experts salivating. Once $462 you’ve feasted on that, a mountain-top return for Online dinner at the splendid kickinghorseresort.com Eagle Eye restaurant is on the cards – a pleasure Fly to for which you will need a Calgary (YYC) sightseeing or adventure pass, however. k

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Winter Sports 2013 Destinations

Offering access to the sprawling 650km of pistes that make up the giant Portes du Soleil area, Les Gets is at first glance a mere doorway to a world of snowy opportunity. Look a little closer, however, and you will see a delightfully compact and attractive resort with one specific diamond of an area all to itself.

We talk of Mont Chery, which lies away from the main Portes du Soleil circuit and so remains astoundingly quiet – particularly given that it acts as home to some of the most challenging pistes in the entire area, and as such should attract a whole host of advanced skiers.

The serenity of Mont Chery is matched by that of the pretty village itself, which remains refreshingly quiet when compared with many resorts in the area; the locals are also far friendlier than our lazy French stereotyping would have it, which adds to the bustling atmosphere of Les Gets’ pedestrian-friendly main street.

For all the village’s unique attractions, it is hard to get away from the expansive local network of pistes Les Gets shares with nearby Morzine – which are easily reached by gondola or chairlift, and Slopes feature a wide range 950m to 2,275m of blue and red runs that will appeal to the 7-day lift pass advanced beginner or €191 intermediate skiers.

Throw in some excellent Online local dining options, en.lesgets.com and you find yourself in a resort that ticks Fly to a lot of boxes. The odd Geneva (GVA) slow, old chairlift can easily be forgiven.

08 | November 15 2013 |

John Gaffen 2/Alamy, Simon Heaton/SuperStock

Les Gets, France

Arinsal, Andorra The secret has long been out, but that doesn’t mean we can’t ram home the fact that the tiny nation of Andorra is an excellent destination of choice for those looking for some of the best-value skiing in Europe.

Nestled in the Pyrenees, between France and Spain, Andorra’s status as a tax haven means that added costs such as food and drink are minimal in a resort such as Arinsal. The atmosphere is relaxed, the slopes gentle (although more advanced skiers can enjoy the tricker, tree-lined runs in neighbouring Pal), and Surf – the local steakhouse – is well worth a visit. All in all, perfect for families on a limited budget. k

Slopes 1,550m to 2,560m 7-day lift pass €235 Online arinsal.co.uk Fly to Barcelona (BCN)

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Winter Sports 2013 Destinations

Vogel, Slovenia If Andorra doesn’t convince as a value option for your annual ski trip (and it should), then you might like to try one of a number of snow destinations in eastern Europe. The Bulgarian resort of Bansko and Jasna in Slovakia have both established themselves in recent years – as much for the beer as for the slopes – but if you really want to head off the traditional track, then you could do worse than the Slovenian resort of Vogel.

At 1,922m, Mount Vogel is by no means the loftiest peak on the continent – but its positioning as the first mountain barrier above the Adriatic means that more snow falls there than anywhere of similar altitude in the Alps. The snow is relatively reliable, then – which is a good job, bearing in mind that the total length of its available pistes comes to little more than 20km.

Don’t be too put off by that, though – the trails are largely well-groomed, and the mix of blue and red runs mean that there is generally something there for everyone. The jewel in Vogel’s crown, however, is undoubtedly the Zagarjev Graben, which Slopes winds its way down from 560m to 1,800m the top lift and just goes on and on – at almost 7-day lift pass 7km, it accounts for €155 around around one-third of the resort’s slopes.

Online A proper value option, vogel.si then, and the panoramas across nearby Lake Fly to Bohinj are something Ljubljana (LJU) else – lovely to sit down to with a bit of apres.

10 | November 15 2013 |

Soll, Austria Lively and picturesque with a huge range of pistes pretty much on its doorstep, Soll is another wellestablished favourite with British winter tourists.

As the main resort on the vast SkiWelt circuit – Austria’s largest ski area, boasting an impressive 279km of slopes – it is perhaps surprising that Soll retains a quaint village centre, with traditional Tirolean buildings flanking its pretty, domed church. There is a lively apres-ski, though, with welcoming locals joined by loyal groups who return year after year to a resort for which they have developed a fond affection.

The excellent atmosphere helps to make up for what Soll perhaps lacks in terms of genuinely exciting piste.

Lying at the foot of the imposing Hohe Salve mountain, whose black runs offer the only serious challenge for advanced skiers. Soll is a gateway to a SkiWelt area that is rich on intermediate blue and red runs; hardly enthralling for skiers on a quest for raw backcountry, but perfect for families looking for long, easy cruises under a chilly winter sun.

It’s not all about the skiing, either. The 3.8km Hochsoll moonlight toboggan track is awesome fun for anyone who cares to try it, while adrenaline enthusiasts can have a go at parasailing – a superb way to see the dramatic Wilder Kaiser mountain range. k

Slopes 620m to 1,957m 7-day lift pass €244 Online skiwelt.at Fly to Innsbruck (INN)

Winter Sports 2013 Destinations The Gear

Maria Breuer/imagebro/imagebroker.net/SuperStock, Photononstop/SuperStock

Vaujany, France

La Villa, Italy If one of your principal criteria when choosing a ski location is to avoid meeting up with fellow Brits on holiday, then this small resort in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy should be near the top of your list.

As part of the Alta Badia skipass area, La Villa doesn’t offer a spectacular variety of runs; parents should note that its wide, gentle slopes are well suited to young beginners in particular. The huge exception to the rule, however, is the Gran Risa slope, which annually hosts one of the most challenging giant slaloms on the World Cup schedule. One for even the more advanced skier to try on their last day, perhaps.

12 | November 15 2013 |

Slopes 1,433m to 2,100m 7-day lift pass €242 Online altabadia.org Fly to Venice (VCE)

It’s debatable as to whether Vaujany can any longer be described as a hidden jewel of the Hautes-Alpes, such has been its development as a ski resort in recent years. The rustic charm remains, all crooked alleys and streets perched high on a sun-kissed hillside, but one of the most sophisticated gondolas in France connects the village to the vast, sweeping ski area of nearby Alpe d’Huez. It’s absolutely no surprise, then, that winter sports enthusiasts are flocking here in ever greater numbers.

Vaujany’s own slopes have plenty to recommend them, but reports suggesting they are family-friendly are a little generous – some of the supposedly gentle green runs would be better classified as blue, while referring to some of the blue runs as ‘a bit steep’ would be underplaying it somewhat. Higher up and in good weather, however, the more challenging runs will prove an absolute dream for experienced skiers.

Away from the slopes, the still quaint village should appeal to families. A recently-opened ice rink, spa pool complex and bowling alley combine to offer Slopes excellent options for 1,250m to 3,330m those wanting a break from the rigours of 7-day lift pass skiing, while two €254 escalators and an elevator link different Online levels of the precipitous vaujany.com village – ideal for those heading home after a Fly to tough day on the slopes, Grenoble-Isere (GNB) or even tougher evening on the apres.

When you’re exposed to snow and ice in the mountains, you need a jacket that perfectly meets all your needs: optimum weather protection, a high level of flexibility and excellent breathability. Our waterproof SUPERCHARGE softshell combines the advantages of weatherproof jackets and softshells in one jacket. It’s already proved to be unbeatable more than once. You often don’t know what you‘re missing until you’ve found it!

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Winter Sports 2013 The Gear

Kjus Women’s Formula Jacket £775

Kjus Men’s Domain Jacket £870

Kjus Women’s Formula Pant £385

Ready, set, s Another winter season beckons, and that means refreshing your slopestyle wardrobe. We have once again partnered with the UK’s leading snowsports retailer, Snow+Rock, to bring you the very best gear for the new season, which is this year split into four categories: Premium, Performance, Adventure and Snowboard.

Premium Ski

Luxury, style, passion. We’re at the higher end of the price range here, with brands such as Kjus, Spyder and Toni Sailer Sports offering not just quality and sophistication, but also the most advanced features and technology. Check out the innovation of the Kjus GSM Glove, which allows you to connect to your mobile phone via Bluetooth and talk using your thumb and index finger as the handset; or the exquisite craftsmanship and opulent detailing of Casco helmets.

Toni Sailer Sports Women’s Arizona Down Jacket £740 16 | November 15 2013 |

Kjus GSM Glove £200

Casco SP-3 Reflex Helmet £260

Advertising Feature Burton Men’s Breach Jacket £175

Burton Process Flying V £350

Burton Men’s Cargo Pant £155

Kjus Men’s Formula Pant £385

snow

Snowboard

Snowboarding has definitely made its mark on the industry, with its own unique style, tech and culture, while continuing to maintain its ethos of fun, creativity and the search for the ultimate ride. Snowboard styling is very fashion forward, from trendy, lightweight freestyle gear to the ultimate in technical, backcountry performance for the fearless freerider.

There’s no shortage of cutting-edge equipment and accessories in boarding, from the Anon M2 Goggle, with its astonishingly easy-to-use magnetic lens change system, to the world’s lightest split board, Amplid’s limited-edition Carbon Creamer Split-Lab Project. >

Bonfire Women’s Safari Jacket £190

Völkl V-Werks RTM Ski £1,100

Volant Pure Black 79 Ski £2,400

Westbeach Men’s East-Side Jacket £150

Ion Air Pro2 Wifi Helmet Cam £299.99

Salomon X-Pro 130 Ski Boot £360

Amplid Carbon Creamer Split-Lab Project Snowboard £1,050

Burton Social Snowboard £300

Anon M2 Goggle £190 | 17

Winter Sports 2013 The Gear

Salomon Icon Custom Air £110

Salomon Women’s Speed Jacket £350 Ortovox Women’s 3L Guardian Shell Jacket £580

Salomon Women’s Brilliant Pant £160

Ortovox Women’s 3L Guardian Shell Pant £450

Performance Ski

A huge category encompassing some of the world’s best brands, and suitable for the beginner, intermediate or expert skier. You require a high level of performance from your clothing and equipment to ensure that you get the most out of your precious time on the mountain – enter high-quality products from respected names such as Icebreaker, Salomon and The North Face. >

Wax Up For Winter Three fantastic in-store offers from Snow+Rock to gear you up for the new season

1 Free £30 Voucher Get a free £30 voucher for every £200 spent on winter clothing*

2 £75 Trade In

Trade in your old skis or snowboard and get £75 off a brand new set-up*

Free Ski and Snowboard 3 Waxing*

*Offer ends November 17 2013. See in-store or online for more information and full Terms & Conditions

18 | November 15 2013 |

The North Face Men’s Furano Jacket £360

Icebreaker Men’s Quantum Hood £150

Snowlife Heated Lion GTX Mitt £250

Salomon Enduro RS 800 Ti Ski £450

Line Soulmate 98 Ski £575

Atomic Live Fit 130 Ski Boot £280

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Winter Sports 2013 The Gear

Salomon Women’s Q-88 Lux £375

Ortovox Women’s 3L Guardian Shell Jacket £580

Ortovox Women’s 3L Guardian Shell Pant £450

Adventure Ski

Adventure skiing has exploded in popularity in recent years, as more and more people venture off the beaten track in search of a new challenge, a sense of freedom and that elusive, untouched terrain.

The Adventure Ski range focuses on providing the layering, breathability and durability that you need, whether you’re hiking to the next peak or enjoying the descent. It also advocates mountain safety and avalanche awareness, hence a range of essential safety equipment including the BCA Tracker DTS Package and Ortovox Freerider 26 ABS Airbag Pack.

Contact www.snowandrock.com 0845 100 1000

London and Southeast stores include: Covent Garden, Harrods, Kensington High Street, Kings Road, Monument, Selfridges, Brighton, Chertsey, Croydon, Hemel Hempstead, Port Solent, Romford 20 | November 15 2013 |

Arc’teryx Men’s Rush Gore-Tex Pro Jacket £480

Norrøna Women’s Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Jacket £459

Ortovox Freerider 26 ABS Pack £579

BCA Tracker Package £250

Rossignol Soul 7 Ski £595

K2 Pinnacle 130 LV Ski Boot £400

Advertising Feature

Go with the Flow

W

hen it comes to having things her own way, Goldilocks really did have it right all along – why settle for being too cold or hot when you can have things just right? Well, thanks to Helly Hansen’s techno-loaded H2 Flow ski jackets, it’s an approach that you can now apply to your everyday comfort – whether you’re on the slopes or not. That’s because the H2 Flow system allows you to control your own body temperature: insulation uses air to provide you with the warmth, and ventilation lets you control the airflow to cool yourself down when you need it. And with ski pass holders, hand warming pockets, stretch snow skirts and open mesh inside being just some of the ace features featured among the newest trio of jackets to hit the shelves, there’s something to suit everyone. We’d put it top of Goldilocks’ Christmas list – as well as our own.

‘Warmer. Cooler. Lighter.’

Taped seams offer top protection for wet, cold and windy conditions

Waterproof, four-way stretch fabric insulated with Primaloft

Helly Hansen Mission

Helly Hansen Thrym

£320 | hellyhansen.com

£650 | hellyhansen.com

How H2 Flow regulates your temperature:

WARMER Flow utilises insulation with air pockets or holes. These spaces trap air, and it’s this air that stores your body heat and acts as an additional layer of insulation.

COOLER When you need to cool down, simply open the ventilation zippers to allow cool air to enter, and trapped hot air and moisture to exit.

LIGHTER Flow uses captured air instead

of extra insulation to provide heat, meaning a higher warmth-to-weight ratio. In some cases, the jackets weigh 30 per cent less than comparable options.

Helly Hansen H2 Flow

Polartec brushed fleece in a light shell makes this perfect for everyday use

£130 | hellyhansen.com

| 21