This Week in Sport: 1st – 7th July 2019
Welcome to the new Fixture Calendar blog! Due to popular demand we have changed from our daily 'Event of the Day' blog to a weekly sporting preview. Check this blog every Monday to plan your week of sport ahead.
This week promises to be a real sporting feast, with some of the year’s biggest events taking place across the next seven days. Tennis’s elite will descend upon the All England Club for the beginning of the Wimbledon fortnight. The gruelling race for the greatest prize in road cycling begins in Belgium, with Stage 1 of the Tour de France. Across the UK, potentially tournament defining matches take place at the Cricket World Cup. And the biggest FIFA Women’s World Cup yet draws to a close, with the winner being crowned in Sunday’s hotly anticipated final.
Monday 1st July 10:00AM GMT – Tennis: Wimbledon
The penultimate Grand Slam of the year commences on the pristine grass courts of the All England Club, with the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
Steeped in history and tradition, Wimbledon is a tennis tournament like no other. Defending champion and number one seed Novak Djokovic begins his title defence against German Philipp Kohlschreiber on the magnificent Centre Court. Household names are a given on day one in the women’s draw, with former world number one Simona Halep and reigning US and Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka in action. A fortnight of thrills and spills lies in wait.
Tuesday 2nd July 12:30AM GMT (3rd July) – Football: Brazil v Argentina, Copa América Semi-Final
We have reached the business end of the Copa América, with two of the pre-tournament favourites, Brazil and Argentina, just one game away from the final.
This is one of the most exciting matchups of the tournament, pitching two giants of world football against each other. Both sides possess real attacking quality. Hosts Brazil boast Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, the supremely technically gifted Philippe Coutinho and goal machine Roberto Firmino up front. Similarly, the lethal Sergio Aguero and the dazzling Lionel Messi make up Argentina’s formidable forward line. Expect fireworks as two of football’s greatest sides go toe to toe.
Wednesday 3rd July 9:30AM GMT – Cricket: England v New Zealand, Cricket World Cup
Two great cricketing nations go head to head at the Riverside in the Cricket World Cup, as they aim to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Hosts England have enjoyed mixed fortunes at the tournament they headed into as favourites. Comprehensive wins over the West Indies and Bangladesh were followed by disappointing defeats against of Sri Lanka and Australia, but a crucial victory over India on Sunday put their campaign back on track. New Zealand, meanwhile, have recorded impressive victories against South Africa and Sri Lanka, but have suffered some recent tough losses to Pakistan and Australia. With both teams still in semi-final contention, this game could be crucial in determining who progresses to the last four.
Thursday 4th July 10:00AM GMT – Tennis: Wimbledon
Grand Slam action continues in London with day four of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
The biggest names on the tennis circuit can be found at the All England Club for a fantastic sporting fortnight. From the elegance of Roger Federer to the power of Serena Williams, the picturesque grass courts will witness tennis at its very best. Home favourite and two time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray makes his highly awaited return to the All England Club in the doubles, mere months after his glittering career appeared to be cut short by injury. Tears, joy and unmissable tennis are guaranteed.
Friday 5th July 9:30AM GMT – Cricket: Bangladesh v Pakistan, Cricket World Cup
Two cricketing rivals take to the pitch at Lord’s in a crucial Cricket World Cup encounter.
Both countries are still in contention to make the semi-finals. Pakistan have registered impressive victories over England and New Zealand to give themselves a fighting chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. However, their early defeat to the West Indies could perhaps prove costly. Bangladesh have recovered from losses against New Zealand and England with wins against the West Indies and Afghanistan. With the overall standings so finely poised, this is a must win game for both sides.
Saturday 6th July 8:00AM GMT – Cycling: Tour de France - Stage 1
Cycling’s elite take to the roads to begin the punishing 3,460 kilometre journey towards one of the most prestigious titles in world sport: the Tour de France yellow jersey.
This first stage begins in Brussels, where the peloton will tackle a flat 194 km, before finishing back in the Belgian capital. The 106th edition of the famous race has been labelled the highest in the tour’s history, with five stage finishes on mountain summits. Reigning champion Geraint Thomas will face stiff competition from the likes of Nairo Quintana and Richie Porte. From electric time trials to excruciating climbs, the Tour de France is quite rightly a headliner in any sporting calendar.
Sunday 7th July 4:00PM GMT – Football: Women’s World Cup Final
After a month of wonder goals, crunching tackles and VAR, the Women’s World Cup reaches its much anticipated climax.
This World Cup has attracted record breaking viewing figures and public attention like never before. Four years ago, Carli Lloyd became the first person since Geoff Hurst back in 1966 to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final in a thumping 5-2 win against Japan. Will the USA successfully defend their title, or will there be a new name on the famous trophy? A compelling match is in store, as the tournaments two best sides compete for the greatest prize in world football. Another watershed moment for women’s football awaits.
Other sport highlights from around the globe
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Copa América, which concludes over the coming week. Chile and Peru meet in the second semi-final on Tuesday for a place in Sunday’s final. It’s also the semi-final stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States on Tuesday and Wednesday, with sides vying for a place in Sunday’s final. On the picturesque River Thames, the Henley Royal Regatta takes place this week. Cricket World Cup action continues throughout the week, with Bangladesh versus India at Edgbaston a particularly exciting matchup. Further cricket action in the UK comes from Grace Road, where the Women’s Ashes gets underway with the first of this week’s three ODI’s. Impeccable weather is predicted for the opening week of Wimbledon, with daily world class tennis on display at the All England Club through to Saturday. Preparation for September’s World Championships continues in Switzerland, with Diamond League Athletics. Elsewhere in Europe, the MotoGP stops off in Germany. The Super Rugby season boils down to an exciting Final between the Crusaders and the Jaguares. Jon Jones and Thiago Santos meet in Las Vegas at UFC 239 in a Light Heavyweight division matchup.
A world class week of sport awaits. Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
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Photos by Wimbledon, CONMEBOL, ICC Cricket, Wimbledon, ICC Cricket, Tour de France, FIFA
Written and information accurate on 30th June at 10pm GMT