sport@list.co.uk
r 001 BALL EURO 2004
Various venues, Portugal; BBC and Scottish; starts Sat 12 Jun
Rangers’ Dado Prso hopes to hit the heights for Croatia
While England expects, France will demand. There are three reasons why the flair-happy French will want to wipe the floor with their old foes in the opening Group B clash on Sunday 13 June. For one thing, as reigning champions a good start to a new campaign is vital. Secondly, national coach Jacques Santini will want to show the English what he can do, considering he’ll be leading Tottenham next season, while aiming to sign off as his country’s boss in style. And finally, the French must still be haunted by their dismal showing at the 2002 World Cup when the crown they so heroically won on their home patch in 1998 was relinquished
meekly with not a single goal scored.
But with Scotland being notable for their absence in this year’s final stages (who can forget the right royal humping Berti’s boys received at the hands of the rampant Dutch in the second-leg play-off?), there would appear to be no particular reason for anyone on this side of the border to take more than a passing fancy at the goings-on down Portugal way. What might keep some Scots rooted to the telly will be the players appearing in Portugal who are also members of the SPL elite. This, unfortunately, will be the sole preserve of the Old Firm fans, who will be strategically choosing
which nations to root for.
In truth, both sides of the Glasgow divide will make reality-bending claims for their side’s representation. Celtic will look to Henrik Larsson for Sweden (still technically a Hoops player until July) while Rangers can count new signings, Croatia’s Dado Prso and French stopper Jean-Alain Boumsong (neither of whom officially join up till July). The fact is that lbrox employees during the tourney will number the Qatar-bound Frank de Boer (Holland) and the dashing Dane Peter Lovenkrands while the Parkhead payroll contains Henrik and his compatriots Johan Mjallby and Magnus Hedman plus Bulgarian skipper Stilian Petrov. For diplomacy’s sake, let’s call it 4-4. Last season, Rangers would have been happy with any kind of a draw in an Old Firm match. (Brian Donaldson)
Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least ten days before publication. Sports listings are subject to change, so please check in advance. Listings are compiled by Rachael Street.
Edinburgh
I Rugby: Scotland U21 v South Africa U21 lidinhurgh .'\Cil(lL‘llllL'ills Sports (iround. Raehurn Place. 315 3308. 7.30pm. £10 tlircc); £30 tournament pass. l-‘irst match ol‘ the 1R1) under-31 \Vorld ('liatnpionships tor Scotland. as they take South Africa l'3ls. cttrrently seeded lottth in the world. This game is preceded by Italy 1731 y Argentina [31 at 5pm tincluded in ticket price).
Outsrde the cities
I Rowing: Scottish Rowing Championships and Scottish Schools Rowing Championships
Strathclydc ('ountry Park. 366 llatnilton Road. .\lolhcr\\c|1. 01608 366155.
0am 6pm. Amateur row ing regatta o\er a \ariety ol' age ranges. with races taking place eyery lew minutes.
Edinburgh
I Athletics: The Edinburgh Marathon Holymotl Park. 556 1761. 0am. 'l‘housands ol' runners take to the streets ol llte capital lor the second lidinhurgh .‘ylarathon.
Outside the cities
I Motor racing: F1 Stock Cars Knockhill Racing ('ircuit. Knockhill. 1)unlcrm|ine. 01383 733337. I 5pm. £10 t£5 ). Watch the best in British and World Stock cars cotupetc on the unique Knockhill tri--o\al circuit.
I Rowing: Scottish Rowing Championships and Scottish Schools Rowing Championships Strathclyde ('ountry Park. 366 Hamilton Rmtd. .\lt)lltt‘l'\\ c“. (11093 3661.55.
0am 6pm. See Sat 13.
Outside the cities
I Rugby: Scotland U21 v England U21 NL‘lltL‘l'dztlc Sports (it‘ottnd. (ialashicls. ()1806 7551-15. 7.30pm. £10 (liree): £30 tournament pass. Iixpect a divided crowd as Scotland's youngsters take on lingland's as part of the IRB under-31s World Championships. This game is preceded by Italy ['31 \' France ['31 at 5pm (included in ticket price).
Wednesday 1 6
Outside the cities
I Horse racing: Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce Day Hamilton l’ark Racecourse. Bothwell Road. Hamilton. ()1608 383806. 3.30pm. £10 £16. Iinjoy Royal Ascot on the big screen and six races liye from Hamilton Park at this ('hamher ol ('ommerce 1)ay.
Outside the cities
I Horse racing: Ayr Races .-\y'r Racecourse. 3 \Vllillclls Road. .-\yr. 01303 364170. 7pm. £15 (£10). An eyening ol‘ llat racing.
Friday 18
Outside the cities
I Horse racing: Ayr Races .-\yr Racecourse. 3 \Vltlllt‘lls Road. :\yr. ()1303 36-1170. 3.30pm. £15 (£10). See Thu 17.
Saturday 19
Glasgow
I Rugby: Scotland U21 v Russia U21 Burnhrae. Milngayie. 043 5051. 1.30pm. £10t15ree): £30 tournament pass. Scotland takes on Russia as part ol~ the IRB under-31s World ('hampionships. 'l'his match is l‘ollow ed by New Zealand ['31 y South Al’rica 1'31 at 4pm tincluded in ticket price).
Edinburgh
I Athletics: Edinburgh Triathlon and Duathlon lloly‘t'ood Park. 556 1761. 0am. £31 £34 entry l‘ee. Athletes compete in running. cycling and swimming disciplines around Holy'rood Park and in the Royal ('ommonwealth 1’ool.
Outside the cities
I Horse racing: Ayr Races .v\yr Racecourse. 3 Whitlctts Road. Ayr. 01303 364170. l.5()pm. £15 (£10). See Thu 17.
I Motor racing: Hot Hatch Festival Knockhill Racing (‘ircuit. Knockhill. l)unl'erm|ine. 01383 733337. 0am 10pm. £15. Hot Hatch festival with racing. stunts. trade stands. drag racing and much tnore.
Edinburgh
I Keep fit: The Great Scottish Walk Meadow hank Sports ('entre. 130 London Road. 661 5351. l 1am 5pm. £7.50 t£6). l.ast year oyer 5000 people took part in this charity walk. which also includes a number of team and
indiy idual competitions in a \ariety ol‘ age categories. Participants cart chose to l'ollow either a 6 mile or a 13 mile course. although there are mttch shorter courses lor the may young or physically impaired.
I Cricket: Scottish Saltires v Durham Dynamos (irange ('ricket ('luh. l’ortgow er l’lace. Stockhridge. 313 7430. lpm. £10 (£7.50 £5). .’\ rare
w eekend match for the Saltires should encourage a good crowd to come ottt in support ol' the home team. :\nd at this stage in the .\'('1.. they need plenty ol L‘llL‘t)tll'dgc‘lttcnl.
Sport
I Aussie rules: Old Town Bloods v Glasgow Sharks The Meadows. Melville l)riye. 3pm. Free. :\tl.ssic rules league match. Teams in lidinhurgh and (ilasgow are looking lot‘ new players and officials. Anyone interested in joining their weekly training sessions should contact Andrew Butler ((ilasgow) on 07010 003 31-1 or (‘amphell Kennedy (lidinhurgh) on 07766 001 773.
Outsrde the cities
I Motor racing: Hot Hatch Festival Knockhill Racing Circuit. Knockhill. 1)unl‘ermline. ()1383 733337. 0am 10pm. £15. See Sat 10.
Outside the cities
I Horse racing: Musselburgh Races Musselburgh Racecourse. Linklield Road. Musselburgh. 0131 665 3850. noon. £1 1 £17 (£6): under £l6s l‘ree. An allernoon of flat racing.
Wednesday 23
Glasgow
I Rugby: IRB U21 World Championships: Semi Finals llughenden. 33 Hughenden Road. 353 3468. 5pm. £10 tl‘ree); £30 tournament pass. The top four teams from the 1R1) under-31s World (‘hampionships compete for a place in the linals. which take place on 37th June.
Outside the Cities
I Horse racing: Ladies’ Night Hamilton Park Racecourse. Bothwell Road. Hamilton. ()1608 383806. 7.05pm. £10 £16. Race night for the ladies. although men are also welcome.
IRB U21 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
It’s not been a great year for Scottish rugby. The only thing that the international squad have managed to pick up so far is a wooden spoon in the Six Nations. However, between 11-27 June, the future of the nation’s game will be on show at the U21 World Championship. It promises a feast of top class action from rugby’s rising stars, but the question is whether any of these will come from Scotland. The team finished seventh in last year’s tournament and will be competing against players from New Zealand, Australia and England who are already playing at professional level, so the lads will certainly have their work cut out.
I IRB U27 World Championship, Various venues (Edinburgh, G/asgow, the Borders), 71-27 June. www. scottishrugb y. org
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