OK, so the rest of the world is going on about yesterday`s fantastic day of sport and it doesn`t really need me to add to all the chat about it. But sometimes things happen that make it impossible not to contribute to the litany of comment and I`m no exception. So here goes.
Now it used to be said that sport was the last refuge for those who find it impossible to idle, but even slumping in a chair for much of the day could hardly be described as idling given that there was so much going on for most of the day.
But.I really must start with the cricket. In my younger days I played a lot of cricket, even captaining a village team and I think it is one of those games that you really have had to play in order to fully understand and appreciate it. But I suspect that the gripping climax to the World Cup Final at Lord`s must surely have meant that those who were not cricket buffs were as enthralled as those who are. It was a truly memorable occasion and while being proud and happy that England are now world champions, I do spare more than just a thought for the New Zealand team who showed great sportsmanship, competitiveness and dignity in the narrowest of defeats that demonstrated that the spirit of cricket - that elusive je ne sais quoi - is alive and well in the Kiwi hands. Maybe they will take some comfort in knowing that they were indeed part of something very special and that only a change in the laws of the game prevented them from being world champions themselves.
And while all that was going on, the tennis final at Wimbledon produced its own version of unique conclusion when the men`s singles final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokavic went to a fifth set tie-break for the first time in a final. I used to play tennis as well - very badly admittedly - but I`ve sort of gone off Wimbledon in recent years what with its pomposity, elitism, its strawberries and cream, its Henman Hill and `come on Andy.` it`s a bit bonk-bonk 15-love, bonk-bonk 15-all and so on. But I have to admit that yesterday`s final was, like the Lord`s one, something else that will live long in the memory.
And so to Silverstone, where Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix for the sixth time bringing his F1 victories to a remarkable sixty. Once again I must confess to some disenchantment with F1 which always seems a bit boring and arguably the most environmentally hostile of sports but even I have to acknowledge Hamilton`s achievements, especially as he seems now to have grown up from his days of `other-worldliness` when he seemed to distance himself from the realities of the rest of us.
I confess to being in awe of the Tour de France - the three-weeks long slog around the country, the ups and downs, the time trials, the sheer stamina required and the atmosphere surrounding the whole event is truly remarkable. After five years of Le Tour being won by British riders I hope that Geraint Thomas might retain his title when the event ends in Paris in ten days time. Like the other events of this mad weekend, the TV coverage is itself awesome and the commentaries come courtesy of those who have been there, done that and got the embrocation. Trouble was that yesterday it was on at the same time as Wimbledon, the cricket and the Grand Prix so I hope today to be able to watch it without channel flicking and jumping up and down.
Almost last but not least, Southampton FC`s website was showing live action from the pre-season friendly between the Saints and some team in Austria which would have been fascinating to watch in full, rather than the odd snatched glimpse of a 1-1 draw. Like the cricket final, that was another sporting occasion which neither team really deserved to lose.
Oh, before I forget, there is even the ongoing Netball World Cup going on but I`m afraid that I have not yet been able to get too enthusiastic about it especially when all the other events have taken their physical and mental toll on me after a day to remember of all days to remember.
But.I really must start with the cricket. In my younger days I played a lot of cricket, even captaining a village team and I think it is one of those games that you really have had to play in order to fully understand and appreciate it. But I suspect that the gripping climax to the World Cup Final at Lord`s must surely have meant that those who were not cricket buffs were as enthralled as those who are. It was a truly memorable occasion and while being proud and happy that England are now world champions, I do spare more than just a thought for the New Zealand team who showed great sportsmanship, competitiveness and dignity in the narrowest of defeats that demonstrated that the spirit of cricket - that elusive je ne sais quoi - is alive and well in the Kiwi hands. Maybe they will take some comfort in knowing that they were indeed part of something very special and that only a change in the laws of the game prevented them from being world champions themselves.
And while all that was going on, the tennis final at Wimbledon produced its own version of unique conclusion when the men`s singles final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokavic went to a fifth set tie-break for the first time in a final. I used to play tennis as well - very badly admittedly - but I`ve sort of gone off Wimbledon in recent years what with its pomposity, elitism, its strawberries and cream, its Henman Hill and `come on Andy.` it`s a bit bonk-bonk 15-love, bonk-bonk 15-all and so on. But I have to admit that yesterday`s final was, like the Lord`s one, something else that will live long in the memory.
And so to Silverstone, where Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix for the sixth time bringing his F1 victories to a remarkable sixty. Once again I must confess to some disenchantment with F1 which always seems a bit boring and arguably the most environmentally hostile of sports but even I have to acknowledge Hamilton`s achievements, especially as he seems now to have grown up from his days of `other-worldliness` when he seemed to distance himself from the realities of the rest of us.
I confess to being in awe of the Tour de France - the three-weeks long slog around the country, the ups and downs, the time trials, the sheer stamina required and the atmosphere surrounding the whole event is truly remarkable. After five years of Le Tour being won by British riders I hope that Geraint Thomas might retain his title when the event ends in Paris in ten days time. Like the other events of this mad weekend, the TV coverage is itself awesome and the commentaries come courtesy of those who have been there, done that and got the embrocation. Trouble was that yesterday it was on at the same time as Wimbledon, the cricket and the Grand Prix so I hope today to be able to watch it without channel flicking and jumping up and down.
Almost last but not least, Southampton FC`s website was showing live action from the pre-season friendly between the Saints and some team in Austria which would have been fascinating to watch in full, rather than the odd snatched glimpse of a 1-1 draw. Like the cricket final, that was another sporting occasion which neither team really deserved to lose.
Oh, before I forget, there is even the ongoing Netball World Cup going on but I`m afraid that I have not yet been able to get too enthusiastic about it especially when all the other events have taken their physical and mental toll on me after a day to remember of all days to remember.
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