Footie fans! Either our invites to a certain massive football party have got lost in the post or not one of our national squads made it to Euro 2008. But let’s not wallow in self-pity and instead direct our huge capacity for support towards some of the fantastic sport going on in which we actually have some involvement. Here’s the pick of the action that’s running concurrently with Euro 2008, courtesy of Confused.com.
Tennis
Brollies at the ready, it’s Wimbledon time. There’ll be a fair few Brits trampling the lawns at SW19 (and a fair few less by week two), but the real reason to get behind the guys and gals in white is to marvel at this exciting real-world version of the popular Wii game.
Making a racquet and flexing their tennis elbows will be UK number ones Andy Murray and Anne Keothavong. The latter may not ring a bell with non-tennis fans, but achievements such as becoming the first British woman since 1999 to earn automatic entry to Wimbledon should soon put a stop to that.
The All England Championships at Wimbledon runs from 23rd June – 6th July.
Motor Racing
It may be Lewis Hamilton’s sophomore year in Formula 1, but his freshman shine has yet to rub off (Montreal excepted!). The nippy 23-year-old McClaren driver will be lining up with – though more likely, in front of – compatriots Jenson Button (Honda), David Coulthard (Red Bull-Renault) and Anthony Davidson (Super Aguri-Honda) for this Sunday’s French Grand Prix. So whether you’re tuning in or making the trip to Magny Cours, there’ll be plenty of Brit interest to get revved up about.
If two wheels are more your thing then you’ve plenty to look forward to. This Sunday, Round 8 of the MotoGP screeches to a halt at Donington Park. Britain’s only contender is Doncaster’s James Toseland who, at 27 years of age, has stepped up to motorcycling’s answer to Formula 1 after winning World Superbike Championships in 2003 and 2007. Round 9 is at Assen in the Netherlands on 28th June.
Sticking with bikes, you can catch many more British riders in Round 7 of the British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park on 29th June.
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Boxing
A lightweight by classification only, Bolton-born Amir Khan is now ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) after punching his way (almost) to the top. A household name since his silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004, Amir has since put away his kid gloves and made 17 wins since turning pro. Khan’s imminent bout against Ireland’s Michael Gomez is just another step on the road to the big prize and you can catch them squaring up at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, on 21st June.
Golf
If boxing isn’t tough enough for you, there’s plenty of golf to shake a stick at. The 21st – 22nd June sees the WAGR: Berkshire Trophy at Berkshire Golf Club, and then Macdonal Cardrona Golf Club hosts the Scottish round of the European Challenge Tour from the 26th – 29th June.
Rugby
Only one Rugby Union international to play during the football and that’s the All Blacks -v- England on Saturday 21 June (8.30am our time) in Christchurch, New Zealand. Plenty more going on in the world of Rugby League with a full line-up of domestic fixtures in the Co-Op National League and Engage Super League. There’s also an international fixture on Friday 27th June when the England squad make the trip over the water (or under if they take the Chunnel) to play France.
Cricket
County Cricket’s crowd-friendly reinvention continues with that under-three-hour slugfest known as the Twenty20 Cup. The season is now in full flow with games generally played on weekdays and Sundays with first ball usually at 5.30pm. Go along and prepare to be entertained – the crack of leather on willow has never sounded so fresh.
There are also three one-day internationals happening from now until the end of the football as England play host to tourists New Zealand:
- Saturday 21st June: England v New Zealand, Bristol (10.45am)
- Wednesday 25th June: England v New Zealand, The Brit Oval (10.45am)
- Saturday 28th June 2008: England v New Zealand, Lord's (10.45am)
So despite not making it to the football, there’s no reason why you can’t get your sports fix elsewhere. But if you’re just too in love with the beautiful game, you’re probably enjoying Euro 2008 anyway, and there are only a couple of months to wait until the new season kicks off. And beyond that there’s the World Cup in South Africa to look forward to, so let’s hope at least one of our national squads can earn a trip to the Southern Hemisphere in 2010.
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