Higgins looking like the Champ... as Willie continues to be a pain and thorn in my ears

After over 30 years watching BBC Snooker... I find it very sad that I am forced to watch the
Snooker World Championship Final on Eurosport!! :(

This is solely because of the BBC Snooker producers' insistence to select Willie Thorne as commentator... despite his widespread unpopularity. Unbelievable!

Thorne's 'machine-gun' like 'motor mouth' commentary, with continual inanities... constantly predicting the outcome of shots wrongly... and speaking through important shots... (well every shot!) is just exasperating!!

In complete contrast, Joe Johnston's commentary on Eurosport UK is much easier on the ear... and blood pressure!!

Having had my little rant... things are looking distinctly bleak for Shaun Murphy having just lost the afternoon session 1-3. At the break, John Higgins is 14 - 6 up. Barring an amazing comeback by Murphy, a feat never seen in a Snooker World Championship Final at the Crucible... Higgins is looking like a Champ! On the balance of play... he well deserves it!

Update - 21:05

Congratulations to John Higgins on achieving the inevitable... and becoming for his 3rd time... the World Snooker Champion!

Not one of the 'classic' finals... but nevertheless well deserved!

Great Snooker Championship... but will someone please tell Willie to shut up!

The Snooker World Championships from Sheffield's Crucible Theatre has this year, once more excited me and surpassed all my expectations!

BBC Sport has once again produced a great spectacle... which I have thoroughly enjoyed... with a couple of exceptions.

I've been watching televised Snooker since the early 70's. Like many of you, I'm sure, I have some wonderful memories and great affection for this tournament. For me, April has always been about the FA Cup Semi's, the Boat Race, the Grand National... and last but by no means least, the World Snooker Championship!

I remember many wonderful moments over the years... of this great staple of BBC sport. In particular, I remember moments like the time we all stayed up till the early hours to watch the amazing 1984 'Black Final', won by Dennis Taylor against Steve 'The Nugget' Davis. Another memorable moment for me was the first televised 147 maximum break by Chris Thorburn, which I watched live as it happened. The only thing better would have been, if I'd actually been there!

This 2009 World Championship, to-date, has been exceptionally good and of a very high standard by any yardstick. Already it has broken the all time record of 'centuries' scored, and we still have the Semi's and the Final to come!

Yesterday's encounter between Higgins and Selby was awesome. In the much used cliche... it's a pity there had to be a loser. What an exciting match that was. Unfortunately for me, (and here comes my first excpetion I mentioned earlier) the match was marred and my enjoyment was spoilt by Willie Thorne!

Willie Thorne's 'machine-gun' like 'motor mouth' commentary, with continual inanities... speaking through important shots, was exasperating... and not for the first time!

The BBC coverage of the Snooker World Championships... for me... has always been greatly enhanced by the great commentators, and in the past great presenters too!

I love the characters, the old timers such as my favourite, John Virgo, who can be hilariously funny, very poignant (showing great humanity at times) or just well balanced. He and the likes of Dennis Taylor (another favourite), Clive Everton, (the serious master) and Terry Griffiths, are terrific... with their balanced and intelligent... AND timely commentary. None of whom ever talk through important shots... or 'motor mouth' their way through any pauses. They just give us an informed view of what we are seeing but at the right pace. So... here's a plea to the BBC producers and all of Willie Thorne's colleagues... will someone please tell him... to SHUT THE F--- UP!!

I mentioned two exceptions. I'm afraid the other problem I have with this year's coverage is... the lack of an authoritative presenter for the show.

Ray Stubbs is just... well, banal... and the squeaky teen lookalike Rishi Persad (bless), is so unsuitable to present this programme... it's beyond words! He knows it himself. He clearly feels out of place and uncomfortable in the role he's been asked to play!

Oh for the days of the likes of David Vine (RIP)... there was a authoritative, personable and well versed presenter!

Anyhow... I suppose we have to grin and bear some things... though last night, watchng the Higgins v Selby match... I did come very close to throwing something at the television... driven to near insanity by the idiotic, bald-headed coot, Thorne!

On a more positive note, I cannot write a blog post about this year's Snooker, without mentioning the delectable Michaela Tabb!

What a delight she is. I've thoroughly enjoyed all the matches she has refeered, not just for the added 'fragrance' she brings to these matches, (even her voice is sexy), but in the way she has conducted them, with great authority and humour.. excellent!

It was no surprise therefore, when I read with great satisfaction, that she has been given the task of refeering the World Snooker Championship Final this year... the first time ever, that a woman will have done so! Well done Michaela... I can't wait to watch it!!

Today though, I'm looking forward to the Semi Finals... bald headed coots notwithstanding!

Based on the performances we've already seen from the participants during the past days we should be in for a couple of great matches from four very 'in form' players. May the best men win!

BBC Coverage

You can follow all the latest information and coverage of the World Snooker Championship at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield on the BBC SPORT > Snooker website.

I take my hat off to... Carl Froch who produced one of the great comebacks to retain his WBC super-middleweight crown

Today I take my hat off to Carl Froch, who last night produced one of the great comebacks in boxing history to retain his WBC super-middleweight crown against Jermain Taylor in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Carl, who is from Nottingham and is known in boxing circles as 'The Cobra', was well behind on two scorecards going into the 12th round but produced a grandstand finish to stop Taylor with seconds remaining.

Carl had been well outclassed for much of the fight and he went down for the first time in his career in the third. But an exhausted Taylor was unable to withstand his furious late rally.

"What I did in the 12th, that was unbelievable, Carl said.

"I showed a little composure. I got up and knocked him out in round 12. What more do you want?"

Not a lot more Carl... other than winning the fight in such a brave manner... not much more could one want for... amazing!

That is why we love sport

Robin Chipperfield of BBC Radio Nottingham, where Carl is from, said:

"It is easy to get over-excited and caught up in the hype of the most recent sporting event you have seen, but I think Carl Froch's 12th-round stoppage of Jermain Taylor is the most dramatic and unbelievable ending I have witnessed."

I couldn't agree more! I heard the fight on BBC Radio 5 Live last night... and the commentary itself was memorable and very exciting. I felt I was there. Well done to BBC Radio Nottingham. I am trying to find a clip of it to post here... including the name of the commentator... which I missed last night. I believe it was the BBC 5 Live Boxing correspondent Mike Costello... but I can't be sure. I've asked Radio Nottingham if they would confirm this... but alas no reply! Whoever it was... I bet his throat is the worse for wear today!

Update:

Videos of the fight have now become available on YouTube. Here's one of the last round... showing what an amazing comeback it was! Bear in mind Froch was knocked down in 3rd round. He was losing on 2 scorecards 102-106 and winning on one 106-102 and yet he manages to comes back to win with a KO victory with 14 seconds left in the fight! Watch this:



Full marks to the Referee... who was very quick to stop the fight, before Taylor was badly hurt!

At the time of posting, I couldn't find any video of the fight so I posted this tribute video to Carl Froch instead, posted on YouTube last December:



Nice music too by Kings Of Leon... 'Use Somebody'.

Froch v Calzaghe title fight?

The World Boxing Council super-middleweight title, once the property of Joe Calzaghe, stays around the waist of Froch 'The Cobra' from Nottingham. It remains to be seen, if Calzaghe will come out of retirement to create a huge spectacle in a fight between these two great British boxers.

Best of luck to all London Marathon runners

Today I am wishing everyone running for Charities in the London Marathon all the very best... especially over 650 people running for The Children's Trust.

The Children's Trust is the official charity for the Flora London Marathon 2009.

If you are watching on TV at home, look out for the 'yellow submarine' runners, who were interviewed on the BBC during the Saturday Breakfast sports reports. The Children's Trust runners can’t be missed... their running vests are bright green and have the Children's Trust butterfly logo on them.

There will be a BBC interview with one of the children, Alby, and his family, between 8.30am and 12pm. You will be able to text the BBC with messages of support which will be 'displayed' during the live coverage.

Many celebrities are running for The Children's Trust and helped recruit over 650 runners – the Trust's biggest team ever!

Everyone taking part in the marathon for The Children’s Trust are also helping to celebrate the Trust's 25th anniversary.

To find out more please ring The Children’s Trust’s marathon team on 01737 365018 or check out the The Children's Trust London Marathon 2009 website.

Good luck to everyone running – The Children's Trust are very proud to have over 650 people running for them – and look forward to seeing all runners at the post Marathon party!

I take my hat off to... The England Women's Cricket World Cup Winners!

Tonight I'm taking my hat off to... the England Women's Cricket Team... who outclassed New Zealand to win the Women's World Cup with a thrilling four-wicket victory in Sydney yesterday.

An event... that remarkably, has gone largely unreported in the UK and sadly and very surprisingly to me, has not caught the headlines... well, not that I've noticed!

At least BBC Sport do mention it, buried deep in their sport's pages: BBC SPORT | Cricket | Women's cricket | World Cup joy for England women

Nicki Shaw, a late replacement for the injured Jenny Gunn, was the unlikely hero, claiming 4-34 as the Kiwis were dismissed for 166 in 47.2 overs.

Openers Sarah Taylor (39) and Caroline Atkins (40) calmly took England to within touching distance of the target.

England wobbled slightly - losing five wickets for 40 runs - but won with relative ease despite a nervy finish.

Well done girls... I take my hat off to you!! :)

You can read the full report here: BBC SPORT | Cricket | Women's cricket | World Cup joy for England women

Smithy tells England footie stars... what we always wanted to say

This was one of the best sketches on 'Red Nose Day' on the Beeb on Friday night.

Gavin and Stacey's 'Smithy' (James Corden) stumbled upon members of the England football squad whilst working on a plumbing job at their team hotel.

The charismatic handyman quickly takes the opportunity to deliver a unique team talk in order to inspire the players.

The England team players, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, David James, Peter Crouch, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick... all benefit from Smithy's undoubted wisdom... and tells them what we all probably would have loved to scream at them on many occasions!

Watch out for Beckham... who can't contain his laughter!

If you missed it on the day... you can still make a donation to Red Nose Day!

Mourinho 'assault' investigated

The BBC NEWS website is reporting today that the Greater Manchester Police are apparently investigating an allegation of common assault made against Jose Mourinho, following last night's Champions League tie.

It has been alleged the Inter Milan manager punched a supporter as he left Old Trafford stadium after his team's defeat by Manchester United.

Police have contacted United to request CCTV footage of the area and have confirmed a complaint has been made.

A spokesman for Manchester United confirmed they are aware of the allegation but made no further comment.

The fan is alleged to have chanted, "You're going home, you're going home" to the former Chelsea manager.

The man later went into Stretford police station, close to Old Trafford, to report the alleged attack.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said:

"Just before midnight on Wednesday 11 March 2009 a man reported he'd been punched in the face outside Old Trafford.

"Police are investigating this common assault allegation. Inquiries are ongoing."

The allegation came after Mourinho watched his team crash out of the Champions League after Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo scored for United at the start of each half.

Mourinho has come under attack from the Italian media for his failure to get Inter through to the last eight teams in the competition.

The plane taking the Inter party back to Milan left Manchester at 0025 GMT.

The fan, who is not from the Greater Manchester area, did not report any injuries to police after the alleged attack and did not need treatment.

I must say I am surprised to hear of the possibility that the 'special one' is capable of such an act... if this allegation is true of course.

I am particularly surprised that it wasn't the other way round! Whilst I would never condone this type of violence (there is at times a good case for other types)... how many of us can say we have never experienced the urge to give the 'special one' a good slap for his extreme displays of arrogance and conceit?? I know I have felt it!

Before any of you lay into me... I will add that I do respect the guy... in many other ways, for his skill in manipulating other managers and the press... and of course, not least his undoubted skills and success as a football manager... but I'd still like to slap him at times! lol

Dubious, strange and embarrassing bedfellows they keep

It's hardly a surprise that England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke is now coming under severe pressure to resign, following the revelations over the Sir Allen Stanford affair!

Billionaire Stanford has been charged with a $8bn (£5.6bn) investment fraud.

As ECB chairman, Clarke struck a deal with Stanford to play five $20m matches, with plans in place for new 20-20 tournaments in England as well.

Clarke's dubious leadership of the ECB in all this has now led to at least two county cricket clubs publicly asking him to resign.

Today, both Leicestershire and Hampshire cricket clubs are reported as saying that Clarke should go but he has been backed by Glamorgan, Durham and Middlesex.

Clarke was elected chairman of the ECB for a second term just a matter of days ago, having ran unopposed after Lord Marland withdrew in January.

But the chairmen of Leicestershire and Hampshire, who have been vocal critics of the ECB in the past, have firmly pointed the finger of blame at Clarke.

I find it amazing, that the rest of the county cricket clubs, that comprise the ECB, are not also joining in, in calling for his resignation!

I don't know about you, but right from the very start, when I first heard of Sir Allen Stanford, at the time when he first made his proposals to the ECB, I thought to myself... this guy sounds very dubious. Later on, following his antics during the Twenty 20 internationals between England and a West Indies all-star XI, which he funded with a total prize fund of £12.270m (US $20 million), my doubts about this character were heightened even further. I watched with fascination at all the bullshit and razzmatazz that surrounded Stanford, which he was largely responsible for creating.

The word 'charlatan' kept screaming out loud and clear... at least to me! Naturally, being a somewhat naive and trusting soul, I assumed that the ECB had conducted all 'due diligence' in checking this guy out... and thought, well they must know what they are doing. How naive can we be!

It's ok for me to be perhaps naive... but when the Chairman of an organisaton such as the ECB, is shown to have been so badly taken in, even if all decisions were made jointly by the board, then surely it is time for the Chairman to go... maybe the whole board too! What were they thinking about?

Dubious, strange and embarassing bedfellows

Speaking of keeping dubious, strange and embarrassing bedfellows... I just watched a press conference of Gordon Brown... our esteemed Prime Minister, being welcomed to Rome by the very dubious Signor Berlusconi... the Italian Prime Minister.


Am I being an idiot for feeling a touch of discomfort watching these two effusing about each other... and the good they are going to do when discussing the need to help poor countries during the global economic crisis? I mean... come on, this is a guy, the prime minister of a major European country, who has been indicted for paying bribes!

Perhaps this does not embarrass the Italians, but those scenes with Brown and Berlusconi... give me great discomfort!

On Tuesday, David Mills, the estranged husband of the UK's Olympics minister Tessa Jowell, was sentenced to four and a half years' jail by an Italian court after being found guilty of taking a $600,000 (£400,000) bribe as a reward for withholding court testimony to help Berlusconi!

It appears, that Berlusconi, who was indicted alongside Mills, his former legal adviser on offshore dealings, is no longer a defendant. His government passed a law last year giving the prime minister and some other top Italian officials immunity from prosecution. If that's not scandalous in itself, I really don't know what is!

While newspapers report that this is the first time in Italy that someone has been found guilty of taking a bribe without the giver of the money being identified, we all KNOW who it was!!

The fact that Berlusconi himself is still prime minister and not resigned in shame is bare faced cheek to an extreme. For our own prime minister, to be seen effusing jovially with this crook... gives me great discomfort and makes me wonder... what sort of dishonourable world are we living in... but hey, that's just me!

As we say in Llanito... valiente carra dura... the bare faced cheek of it all!

Will football commentators ever get foreign names right...

I watched the Spain v England game tonight... shame about the result. (Spain 2 v England 0 - England were well beaten by a very sharp side playing some excellent football... he said through gritted teeth!)

Anyhow... whilst I watched the game on ITV... I listenend to the match build-up and half time round up and assessments on BBC Radio's 5 Live.

Tonight, they had the admirable Roberto Martinez, presently enjoying great success as Swansea City manager, summarising and offering his country's view on the game. All very good... and he was excellent, eloquent and informed in his commentary. So... what's the problem?

The problem is that none of the 5 Live crew could get his name right! Neither the other commentators or presenter managed to pronounce Martinez properly... making listening, at least for me (and I imagine any other hispanic speaker also listening), highly irritating!

These sports commentators are supposed to be professionals, after all! You'd think they would just make a little effort to make sure they know how to pronounce names properly. One might wonder why Roberto Martinez didn't correct them. I expect he's probably too nice... and maybe is so used to it, he can't be bothered any more.

Not that I imagine they'll ever read this... but for the benefit of any other Brit wanting to know... the correct pronunciation for the name 'Martinez', phonetically, is : mar-TEE-ness. This doesn't work too well when it's written... so here is a great site for pronounciations where you can listen to it being pronounced properly: Inogolo - 'English Pronunciation Guide to the Names of People, Places, and Stuff'.

Will British sports commentators ever get hispanic names right? I doubt it! Exasperating!