World of Sport

Manchester United have proved themselves the best side in Europe. It was such a tense finish in Moscow, but ultimately the Reds handled the stress of the shootout better than their opponents.
I’ve never agreed with the view that penalties are a lottery. On the contrary, they are the ultimate examination of technique.
Ryan Giggs said in his post match interview that he’d practised taking penalties, all in the same corner, and felt confident. He took his and scored.
Ronaldo missed and it seems that his stalled run up only serves to disrupt his rhythm rather than put off the goalkeeper.
And then we come to John Terry. By common consent, Terry is not the most technically proficient player. His game is built on bravery and leadership. But, slip or no slip, he couldn’t hit the target from 12 yards when it mattered.
It’s a cruel way to end the tournament but a superb win for United – and if Sir Alex Ferguson keeps this squad together they could win a couple more Champions Leagues.
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Just wondering… am I alone in my utter inability to play badminton? Any game alway results in endless swooshing at thin air as the shuttlecock drops, slightly embarrassed, to the floor. If I’m lucky I’ll thwack one back off the rim of the racket. I know why – it’s because I can’t adjust for the fact a shuttle cock slows down so much after it has been hit. It strikes me as one of those sports that would have been played outside castles in Tudor England.
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It’s the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend – my favourite race of the F1 calendar. When you get that in car view of them whizzing through the streets only millimetres from the barriers it brings it home just how fast and dangerous the sport is.