The Sporting Calendar 2018
Yesterday my Economist desk diary arrived containing all manner of statistics, almost all of which I will scarcely read let alone use. However it’s an exciting day for me as I write in the dates of the key sporting events of 2018. At my age I am grateful to be writing anything in at all.
2018 has two special sporting events – the football World Cup, beginning in mid June and ending in mid July in Russia, and the Ryder Cup to be held in the Course Nationale Paris between September 28-30.
The World Cup has been devalued by the number of countries competing. I am old enough to remember 16 countries in four groups of 4. It was then tough to qualify for the quarters.
In 1982 they changed the system and England went out without losing. After that a familiar pattern emerged of England going out in the quarters, normally on penalties, except for 1990 when we reached the semis in Italy. There is little I have seen to make me confident that England will get beyond that level this time. Germany look very strong as do Spain and surely Brazil and Argentina will head up the South American challenge. France and Italy have been competitive in recent World Cups as have Holland, who did not make it nor the Euros.
As for the Ryder Cup, the USA’s recent thrashing of the rest of the world in the President’s Cup, completed in 2 days, does not augur well.
Still under the age of thirty they can field Ricky Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger and Xander Schauffele. The Europeans have no such young talent even though captain Thomas Bjorn will be heartened by the back to back wins of Tyrell Hatton, the form of JoeRahm and the rejuvenation of Ian Poulter.
It’s good news for Europe that Tiger Woods may be involved as he is no team man but the USA will start as firm favourites.
Of course we can also look forward to the hardy perennials of 4 golf majors, the British one at the Beast of Angus – Carnoustie, Wimbledon, the horse racing classics, the Tour de France, Pakistan and India are the cricketing tourists.
Much to savour!
