England the hors d’oeuvre ahead of an Argentine main course
Starting at 5pm, you can take your televisual pick from five meaningless World Cup qualifiers, before the real action starts at a slightly-inconvenient-if-you-work time of 11.
Germany (already through) vs Finland (already out) help ESPN stave off the test card from 5pm, before channel hoppers enter heaven at around 7. Sky Sports 2 at 6:30 is the place to be to watch Shay Given clap the crowd who in turn will be clapping him, as he wins his 100th cap against Montenegro. Meanwhile Slovenia’s inevitable win in San Marino, makes Czech Republic vs Northern Ireland (7:20 BBC red button) another dead rubber.
Liverpool TV is the place to watch the top two in Group 5. Turn on at 6:45 for Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Spain, a match Rafa doesn’t want any of his stars to play in, although presumably LFCTV advertising execs take an opposing view.
Or walk the way of ITV1 at 7:30 to watch Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ben Foster, Michael Carrick and assorted others once more prove they aren’t quite up to international football. But all this is mere flotsam and jetsam compared to the second oldest derby in international football. Separated by the widest river in the world, tonight’s result could ensure many more miles will be separating the players of Uruguay and Argentina next June. Maradona’s men need a draw to qualify, but should they lose, and Ecuador win in Chile, the World Cup 2010 will take place without the world’s best player. Sky Sports 1 at 11 for the game of the season thus far.
UPDATE The Chile vs Ecuador match bizarrely (and slightly unfairly) kicks off an hour earlier, so if the away side win that game, the second half in Montevideo really will be something.
Here’s a great spot from the handsome devils at Off The Post. At first glance, it looks like a performance by a phenomenally untalented boyband. Take a closer look at the chap who snatches a Polaroid from the lady in pink, and you will see a Ukrainian who failed to impress in the Premier League.
In a scene reminiscent of Christ’s trial, pretty Nereida Gallardo was grilled by a panel of sneering Spaniards on television, forced to explain herself, and her relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. In the above clip, the lady host particularly despises the former WAG’s party lifestyle, repeatedly asking whether Nereida has enjoyed sex with lots of famous people, while some guy chips in to ask if she has ever been on the game. As an “escort”, like. It’s all a bit good cop/bad cop.
Nereida, obviously rattled, having probably expected to be on a kindly Pebble Mill-style daytime show, explains how Ronaldo really wanted to go to Real Madrid and promised her that she’d be the first to know about the move, that she isn’t a prostitute, and that the CR tattoo on her wrist will soon be removed, thanks to her mother’s friend who is a dermatologist. Other revelations include: she found a suspicious text on Ronaldo’s phone, which was in Spanish, and that someone once paid for her to go to New York, but that doesn’t make her a proz.
The best sports programming on the telebox tonight
Fancy watching some of the Premier League’s brightest stars light up half empty stadiums on pitches that look like an unkempt back garden in August? Well, look no further than today’s
Kevin Keegan’s latest stint at Newcastle will undoubtedly be the highlight of a packed weekend for armchair sportsfans – will his rejuvenated side be able to get the better of Bolton? Check out our preview here, then place your
The best sports programming on the telebox this weekend
The week after Chelsea lost Mourinho, they were charged with the task of getting a result at old Trafford in a televised game. Big Sam-less Newcastle now face exactly the same situation, but will they suffer the same
The best sports programming on the telebox tonight
Tonight, the last two first leg ties fo the fifth round of the Cop del Rey are played, with Atletico and Real going in as favourites. Have a punt on the matches using our oddschicken, then look forward to settling down with a San Miguel (or a less stereotypical beverage if you prefer) tonight.
Atletico Madrid/ Valladolid (Sky Sports 1, 7pm)
Mallorca/ Real Madrid (Sky Sports 1, 9pm)
The best sports programming on the telebox tonight
Unless biathlons or men’s volleyball are your thang, avoid British Eurosport tonight and check out the Carling Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Spurs. Remember to check out our preview of the game here, then spice it up with a few punts on our oddschicken, where you’ll find the best odds on the market.
Carling Cup Semi-final First Leg
Arsenal/ Tottenham (Sky Sports 1, 7.45pm)
Loading ...