Football League bosses attack reform, Alex Hales confident after Day 1 fightback, Ross Murdoch's gold and happy birthday to one of the league's finest keepers.
FRIDAY MORNING'S BIG STORIES 1-Britain's Murdoch stuns even himself as he wins 200m gold
![Bradford City's Mark Yeates (C) celebrates after scoring against Chelsea during their FA Cup fourth round match at Stamford Bridge]()
![England's Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales at tea]()
![Arsenal's Petr Cech]()
Ross Murdoch has defied his own expectations, taking gold in the 200m breaststroke on day four of the European Swimming Championships in London. Murdoch of Scotland's strong finish in the race saw him hold off German Marco Koch to finish atop the podium by 0.07 seconds.
Murdoch was shocked by his victory, saying he had worked a long way to get to this point but had even impressed himself.
"It's been a long time coming that swim. To come away with a gold, I never through that would happen so I am absolutely delighted," he said.
"I had a few demons from the trails but I want to thank my coach and family, and this proves I'm on course for the next cycle."
Britain picked up another five medals on Thursday, through Siobhan-Marie O'Connor and Jazz Carlin of Wales, whose strong swims in the 200m and 800m medley respectively saw them take silver. Scots Hannah Miley and Kathleen Dawson both claimed bronze in those events.
2- Football League chiefs attack FA's move for five-league, 100 club system
Executives at some of England's lower tier football clubs are unhappy with the FA's reform of the Football League system, arguing that it will result in lower revenues and affect the strength of the current system.
Bradford City's Mark Yeates (C) celebrates after scoring against Chelsea during their FA Cup fourth round match at Stamford Bridge - Eurosport
Bradford joint-chairman Mark Lawn and Rotherham chairman Tony Stewart expressed concerns yesterday about the suggested reforms, which seek to remove fixture congestion and keep play-off finals on the last weekend of the domestic season.
The Bradford joint-chairman was adamant that the move would hurt clubs financially and there was no problems with the current set-up.
"We had this structure for years because it has suited the majority of clubs, so why change it?" he said. "What they don't understand is that currently we have 23 home games. We need the crowds. Losing four home games means we lose four incomes."
Rotherham chairman Stewart expressed similar concerns, saying it may widen the already large inequality between divisions:
"There is also a divide between the Championship and League One and Two, and the gaps need filling in."
For the proposal to be approved, it needs the backing of 65 Football League clubs (90% of the current Football League members) at next year's AGM. Any decision has to be confirmed by November 2017, so it could be implemented for the start of the 2018/19 season.
3- England have momentum heading into day two, says Alex Hales
Despite being 83-5 at one stage on day one, England opener Alex Hales is adamant the hosts have the momentum going forward at stumps on Day One of the first team against Sri Lanka.
England's Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales at tea - Reuters
England's recovery took them to 171-5, with Hales unbeaten on 71. His 88-run unbeaten partnership with Jonny Bairstow (54*) steadied the side heading into the second day of action.
Hales told the BBC it was a challenge, but was adamant his side "had the momentum".
"It was a tough day, but I knew I had to dig deep. The first hour in the morning will be massive in shaping this game. It's delicately balanced."
Hales also praised his team-mates' efforts in assisting him getting the side out of a troubling position.
"It was fantastic from Jonny to counter-attack in that manner. It was just good, strong cricket shots."
SHARING IS CARING - TODAY'S VIRAL GEMS
Just one highlight of LeBron's incredible play-off triple double overnight.
WEDNESDAY'S CAN'T MISS ACTION
- CYCLING - Giro d'Italia: Stage 13 - Palmanova - Cividale del Friuli - LIVE ON EUROSPORT 1 from 12:45
A 170km with a range of climbs is predicted to give maglia rosa Bob Jungels some trouble, can someone take the lead from him? Tune in and find out.
- SWIMMING - European Championships: Day 5 - LIVE ON EUROSPORT 1 from 18:00
Can more British talent follow up the efforts of Ross Murdoch's gold on day five of the European Championships in London? Watch the evening session live and in HD, exclusively on Eurosport 1.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Expert shotstopper and Premier League veteran Petr Cech turns 34 today. Cech rose to prominence at Sparta Prague and Rennes, before moving to Chelsea in 2004. Cech overcame a terrible head injury to return and became arguably the best keeper of the Premier League era, then moving to rivals Arsenal after over a decade of service at Stamford Bridge. Cech also has 118 international caps for the Czech Republic. Happy birthday and all the best to one football's most widely respected players.
Arsenal's Petr Cech - Reuters
No comments:
Post a Comment