SPORT 1 JANUARY 2017 SUNDAY 21

My heart Andy Murray wasn't in it Mo Farah anymore, says Ivanovic London Arise 'Sir Andy', 'Sir Mo' as AFP ormer women's tennis world Fnumber one Ana Ivanovic (pictured) admitted yesterday she Murray and Farah knighted retired this week because she felt both physically and mentally unfit to London February and earlier this month Champs honoured this incredible honour from the Dressage to his golds in Beijing carry on after years of AFP was voted the BBC Sports Per- country that has been my home and London. battling injuries. sonality of the Year for a record Murray clinched a since I moved here at the age of The decorated Paralympian The 29-year-old Ser- imbledon cham- third time. Wimbledon title, eight," Farah said. already held the MBE, OBE and bian - whose sole Grand pion Andy "Obviously it is the highest defended his Olympic "Looking back at the boy CBE for services to equestrian- Slam success came in the Murray and honour you can get in this coun- singles crown and won who arrived here from Somalia, ism and to disabled sport. 2008 French Open one Olympic gold try. But I feel like I'm too young ATP Tour Finals crown not speaking any English, I could Damehoods go to heptath- of her 15 WTA titles -- medallist Mo for something like that," said to stop Djokovic never have imagined where I lete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower added she wanted to WFarah will each receive a knight- Murray before the announce- regaining first place. would be today. It's a dream Katherine Grainger, who both retire while she still hood in the New Year Honours. ment was made on Friday. come true. retired from competitive action loved the sport. Murray's knighthood caps a "When I win any award or Farah retained his "I'm so proud to have had the following the 2016 Rio Games. "The last few years dream season for the Scot, who am presented with anything it is 5,000 and 10,000 opportunity to race for my coun- Ennis-Hill, who had returned have been a struggle with The finished as the year-end world nice because it is recognition for metres titles at the Rio try and win gold medals for the to compete in Rio after becom- injury," Ivanovic told number one for the first time what you have given your life to British people, who have been ing a mother, has been made a Times newspaper Olympics, becoming after ending Novak Djokovic's -- up to now anyway. my biggest supporters through- Dame for services to athletics. yesterday. the first British track long spell at the top. "I am still young and there out my career. The 30-year-old from Shef- "It was always a fight The 29-year-old clinched a are still a lot of things that can and field athlete to "My successes have only field added silver at the 2016 coming back and so second Wimbledon title in July go wrong. I could still mess up win four Olympic gold been possible because of their Games to her gold at London, much work on the court, before successfully defending his and make mistakes. I am just try- medals. support and the commitment, and was already a CBE. off the court, and then Olympic singles crown and then ing to keep doing what I am sacrifices and love of my amaz- Grainger receives her dame- not sometimes being in winning a first ATP Tour Finals doing, working hard and achiev- British track and field athlete to ing family and the team around hood for services to sport and the best shape. crown to stop Djokovic regain- ing stuff." win four Olympic gold medals.The me now and over the years." charity, the veteran rower hav- "For me, the IPTL ing first place. Farah receives his knighthood 33-year-old Somalia-born athlete Para-equestrian Lee Pear- ing come out of retirement to (International Premier Murray, previously honoured after he retained his 5,000 and is already a CBE following his dou- son is also knighted after adding compete in Rio, where she won Tennis League who with an OBE in 2012, became a 10,000 metres titles at the Rio ble gold at London 2012. gold from the Individual Free- silver in the double sculls along- hosted events in Singa- father for the first time in Olympics, becoming the first "I'm so happy to be awarded style grade Ib and silver in side Vicky Thornley. pore and India recently) was a last test. "I didn't have the feeling in my body and SCOREBOARD Amanda Nunes (right) in my heart that I should BANGLADESH NEW ZEALAND punches Ronda Rousey push more. T Iqbal c Broom b Neesham...... 59 M Guptill (retd hurt) ...... 6 during their UFC 207 "It's never easy to step I Kayes c Broom b Southee ...... 44 T Latham lbw M Raham ...... 4 match at T-Mobile Arena back from something you S Rahman c Ronchi b Henry...... 19 K Williamson () ...... 95 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Mahmudullah c Neesham b Southee ...... 3 N Broom c M Mortaza b M Rahman ...... 97 US on Friday. love, but I wanted it to S Al Hasan (run out) ...... 18 J Neesham (not out) ...... 28 remain my love rather M Hossain lbw Patel ...... 11 Extras (LB-3, W-6) ...... 9 than something that I N Hasan c&b Henry ...... 44 Total (for 2 wkts in 41.2 overs) ...239 T Haider b Williamson ...... 3 Fall of : 1-10, 2-195. have to do or end up M Mortaza c Patel b Santner...... 14 Did not bat: Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi, despising because it hurt." T Ahmed (not out)...... 4 Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Ivanovic, who also M Rahman (not out) ...... 0 Jeetan Patel. reached the 2007 French Extras (B-1, LB-7, W-9) ...... 17 Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 7-0-36-0 (4w), Total (for 9 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 236 Mustafizur Rahman 9.2-2-32-2 (1w), Taskin Open and the 2008 Aus- Fall of wickets: 1-102, 2-127, 3-133, 4-141, Ahmed 7-0-41-0 (1w), Shakib Al Hasan 8-0- tralian Open finals, said 5-168, 6-170, 7-179, 8-212, 9-229. 55-0, Tanveer Haider 2-0-20-0, Sabbir Rah- she would not classify Bowling: Southee 10-2-45-1 (2w), Patel 10-0-40- man 3-0-20-0, Mosaddek Hossain 4-0-26-0,

1 (1w), Henry 8-0-53-2 (4w), Neesham 4-0-28-1 Mahmudullah 1-0-6-0 her career as being one (1w), Santner 10-0-38-2 (1w), Williamson 8-1-24-1. Result: New Zealand won by eight wickets. of under-achievement. Brazil's Nunes pummels "I think it's hard to say New Zealand's Neil that someone has overa- Broom bats during Rousey in UFC title fight chieved or underachieved," their third ODI said Ivanovic, who won the against Bangladesh Las Vegas season-ending WTA Tour- at in AFP nament of Champions title Nelson, New Zealand twice. yesterday. onda Rousey's comeback was derailed on Fri- "Even though I look day as the American suffered her second back and think maybe I Rstraight pounding when Amanda Nunes won could have done a little by a TKO less than a minute into their mixed mar- bit more, it all happens Williamson, Broom sweep tial arts fight. for a reason." The 28-year-old Nunes, of Brazil, barely broke Ivanovic, who first a sweat against a helpless Rousey to easily retain her took up tennis aged five UFC women's bantamweight belt in Las Vegas. after watching Yugosla- series for New Zealand Referee Herb Dean stopped the rout at 48 sec- vian star Monica Seles onds of the opening round after Nunes landed an play, conceded she had overhand right, followed by a straight left to Rousey's been overwhelmed by Nelson match-winning performance after his from the 3-0 hiding they suffered head. the attention focused not AFP unbeaten 109 when New Zealand won against Australia earlier this month. "She had her time. She did a lot for this sport. just on her ability but the second match by 67 runs. "He's shown his experience in Thank you, Ronda Rousey. I'm the champion, the looks. ill-in batsman Neil Broom and Broom, who scored 22 in the first these last two games in particular -- Lion," Nunes said. "I felt quite flattered," skipper pro- match, which New Zealand won by 77 huge contributions which certainly Rousey entered the octagon first with her trade- said Ivanovic. Fduced a match-winning 179-run runs, was recalled for the Bangladesh were what the side was after to get mark scowl, but the angry demeanour quickly turned "The only thing was stand for New Zealand to crush Bang- series after nearly seven years in the across the line," Williamson said. to desperation as the former champion looked out that it was very over- ladesh in their final one-day match wilderness to cover the number four After the Australian nightmare, of her class from the moment Nunes backed her up whelming for me in Nelson yesterday. batting slot while recov- Williamson said New Zealand needed with the first overhand right. because I was so young. Williamson was left unbeaten on ers from eye surgery. to improve and the third Bangladesh The 29-year-old from Los Angeles had not fought "All I had done was 95 while Broom fell just before the He has since been the home side's match "was far more the complete in over a year since she was pummelled in similar play tennis because I close for 97 as the hosts overhauled stand-out performer, not only with his performance we were after." fashion by Holly Holm. The Holm loss also shattered loved it so much. To deal Bangladesh's 236 for the loss of only prolific scoring, but also his magic Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe the mystique that Rousey had developed during the with all those responsi- two wickets to sweep the series 3-0. touch in the field with some athletic Mortaza said his side have to pick 12 straight wins that kickstarted her career. She is bilities was difficult, For Broom, battling to prove he catches. Williamson was full of praise themselves up before they meet New now 12-2 overall. Rousey earned a guaranteed $3 because I was very shy deserves to stay in the squad, it was for his batting partner and his contri- Zealand on Tuesday in the first of million payday for less than a minute's work. Nunes growing up." his second consecutive bution to help the side bounce back three T20 fixtures. collected $100,000. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 1 JANUARY 2017

Mourinho Invincible Chelsea equal winning reveals Depay exile

record, Pogba's header sinks Boro Manchester AFP

London Chelsea's Willian (right) is consoled by Diego Costa after scoring PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES Swede jabbed the ball past goal- ose Mourinho admits he a goal against Stoke City during their Premier League match at AFP keeper Victor Valdes at the near has dismissed Memphis Stamford Bridge Stadium in London, in England yesterday. Friday post, only for referee Lee Mason JDepay from his plans illian scored Everton 2-2 Hull to rule it out. because of the Dutch wing- twice as Chel- Yesterday United's players, and Jose er's desire to leave sea claimed a Chelsea 4-2 Stoke Mourinho, contested the decision, Manchester United in the Jan- Leicester 1-0 West Ham record-equal- Man Utd 2-1 Middlesbrough and there was worse to come uary transfer window. ling 13th Burnley 3-1 Sunderland when Grant Leadbitter drilled The 22-year-old, bought Wconsecutive Premier League vic- Southampton 1-2 West Brom Boro in front from Alvaro Negre- for £25m ($30m) from PSV tory by beating Stoke City 4-2 Swansea 0-3 Bournemouth do's knock-down in the 67th Eindhoven by Louis van Gaal yesterday to provisionally move Today minute. But Ibrahimovic did get 18 months ago, has been one nine points clear at the Watford vs Tottenham (13:30) his goal in the 85th minute, tuck- of the biggest losers of Mour- summit. Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (16:00) ing in Martial's cross, and barely inho's arrival at Old Trafford Stoke twice hit back to level a minute later Pogba headed in in the close-season. after falling behind at Stamford the winner from Juan Mata's cross. And the United manager Bridge, but Willian's second goal them to within a point of fourth- Champions Leicester City explained his decision to omit and a late Diego Costa strike saw place Arsenal, who host Sam claimed a much-needed win, him from first team consid- Chelsea match Arsenal's run of Allardyce's Crystal Palace today. beating West Ham United 1-0 eration sprung from Depay's 13 wins within the same season Chelsea welcomed back courtesy of Islam Slimani's 20th- wish to leave Manchester next from 2001-02. N'Golo Kante and Costa from minute header to climb six points month. Antonio Conte's side pulled suspension for the visit of Stoke clear of the relegation zone. "I have to say that in the nine points clear of second-place and took a 33rd-minute lead Swansea City made a demor- past couple of months my Liverpool, who host third-place when Gary Cahill headed in a alising start to life without decisions in relation to Mem- Manchester City later in the day corner from Cesc Fabregas. sacked manager Bob Bradley, phis were influenced by the in an explosive climax to the cal- Bruno Martins Indi equalised slumping to a 3-0 home defeat feelings and information that endar year. within seconds of kick-off in the against Bournemouth that kept he would like to leave in Jan- Manchester United came per- second half, slotting in after them at the foot of the table. uary and that we were going ilously close to seeing their own Peter Crouch nodded down Goals from Benik Afobe, to have a real offer that we winning streak end, only for late Charlie Adam's free-kick. Ryan Fraser and Josh King gave would be willing to accept," goals by star signings Zlatan Ibra- After Willian had restored Bournemouth victory, with first- said Mourinho. himovic and Paul Pogba to secure the hosts' lead, lashing in from team coach Alan Curtis taking "That obviously influ- a 2-1 home win over Middles- Eden Hazard's lay-off, Crouch temporary charge of Swansea. ences me. If I know, if I have brough. It was sixth-place United's drew Stoke level again in the Andre Gray became the first the feeling that a player is fifth straight league win and took 64th minute when he tapped in Burnley player to score a Pre- leaving -- if I have to give Mame Biram Diouf's cross. mier League hat-trick as Sean chances and develop other Premier League But Willian put Chelsea back Dyche's men beat third-bottom players -- then I go to Lin- in front a minute later and Cos- Sunderland 3-1 to climb to 11th gard, Mkhitaryan, Martial, the Diego Costa's strike ta's late strike sealed victory. place. Gray scored three times players I know 100 per cent saw Chelsea match At Old Trafford, United pro- in the first 53 minutes at Turf who are going to stay with us. Arsenal's run of 13 duced a comeback reminiscent Moor, with Ashley Barnes net- "It is a position where we wins within the same of the glory years of the watch- ting a penalty before Jermain have more options." season from 2001-02. ing Alex Ferguson to continue Defoe replied for the visitors. Depay has been little their recent upturn. But they had Matt Phillips and Wales's more than a bit-part contrib- Sixth-place United's to do it the hard way, with Ibra- Euro 2016 star Hal-Robson Kanu utor for United this season fifth straight league himovic initially denied an 18th scored as West Bromwich Albion and has played almost as win took them to goal of the season in a conten- came from behind to win 2-1 at many minutes for Holland -- within a point of tious incident late in the first half. Southampton, who had centre- 119 in two World Cup fourth-place Arsenal. Leaping to meet Anthony back Virgil van Dijk sent off late qualifiers -- as he has with his Martial's left-wing cross, the on for two bookable offences. club. Record number Prandelli slammed for 'giving up' on Valencia of volunteers applied for 2018 Madrid ing in Singapore earlier in December. transfers so it was a big surprise to learn Reuters Valencia chief executive Anil Murthy yesterday that he had decided to aban- World Cup gave a very different version of events don the ship just before the market utgoing Valencia coach Cesare in a news conference yesterday, slam- opened. At first I thought we should con- Prandelli was fiercely criti- ming the Italian for walking out on the vince him to stay. Moscow O cisedyesterday for "giving up" on club at a critical time. "Then I asked myself: what type of IANS the ailing Spanish giants and for look- "He had no solutions to offer, he said person asks the club to guarantee five ing for excuses to walk out on the team this challenge was not for him, he has players over 26 years old before the new record in the as they hover above the relegation zone. given up. In summary, he wanted to market opens? What type of person number of volunteers The former Italy coach announced leave and was looking for excuses to decides he can't do anything more to Abids for the 2018 FIFA his resignation from Valencia after just leave. He earned six points in three improve the performance of the team?" World Cup in Russia was reg- 91 days in charge, in which he won only months, there's no excuses for that," said Prandelli is the eighth Valencia istered in the global football one of eight league games and left the Murthy. coach to lose his job since the club tournament's history, Alexei six-time champions level on During his short reign Prandelli did parted ways with Unai Emery in 2012 Sorokin, the director general points with the relegation zone. not hide his feelings about the players' and his disappointing tenure follows the of Russia-2018 Local Organ- Prandelli was reported to have lost lack of commitment, remarking in disastrous reigns of predecessors Pako ising Committee (LOC), said. faith with Valencia after he was told he December the team's woes were "a Ayesteran and . "We are more than satis- would not be able to sign the five play- problem of personality, not tactics". Salvador '' Gonzalez will stand fied with the results of the ers he had been promised by the club's Murthy added, "Twenty-four hours in as caretaker of the first team squad (volunteer recruitment) pro- billionaire owner Peter Lim in a meet- ago I met with Prandelli to speak about for the second time this season. gramme," Sorokin said in an interview with Tass on Fri- day. "We have received an overall of some 170,000 applications. This is the most Pochettino warns Spurs not to look ahead to Chelsea's game impressive campaign by its scale in FIFA's history." The 2018 World Cup as Watford Pochettino insists victory over meanest defence in the Pre- well as the 2017 Confedera- AFP Chelsea would not be half as mier League over the calendar tions Cup Volunteer sweet if it followed a points- year, with just 33 goals con- Recruitment campaign was auricio Pochettino is dropping performance at ceded in 2016. launched at a solemn cere- adamant Tottenham Vicarage Road. But Pochettino may opt for mony in Moscow on June 1 by Mmust focus solely on "The most important game the three at the back forma- Russian President Vladimir today's trip to Watford rather is Watford," he said. "It's tion he employed for the first Putin and FIFA President than the higher-profile meet- important to try to reduce the time in the corresponding fix- Gianni Infantino. ing with Premier League gap to the top four. ture against Chelsea last In October of 2015, the leaders Chelsea that follows "We need to be focused on season, which Tottenham won Russian Sports Ministry cer- soon after. Watford because they are the 2-1 just after Christmas in tified 15 higher education Wednesday's London most important now for us. 2015. establishments in 11 cities derby showdown with Chel- "Chelsea have a very big Pochettino has to adjust his across Russia, officially sea at White Hart Lane is one gap now to second and 10 back line as central defender authorising them to recruit of the most anticipated fixtures points to us but it's not deci- Jan Vertonghen and right-back and prepare volunteers for of the season for both sets of sive. We need to believe, we're Kyle Walker are suspended for the Confederations Cup and fans. fighting to reduce the gap and a match each after picking up the World Cup, which are the Spurs beat Chelsea 5-3 in we have a very good opportu- their fifth bookings of the sea- two major FIFA events to be January 2015 when the latter nity when we play them. son in Wednesday's 4-1 win at hosted by Russia in 2017 and were on the way to the Pre- "Firstly we need to win Southampton. 2018 respectively. mier League title and against Watford, it's a very Vertonghen might have A total of 5,000 volunteers Tottenham's hopes of lifting important three points, and been handed a longer ban had were to be selected to serve at the trophy last season were then we'll see what happens. a disciplinary panel ruled that the 2017 FIFA Confederations Tottenham Hotspur's coach Mauricio Pochettino (left) shakes hand with ended by a bad-tempered 2-2 There are a lot of games ahead, video footage of the Belgian Cup, while 15,000 volunteers Harry Kane during their Premier League match against Southampton at draw at Stamford Bridge in it's nearly the half way through clashing with Southampton's were planned to be recruited St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, England on Wednesday. May. season." Jay Rodriguez merited a vio- for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. But Tottenham boss Tottenham boasted the lent conduct charge. SUNDAY 1 JANUARY 2017 SPORT 23

Tiger's return Year of champions excites players F1 faces more change in and fans London Reuters 2017 after Rosberg exit iger Woods appeared in only one tour- nament all season in 2016 but the year 2016 Tended with the name of the 14-times London major champion on the lips of most golf fol- SPORT YEAR IN REVIEW Reuters lowers around the world. Back in action after an absence of almost ormula One comes into the 16 months caused by chronic back problems, New Year braced for change the 40-year-old American made everyone sit Portugal’s forward on and off the track, even if up and take notice with a roller-coaster dis- Eder shoots to Lewis Hamilton will again play as he finished 15th at the Hero World score their winning start as top dog at Mercedes Challenge in the Bahamas in December. goal against France Fand firm favourite to take his fourth Pure box office, as ever, Woods reeled off during the Euro 2016 world championship. a tournament-high 24 birdies to offer fans hope final match at the After winning 19 of a record 21 that he can rediscover former glories but also Stade de France in races in 2016, starting all but one on looked vulnerable as he made several errors Saint-Denis, Paris in pole and retaining both titles for the of judgement over the four days. this file photo. third year in a row, there is just a Compatriot Jordan Spieth expressed the chance that Mercedes will be less views of many in the elite 17-man field with a dominant. positive assessment of the tournament host's They will be without newly-crowned return to competition. champion Nico Rosberg (pictured) for "What looks like is happening is he's being starters, after the retirement bombshell patient, he's making a return, he's confident that dropped jaws around the world only in his game," twice major winner Spieth told days after he won his first title. reporters. "That's really exciting for us and for The German came good as never golf. before in 2016, winning the opening "He's a guy that can continue to have an four races and nine in total on his way influence on the golf course for players ... he to joining Britain's Damon Hill as only can truly help get the numbers back up in golf." Portugal's Eder the second son of a champion to take Love him, or loathe him for past indiscre- the crown. tions, Woods simply cannot be ignored and If that success was a shock to those there is always a special frisson of anticipa- who expected him to finish runner-up tion whenever he tees it up. proves unlikely again, as might have been the case Rewinding to the opening major champi- without Hamilton's blown engine in onship of the year, it was Spieth's sudden and Malaysia and other issues, it was noth- unexpected late collapse in the U.S. Masters ing to what followed next. reign if Williams coax the Brazilian back that opened the door for Danny Willett to claim "I have climbed my mountain, I am in Bottas's place. Hamilton, who won the coveted Green Jacket. man of the year on the peak, so this feels right," Ros- more races with more poles than any Willett's victory at Augusta National was berg said after telling stunned team other driver and became the first to take similarly unexpected and it was mostly a strug- bosses that he was calling it a day. 10 victories in a season and not the title, gle for the Englishman for the rest of the Lisbon plus two more in extra-time, an Mercedes will not name a replace- had a roller-coaster year with a bizarre campaign. Reuters underwhelming end to a largely ment until January at least, with Finn 'meltdown' with the media in Japan. Another first-time major winner emerged forgettable tournament where Valtteri Bottas favourite to move from In 2017, with new rules bringing at the U.S. Open in June as Dustin Johnson ortugal emerged tri- 22 of the 55 matches were goal- Williams into the hot seat. wider tyres and faster cars with more finally achieved the breakthrough he has umphant at Euro 2016 less at halftime. Rosberg was not the only one head- aggressive handling, promises even threatened for so long. but it was surprise Similarities were drawn ing for the exit, with Ron Dennis ousted more excitement. The long-hitting American showed nerves packages Wales and between Portugal and the as McLaren boss and 2009 champion More significant change has already of steel to triumph by three shots despite being Iceland who supplied Greece team that chugged to Jenson Button making way at the team started off the track with Liberty Media, controversially handed a one-stroke penalty Pthe best memories from the victory 12 years earlier and it for Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne. led by U.S. cable mogul John Malone, when his ball moved on the fifth green. tournament in France. was Wales and Iceland, who Felipe Massa also retired but that taking control of the sport in a deal val- The most spectacular major finish of the Not many experts chose reached the semi-finals and could be as short-lived as Rosberg's ued at $8 bn. year occurred at Royal Troon in July as Hen- Fernando Santos' team as likely quarter-finals respectively, who rik Stenson outslugged American Phil title winners at the start while really captured the imagination Mickelson in a remarkable birdie-fest on the punters would hardly have of the Euro 2016 fans. final day. rushed to put money on his side Iceland's followers enter- Jamaica’s Usain Bolt The Swede's closing 63 equalled the low- when talisman Cristiano Ron- tained everyone with their celebrates after he won the est in any major and his winning 20-under aldo limped off in tears after 25 unique 'Viking Thunder-Clap' men’s 200m final during total of 264 was also a record for any of the minutes of the July final against celebration. the athletics event at the 'Big Four' tournaments. the hosts. Ronaldo went on to bag a Rio 2016 Olympic Games at "Wow, this will take a little while to sink And had anyone asked fans third honour in 2016, beating the Olympic Stadium in Rio in," Stenson said after he and Mickelson evoked of Swansea City whether Eder, Barcelona rival Lionel Messi to de Janeiro in this August, memories of the great 'Duel in the Sun' Turn- who failed to score in 15 games win the Ballon d'Or for a fourth berry Open of 1977 when Tom Watson edged 2016 file photo. The for the English Premier League time. out Jack Nicklaus in another epic 30-year-old Bolt produced side before being farmed out to Other winners in 2016 head-to-head. Lille, was a good bet to grab the included Leicester City, who an unprecedented triple- American Jimmy Walker made it a clean winner they might have coun- overcame odds of 5,000-1 to triple, winning the 100 sweep of first-time victories in the 2016 majors tered by saying there was more win their first top-tier title in metres, 200 metres and when he won the U.S. PGA Championship. chance of Brexit followed by England while Bayern Munich, 4x100 metre relay at Walker defeated Australian Jason Day by Donald Trump becoming U.S. Paris St Germain, Barcelona and three consecutive Olympic one stroke after playing 36 holes on a gruel- President. Juventus were more predicta- Games, the Beijing 2008, ling final day at a waterlogged Baltusrol. But if 2016 taught us any- ble champions in Europe's other London 2012 and Rio 2016. The top four players in the world rankings thing it is that unlikely top leagues. all elected to miss golf's return to the Olym- characters can shape major Juve midfielder Paul Pogba pics after a 112-year absence but it mattered events, on and off the football left the club at the end of the little to gold medal winner Justin Rose. pitch. Portugal's final triumph season to rejoin former team The Englishman, who recorded a hole-in- came despite only producing Manchester United for a world one on his first day at the Rio de Janeiro Games one shot on target in 90 minutes record fee of €89.3m ($111.89m). in August, beat runner-up Stenson by two shots in a competition that went all the way to the final putts. Close friends Rose and Stenson were on the losing side six weeks later when the United States won the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2008 by swatting aside Europe 17-11 at Hazeltine, Minnesota. Both teams were still in mourning for the great Arnold Palmer, 87, who died five days before the matches began, but it was Davis Love's American side who powered into an earlyea y 4-0 0 lead ead aand d nevernever lookedlooked likelike sur- renderingrendering control.

Portugal and real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo posing with the Ballon d'Or France Football trophy at the Trophy Room of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain in this December 12, 2016 file photo. Ronaldo beat Barcelona rival Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or for a fourth time. Tiger Woods