With a bit of luck they won't have to play either.
Because England will go out weakly to the Ukraine on penalties? And we can then all talk about how we could have won it if not for stinking penalities again?
Fairly confident that England will beat Ukraine, but I think people are underestimating Denmark, their likely semi-final opponents.
I think Denmark can win the whole thing.
Same, I reckon a wave of emotion might win it for them.
After 2 years as British prime minister, in which he's won a succession of stunning election victories against the opposition Labour Party, Boris Johnson’s unstoppable march suddenly stoppedhttps://trib.al/7RIX88O
Maybe he plays because he wants to play, not because you have to have fun watching him? Whoever had fun watching Andy Murray matches? Most of them were scripted to NOT have fun for 90% of them!
And he's won as many matches in this tournament as he's won all year! Hardly surprising he's knackered...
Sir Keir Starmer should give grateful thanks to Matt Hancock's gonads.
Said gonads may well have save Sir Keir's career.
Even party chairman Amanda Milling was forced to admit on Friday that the footage of Mr Hancock breaching Covid rules by kissing a married aide “was something that came up on the doorstep” in Batley, suggesting that Tory voters could have defected to Labour over the incident.
Such is the initial policy fall-out of the Hancock H-bomb. As for the politics: there is a clear and present danger, causing deep anxiety in Number 10, that this story will trigger an old-fashioned media feeding frenzy, as the vultures circle over the flawed private lives and fragile marriages of other senior government figures. At least one such relationship is under intense scrutiny and causing Johnson’s team serious concern. “The story could break at any moment,” concedes one Downing Street source.
Actually, England could beat either of these teams. We have a tenacious defence, some superb if underused attackers, an on-form top class goalie, and from the semis on, we’re at home
This is easily the most winnable tournament for England since 1996 (which we should have won)
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
Maybe he plays because he wants to play, not because you have to have fun watching him? Whoever had fun watching Andy Murray matches? Most of them were scripted to NOT have fun for 90% of them!
And he's won as many matches in this tournament as he's won all year! Hardly surprising he's knackered...
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
Well, this will go a long way towards soothing Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish people, convince them that we really are a union of partners and Downing St has the interests of the whole UK at heart. *arches left eyebrow* https://twitter.com/sturdyAlex/status/1411000230070341636
Oh don't be so sensitive. Do people really get upset by such things or just performatively upset? (assuming it is even real)
Pardoning is so rare that it was a real statement when they used it for that guy at Fishmonger’s hall.
This would just be a silly gesture.
Agreed. Certainly governments indulge in silly stuff to play to the crowd from time to time (or even a lot), but a pardon for 'metric martyrs' in a transparent effort to rally up some Brexit red meat? That's just lame.
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
Like a wasp landing on a stinging nettle. Somebody’s going to end up stung and you’re not especially bothered as to which one.
Should it pan out that Gove did break rules then that's 50% of the Quad of senior ministers who have basically run this country for 18 months and presided over the most extreme measures outside of major wars who have been found to break the rules. Plus of course the PM's most senior aide.
B&S may have kept Starmer in his job but it shouldn't hide the problems.
And your point?
It wasn't a particularly good by-election result for Labour, despite what their supporters are saying.
It was, because they won. It really is as simple as that.
Not really, as there is a difference between good and great for instance, but it is true the most important thing is they won, regardless of scale or historical significance, and it could help change things up, so it has significance far beyond itself.
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
Like a wasp landing on a stinging nettle. Somebody’s going to end up stung and you’re not especially bothered as to which one.
Should it pan out that Gove did break rules then that's 50% of the Quad of senior ministers who have basically run this country for 18 months and presided over the most extreme measures outside of major wars who have been found to break the rules. Plus of course the PM's most senior aide.
Such is the initial policy fall-out of the Hancock H-bomb. As for the politics: there is a clear and present danger, causing deep anxiety in Number 10, that this story will trigger an old-fashioned media feeding frenzy, as the vultures circle over the flawed private lives and fragile marriages of other senior government figures. At least one such relationship is under intense scrutiny and causing Johnson’s team serious concern. “The story could break at any moment,” concedes one Downing Street source.
Well, this will go a long way towards soothing Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish people, convince them that we really are a union of partners and Downing St has the interests of the whole UK at heart. *arches left eyebrow* https://twitter.com/sturdyAlex/status/1411000230070341636
Oh don't be so sensitive. Do people really get upset by such things or just performatively upset? (assuming it is even real)
Why take the chance? What's the upside? Did you think he'd be cheering for Ukraine?
It's bizarre. It is as if a spin doctor from Mars had designed it: a giant flag to annoy Emily Thornberry; perching on the edge of the table to watch the match. Why?
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
England are fourth? I know England fans being negative about their own team is a cliche, but don't make me laugh.
Thing is we reached the World Cup semi final 3 years ago, and in recent years have aced qualifying for tournaments. We’ve also beaten Spain and Belgium (I think) in recent times. Fifa rankings are literally a numbers game, and we’ve racked up the numbers.
Well, this will go a long way towards soothing Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish people, convince them that we really are a union of partners and Downing St has the interests of the whole UK at heart. *arches left eyebrow* https://twitter.com/sturdyAlex/status/1411000230070341636
Oh don't be so sensitive. Do people really get upset by such things or just performatively upset? (assuming it is even real)
Why take the chance? What's the upside? Did you think he'd be cheering for Ukraine?
It's bizarre. It is as if a spin doctor from Mars had designed it: a giant flag to annoy Emily Thornberry; perching on the edge of the table to watch the match. Why?
Politicians and flags are weird. I've long wondered why world leaders usually sit or stand behind 2, 3 or even 4 flags, rather than just one big one for instance. People getting upset about it are irrational and would get upset about something else instead, so I suppose its considered there's no downside.
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
Like a wasp landing on a stinging nettle. Somebody’s going to end up stung and you’re not especially bothered as to which one.
Should it pan out that Gove did break rules then that's 50% of the Quad of senior ministers who have basically run this country for 18 months and presided over the most extreme measures outside of major wars who have been found to break the rules. Plus of course the PM's most senior aide.
One rule etc etc...
Starmer popping the champagne
Indeed. Looking like his luck has turned and the breeze is picking up in the doldrums.
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
Like a wasp landing on a stinging nettle. Somebody’s going to end up stung and you’re not especially bothered as to which one.
Should it pan out that Gove did break rules then that's 50% of the Quad of senior ministers who have basically run this country for 18 months and presided over the most extreme measures outside of major wars who have been found to break the rules. Plus of course the PM's most senior aide.
One rule etc etc...
Starmer popping the champagne
Indeed. Looking like his luck has turned and the breeze is picking up in the doldrums.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Murray can play as long as he wants. I think he genuinely loves playing and wants to do as long as possible. I think he knows he won’t recapture his brilliance of winning slams again, but he is clearly still a top 30 player, and with more fitness and matches, maybe higher. My only fear is having had the hip surfacing at such a young age, will there be problems later. I hope not.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Murray will become part of the U.K. tennis family (coaching, mentoring, Davis cup captain etc). He won’t need to look for work.
Well, this will go a long way towards soothing Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish people, convince them that we really are a union of partners and Downing St has the interests of the whole UK at heart. *arches left eyebrow* https://twitter.com/sturdyAlex/status/1411000230070341636
Oh don't be so sensitive. Do people really get upset by such things or just performatively upset? (assuming it is even real)
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Murray will become part of the U.K. tennis family (coaching, mentoring, Davis cup captain etc). He won’t need to look for work.
Pretty much also guaranteed a job for 2 weeks in the Wimbledon BBC comms box forming a dynamic but charisma-free bromance duo with Tim Henman, I reckon.
Allison Pearson @AllisonPearson · 28m As long as Mr Gove wasn’t mingling with anyone outside his household before Step 2 was lifted on 17 May he’ll be fine.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Murray will become part of the U.K. tennis family (coaching, mentoring, Davis cup captain etc). He won’t need to look for work.
Quite boring tho, no? Compared to being a Wimbledon winning world singles champ?
A very hefty comedown from global glory. And your income reduces by 80% or more. 98%?
See the sad fate of Bjorn Borg. Or Boris Becker
It is the price you have to pay for extreme success in early adulthood, and it applies to many professions, crafts and arts
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Murray will become part of the U.K. tennis family (coaching, mentoring, Davis cup captain etc). He won’t need to look for work.
Pretty much also guaranteed a job for 2 weeks in the Wimbledon BBC comms box forming a dynamic but charisma-free bromance duo with Tim Henman, I reckon.
Only if he stops talking about NHS pay rises though.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Yes. It seems strange he would bother, given a metal hip and enough money to live in great comfort for the rest of his life, only to then quit after a defeat to the eighth seed. He needs to win a few games, perhaps at smaller tournaments, get into the US Open by right, and be fully up to speed for 2022.
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
Like a wasp landing on a stinging nettle. Somebody’s going to end up stung and you’re not especially bothered as to which one.
Should it pan out that Gove did break rules then that's 50% of the Quad of senior ministers who have basically run this country for 18 months and presided over the most extreme measures outside of major wars who have been found to break the rules. Plus of course the PM's most senior aide.
One rule etc etc...
Starmer popping the champagne
Indeed. Looking like his luck has turned and the breeze is picking up in the doldrums.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Murray can play as long as he wants. I think he genuinely loves playing and wants to do as long as possible. I think he knows he won’t recapture his brilliance of winning slams again, but he is clearly still a top 30 player, and with more fitness and matches, maybe higher. My only fear is having had the hip surfacing at such a young age, will there be problems later. I hope not.
It’s always sad to see a once top sports personality hanging around the fringes of tournaments.
Italy looked very good - I find it hard to believe that England would have been this Italian side today... but if we do meet them, the chances are they won't be able to repeat that performance.
Today they were a good side putting in an exceptional performance.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Murray will be very wealthy indeed, and I believe he's gone into business already (though I can't recall if he owns one hotel or has set about acquiring a chain.) Regardless, I'm quite sure that the man doesn't need to earn a salary.
More generally, I would imagine that most professional sportspeople who are fortunate enough to make a sufficient pile of cash from their playing careers to retire (and that'd probably encompass all footballers playing in the top two flights nowadays) have a well-managed portfolio of investments which allow them to live out their lives as they please. The ones who piss, snort and gamble the lot up the wall are a rare exception - we probably imagine there are more of them than there are because these cases get so much salacious coverage in the tabloids.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Murray can play as long as he wants. I think he genuinely loves playing and wants to do as long as possible. I think he knows he won’t recapture his brilliance of winning slams again, but he is clearly still a top 30 player, and with more fitness and matches, maybe higher. My only fear is having had the hip surfacing at such a young age, will there be problems later. I hope not.
It’s always sad to see a once top sports personality hanging around the fringes of tournaments.
I might be mistaken, but unless Norrie beats Federer, is there any other British man going deeper than the third round? No.
Should it pan out that Gove did break rules then that's 50% of the Quad of senior ministers who have basically run this country for 18 months and presided over the most extreme measures outside of major wars who have been found to break the rules. Plus of course the PM's most senior aide.
One rule etc etc...
In politics, you have to accept the higher you go the greater the likelihood your career and reputation will be irretrievably damaged or destroyed.
If you're unlucky or stupid, the important things get lost as well.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Murray can play as long as he wants. I think he genuinely loves playing and wants to do as long as possible. I think he knows he won’t recapture his brilliance of winning slams again, but he is clearly still a top 30 player, and with more fitness and matches, maybe higher. My only fear is having had the hip surfacing at such a young age, will there be problems later. I hope not.
It’s always sad to see a once top sports personality hanging around the fringes of tournaments.
I might be mistaken, but unless Norrie beats Federer, is there any other British man going deeper than the third round? No.
Yes. What odds could you have got that the last British singles player standing would be Emma Raducanu? She's probably a much better chance than Norrie.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Murray will become part of the U.K. tennis family (coaching, mentoring, Davis cup captain etc). He won’t need to look for work.
Given that Murray is worth somewhere north of £100m AIUI, I'm not sure that future income is an issue except for vanity reasons.
A cynic asks: Any chance this divorce news is timed to land just as the entire English bit of the country is not listening and is totally focussed on England football team?
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Murray will be very wealthy indeed, and I believe he's gone into business already (though I can't recall if he owns one hotel or has set about acquiring a chain.) Regardless, I'm quite sure that the man doesn't need to earn a salary.
More generally, I would imagine that most professional sportspeople who are fortunate enough to make a sufficient pile of cash from their playing careers to retire (and that'd probably encompass all footballers playing in the top two flights nowadays) have a well-managed portfolio of investments which allow them to live out their lives as they please. The ones who piss, snort and gamble the lot up the wall are a rare exception - we probably imagine there are more of them than there are because these cases get so much salacious coverage in the tabloids.
Super stars earn so much these days, you are probably right, it is almost impossible to lose it all, so they don’t go bankrupt as they did (tho they still do)
I have a sense they are more prone to depression, melancholia and suicide than most. Famous Cricketers are notorious for this
Cue a pivot amongst from 'UK p*ss*ing away government money on a f*cking Brexit Britain yacht' to 'Global Britain has to accept charity for a f*cking yacht" in 5 4 3 2 ...
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Murray can play as long as he wants. I think he genuinely loves playing and wants to do as long as possible. I think he knows he won’t recapture his brilliance of winning slams again, but he is clearly still a top 30 player, and with more fitness and matches, maybe higher. My only fear is having had the hip surfacing at such a young age, will there be problems later. I hope not.
It’s always sad to see a once top sports personality hanging around the fringes of tournaments.
I might be mistaken, but unless Norrie beats Federer, is there any other British man going deeper than the third round? No.
You are correct and, whilst it's not inconceivable that Norrie could upset Federer (he put up a good fight in the final at Queen's Club the other week, after all,) it seems, shall we say, unlikely.
That just leaves the sole survivor in the women's draw, young Miss Raducanu. Expect a great deal of hyperventilation about her if she makes it into the second week.
Murray can play as long as he wants. I think he genuinely loves playing and wants to do as long as possible. I think he knows he won’t recapture his brilliance of winning slams again, but he is clearly still a top 30 player, and with more fitness and matches, maybe higher. My only fear is having had the hip surfacing at such a young age, will there be problems later. I hope not.
It’s always sad to see a once top sports personality hanging around the fringes of tournaments.
Not if that's what they want. It's like ex-MPs (cough) still being active in politics. Why not? Obviously not if they try to excite pity, but if they're having fun?
A cynic asks: Any chance this divorce news is timed to land just as the entire English bit of the country is not listening and is totally focussed on England football team?
Maybe, or it could be in reaction to a story about to break in the Sunday papers. Though the official statement is that they just drifted apart, so perhaps there is nothing. It would be a bit daft to say that if the Sundays have already discovered a lover or two.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Murray can play as long as he wants. I think he genuinely loves playing and wants to do as long as possible. I think he knows he won’t recapture his brilliance of winning slams again, but he is clearly still a top 30 player, and with more fitness and matches, maybe higher. My only fear is having had the hip surfacing at such a young age, will there be problems later. I hope not.
It’s always sad to see a once top sports personality hanging around the fringes of tournaments.
I might be mistaken, but unless Norrie beats Federer, is there any other British man going deeper than the third round? No.
Yes. What odds could you have got that the last British singles player standing would be Emma Raducanu? She's probably a much better chance than Norrie.
Don’t rule out Norrie. I think he’s won the second highest number of tour games this year, is confident and with a home crowd. Downside is he is facing possibly the greatest natural tennis player of the last 50 years, or indeed ever. Federer is beatable, but it probably won’t be Norrie. But he has a chance.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Andy Murray has never struck me as a person of great intellectual hinterland. He’s a great tennis player…. And that’s about it. What else would he do? What else would earn him steady six figure salaries?
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Murray will become part of the U.K. tennis family (coaching, mentoring, Davis cup captain etc). He won’t need to look for work.
Given that Murray is worth somewhere north of £100m AIUI, I'm not sure that future income is an issue except for vanity reasons.
No but top sports players need to do something ‘after’ and I think he’ll follow his mum into the hierarchy.
No; Murray looks to be playing his last tournament. Sadly, but it happens.
Is there a suggestion he may retire? Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
Doubt it Andy Murray has an automatic ticket to the Olympics and I can't imagine he won't be taking it.
I'm sure that Murray will play the Olympics, and he might carry on for some time yet. Yes, he struggled through his wins in the first two rounds, but (a) he nonetheless beat Basilashvili, who was a seeded player, and (b) he might've put up a better fight against Shapovalov if he'd kept those first two rounds a lot shorter, which might very well have been the case if he wasn't so rusty.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
Murray can play as long as he wants. I think he genuinely loves playing and wants to do as long as possible. I think he knows he won’t recapture his brilliance of winning slams again, but he is clearly still a top 30 player, and with more fitness and matches, maybe higher. My only fear is having had the hip surfacing at such a young age, will there be problems later. I hope not.
It’s always sad to see a once top sports personality hanging around the fringes of tournaments.
I might be mistaken, but unless Norrie beats Federer, is there any other British man going deeper than the third round? No.
Yes. What odds could you have got that the last British singles player standing would be Emma Raducanu? She's probably a much better chance than Norrie.
Her opponent is an experienced pro and dumped Azarenka out of the tournament in the last round, but if she gets into the fourth round it'll be the first time in twelve attempts. The match is also being played on No.1 Court so, if Miss Raducanu doesn't get stage fright from being promoted into a stadium for the first time, having the crowd on side ought to help her. So there's everything to play for.
"'A period of silence on their part would now be welcome': Blairite Lord Mandelson slaps down Angela Rayner and the hard Left who hoped for Labour defeat in Batley in order to topple Keir Starmer"
Actually, England could beat either of these teams. We have a tenacious defence, some superb if underused attackers, an on-form top class goalie, and from the semis on, we’re at home
This is easily the most winnable tournament for England since 1996 (which we should have won)
They haven't looked as good as Italy so far but the Wembley factor means it would be somewhere near a 50-50 contest.
Comments
They racked up the momentum in 1992.
Don't follow tennis but hadn't heard that.
And he's won as many matches in this tournament as he's won all year! Hardly surprising he's knackered...
Labour sources in Kim Leadbeater’s campaign said the party had seen “surprising” levels of support in the constituency’s traditionally Conservative areas, such as in the villages of the Spen Valley, while campaigning in the week after the affair was revealed.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/07/02/flailing-pm-has-lost-touch-british-public/ (£££)
I certainly would.
Such is the initial policy fall-out of the Hancock H-bomb. As for the politics: there is a clear and present danger, causing deep anxiety in Number 10, that this story will trigger an old-fashioned media feeding frenzy, as the vultures circle over the flawed private lives and fragile marriages of other senior government figures. At least one such relationship is under intense scrutiny and causing Johnson’s team serious concern. “The story could break at any moment,” concedes one Downing Street source.
https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2021/06/28/yes-i-was-hugged-by-matt-hancock/
@EuropeElects
·
4h
Germany, YouGov poll:
CDU/CSU-EPP: 30% (+4)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 19% (-3)
SPD-S&D: 15%
AfD-ID: 11%
FDP-RE: 11% (-1)
LINKE-LEFT: 7%
+/- vs. 21-24 May 2021
Fieldwork: 25-28 June 2021
Sample size: 2,000 total respondents, 1,648 declared"
https://twitter.com/EuropeElects/status/1410993698628947973
This is easily the most winnable tournament for England since 1996 (which we should have won)
In the old cliche, ‘he has justified his selection’.
I'll get my coat.
Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split raises Covid distancing questions
Cabinet minister refuses to say whether he broke rules as he announces 20-year marriage will end in divorce
Michael Gove on Friday night became the second senior Cabinet minister in a week to split with his wife as Downing Street refused to say whether any social distancing rules had been broken.
The Cabinet Office minister is one of four people who have been making unprecedented decisions about people's private lives during the pandemic, sparking questions about their own domestic arrangements.
On Friday afternoon, after months of intense speculation and rumour, Mr Gove and his wife Sarah Vine, a prominent journalist, said in a statement that they had "agreed to separate" and were finalising their divorce after almost 20 years of marriage.
The announcement came within hours of the polls closing in the Batley and Spen by-election – a seat the Conservatives had been expected to win but lost, with blame falling on the Government's handling of revelations about Matt Hancock's affair with aide Gina Coladangelo.
Ms Vine wrote a column in a newspaper on Sunday about the scandal, in which she spoke of the difficulties of sustaining a political marriage.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/07/02/michael-gove-wife-sarah-vine-have-agreed-separate/
Is on the front page of tomorrow's Telegraph
https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/1411064015292448771
https://twitter.com/waatpies/status/1411062042618892295?s=21
Like a wasp landing on a stinging nettle. Somebody’s going to end up stung and you’re not especially bothered as to which one.
Austin Powers: I don't know, baby, I never looked!
1= England 3.25 30.8%
1= Italy 3.25 30.8%
3 Spain 3.65 27.4%
4 Denmark 14 7.1%
5 Czechia 34 2.9%
6 Ukraine 55 1.8%
https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking
We have every chance. Their players are, 1 to 1, no better than ours. We will be at home (if we get there!)
One rule etc etc...
It's bizarre. It is as if a spin doctor from Mars had designed it: a giant flag to annoy Emily Thornberry; perching on the edge of the table to watch the match. Why?
Neil Henderson
@hendopolis
·
6m
THE TIMES: Quarantine to end for those with double jab #TomorrowsPapersToday
Various members of Indie Sage have just imploded.
You can't realistically see Murray back as world number one again, but if he can have a consistent year and get his fitness back up he could quite realistically end up as a top 20 player competing in almost all the major tournaments, and that may be wholly sufficient for him.
Venus Williams is now 41, has chronic health problems, last won a Grand Slam singles title 13 years ago and is struggling to stay in the top 100, and she's still playing. Which, since she's not short of a few dollars, would suggest that she does it out of love. I think Murray's another one of those. I believe he has said as much.
This is a dilemma for most top sportsmen. They don’t have alternative careers. Few soccer stars have the affability, smarts and charm to become a Gary Lineker - or a great manager
Buy a pub is usually the answer. Many end up bankrupt
Course it’s real.
@AllisonPearson
·
28m
As long as Mr Gove wasn’t mingling with anyone outside his household before Step 2 was lifted on 17 May he’ll be fine.
A very hefty comedown from global glory. And your income reduces by 80% or more. 98%?
See the sad fate of Bjorn Borg. Or Boris Becker
It is the price you have to pay for extreme success in early adulthood, and it applies to many professions, crafts and arts
He needs to win a few games, perhaps at smaller tournaments, get into the US Open by right, and be fully up to speed for 2022.
Today they were a good side putting in an exceptional performance.
More generally, I would imagine that most professional sportspeople who are fortunate enough to make a sufficient pile of cash from their playing careers to retire (and that'd probably encompass all footballers playing in the top two flights nowadays) have a well-managed portfolio of investments which allow them to live out their lives as they please. The ones who piss, snort and gamble the lot up the wall are a rare exception - we probably imagine there are more of them than there are because these cases get so much salacious coverage in the tabloids.
If you're unlucky or stupid, the important things get lost as well.
She's probably a much better chance than Norrie.
I have a sense they are more prone to depression, melancholia and suicide than most. Famous Cricketers are notorious for this
That just leaves the sole survivor in the women's draw, young Miss Raducanu. Expect a great deal of hyperventilation about her if she makes it into the second week.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9749507/Blairite-Lord-Mandelson-slaps-Angela-Rayner-hard-Left-hoped-Labour-defeat-Batley.html
Slough's problems began before the pandemic but essentially they have spent themselves to a dead-end.
It's well known in local Government circles a number of authorities are continuing to struggle with pandemic-related costs and lack of income.
We still await any meaningful contribution from the Government on the funding of social care.
But we have a long way to go before we even earn the right to think about them.
I imagine he has a wee bit of sponsorship as well.