Welcome to another week of The Gurgler’s review of the sporting week. We hand pick the sporting events and happenings that take our fancy.
Including the only place on the internet that gives you a weekly Rod Pampling update.
BARCELONA END THE EUROPEAN CLUB SEASON IN STYLE
The Champions League final kicked off on Sunday morning and it was worth the loss of a little sleep. Barcelona were favourite to be the team to seal a season treble, and the 3-1 score line might confirm that, but it wasn’t all easy going.
After going ahead 1-0 Barcelona do what they do best and pass the ball multiple times without a great deal of progress. But a strong passage of play from Juventus that culminated in a goal sparked up the contest.
Barcelona suddenly looked to use the ball more effectively, and with arguably the best forward three lineup in football history, they scored the two more goals to seal their record second treble.
One thing though, that it took a Juventus equaliser to spark Barcaelona into a little more action, so why not handicap them a goal for each game and watch the fall out of their talent. It may be the only way to halt them from multiple Champions League titles in the coming years.
AUSTRALIANS WINDEASY
The West Indies confirmed their status as Test Cricketing enigma by being beaten by Australia within three days in the first test. With the lesser nations currently playing off for the chance to become a Test nation, they might well hope they draw the Windies for their chance at the top level.
For those interested, countries like Ireland, UAE etc are currently playing matches against each other and the team on top of this group then play the lowest ranked Test nation in a playoff. If they win, they are granted the next Test nation licence.
Good to see Adam Voges scoring a century on debut. Quite a reward for perseverance and a lesson for any Sheffield Shield player that the chance can be given at any time if you score the runs or take the wicket. Whilst a NSW cap helps, it can still happen and hats off to him. And to the selectors for picking on form not potential. We can only hope that reviewing the spin option to include a G.B. Hogg can happen.
PNG HUNTERS ON THE HUNT
The Gurgler’s favourite Rugby League team PNG Hunters took on the second placed Ipswich Jets in PNG on the weekend and notched up their sixth win in a row to get within two points of the competition lead.
Whilst 2015 looked to be second season syndrome, and reports of financial implosion had the Hunters on the ropes, they have turned it around of late and have beaten no less than the top two sides.
We hope they can at least make the finals as it will be some kind of end of season showdown in the Intrust Super Cup if any of the current top half teams makes the knockout stage.
YOUR OFFICIAL ROD PAMPLING UPDATE
No wins for Rod Pampling on the Web.com Tour on the weekend as he missed the cut at the Greater Dallas Open, and his ranking has dropped three to 185th.
Good news was a quick check of the players lining up for the British Open, and our man is amongst the invitees. The Gurgler can only hope for a Jiminez-Pampling grouping.
THE GURGLER’S SUPER MULTI
AUSTRALIA (Football) to beat Kyrgyzstan
DRAW – Ireland v Scotland
UNDER 2.5 goals – Slovenia v England
OVER 2.5 goals – Belgium v Wales
DRAW – Australia v West Indies
AFL – Melbourne to beat St Kilda
Pays $136 for $1
Add Chaz Mostert to win Race 1 in Darwin to boost it to $612.
Centrebet don’t allow it in a multi. Killjoys.
