Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/311673
27 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2014 Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Fine with some high cloud at times VISIBILITY: Generally good WIND: Variable force 2 to 3 becoming locally force 3 to 4 mainly Southerly. SEA: Slight SWELL: Negligible SEA TEMP: 17 °C A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play and mate in four moves A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. PARTLY CLOUDY 21 º C / 13 º C UV INDEX: 8 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits Kc4 Kb7 Kb5 Ka8 Rc8 Kb7 Rc7+ Ka8 Ra7++ OPINION Across 1. Nevertheless (7) 5. Diabolical (7) 9. Mistrust (7) 10. Person that loses (5) 11. Path (5) 12. Advanced in years (3) 13. Subsides (6) 14. Takes fright (6) 15. Lock opener (3) 17. Alien (9) 21. Sink or bend downward (3) 23. Concurs (6) 24. Toepiece (6) 27. Besides (3) 28. Seaport in NW Israel (5) 29. Tomb (5) 30. Loudly (7) 31. Refuge (7) 32. Flap attached to a cap (7) Down 1. Cushion for kneeling (7) 2. Day for washing clothes (7) 3. Capital of Austria (6) 4. Dog trained to retrieve game (9) 5. Rub vigorously (5) 6. Put up with (8) 7. Opening of the nose (7) 8. Pertaining to Cornwall (7) 16. Lack of knowledge (9) 18. Heat to excess (8) 19. Car shelters (7) 20. Warship (7) 21. Sporting dog (7) 22. Command to a horse (7) 25. Roe of sturgeon (6) 26. More pleasant (5) WE would have never every thought it would come to this. With Real Madrid cast out of the title race, their fierce city rivals Atletico Madrid face Barce- lona in a showdown next Saturday at the New Camp, Barcelona. The unique final never seemed to be on the cards as Atletico stormed ahead of the La Liga, only to drop cru- cial points last weekend and the previ- ous and with Barcelona's form being notoriously moody of late no one quite knew what to expect from the under- performing giants. The La Liga and Premier League have both gone down to the wire this season, with blue curtains closing on the Premier League last weekend as Manchester City wrapped up their sec- ond title in three years. The absence of form from two giants in Real Madrid and Manchester United allowed for other less likely teams to step up and Atletico Madrid and Liverpool have played that part well, lets just hope that Atletico do not let this one slip, to put it in Gerrard's famous last words. The Italian league took its normal form with Juventus clinching the scudetto in what feels like Septem- ber. Javier Zanetti finally bowed out of football with a 4-1 win over Lazio last weekend, a result confirming fifth place for Inter. The 40 year old marked his final day by wearing a special cap- tain's armband displaying the names of his teammates for the past two decades. With him and Ryan Giggs departing from our beautiful game we will now wonder who will ever emu- late the greatness of the two departing legends. Golden boot for golden boy As expected Luis Suarez was crowned the player of the year in England, hav- ing scooped the writer's player of the year a week prior to his latest award. He spearheaded Liverpool's incredible attack this season, bagging 31 goals in the process as his team notched up 101 for the season against Newcastle United. Viewers this year were spoilt for choice after mout watering displays from Yaya Toure lead his team to the league title and in my honest opinion little seperates the two in terms of their contribution to the team. Yaya's form in the big games has been cru- cial, but nothing can deny the brilliant of Suarez and Liverpool – shame the same can not be said about their leaky back four. Another man in contention in my eyes was Southampton's pivot Lallana whose presence in that clever midfield steered the saints to a respectable eight place in the league. The good news here for the English readers is that they finally have someone worth shouting for, with Roy Hogdson confirming his place on the plane to Brazil. Rio quits Old Trafford In breaking news on Monday, Rio Ferdinand revealed in an open let- ter to his fans that after 12 seasons at Old Trafford he has quit Manchester United. With Nemanja Vidic already penned in at Inter, signs of a mass exo- dus at Old Trafford are beginning to show and no one knows who is next out of the club. Manchester United have struggled for form since Sir Alex's departure last season, with the club set to appoint a new manager to replace the sacked David Moyes this summer. Bring on Brazil As if the exciting run in of the Pre- mier League and La Liga were not enough, "we want more" we all cry like hungry toddlers. Brazil is now less than one month away and just incase we take our eyes off the screen for just one minute the month is filled with pre tournament friendlies, squad re- leases and the stunning U-17 UEFA tournament being held in our beauti- ful islands. In one month our wives and girl- friends will feel lonely, as our eyes will be glued to our boxes, no matter what. The groups had been drawn ages ago and since then a mental countdown began ticking in our minds, at long last a summer festival held in the home of football. England have gone for a youthful squad, with Luke Shaw pipping the departing Ashley Cole as favored left back, while Holland will try out an all new 5-3-2 formation in what is classed as the group of death which includes current holders Spain. Brazil will have to be my favourites, however this season we will see an unfamiliar defensive side from Brazil, a team which is normally famed for its forwards, this year relying on the young Neymar Jr who is yet to play in a World Cup. Mark Strijbosch All eyes on Spain