This weekend, club football is on pause, but there’s no shortage of action across the globe, especially in international football, alongside highlights from basketball, cycling, and cricket.
Here’s a rundown of the key events our editors are keeping an eye on this weekend:
Friday, 21 March
March Madness – from 17:15 CET
The initial day of March Madness yielded only two upsets: (#12) McNeese St. defeated (#5) Clemson, while (#11) Drake triumphed over (#6) Missouri. If you’ve picked your bracket correctly, things may be looking promising for you.
Day two of the Round of 64 promises plenty of potential surprises, with intriguing matchups like (#11) University of North Carolina facing off against (#6) Ole Miss, (#10) Vanderbilt taking on (#5) St. Mary’s, and (#12) Colorado State vs. (#5) Memphis, among others.
The initial round was largely characterised by a series of blowouts, which was somewhat disheartening, so fingers crossed the excitement level rises as the second day unfolds. My pick for an upset on this day is (#11) Xavier over (#6) Illinois, as they carry their momentum from a recent play-in game victory.
While many top seeds are performing as expected—sorry to the loyal fans, but that can dampen the thrill of the first round—let’s hope for some more surprising outcomes!
Eric Himmelheber
England vs Albania – 20:45 CET
This match between England and Albania may not typically attract headlines, yet this year’s clash holds significance, marking the debut of a new manager in what could be regarded as one of the most major appointments in international football history.
The entry of a coach as renowned as Thomas Tuchel into the international arena is a major talking point, particularly as he takes on the role with England. Given the talent at his disposal, there’s potential for him to forge a formidable side if everything clicks. This could signal the beginning of a journey towards the Three Lions reclaiming the World Cup title after years of near-misses.
However, apprehensions loom after the German manager selected a somewhat controversial first squad. Notably, the decision to reinstate Jordan Henderson, while leaving out James Maddison and Adam Wharton, has raised eyebrows, as has the omission of Jarrad Branthwaite.
These choices have sparked fears that, similar to former manager Gareth Southgate, Tuchel might hinder the development of an exciting young talent pool with a conservative approach. Yet, he has critiqued the team for being too “fearful” during Euro 2024 and has vowed to instil a more “dynamic” and “hungry” style.
Ultimately, the proof will be in the pudding. With the pressure mounting and many fans expressing dissatisfaction with his selections—and a preference for a homegrown manager—the upcoming match will be crucial in setting the tone for the team’s future.
Finley Crebolder
Saturday, 22 March
Milan-Sanremo – 10:15 CET
It feels just like yesterday that the road cycling season kicked off down under in January, and now we’re gearing up for the inaugural monument of the season—Milan-Sanremo.
This spring classic runs along Northern Italy’s coastline, stretching a lengthy 289 kilometres. However, it’s the last 70 kilometres where the excitement unfolds, offering an unpredictable finale that can suit any type of rider, be it a climber, puncher, or sprinter.
The start list highlights this unpredictability, featuring world champion Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, and Tom Pidcock—all aiming to shine on the race’s final climb, the Poggio, which summits with just seven kilometres remaining.
Sprint specialists will be hoping to hold out over that climb and contest the finish at Via Roma. Riders like Jasper Phillipsen, a teammate of Van der Poel, along with Mads Pedersen and Olav Kooij, will be looking to maintain their position through the Poggio.
Local hopes hinge on time trialist Filippo Ganna, who has demonstrated impressive form in recent weeks and could deliver a surprise performance.
With such remarkable talents in the mix, this race is anything but predictable—make sure to tune in late on Saturday afternoon for stunning vistas and exhilarating racing.
Josh Donaldson
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 15:00 CET
For cricket enthusiasts, particularly those in India, there’s one competition that stands head and shoulders above the various Twenty20 franchise leagues: the Indian Premier League (IPL). No other league commands a dedicated period during which international cricket largely pauses to showcase the world’s finest talents.
As the IPL kicks off this Saturday, all eyes will be on India from the tournament’s start until the grand final in late May.
Launching the tournament is last season’s champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, who are set to face Virat Kohli and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the iconic Eden Gardens. While the tournament stretches on for weeks, both teams will be keen to seize early momentum in this encounter, although rain is forecast, so let’s hope for clear skies.
Notably, both teams have undergone significant changes following a mega auction in the off-season. They will feature new captains: Ajinkya Rahane for KKR and Rajat Patidar for RCB, while still showcasing familiar faces like Kohli alongside KKR’s stellar West Indies duo—Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, last season’s standout MVP.
For cricket fans, if you miss this match, don’t fret—a thrilling double-header awaits on Sunday, with SunRisers Hyderabad taking on Rajasthan Royals before Chennai Super Kings clash with Mumbai Indians. After that? There’ll be almost daily matches, with double headers on weekends all the way through. Bring it on!
Pat Dempsey
Sunday, 23 March
Nations League quarter-final second legs – 20:45 CET
The quarter-finals of the Nations League are set to deliver compelling second legs this Sunday, following closely contested first matches.
In an unexpected turn, France finds themselves with the most challenging task ahead after a shocking defeat to Croatia on Thursday evening. Didier Deschamps’ squad has often struggled to harness their immense talent, and the 2-0 loss to Croatia is a testament to that. They’ll need to perform exceptionally to overturn this deficit in Paris if they hope to reach the semi-finals, but they certainly possess the quality to do just that.
In another surprising outcome, Denmark pulled off a mini upset, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring the lone goal after coming off the bench in Copenhagen. This sets up a high-pressure second leg in Portugal where the home side must fight to avoid a disappointing elimination.
Meanwhile, Italy must rebound after falling to Germany at home, thanks to an inspired display by veteran Joshua Kimmich in the first leg. Italy demonstrated at times during that match that Germany can be exposed to counter-attacks. This classic rivalry is far from settled.
Lastly, a dramatic last-minute goal from Mikel Merino salvaged a 2-2 draw for Spain against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, ensuring both teams enter the return leg in a highly charged atmosphere. With both sides committed to attacking football, expect an even more thrilling encounter this time around.
Harry Dunnett
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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