Tag Archives: trip

Alistair Brownlee in hospital to have appendix removed

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Olympic triathlon champion Brownlee recovering after appendix operation

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UPDATED:

12:11 GMT, 3 October 2012


Golden boy: Alistair Brownlee's big moment

Golden boy: Alistair Brownlee's big moment

Super-fit Olympic hero Alistair Brownlee confirmed he has had to go to hospital for the first time – to have his appendix removed.

The triathlon gold medallist, from Bramhope, near Leeds, said he was taken ill as he travelled to catch a flight to Brazil last week.

After first consulting with his doctor father Keith, he was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary where he had to have his appendix removed in a routine operation.

Brownlee, who provided one of the most high-profile success stories of London 2012, took to Twitter to thank his father for the advice and the NHS for his treatment.

He tweeted: 'Yes it was my appendix. Got horribly ill last week, went into hospital with a sore tummy and came out 2 days later. Thanks Dad and the NHS!'

He added: 'Was on my way to airport en route to Brazil, trip put back a week and first trip to a Hospital instead.'

Oh brother: Brownlee celebrates gold with bronze-winning brother Jonny (right)

Oh brother: Brownlee celebrates gold with bronze-winning brother Jonny (right)

Brownlee even posted a graphic surgical picture of his infected body part and joked that he might put it on eBay.

His father, who is a consultant paediatrician, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: 'The whole family was absolutely delighted at the care and treatment Alistair received from the doctors, nurses and other staff at Leeds General Infirmary.'

Dr Brownlee did not perform the appendectomy.

Euro 2012: Joe Hart volunteered for England"s Auschwitz trip

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I need to see Auschwitz… Hart volunteered for death camp visit after father's advice

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UPDATED:

07:30 GMT, 8 June 2012

Joe Hart has stressed the importance of England's visit to Auschwitz after revealing his father convinced him to see the former Nazi death camp.

Hart was among the members of Roy Hodgson's 23-man European Championship squad to volunteer to make the 40-mile trip west from their Krakow base on Friday afternoon.

Others will make the much shorter journey to Oskar Schindler's factory just outside the city centre but Hart wanted to pay his respects to the thousands who lost their lives at Auschwitz during the Second World War.

Sense of history: England goalkeeper Joe Hart will visit Auschwitz on Friday

Sense of history: England goalkeeper Joe Hart will visit Auschwitz on Friday

A visit there can be a harrowing experience but Hart was urged to go by his father.

Euro 2012 email button

Euro 2012

The goalkeeper said: 'Ever since Krakow was chosen as the venue, he said, “You need to go and do this, go and see, experience it”.

'It's hard. I'm not being sick or perverse. You need to see these things to appreciate them.

'It's talked about and you hear people chuck words like “Holocaust”.

'You need to know what they are. It gives you more of a feeling of the history of this world.'

Hart will visit Auschwitz a week after England's squad were given a talk by two Holocaust survivors.

He said: 'I've never seen a room so silent and intense, people hanging off every word as these guys spoke about what they did, and what their end message was.

Harrowing: Italy and Holland's squads have visited Auschwitz this week

Harrowing: Italy and Holland's squads have visited Auschwitz this week

Harrowing: Italy and Holland's squads have visited Auschwitz this week

'There was no hate. They weren't angry. They just had that message of how you can be a better person.

'I couldn't get over them, the two guys. They were amazing.

'They spoke at the end about what roles we have as footballers and what sort of message we can hand out.

'It got me. It was great to speak to them. I just wanted to thank them for coming in. Two amazing people.'

Revealing what their message was, he added: 'They just said that, “A lot of people look up to you”. You forget that. We were looking up to them at the time. “Treat people as you meet them. Don't judge”. That was more or less the gist of it.'

The trip is part of the Football Association's attempt to ensure England immerse themselves in a host country rather than lock themselves away, as they did at the 2010 World Cup.

Hard talk: Holocaust survivor Zigi Shipper addressed the England squad at The Grove Hotel last week before they left for the Euro 2012 finals

Hard talk: Holocaust survivor Zigi Shipper addressed the England squad at The Grove Hotel last week before they left for the Euro 2012 finals

The team hotel is right in the centre of Krakow and, although there was a heavy security presence when they arrived on Wednesday and when they went to a reception with the city's mayor, Hart insisted players were free to come and go as they pleased.

'If we want to go out, I'm sure the lads won't think twice about going for a wander,' he said. 'You sometimes need a change of scenery. But we're not here to go sightseeing. We're here to play football.'

To that end, England will kick off their Euro 2012 campaign on Monday against France.

English supporters usually outnumber those of their rivals at tournaments but that may not be the case in Donetsk, with many choosing to stay away.

Hart said: 'It's just like an away game for us. The away support has always been excellent for England. It's like your 12th man.

'You feel you are together, especially away games where the home fans are really vocal and hostile towards you.'

WIN Manny Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley tickets

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WIN a trip to Las Vegas to watch Manny Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley – courtesy of Primetime

UPDATED:

21:00 GMT, 28 May 2012

Sportsmail has teamed up with Primetime to offer readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to watch Manny Pacquiao take on Timothy Bradley.

The fight is on June 9 in Las Vegas and the prize includes flights, two nights at the MGM Grand and tickets to watch the action.

To be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize, simply answer the question below:

Manny Pacquiao is a Congressman in which country

A) Thailand B) Philippines
C) USA

E-mail your answer, along with your name, address and contact number to:

sportcomp@dailymail.co.uk

to arrive by midnight on Wednesday, May 30.

Competition: Win a trip to Las Vegas with Primetime

PLEASE NOTE: You must validate your entry with the words PRIMETIME PACQUIAO in your subject box; Normal Associated Newspapers terms and conditions apply – the Editor's decision is final.

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Kenny Miller wants Scotland to spirit into success

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Miller's plea for Scots to turn team spirit into success

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UPDATED:

22:05 GMT, 25 May 2012

Kenny Miller has warned his Scotland team-mates that they have to get things right on, as well as off, the pitch.

The captain for Saturday night's end-of-season friendly in the United States, the Cardiff City striker says the week-long trip to Florida has been hugely beneficial.

A team meeting in Orlando earlier this week witnessed Craig Levein's squad reach agreement on matters such as dress code and diet for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Taking it easy: Kenny Miller prepares for the friendly clash with the USA

Taking it easy: Kenny Miller prepares for the friendly clash with the USA

However, Miller believes the consultation process will be a waste of time unless the decisions reached bring results on the pitch and a strong start to the race for Brazil.

'That was the one thing that came out of a team meeting the other night – results and performances now have to improve,' Miller said.

'It's all very well saying we're coming away and being comfortable among each other and working for the gaffer and we all love being around each other – but we have to deliver now.

'Ultimately, we have to get the results right and this campaign is going to be a big one for us.

'There's no doubt we have made progress. We have a lot of good players, we have a manager the lads want to work with – but that counts for nothing if we don't win.

Earning respect by showing respect: Scotland manager Craig Levein

Earning respect by showing respect:
Scotland manager Craig Levein

'We have to pull all the team spirit together and translate that into results and performances. We have to do that so we have the best chance of having a right good campaign.'

Along with missing squad captain Darren Fletcher and defender Gary Caldwell, Miller is one of the senior players Levein consults with regularly.

'The manager has included us in all the chats,' Miller revealed. 'We had a team meeting the other night and, while it might not seem important to get things like dress code sorted, it becomes an issue with the boys.

'A thing as simple as wearing tracksuits when you are on a nine-hour flight – you don't want to be having to wear a suit and tie for that travel time – is important.

'They are small things but the fact the gaffer is open to letting the players have a say is a big help.

'He allows all the lads to have a voice. Everyone has a chance to say what they want, when they want to train, how we train, what we eat. That's helped create a good club atmosphere around the place.

'He gives us respect – and gets that in return. It makes players want to play for him and that's important in any squad.'

Levein, meanwhile, insists he is reluctant to make wholesale changes in Jacksonville on Saturday – for fear of disrupting the momentum his side are building up.

Wary of the intense heat, the Scotland boss will start Shaun Maloney and new cap Matt Phillips, with Allan McGregor in goal.

Expected to start: Shaun Maloney

Expected to start: Shaun Maloney

Beyond that, however, he was non-committal, saying: 'We went down to training on Wednesday night and Peter Houston said it was 96 degrees.

'I know come 8pm (1am UK time), it will have calmed down. But I think this will be a game for using substitutes, although I have not made any commitments to changes yet.

'I discovered fairly early that, because international games do not come around that often, they are hugely significant.

'Even the friendlies become a focal point and I don't want to toss away any games by being frivolous or experimenting.

'It has taken a long time to get a system where everybody knows what they are supposed to be doing.

'I also found as well that, if you lose an international match – be it even a friendly – it is a big thing. If it had been a club, you would be able to remedy it pretty quickly.

'But I would like us to be playing our game in August while building on confidence from this one.'

The latest FIFA rankings show the hosts to be rated as 29th in the world, while the Scots trail behind in 48th spot.

Levein added: 'This will be a tough match. They are well above us in the rankings, they are an experienced team, they've got all their best players here and they are preparing for qualifiers.

'There are a lot of things in this game that go against us but I have great confidence in this group of boys to do well.'

Zambia 3 Sudan 0: Copper Bullets blast their way into semi-finals

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Zambia 3 Sudan 0: Copper Bullets blast their way into semi-finals

ZZambia reached their first Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in 16 years after a clinical 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan.

Defender Stophira Sunzu headed in from a free kick in the 15th minute and Christopher Katongo made it 2-0 in the 66th minute when he scored from the rebound after his penalty was saved.

Substitute James Chamanga sealed Zambia's dominance in the 86th minute with a curling shot from the edge of the area that went in off the post.

On their way: Zambia's Stophira Sunzu scores the opening goal

On their way: Zambia's Stophira Sunzu scores the opening goal

Sudan's hopes of an upset at a
near-deserted Estadio de Bata slipped away when defender Saifeldin Ali
Idris was sent off in the 65th minute for a reckless foul on Rainford
Kalaba that led to Katongo's spot kick.

Zambia will play the winner of Sunday's Ghana v Tunisia game in the semis back in Bata on Wednesday.

Two-time finalist Zambia controlled
the first quarterfinal throughout to make the last four for the first
time since 1996. Sudan struggled in its biggest game in 42 years and
first trip to the latter stages since it won the title in 1970.

The Sudanese had already been forced
into two first-half substitutions because of injury before Ali Idris
went for his second bookable offense 20 minutes into the second half.

Zambia could have won by an even
bigger margin as Sudan goalkeeper Akram El Hadi Salem – who had a busy
night – dived full length to his right to save a stoppage-time effort
that appeared destined for the net.

Delight: Zambia's James Chamanga celebrates

Delight: Zambia's James Chamanga celebrates

Sunzu rose high at the near post to beat Akram for the opener after a free kick out wide from Isaac Chansa.

Katongo hit his right-footed penalty
straight at Akram, who save it one-handed, but the Zambia captain
followed up to poke home with his left foot for 2-0.

Chamanga's goal was the pick of the
three as he controlled neatly and sent a curling right-footed effort
toward the far corner that was too good for Akram.

Midfielder Katongo troubled the Sudan
defense time and again and Akram was also lucky not to be punished when
he thrust out a boot into the Zambian captain's midriff after another surge forward in the last 20 minutes.

Even with 11 men, Sudan struggled to
match the Zambians in the first half in Bata, where the teams played out
the first knockout match in front of just a tiny sprinkling of fans
inside the 37,000-seat stadium. Swaths of empty red and blue seats stood
out starkly.

Both sets of players and officials
observed a minute's silence before kickoff in a mark of respect for the
more than 70 people killed at a football riot in Egypt this week.

Darren Bent fit for Aston Villa"s trip to Chelsea

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Aston Villa”s striker shortage eased as scan relief leaves Bent fit for crunch Chelsea tie

Roaring back: Bent

Roaring back: Bent

Darren Bent will be available for Aston Villa’s New Year’s Eve trip to Chelsea after scans showed his thigh strain was not as serious as first thought.

The England international striker had been omitted from Aston Villa’s squad to face Stoke City for the 0-0 draw on Boxing Day after complaining of fresh soreness in the muscle while in training on the morning of the match.

Also back in contention will be Emile Heskey who complained of ‘intolerable’ pain in his achilles during half-time at the Britannia Stadium, according to manager Alex McLeish.

Steve Kean Blackburn future in balance

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Owners ponder Kean”s fate as Blackburn boss skips training to spend time at home

Steve Kean left Blackburn on Wednesday — but only to spend time with his wife and children at home in Surrey as his future hung in the balance.

The Blackburn boss travelled to Weybridge and missed training while meetings took place via video link between the club’s executives and owners Venky’s in Pune, India.

Say a prayer: Not even divine intervention can save Steve Kean now

Say a prayer: Not even divine intervention can save Steve Kean now

It appears Venky’s chief Anuradha Desai is the only person standing between Kean and the sack. She was said to be digging her heels in as the club’s advisors tried to convince her to axe the 44-year-old Scot after Tuesday’s home defeat by Bolton left Blackburn bottom of the table.

Fans hurled abuse at Kean throughout the game and demonstrated outside afterwards.

Protest: Blackburn fans continued their campaign to have Kean sacked

Protest: Blackburn fans continued their campaign to have Kean sacked

Protest: Blackburn fans continued their campaign to have Kean sacked

Kean refuses to quit but may not survive to take charge of the Boxing Day trip to Liverpool.

Mark Hughes remains favourite to replace him. Sources close to the former Manchester City boss say he feels a strong attachment to Blackburn but would demand assurances and complete transparency from the owners.