Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/382165
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2014 Sport 23 Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Fine VISIBILITY: Good WIND: West to Southwest force 2 to 3 locally force 3 to 4 becoming West to Northwest in the evening. To Northeast of area: becoming locally force 4 to 5 in the afternoon SEA: Slight SWELL: Negligible SEA TEMP: 27 °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 33 º C / 22 º C UV INDEX: 8 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits OPINION Across 9. Effect a radical change (13) 10. Mixture of earth and water (3) 11. Pertaining to Spain (7) 12. Slant (4) 13. Leg joint (4) 15. Big (5) 17. Ashore (7) 19. Derby venue (5) 21. Knock vigorously (3) 23. Feed on grass (5) 24. Formal speech (7) 25. Jewish scholar (5) 27. Not one (4) 28. Stupefy (4) 30. Rattling sound (7) 32. Grievous distress (3) 33. Not fully conscious (4-9) Down 1. Astronaut (9) 2. Benefit (5) 3. In addition to (4) 4. Newcomer (8) 5. Incentive (6) 6. Desire (4) 7. Recall past experiences (9) 8. Pass legal judgment (5) 14. One that moves (5) 16. Is inclined (5) 18. Resistant to staining (9) 20. Hypnotism (9) 22. Picture executed in paints (8) 26. Tree limb (6) 27. Recently (5) 29. Permit (5) 30. Prolonged unconsciousness (4) 31. Large stone (4) WE feel the pulse of every player as he walks down the tunnel to that fa- mous tune, many of us attempting to sing it, failing to reach the high notes and scaring the neighbours away. Half of us do not even know the lyrics, but who cares: its the Champion's League and in our minds we are all either pro- fessional footballers or at least signed up singers. Liverpool fans will have sung that tune whole heartedly last night as they returned to the big stage after a seven season absence and the five time win- ners would have been as passionate as anyone on their return. They did after all get what every team wanted: a huge team in their group, combined with two others who perhaps won't pose as much as a threat. Many fans I spoke to wanted, as they called "the Real Madrids, Barcas, Munichs" in their group, obviously feeling they can take on the world in one group, but all were chuffed with having drawn none oth- er than the holders Real Madrid, along side last nights opponents Ludo Razgd and the experienced FC Basel. Tonight's game is a total gift for fans as Bayern Munich welcome Manches- ter City in group E. City's European tours have ended prematurely in pre- vious seasons and with Roma and CS- KA in their group they will have their work cut out, particularly when they take on that cold Russian winter. Group F tonight sees the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Ajax as Paris St German travel to the Netherlands, the birthplace of Zlatan's football ca- reer at the stadium he scored many memorable goals, none more so than his wonder goal against NAC Breda where he seemingly saw fit to take on the entire defence single handedly turning them into a knot before fin- ishing neatly. Ajax beware, Zlatan is in the mood tonight. Free scoring Chelsea face Schalke tonight in what could be their tough- est test in Europe in a group contain- ing Maribor and Sporing Lisbon, marking a home coming return for Jose Mourinho where his ex rivals in Lisbon are sure to give him an inter- esting welcome. One set of fans who will perhaps not enjoy being free midweek are the sad- dened Manchester United fans who missed out after last season's disaster. Perhaps though this is the best medi- cine for the club who now have only the league and the FA Cup to focus on, while heavily reduces the congested fixture list. Being knocked out of the league cup, after that 4-0 drubbing at MK Dons means that all they need to do is push up the league table. Despite the European exodus, fans have every right to be buzzing follow- ing their last ditch capture of Radamel Falcao, who joined no less than five other new signings at the club. Angel Di Maria leads that list of singings and after their fresh start against QPR, van Gaal is beginning to look like he will be able to steady that rocking ship – even if it did take all of £151 million. Better news for United fans is the momentum gathered by rumours concerning the transfer of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, who according to reports fuelled by his ex team mate di Maria is totally fed up at the politi- cal situation in Madrid. The sale of di Maria to Manchester United was in- deed a controversial one which raised eye brows as many believed him to be Real Madrid's best player in their Eu- ropean Cup run, particularly after his man of the match performance in the final leading to the Decima. It does seem like Manchester Unit- ed have the money to spend, however the only concern on my mind is how big an impact not qualifying for the Champion's League this season would have on the clubs finances. I see their transfer policy as risky, however they know that without the Champion's League the club can suffer a long spell outside it, as Liverpool experienced since 2007. For the world's biggest football brand a drought is unaccept- able and in this modern climate the stakes are finely balanced on a tight rope, hung higher than the Empire State Building. Mark Strijbosch The special nights return c7 Bxc7 bxc7 Rd6+ c8=Q+ Rd8 Qxd8#