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Bearing Point Rowing World Cup, Dorney Lake, Eton,26-28 May 2005

News Items for Radio Stations

Brief sports reports from Britain. These may be used free of charge by radio stations in news and feature programmes. Three reports are posted to this site each week.

5th May 2005 - Liverpool await Champions League ruling
The Football Association will decide today whether Champions League finalists Liverpool will play in the tournament next season if they lift the trophy in Istanbul on the 25th of May.

Currently a top four finish in the Premiership guarantees Champions League football the following season but Liverpool are now in fifth spot, three points behind Everton who have a game in hand.

UEFA will not make a fifth place available for English sides so the FA have a difficult decision to make.
3rd May 2005 - Chelsea ready for Anfield challenge
Chelsea and Liverpool go into tonight's Champions League semi-final second-leg all-square after last Wednesday's goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.

The pressure will be on Liverpool who have to win to progress while newly-crowned Premiership champions Chelsea will be satisfied with a score-draw that would take them to the final on the away goals rule.

Chelsea are now chasing three titles, after winning the League Cup earlier in the season.
28th April 2005 - Chelsea and Liverpool draw a blank
Chelsea and Liverpool have it all to play for in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final next Tuesday after last night's goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard missed Chelsea's best chance from five yards while Liverpool's Milan Baros brought a wonderful save from home keeper, Petr Cech.

The winners of this tie will face AC Milan or PSV Eindhoven in the final in Istanbul on 25th May.
27th April 2005 - Former boss backs Chelsea for Champions League success
Former Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri has backed the Blues to reach the Champions League final in Istanbul on 25th of May. Chelsea play Liverpool in the semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge tonight and Ranieri believes they have the skill and mental toughness to overcome their Premiership opponents.

In the other semi-final first-leg AC Milan overcame PSV Eindhoven 2-0 last night with goals from Andriy Shevchenko and Jon Dahl Tomasson leaving the Dutch side with a huge mountain to climb in next week's second leg.
26th April 2005 - Chelsea wait after Arsenal win
Chelsea will have to wait until Saturday for the chance to win the Premiership title after Arsenal maintained their faint hopes with a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Monday.

Chelsea would now be champions if Arsenal had failed to win but a goal from Spanish midfielder Jose Reyes gave the Gunners victory by the narrowest margin.

The Blues lead second-placed Arsenal by eleven points with just four games remaining.
18th April 2005 - Arsenal to meet Man Utd in FA Cup final
Arsenal and Manchester United will meet in the FA Cup final in Cardiff on May 21st.

Arsenal booked their place in the final with a 3-0 win over Blackburn on Saturday. Midfielder Robert Pires set them on their way in the first half with Dutchman Robin van Persie adding two goals late on.

Manchester United overwhelmed Newcastle 4-1 with Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring twice. But pity poor Newcastle, eliminated from both the UEFA Cup and FA Cup by 4-1 margins within the space of three days.
15th April 2005 - Newcastle bow out of UEFA Cup
Newcastle United's 4-1 defeat at Sporting Lisbon on Thursday ended their bid to reach the UEFA Cup semi-final.

It was a bitter blow for the club after Keiron Dyer's first-half strike gave United an overall two-goal lead. But Lisbon equalised before the break and eventually earned a semi-final tie against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar with three second-half goals.

Newcastle still have a chance for silver ware this season as they play Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
13th April 2005 - Chelsea march on in Champions League
Chelsea progressed to the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday despite losing the second leg of their tie with Bayern Munich 3-2. Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba gave the Blues an aggregate lead of 6-3 with just five minutes remaining before Bayern replied with two late goals.

Chelsea will now face the winners of tonight's tie between Juventus and Liverpool. Liverpool take a 2-1 lead into that game after last week's win at Anfield.
11th April 2005 - Chelsea remain on course
Chelsea remain on course to win the Premiership title despite being held 1-1 by Birmingham on Saturday. The Blues are eleven points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who won 1-0 at Middlesbrough, with just six games to play.

Bottom club Norwich City recorded the shock of the day beating Manchester United 2-0 at Carrow Road. The Canaries recorded only their fourth win of the season whilst inflicting on United only their third Premiership defeat.
8th April 2005 - Bowyer ovation as Newcastle win
Newcastle United will take a slender lead into the second leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final against Sporting Lisbon after former England striker Alan Shearer scored the only goal in Thursday's first leg.

Lee Bowyer received a standing ovation when he replaced Keiron Dyer just five days after the two were sent off against Aston Villa for fighting each other. Bowyer issued an apology through a local newspaper asking fans for a second chance and Thursday's reaction shows the Newcastle supporters are willing to forgive.
6th April 2005 - Liverpool edge Juventus on emotional night
Liverpool beat Juventus 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final at Anfield on Tuesday night. Goals from Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia put the home side in front before Fabio Cannavaro replied with an important away goal.

The match was the first between the two sides since the European Cup final in 1985 when rioting between fans caused a wall to collapse killing 39 Juventus fans. Tuesday's game, dubbed "The Game of Friendship", began with a minute's silence to remember those who had died.
4th April 2005 - Newcastle pair await fate
Newcastle United midfielders Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer will discover their punishment on Monday after the pair were sent off for fighting each other during Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Aston Villa.

United chairman Freddie Shepherd said he was "deeply embarrassed, hurt and angry" by what happened. The club is likely to take firm action against the players while the FA may also press charges after receiving a report from match referee, Barry Knight.
25th March 2005 - Beckham fit for England
England captain David Beckham will be fit to lead England in their World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland on Saturday. Beckham missed training on Tuesday while he had a scan on a back injury but the problem turned out to be a minor one.

England's other injury concern, Newcastle's Keiron Dyer, is also fit after a foot injury providing coach Sven Goran Eriksson with a full squad to choose from.

England currently lead Group Six of the European Qualifiers with ten points from four games.
23rd March 2005 - Manchester United seek Champions League change
Manchester United want a change in the Champions League to help more big clubs reach the quarter-finals.

United would prefer the 16 teams progressing from the group stages to be ranked with the bigger clubs playing the lesser clubs. Chief executive David Gill said he was concerned the competition would lose some of its glamour if the bigger clubs went out in the early rounds.

This season United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and holders Porto were all eliminated at the first knock-out stage.
21st March 2005 - Liverpool close the gap
England midfielder Steven Gerrard scored the first goal for Liverpool on Sunday as the Reds beat Everton 2-1 in the Merseyside derby. Liverpool are now just four points behind Everton as the two sides battle to finish fourth in the Premiership to win a place in next season's Champions League.

Chelsea maintained their 11-point lead at the top of the table with a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace while Manchester United remain second following a 1-0 win over Fulham.
18th March 2005 - Title in sight for Chelsea
Premiership leaders Chelsea go into Saturday's match with struggling Crystal Palace knowing a win will take them to within 14 points of securing the title.

It's 50 years since the Blues were last crowned "Champions of England" and unless they slip up badly the title is theirs for the taking.

Second-placed Manchester United trail by 11 points but can maintain the pressure on Chelsea by defeating Fulham at Old Trafford.
16th March 2005 - £4m tag on Diouf
Premiership side Liverpool have placed a £4 million tag on striker El-Hadji Diouf. The Senegal international is currently on loan to Bolton where his disciplinary record is marring his success in scoring goals.

He was sent off after just ten minutes in Saturday's FA Cup tie against Arsenal.

Bolton have hinted they would like to sign Diouf permanently but on the back of his disciplinary record may be looking for a reduction in the asking price.
14th March 2005 - Manchester United ease into Cup semi-finals
Manchester United will join Arsenal, Newcastle and Blackburn Rovers in the draw for the FA Cup semi-final on Monday after brushing aside Southampton 4-0 at the weekend. Captain Roy Keane set them on their way after just two minutes with Christiano Ronaldo and a brace from Paul Scholes completing the scoring.

Patrick Kluivert scored the only goal of the game as Newcastle beat Tottenham 1-0 for the north-east club's seventh successive win.
8th March 2005 - Liverpool stars turn out for tsunami aid game
Some of Liverpool's greatest football stars are to return to Anfield for a charity match to support people affected by the Asian tsunami.

Manchester City manager and former England international Kevin Keegan will be joined by former favourites Ian Rush, John Barnes and Kenny Dalgleish in the fundraiser on the 27th of March. Their opponents will be a team of celebrities including singers Bryan McFadden and Nicky Byrne from pop band, Westlife.
4th March 2005 - Chelsea facing double UEFA charge
Chelsea are facing two disciplinary charges following last week's 2-1 Champions' League defeat at Barcelona.

UEFA has charged the Blues with arriving late on the pitch for the second half and refusing to take part in the post-match press conference. Chelsea Coach Jose Mourinho was unhappy about an alleged half-time discussion between Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and referee Anders Frisk and the club looks set to make a formal report to UEFA.
1st March 2005 - Prutton faces six-match ban
Southampton midfielder David Prutton is facing two misconduct charges from the Football Association after being sent-off against Arsenal on Saturday. Prutton received a second yellow card for a foul on Robert Pires and had to be restrained by Saints manager Harry Rednapp after pushing referee Alan Wiley.

Prutton has since apologised to Pires and the match officials but is facing a six-match ban for his actions.
28th February 2005 - Chelsea win Carling Cup
Chelsea won the Carling Cup final with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday. Steven Gerrard's own goal put Chelsea level after John Arne Riise had scored a spectacular goal in the first minute of the game.

Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman put the Blues in control in extra time before Antonio Nunez's late consolation ensured a tense finish, but Jose Mourinho's men held on to keep alive their bid to win three trophies this season.
25th February 2005 - Kleberson likely to return to Brazil
Manchester United midfielder Kleberson could be on his way back to Brazil. The 25-year-old has struggled to win a regular starting place at Old Trafford and his agent says it is likely he will join Brazilian club Corinthians.

Kleberson has played 27 times for Brazil, which is more than the number of appearances he has made for United in two seasons at the club.
23rd February 2005 - Arsenal face uphill task
Arsenal face an uphill task if they're to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League after suffering a 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich. Claudio Pizarro scored twice for the German side with Kolo Toure's late consolation giving Arsenal a glimmer of hope for the second leg in two weeks time.

Meanwhile Liverpool had a much better night against Bayer Leverkusen. Goals from Luis Garcia, John Arne Riise and Dietmar Hamaan gave the Anfield side to a 3-1 win to take into the second leg.
21st February 2005 - Chelsea out of FA Cup
Chelsea's hopes of winning four titles this season ended on Sunday as they were beaten 1-0 at Newcastle in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Former Barcelona star Patrick Kluivert scored the only goal after just three minutes.

It was a torrid afternoon for Jose Mourinho's men. Defender Wayne Bridge may be out for the rest of the season after picking up an ankle injury and goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini will miss next Sunday's Carling Cup final against Liverpool after being sent off in the last minute.
18th February 2005 - Man Utd world's richest club
Manchester United have retained their position as the world's richest football club according to a new report. Based on income rather than player transfers, the list places United top with an income of £171 million in 2003/4.

Real Madrid are second in the list followed by Italian giants AC Milan, but the biggest risers are current Premiership leaders Chelsea, up from tenth position to fourth with an income of just over £143 million.
16th February 2005 - Tsunami Relief game raises £5.5m
Stars from the world of football raised £5.5 million on Tuesday in a match for victims of last December's Asian Tsunami disaster.

The crowd of 40,000 at Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium was treated to nine goals as Ronaldinho's World XI beat Andriy Shevchenko's European XI 6-3.

African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o and Southampton striker Henri Camara both scored twice with veteran Italian striker Gianfranco Zola also among the scorers.
14th February 2005 - Man Utd maintain pressure on Chelsea
Manchester United remain nine points behind Premiership leaders Chelsea after a 2-0 win against City in the Manchester derby. Wayne Rooney and an own goal from City defender Richard Dunne securing the points for United.

An Eidur Gudjohnson goal was enough for Chelsea to win at fourth placed Everton, whose cause was not helped by striker James Beatttie being sent-off after just 8 minutes.
12th February 2005 - Keane to quit in 2006
Manchester United captain Roy Keane has announced he will retire from playing when his present contract runs out in 18 months.

The influential 33-year-old has been hit by injuries during twelve years at Old Trafford since arriving from Nottingham Forest for £3.75 million in 1993.

Keane scored his 50th goal for the club in last Saturday's 2-0 win over Birmingham and has been linked to a possible coaching role at Old Trafford when he hangs up his boots.
8th February 2005 - Robben out for six weeks
Chelsea winger Arjen Robben will be out for at least six weeks after breaking two metatarsal bones in his foot. The 21-year old picked up the injury during last week's 1-0 win at Blackburn.

At the start of the season Robben was sidelined for three months by a similar injury on his other foot but this time Chelsea say the breaks are not so serious and the club hopes to have him fit again sometime in March.
7th February 2005 - Kewell frustrated by injury
Liverpool winger Harry Kewell may be sidelined by injury until March. The 26-year-old Australian was hoping to be fit for last Saturday's game against Fulham but failed to shake off an Achilles problem.

He will now miss Australia's international against South Africa in Durban on Wednesday and is unlikely to be fit for Liverpool's Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen on 22nd February.
5th February 2005 - Man Utd to increase ground capacity
Manchester United are to increase the capacity at Old Trafford to 76,000. The club will add just under 8,000 new seats within 18 months in time for the 2006/7 season.

The work will cost United £45 million but the extra seats will generate £5 million a year.

The improvements will give Old Trafford the second highest capacity in England after the new 90,000-seater Wembley Stadium.
2nd February 2005 - Man Utd move to second in Premiership
Manchester United moved up to second in the Premiership with a 4-2 victory at champions Arsenal on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as United came from behind to win a bad-tempered match at Highbury. The win takes Sir Alex Ferguson's team to within eight points of runaway leaders, Chelsea.
1st February 2005 - Villa buy Djemba-Djemba
Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba is on his way to Aston Villa. The Cameroonian international came to Old Trafford from Nantes in 2003 but has failed to impress Sir Alex Ferguson in 18 months at the club.

Villa boss David O'Learry will be hoping the 23-year-old will revive his fortunes at Villa Park and strengthen a side hit by injuries.
28th January 2005 - Valencia set to rescue Edu
Arsenal midfielder Edu looks set to join Spanish side Valencia. The 26-year-old Brazilian turned down a new contract with Arsenal and the club would rather sell him now than let him go for nothing at the end of his current deal in the summer.

Edu was a key member of the Gunners' side last year but has made only 9 Premiership appearances this season.
27th January 2005 - Fenerbahce race to sign Anelka
Manchester City forward Nicolas Anelka could be on his way to Fenerbahce. The Turkish club has offered £7 million for the 25-year-old striker who recently angered City boss Kevin Keegan by refusing to take a fitness test before the one-all draw with Arsenal.

Anelka cost City £13 million when he signed from Paris St Germain in 2002 but the club is willing to sell him for half that now to reduce their considerable debts.
25th January 2005 - Rugby hero to retire
England's former rugby captain Martin Johnson has announced his retirement from the sport in June.

The 34-year-old led England to a Six Nations Grand Slam and famously to World Cup victory in Australia in November 2003. He won 84 England caps and is the only man to captain the British Lions twice.

Johnson's final match will be his testimonial at Twickenham on 4th June.
20th January 2005 - Man Utd sweep past Exeter
Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scored the goals as Manchester United defeated non-league Exeter City 2-0 in their FA Cup 3rd round replay on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson selected a strong line-up after a second-string United side could only draw 0-0 with Exeter two weeks ago. United now face Premiership Middlesbrough in the 4th round at Old Trafford on the 22nd of January.
19th January 2005 - Jihai to be offered new contract
Manchester City's China international Sun Jihai will be offered a new contract by the club despite being out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The 27-year-old's present contract runs out at the end of the season but City boss Kevin Keegan has asked his board to show compassion and reward the player with a new deal.
14th January 2005 - FIFA & UEFA stage tsunami benefit
World and European football bodies FIFA and UEFA will stage a benefit match for victims of the Asian tsunami on the 15th of February. The game will take place in Spain at Barcelona's Neu Camp stadium.

Some of the world's best players will take part and the two sides will be captained by Brazilian striker Ronaldo and European Footballer of the Year, Andriy Shevchenko.
13th January 2005 - Morientes to join Liverpool
Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes is set to join Liverpool in a £6.3 million deal. The 28-year old Spanish international has agreed a four-and-a-half year contract and will join the club subject to a medical on Thursday.

Morientes will become the fifth Spanish player to be signed by the Reds' manager Rafael Benitez, who also comes from Spain.
10th January 2005 - Exeter hold Man Utd
In the FA Cup third round non-league Exeter City produced the performance of the day by holding Manchester United to a goal-less draw at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson rested many key players but was still disgusted with his team's performance against a team which plays four divisions below the Premiership.

In other ties Chelsea edged Scunthorpe 3-1 and Arsenal beat Stoke 2-1.
7th January 2005 - Chelsea sign Jarosik
Premiership leaders Chelsea have bolstered their already impressive squad with the signing of midfielder Jiri Jarosik from CSKA Moscow.

The 27-year-old Czech international has signed a two-and-a-half year deal but he will not be eligible to represent Chelsea in the Champions League this season having already played in the competition for CSKA.
4th January 2005 - Liverpool climb to fifth
Liverpool climbed to fifth in the Premiership after a 2-1 victory at Norwich City on Monday. Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise scored in the second half with Ryan Jarvis scoring a consolation goal for the home side two minutes from time.

Liverpool have now won 9 points from their last 4 games but are still 15 points behind leaders Chelsea.
1st January 2005 - Man Utd stars give to earthquake relief
Manchester United's first team players and manager Sir Alex Ferguson have promised to give £100,000 to the Asian tsunami disaster fund.

This is on top of the £50,000 United is giving as part of a £1 million donation from all 20 Premiership clubs as Ferguson and his players decided they should do more.
30th Decmber 2004 - Everton open disaster relief fund
Premiership high-flyers Everton have opened a disaster relief fund to support people affected by the tsunami disaster in Asia.

Chief executive Keith Wyness said the club wanted to help as they are the only Premiership club with a sponsor in the affected region. Everton are sponsored by Chang, one of the main brewers in Thailand.
1st December 2004 - Pinsent heads for IOC role
British rowing hero Matthew Pinsent has announced his retirement from the sport. The 34-year-old won gold in four successive Olympics, most recently this year in Athens after a thrilling race against Canada in the coxless fours.

President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge has offered Pinsent a full time role with one of the IOC commissions before the end of the year. Pinsent has already served on the IOC's Athletes Commission and Rogge is keen to utilise his experience and enthusiasm.
29th November 2004 - Chelsea stay on course
Chelsea lead the Premiership by five points after two goals from defender John Terry helped them to a 4-0 win at Charlton while second-placed Arsenal lost 2-1 at Liverpool.

Everton remain third after drawing 1-1 at Newcastle and Paul Scoles scored twice for Manchester United as they moved up to fourth place with a 3-0 win at West Browmich Albion.
26th November 2004 - England tour to go ahead
England's cricket tour of Zimbabwe will go ahead after the Zimbabwean government backed down and granted media accreditation to 13 members of the British press.

The tour had looked in doubt on Wednesday when Zimbabwe denied accreditation for certain British media representatives who it said had been critical of Robert Mugabe's regime.

England are due to play five one-day matches on the tour.

All reports commissioned by Voice International

2K Plus Award

2K Plus Award:

2K Plus has won the 2006 Trinity Broadcast Network Award for Broadcasting Excellence (see photo, right). The award is made by the Association of Christian Broadcasters of Southern Africa on behalf of the Trinity Broadcast Network to the ACB member who has done the most to promote broadcasting excellence over the last year.

ACB General Secretary, Dave Hotchkiss, commented that the ACB Board felt that 2K Plus had done the most to improve the standards of broadcasting among ACB members in 2005 by supplying up-to-the-minute reports from international sports venues and interviews with sports celebrities done from a Christian perspective for Southern African listeners, using a reporter from the region, Solomon Ashoms.

2K Plus allocated the prize of R5000 towards Solomon's costs of reporting for Southern African stations from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, April 2006.


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