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England Basketball has funding cut despite GB's 2012 Olympics berth

• Funding cut because participation rates have declined
• British teams awarded place at London Olympics




  • Owen Gibson
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 13.31 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    The-number-of-people-play-007.jpg
    The number of people playing basketball in the UK has fallen. Photograph: John Rensten/Getty Images England Basketball has become the first governing body to suffer a cut in funding from Sport England after the quango warned it would get tough on sports that were not delivering against participation targets.
    "England Basketball has not demonstrated the necessary focus on improving its plans for increasing participation, despite continued support and encouragement to do so. This was an important factor in our decision," said the Sport England chief executive Jennie Price.
    The cut comes less than a fortnight after the British men's and women's basketball teams were awarded a place at the 2012 Olympic Games by the international federation. It was hoped that basketball would be one of the sports to most benefit from a home Games.
    But the number of people playing basketball at least once a week has declined from 186,000 to 154,100 since 2009. Its £6.2m in revenue funding over the four years from 2009 to 2013 will now be reduced to £5m.
    The latest Sport England figures, published last week, showed only four sports had shown an increase in adult participation rates since 2008, while 17 had shown a decrease.

 
Colin Montgomerie says he is prepared to captain 2014 Ryder Cup team

&#8226; Sandy Lyle says fellow Scot is perfect for role at Gleneagles
&#8226; Montgomerie led Europe to victory over the US last October




  • Reuters
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 March 2011 00.13 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Colin-Montgomerie-Ryder-C-007.jpg
    Colin Montgomerie, pictured playing in the pro-am before the Andalucian Open starting on Thursday, said he would 'have to accept' if he was asked to captain Europe's Ryder Cup team in 2014. Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images Colin Montgomerie has said he would be prepared to captain the 2014 European Ryder Cup team.
    Montgomerie had indicated after leading Europe to victory over the United States last October in Wales that he was not interested in doing the job again. But the former US Masters champion Sandy Lyle suggested this week that Montgomerie would be perfect for the role at Gleneagles in 2014.
    "I don't know where Sandy is coming from but that's just his own opinion, I suppose," Montgomerie said on the eve of the Andalucian Open.
    "But whether or not I am captain in 2014 depends on how things go in 2012 and what the committee's feelings are.
    "I am just there to support the Tour, as I've always said," Montgomerie said. "Anyway I am sure I will be involved because of my affiliation with Gleneagles, whatever that might be.
    "But if asked again, and because of my involvement for and with the Tour over the years, I would have to accept. Only if they wanted me. But they would have to approach me. I wouldn't be approaching them."
    Lyle said this week that Montgomerie would be a strong candidate to return as captain in 2014.
    "I wouldn't be surprised if Colin gets invited back. He knows the course, the surrounding area, what's needed there and what's not needed," Lyle said. "I think he would be the man to choose unless someone like Darren Clarke or Paul McGinley feels he is next in line."
    Montgomerie has not spoken with Lyle since the former British Open champion caused a furore at the 2009 Open by accusing him of cheating over an incident during the 2005 Indonesian Open. José María Olazábal leads Europe in the US next year.

 
Colin Montgomerie says he is prepared to captain 2014 Ryder Cup team

• Sandy Lyle says fellow Scot is perfect for role at Gleneagles
• Montgomerie led Europe to victory over the US last October




  • Reuters
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 24 March 2011 00.13 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Colin-Montgomerie-Ryder-C-007.jpg
    Colin Montgomerie, pictured playing in the pro-am before the Andalucian Open starting on Thursday, said he would 'have to accept' if he was asked to captain Europe's Ryder Cup team in 2014. Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images Colin Montgomerie has said he would be prepared to captain the 2014 European Ryder Cup team.
    Montgomerie had indicated after leading Europe to victory over the United States last October in Wales that he was not interested in doing the job again. But the former US Masters champion Sandy Lyle suggested this week that Montgomerie would be perfect for the role at Gleneagles in 2014.
    "I don't know where Sandy is coming from but that's just his own opinion, I suppose," Montgomerie said on the eve of the Andalucian Open.
    "But whether or not I am captain in 2014 depends on how things go in 2012 and what the committee's feelings are.
    "I am just there to support the Tour, as I've always said," Montgomerie said. "Anyway I am sure I will be involved because of my affiliation with Gleneagles, whatever that might be.
    "But if asked again, and because of my involvement for and with the Tour over the years, I would have to accept. Only if they wanted me. But they would have to approach me. I wouldn't be approaching them."
    Lyle said this week that Montgomerie would be a strong candidate to return as captain in 2014.
    "I wouldn't be surprised if Colin gets invited back. He knows the course, the surrounding area, what's needed there and what's not needed," Lyle said. "I think he would be the man to choose unless someone like Darren Clarke or Paul McGinley feels he is next in line."
    Montgomerie has not spoken with Lyle since the former British Open champion caused a furore at the 2009 Open by accusing him of cheating over an incident during the 2005 Indonesian Open. José María Olazábal leads Europe in the US next year.
 
Van Persie: Gunners not good enough


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Updated Mar 25, 2011 9:47 AM ET
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has admitted their quest for silverware has floundered this season as they are 'not good enough'.
Arsene Wenger's men were in contention for four trophies in February but have crashed out of three competitions in the past few weeks.
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Their shock Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham was followed swiftly by a UEFA Champions League at the hands of Barcelona and an FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Manchester United.
The Gunners remain in contention for the Premier League title but are five points adrift of United with a game in hand - and van Persie accepts they have to learn the lessons of their previous disappointments to end the club's six-year trophy drought.
"We always do our best at Arsenal and always want to win," the Holland international said. "On a number of occasions we have been very close but, at the last moment, it's often not good enough. That's the reality.
"It's very frustrating when you lose, especially as a team when we're so close. But we have to look forward and now it's up to us to change all that.
"I firmly believe in the team, Arsenal and myself and I'm positive we will win prizes."
Van Persie has rejected suggestions that he could consider moving away from Emirates Stadium in a bid to secure more honours.
He added: "Absolutely not. I'm happy here, I have a contract with Arsenal and I fully respect that."
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Van Persie, who saw red at the Nou Camp as Arsenal's European dream was ended by Barcelona, hit out at the Spanish side for the way they complained to the referee throughout the match.
And he accused Premier League rivals Chelsea of adopting similar tactics.
He said: "The Barca players were always complaining and moaning and that's something I dislike about them.
"In England, Chelsea players do the same. Barca are a great team but they don't have to exaggerate their continuous moaning, otherwise it becomes very irritating on the pitch."
 
Emenalo lauds 'devastating' Lamps


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Updated Mar 25, 2011 11:30 AM ET
First-team coach Michael Emenalo says Frank Lampard can again prove "devastating" for Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title.
The 32-year-old is, along with Blues skipper John Terry and full-back Ashley Cole, set to feature for England against Wales in Saturday's Euro 2012 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
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Lampard has started to come into his own in recent weeks following a frustrating spell on the sidelines, first after a hernia operation and then a leg muscle injury.
It has coincided with a shift in both formation and fortune for the Blues, who have moved safely into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and won the last three Premier League games - including against leaders Manchester United and top four rivals Manchester City.
Emenalo is in no doubt of the impact made by Lampard, who has netted four goals in his last six appearances.
"When Frank Lampard was injured we said he needed to take his time to come back because he's such an important player for us," Emenalo said on the club's official website.
"What people don't understand is that Frank is our best playmaker and his statistics are outstanding over the last few seasons.
"Forty per cent of the goals we score as a team come through him in some way - he is devastating in the final third and not only because he can score, but he can play the final pass.
"He creates a lot of things, so it's good to have him back."
Emenalo added: "This position in the 4-4-2 actually suits him, and what he does is temper his run forward a little bit more, because he has less cover behind him now.
"We missed him, and we needed players like him or Michael Essien, who can make mistakes, but recover from them.
"That's what big players do, dig deep and come back from bad situations.
"World-class players don't grow on trees and I am not surprised Frank has been able to return and adjust so easily."
Much has been made of the way Carlo Ancelotti sets up his team, particularly during what was one of Chelsea's worst run in recent memory.
Didier Drogba started on the bench against City as Salomon Kalou was deployed in attack alongside Fernando Torres, who has yet to score since his £50million move from Liverpool.
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However, Emenalo feels the Blues can utilise the best of every squad member by what have proven to be relatively minor tactical changes.
"Carlo looked over the situation with the players we have and at what was lacking, and in his past when he has been in these situations, he decided the best way to attack this situation was to get a very good defensive base from which to work," the Nigerian said.
"As a result we've gone to 4-4-2 which gives a balanced defensive core, but we have quality players who can do different things and we are able to manipulate it a little bit, with Ramires on the right and Florent Malouda or Yury Zhirkov on the left, so we can create width on one side and a certain level of compactness from the right, meaning we don't get overrun even if we send people forward and it can become a central three in midfield when we are defending.
"It means we can stay strong in transition because a lot of times when people play 4-4-2 they use two wide players who go forward and they have problems in transition, or play 4-4-1-1, limiting the players they have going forward and often becoming a 4-5-1.
"On our left side we also have a very attacking full-back in Ashley Cole, and it helps that when David Luiz plays he gets involved and becomes a playmaker.
"The experience of the manager has helped tremendously because we have been able to come through and look strong again."
 
Lucas expected Luiz to dazzle


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Updated Mar 25, 2011 4:12 PM ET
Liverpool's Lucas Leiva admits that Brazil team-mate David Luiz's explosive start to life in the Premier League has come as no surprise.
Luiz joined Chelsea in January from Benfica in a deal worth about £21.3million and has since produced a number of stellar performances.
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The 23-year-old defender joined fellow Brazil international and former Benfica team-mate Ramires at Stamford Bridge, swelling the number of English-based players from the South American nation.
For years questions have been raised about whether Brazilians and fellow South Americans had the mentality to adapt and achieve in English football, but Lucas believes the current crop are helping dispel the myth.
"I've known David since I was maybe 19 years old and we used to play for the Under-20s together," he said. "I am not surprised [with his impact].
"I am really, really happy with the way he has arrived because I know how difficult it is to adapt in the Premier League .
"But he is already scoring a lot of goals and maybe people were not expecting this. And they have been important goals as well so I am happy with the way he is playing.
"Ramires is also doing really well and we are happy because I know how difficult it is for a Brazilian player to come to the Premier League and do well.
"Hopefully more Brazilians will come and help teams in the Premier League."
While Luiz has defended with steel and scored freely since his big-money move in January, fellow new signing Fernando Torres has struggled to adapt to life at Chelsea.
Much has been spoken about the Spain international since his £50 million January move to the Blues and his subsequent inability to find the back of the net for his new club.
Former team-mate Lucas admits he has spoken to Luiz and Ramires about his former Liverpool team-mate and backed him to hit top form sooner rather than later.
"We know it was a big change for him," he said. "He did really well for Liverpool and scored a lot of goals.
"I think as soon as he scores the first goal he will shine the same as he did at Liverpool."
Torres' departure paved the way for Reds boss Kenny Dalglish to head out on spending splurge, which saw Ajax striker Luis Suarez and Newcastle frontman Andy Carroll arrive at Anfield.
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The latter raised more than a couple of eyebrows due in no small part to the £35 million fee, but Lucas has backed the 22-year-old to shine with club and country.
Asked whether Carroll deserves an England start against Wales, the midfielder said: "I think so, he deserves it. Everything he is doing is great.
"We know he has been out for a few months but we already know from the last few games he could play really well.
"Now he is getting his fitness back he will shine for England, I am sure."
Lucas, meanwhile, will be hoping for a starting berth of his own as Brazil prepare to face Scotland in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium so Sunday.
Mano Menezes' side come into the match on the back of two defeats but the Liverpool man believes the future is bright for Selecao.
"The new manager is trying to give opportunities to the young players and trying to build a new team so a lot of new faces are here," he added.
"But we just have to take the opportunity to try and be in the squad all the time and look to the Copa America."
 
Blues swoop for teenage Brazilian


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Updated Mar 25, 2011 4:20 PM ET
Chelsea have confirmed that Brazilian midfielder Lucas Piazon will join the club in January for a fee which could eventually hit £5.3million.
Sat., Apr. 2​
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The 17-year-old Sao Paolo starlet is expected to pen a long-term deal with the Premier League champions after securing a pre-contract agreement at Stamford Bridge.
He will move in the first available transfer window after he turns 18 in a deal which is thought to be worth £5.3million.
Chelsea had to fight off interest from Serie A giants Juventus for his signature but the club now have an agreement deal in place.
A statement on the club's official website said: "Chelsea has agreed terms with Sao Paulo FC for the transfer of Lucas Piazon.
"The player has signed a pre-contract agreement and is expected to join us in January 2012 on a long-term deal."
Piazon has never played a senior game for Sao Paulo but is currently representing Brazil at the South American Under-17s Championship.
 
Street-wise Nani still adjusting


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Updated Mar 25, 2011 8:50 AM ET
Manchester United winger Nani feels he is still adjusting to Premier League football and battling against his inclination to perform tricks.
The 24-year-old Portuguese star has shown some much-improved form this season to help the Red Devils top the league - and credits the disciplinarian approach of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Nani said: "I try to enjoy playing now, but it is not always possible because I have a responsibility to the team.
"But something of the street remains in me. It is not easy to show at United because Sir Alex does not allow very much freedom and I cannot do the tricks and things I did with my friends.
"When the game is under control I take a risk and it makes me very happy if things work out."
 
Spurs 'doing a deal' for Gallas


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Updated Mar 25, 2011 12:45 PM ET
William Gallas is poised to sign a new contract to extend his stay at Tottenham, with Harry Redknapp saying: "He has been top class."
The veteran centre-back signed a one-year deal with Spurs in the summer following his release by North London rivals Arsenal.
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The former Chelsea player has become an integral member of Harry Redknapp's backline and has helped the club secure a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they will take on Real Madrid.
France international Gallas admitted after the last-16 victory over AC Milan that he would welcome the opportunity to prolong his association with Spurs.
And now Redknapp has confirmed that chairman Daniel Levy has opened discussions with the 33-year-old, who the experienced manager regards as 'one of the signings of the season'.
"The chairman's doing a deal," Redknapp told the Daily Telegraph. "William fully deserve it, he has been top class. He's a nice man, a quiet man who just gets on with it.
"He could have gone abroad during the summer and made money, but the deal he did with us was an awful lot less than he was on at Arsenal.
"He has been one of the signings of the season. He has been magnificent for us and has played nearly all the games."
 
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