10 sporting spectacles we hope to see in 2021
Our reporters bring you their highlights to look forward to this year
FOOTBALL
Euro 2021, June 11-July 11
London, Glasgow and Dublin are among the 12 host cities still aiming to play a huge part at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
Can Gareth Southgate end 55 years of hurt for England? Assuming it goes ahead, Roberto Martinez’s Belgium are likely to kick-off as favourites, having been rated the best team on the planet for much of the last couple of years. Keeper David Marshall helped secure Scotland’s first qualification for a major tournament in more than 20 years – and their clash with England at Wembley on June 18 already looks like a mouthwatering showdown.
RACING
Royal Ascot, June 15-19
Royal Ascot is the highlight of the summer racing calendar. From the glitz, glamour, champagne and celebrity guests to high-class racing featuring horses and jockeys from across the globe (Covid permitting), this spectacular showcase has the lot.
Frankie Dettori was crowned top jockey for the second year in a row in 2020 with six winners, giving bookies a major fright when he came so close to riding a four-timer on the final day. Who will take the crown in 2021?
Each day this year will feature a magnificent seven races for the first time. And maybe, just maybe, some of us might be able to witness the action live on course...
TENNIS
Wimbledon, June 28-July 11
Will we see Andy Murray in action at Wimbledon one last time?
The two-time SW19 champion, who battled back from a career-threatening injury only to test positive for coronavirus on the eve of the Australian Open, will no doubt be hoping to once again grace the famous stage. Wimbledon is arguably the jewel of the Grand Slam tournaments and having been wiped out by Covid-19 last year, there will be an extra focus on
this event – which looks set to make it a memorable summer for sporting action.
RUGBY UNION
Lions tour of South Africa, July 3-August 7
Organisers are desperate for the tour to still go ahead.
As it stands, the Lions – the best players drawn from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland – will have a warm-up against Japan in Edinburgh on June 26 before embarking on their eight-match tour of South Africa. Five ‘warm-up’ matches will whet the appetite for three Tests against the World Cupwinning
Springboks. Owen Farrell and Co drew a series on their last voyage four years ago to New Zealand, can they go one better?
MOTOR RACING
British Grand Prix, July 16-18 Droves of fans usually flock to Silverstone for a barmy weekend each summer for the flagship Formula 1 event.
It is unclear whether supporters will be back – and if so, how many – but one thing is for sure, all eyes will be on defending champion, Sir Lewis Hamilton. He was awarded a knighthood in the New Year’s
honours after an exceptional 2020 in which he roared to a record-equalling seventh world title. The Brit also surpassed Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 wins, taking his own tally to a jawdropping 95.
ATHLETICS
Olympics, July 23-August 7
Last year’s Games was one of the major casualties of the pandemic, with organisers putting the Tokyo event back 12 months. There have been fresh fears surrounding the new dates, with Japan, like many countries around the world, dealing with a resurgence in Covid-19 cases.
But organising committee spokesman Masa Takaya said last week there had never been a discussion about a further delay to this summer’s Games or a cancellation.
With Team GB doing so well in recent Olympics, the event has become a huge source of national pride.
Will Dina Asher-Smith rule supreme on the track? Will GB’s cyclists dominate? Let’s hope we find out.
GOLF
Ryder Cup, September 21-26
The 43rd Ryder Cup between USA and Europe will be held for the first time – at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. Held every two years, the 2020 event was another casualty of the pandemic.
The top four players from the European Points List and the five leading players from the World Points List will qualify automatically for holders Europe, with captain Padraig Harrington then announcing his three wild cards.
Expect to see big-hitters Rory McIlory and Tommy Fleetwood in action.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Rugby League World Cup, October 23-November 27
The last time a World Cup game was held on this soil, 74,000 fans packed into Old Trafford to see Australia beat New Zealand. Now, eight years on, England will be hoping to give the sport in this country a huge boost by delivering the silverware.
Will coach Shaun Wane be able to replicate his success at Wigan with the national team?
We’ll find out when they launch their campaign with a mouthwatering clash with Samoa at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on October 23.
The tournament itself looks exciting, with 16 teams taking part including newcomers Jamaica and Greece, a semifinal at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and women’s and wheelchair competitions also taking part.
CRICKET
The Ashes Series, November 22-January 14
The England cricket team have a very busy Test year ahead. After the two match series against Sri Lanka, they travel to India before home series against World number 1 Test side New Zealand and India. But the series everyone can’t wait for is the Ashes down under. The Aussies have just been humbled at home by the Indians and England will be looking to regain the Ashes again following the 2-2 series draw in 2019. It’s ten years now since England won in Australia and here’s hoping Jimmy Anderson sees this as his swansong and ends his incredible career on a high. It should be a fascinating and highly-competitive series.
BOXING
Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury, TBC
It’s the fight that everybody wants to see!
And now we’re hearing encouraging soundbites that Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury could finally happen in 2021. The heavyweight blockbuster would be the biggest ‘Battle of Britain’ since Chris Eubank retained his world titles in a rematch with Nigel Benn in 1993. And it would mean boxing fans across the globe could soon witness the coronation of the first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis two decades ago. The ‘Gypsy King’, who beat Deontay Wilder for the WBC championship in February, is the bookies’ favourite to win the most lucrative bout in UK boxing history at around 4/7. Joshua, meanwhile, who won back his WBA, IBF and WBO belts when overcoming Andy Ruiz Jr, is 11/8 for glory.
Royal Ascot runner-up Tritonic can make a winning start over obstacles in the bet365 Juvenile Hurdle.
Beaten half a length in the Golden Gates Handicap, he ran into a couple of good ones later in the year but remains a very useful jumping recruit.
At Haydock, many will be keen to support impressive Kempton winner – and subsequent