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Filling Schmeichel's shoes
CNN/Sports Illustrated World Sport anchor Phil Jones will answer a few of your questions every week. All of your comments are read and appreciated. Some interesting international topics this week, from Peter Schmeichel's early retirement to Paolo Di Canio for Wales, from Williams sister bashing to mixed words on Martina Hingis. Hi, Phil! I have two questions here about ex-Manchester United and current Sporting Lisbon keeper Peter Schmeichel who recently quit international soccer. I personally feel that international retirement has come too soon for him. He should be playing for Denmark until the 2002 World Cup. Anyway, my first question is: Do you think Fabien Barthez has been a more than adequate replacement for the Great Dane at Old Trafford? My second question: When do you think Schmeichel lost his status as the best goalkeeper in the world?
Fabien Barthez has been a superb replacement for Schmeichel at Manchester United. The Danish goalkeeper was recently voted the best United 'keeper of all time by United fans in their official magazine -- and was voted their fifth best player ever in any position. That's a hard act to follow. Schmeichel was there as United won its first English league title in almost three decades and when it won the Champions League in 1999. He was larger than life, always shouting his mouth off at defenders, perennially feisty on the pitch. Barthez is also a colorful, imposing character, albeit that he and Schmeichel have different ways of making their presence felt. Barthez and United were the perfect fit. Schmeichel is still one of the best in the world and could have carried on his international career until 2002. But he chose to leave United for Lisbon so he could cut down his workload. The admission that he wanted to pull back the reins in his career was the moment he was conceding his time as the world's best was probably over.
With the latest withdrawal due to "injury," are WTP officials finally going to call the Williams clan to the floor to face the music? This is pathetic. Do they honestly believe they are pulling the wool over our eyes? I am sure Venus was crying, because papa had just told her to tank the match before it had begun. Enough is enough.
The fans certainly had their say at Indian Wells, booing the announcement that Venus was pulling out of the semi against her sister because of injury... then jeering Serena as she celebrated final victory over Kim Clijsters. The National Enquirer, one of the United States' biggest tabloids, is running a front page story saying their father Richard forced Serena to lose the Wimbledon semi last year to Venus. Of course, this isn't the greatest source of hard news. But I mention it merely to illustrate that this story is very much to the fore and isn't likely to go away. You're right. No one is falling for this nonsense. It's damaging to tennis and needs to be addressed by the authorities, promptly and seriously. Phil, wouldn't you agree that Celtic skipper Martin O'Neill has now answered any doubts about the kind of quality manager he really is? Hinted at, but never fully given his due respect on the Web site, Mr. Marcotti himself reckoned at just past the quarter mark of the Scottish season that Rangers would catch Celtic by the end of the season, undermining O'Neill's fabulous unbeaten start. He also commented Peter Taylor was perhaps the reason Leicester City were in their highest ever EPL position at the time. Well, it is quite obvious that Taylor inherited a great team built by O'Neill, whom would most certainly still be wallowing in Second Division obscurity without O'Neill's groundwork and expertise. And now Celtic are on the verge of winning only their second title since the eighties after a dismal John Barnes and Kenny Dalglish era, one of the worst seasons in the club's illustrious history. It is now clear he has turned around a club who finished more than twenty points behind their rivals Rangers last season, and may win the league by twenty or more points himself. As well as the Scottish treble, hinting at a Celtic rebirth under O'Neill.
It is now no secret why Alex Ferguson has personally chosen O'Neill to succeed him at the helm of Manchester United, and is also time for CNNSI.com to recognize the kind of quality manager Martin O'Neill really is. Wouldn't you agree?
I have the greatest respect for Martin O'Neill. His achievements with Wycombe Wanderers and then Leicester City in England were remarkable. He took over at turbulent Celtic and has carried them to the verge of the title. The smoothness of transition there has been nothing short of astonishing. O'Neill is also a quality person. Manchester United wouldn't be too tough a task for him. Celtic has a good relationship with United -- but not that good. They'll fight tooth and nail to keep him. You are well on the money with your comment re marketing of superstars in sports. It can even have an impact on entire sections of the economy, witness the tennis boom in Germany during the heydays of Boris Becker and Steffi Graf. Tennis centers sprouted like mushrooms after a warm rain because millions of people "discovered" the sport as a hobby, following increased coverage in the media. Thanks to the adidas spot featuring the (admittedly extremely hip looking and telegenic) All Blacks, German kids are now developing an interest in Rugby, a sport that hitherto lead a niche existence in this country with top range clubs playing to audiences of less than 100.
It's interesting to hear rugby is growing in popularity in Germany. The All Blacks are powerful role models. What do you think about S. Deisler, the one who plays for B.Munich (footy), and I agree with equal pay at the Aussie open (tennis not golf). I find the men game extremely boring and would chose the women's game any day! Also why do you think the English media are being horrid to Michael Owen?
Are you related Martina? I'm not sure what "horrid" constitutes, especially living in the States and not having the benefit of seeing all the newspapers there. Michael's mature enough to handle it. He's not done too badly of late has he, with those crucial goals in Rome and another against Porto last week? Sebastian Deisler was called the Michael Owen of Germany by some. He's one of the few young German players to emerge in recent years with real star quality. Hi Phil! Why is basketball not popular in England?
I honestly don't know why it has never taken off in England (or Britain) the way it has in the rest of Europe and many other parts of the world. It's a great sport. As someone who grew up in England, the best answer I can offer is that we didn't play basketball much (if at all) in school. Soccer and rugby dominated in the winter months, then in the summer it was cricket and athletics. With so many other sports to watch -- soccer, rugby union, rugby league, athletics, cricket -- basketball was always fighting to find its niche and still is. The speed, skill and US-style razzmattazz appeals to a younger audience, so in time it could take a foothold. Ice hockey has done that in certain major cities in Britain. i just don't see how martina hingis is any good. she plays in all of these rinky dink tournaments to stay #1 in the world. she will never be able to beat the power hitters (davenport, williams's and now capriati.) the reason she beat the williams sisters seems more to me to be due to the williams' lack of play in the preceding months. Do you really think martina will consistantly beat the power players again?
Consistently beat them, perhaps not. Beat them now and again, most certainly. More and more the wealth of women's tennis glory will be spread around. Kim Clijsters is just the latest player to join the ranks of would-be champions. Hi Phil! I love watching Hingis matches, she`s a genius... of course it was shocking the way she lost to Capriati in the Aussie Open, after that Hingis said her body was too tired that can t even move mainly ´cause she played doubles too; then she took the decision of not playing doubles again this season... Do you think this is good for her tennis, being an extraordinary doubles player?
A contrasting view of Miss Hingis. It shows how many of us have opinions on personalities and sports which can bear no resemblance to other people's views. That's why I love sport and the see different passions and emotions it can stir up in all of us. Hingis used to say she played doubles because it meant she didn't have to practice as much. John McEnroe did a similar thing when he was playing. But is she feels she needs to conserve energy to take on the power hitters, then who am I to argue? Hi Phil, How far do you think Galatasaray will go in the Champions League?
If they'd drawn anyone but Real Madrid, I would have fancied them to progress to the semis. But Real has been the most impressive Champions League team throughout and I expect them to win the quarter final against the Turkish champions and go all the way. Then again, my predictions often act as a kiss of death... so Galatasaray fans all over the world could be leaping for joy right now. Phil, You make the point that the English press have praised the English football team and Eriksson after their victory over Spain. A good win indeed however we have seen the press do the same thing with the English rugby and cricket teams also. Why do you think the English press don't realize that one or two good wins doesn't make a team great and moreover, that friendlies and other games of 'less importance' don't count for much?
I suppose sensationalism sells newspapers. If you are the "best ever" or the "worst ever," and you can have headlines to match, that is more enticing for the reader perhaps than average, middle of the road stuff. Plus, we Brits just love to build people up -- then knock 'em down. You can't strike people down as effectively if they're not first on a pedestal. Phil, I heard recently that, having had no international Under 21 Caps, and no international Senior Caps, then little success in Italian Domestic Football, Paolo Di Canio has been living in the UK for 5 years. This means he is eligible to get a British passport, and thus play International Football for one of the 4 UK countries. Do you ever see him playing for Wales? Because I'd sure like to.
Did he play for Italy's youth team? That would discount him too I think. If not, Wales should be preparing the paperwork right now -- before the Irish nab him. Thanks everyone for all your input. Until the next time, enjoy your sporting week.
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