EURO 2012

Warrington Wolves half-back Richie Myler hopes to return to action next month as he continues to make good progress from a hernia operation.

He will not take part in the Magic Weekend in Manchester but has targeted a return to action in three weeks.
Warrington are 15/8 with bet365 to win the Grand Final while St Helens can be backed at 13/2.
Myler, who is in his second season with Warrington following his transfer from Salford in 2010, said: “The hernia was a minor setback for me and I’m …

… sets on Wednesday night.
The French Open begins in less than two weeks, meaning the 22-year-old faces a battle to be fit in time to take her place in the draw.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams, Azarenka’s conqueror at the Madrid Masters, continued her progress in Rome after defeating Nadia Petrova in three sets, but struggled with back pain.
“Everyone has aches and pains here and there and today I felt it a lot because I have been playing a lot and practising even more,” said the American.
“Hopefully…

… team left the pitch defeated. Balance of goals is 29-11 to our benefit. For the last time, we had the chance to pit ourselves with Greeks in March last year, and the match ended with a goalless draw.

It is very difficult to predict the progress of that duel and its outcome. Our team will surely be under immense pressure, but let’s hope that it disappears when the fans start a fantastic cheering. The strong point of our team will be Robert Lewandowski, supported by fast wingers who will be …

Chelsea are now 15/8 with bet365 to win the Champions League after securing a famous semi-final success over holders Barcelona.

The Blues drew 2-2 in the Camp Nou to progress 3-2 on aggregate, with the achievement made all the more impressive as Chelsea trailed 2-0 shortly before half-time after having skipper John Terry sent off. This put the aggregate score at 2-1 in Barca’s favour.
Ramires’ exquisite chip drew the scores level at 2-2 on aggregate seconds before the interval and Fernando …

Security preparations for Euro 2012 football championship, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, are progressing according to the schedule, Polish deputy Interior Minister Michal Deskur said on Thursday.

Deskur recalled that the Interior Ministry and its services have been preparing for the tournament for several years. ” Complete readiness should be confirmed in mid-May, about three weeks before the first match,” he added.

Three organisational areas are of key significance to the tournament: …

… second in the table. Mancini’s men had seemed destined for the title earlier in the campaign after sweeping aside all before them but have stumbled in recent weeks.
However, the Italian believes his side are heading in the right direction and is pleased with the progress they have made over the last few months.
“I can say that I am proud of what the players have done in this championship,” he declared.
“We were on the top for a long time, we have fought with Manchester United until now and I…

Both Manchester City and Manchester United have first-leg deficits to make up if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

City, who are 3/1 with bet365 to win the competition, lost out 1-0 away … at the Etihad Stadium, saying: “We have another game and we have more chances to win the next game and I think we will progress in this competition.”
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson was similarly upbeat for his side’s trip to Spain, with Wayne Rooney’s last-minute penalty having …

…, Pep Guardiola insists Chelsea have to be seen as favourites to make the Champions League final after their 1-0 victory over his Barcelona side at Stamford Bridge.

The reigning European champions are now 2/5 with bet365 to overturn their first leg deficit and progress to the final, where they will meet either Bayern Munich or La Liga rivals Real Madrid.
“One-nil is a very good result for them, they are the favourites,” admitted the Barcelona head coach.
“We have to focus on the next game …

… final, while Barca are 1/7.
However, despite the odds being stacked against his side, Cole told the Evening Standard: “We know what Barcelona are about and that we have to be on our game. We’re confident and feel we’re good enough to progress.
“With teams like Barca, we think we know how to stop them.”
Chelsea will be hoping to improve on a record which has seen them win only one of their previous five semi-final ties, that success coming in 2007/08 against Liverpool.
The Blues were denied …

… never won the Grand National.
Shakalakaboomboom, 18/1 with bet365 to win the Grand National, has run three times this season.
He has won once and claimed the runners-up spot twice, on one occasion just behind Calgary Bay, who is 40/1 to win the Grand National.
Geraghty said: “He’s handled slower ground before, he jumps well, he jumped well in the Topham (Chase) – he just needed further really last year and he’s been progressing throughout the season. I think he’s got a big shout.”