HOT OR NOT: Millennium Stadium to host Champions League final, Leicester fans should be wary of Guus Hiddink link
- Colin Montgomerie has one more chance to qualify for The Open
- The Millennium Stadium will host the 2017 Champions League final
- Victoria Pendleton’s bid to ride at Cheltenham dismissed as a gimmick
- The Ashes are here and so too is talk of a summer of sledging
- Laura Bassett will be seeing World Cup own goal in her sleep for weeks
- Samuel Eto’o has left Sampdoria to join Turkish club Antalyaspor
Sportsmail’s Ian Ladyman runs the rule over who or what has enjoyed a good week in the world of sport and who has had one to forget.
WHAT’S HOT
COLIN MONTGOMERIE
The truly great sportsmen can never quite let go and the sight of our old Ryder Cup hero performing gallantly in the US Seniors Open recently was heartwarming. This coming week Monty — now 52 — has one last shot at qualifying for The Open and we wish him well.
ANDREW STRAUSS
The England cricket director’s early weeks have been helped by results but his suggestion that Test captain Alastair Cook’s position cannot be guaranteed in the long term is indicative of clear thinking. Cook has not led his team convincingly recently and he needs a good Ashes series.
We will be rooting for Colin Montgomerie in his last chance to qualify for this year’s Open
England director of cricket Andrew Strauss did not guarantee Alastair Cook’s captaincy beyond the Ashes
THE MILLENNIUM STADIUM
One of the best things about Cardiff’s superb venue is that, at £121million, it has always put the shameful £798m spent on the new Wembley into true context.
Now the Millennium has a Champions League final to look forward to and it is not before time.
VICTORIA PENDLETON
The former cyclist’s bid to ride at the Cheltenham Festival is dismissed by some as a gimmick but she competed on horseback for the first time at Newbury this week and by all accounts passed muster. Those who mock should try it first.
The 2017 Champions League final will be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff
Victoria Pendleton rides Mighty Mambo in the George Frewer Celebration Sweepstake at Newbury on Thursday
WHAT’S NOT
THE PHONEY WAR
The Ashes are here and already we must listen to the predictable warnings of a summer of sledging. However, if perspective is needed then it’s probably worth both teams remembering that the last time Australia arrived on these shores in 2013 the late Phillip Hughes was in their squad.
LAURA BASSETT
The England star only has to look at the likes of Stuart Pearce and Gareth Southgate for evidence that high-profile blunders don’t necessarily shape careers. Sadly, though, suggestions that she ‘won’t dwell’ on her own goal against Japan is quite wrong. She will be seeing it in her sleep for weeks.
Laura Bassett scored an own goal in the last minute of England’s World Cup semi-final against Japan
SAMUEL ETO’O
If you want to chase money as your career winds down then that’s fine but at least do it honestly. Eto’o’s emotional farewell letter to Sampdoria fans this week would have meant a little more had he not sent exactly the same one to Everton just a few months earlier.
GUUS HIDDINK
Too many coaches see international roles as a way to slip into semi-retirement but when they go wrong they can harm your legacy. Hiddink’s spell with Holland has ended unhappily after less than a year and Leicester fans seeing the once-great Dutchman linked with their club should be wary.
Samuel Eto’o undergoes a medical before joining newly-promoted Turkish club Antalyaspor
Guus Hiddink was sacked as manager of Holland and has been linked with the vacant Leicester job