UP - Team GB - For the first time since 1986 Great Britain have made it through to the quarter final of the Davis Cup after an outstanding display on the clay courts of San Diego. Despite a loss in the doubles the British contingent won all three singles matches to claim an unassailable 3-1 lead. The highlight was inevitably a superb five set victory for James Ward over Sam Querrey.
UP - Seattle Seahawks - Not only did the Seahawks win this years Superbowl but they crushed the Denver Broncos 43-8 on a cold night in New Jersey. The pre-match discussion revolved largely around the Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning who once again choked in a playoffs match. He has now lost 12 of 23 post-season games. Inconsistant.
UP - Atletico Madrid - Has La Liga turned from a two-horse race to a three-horse race? It certainly seems so! Atletico Madrid are currently leading La Liga for the first time since 1996 and with both Barcelona and Real Madrid slipping up at the weekend Atletico now hold a three point lead at the top. The in form Diego Costa has arguably been the best player in Spain this year.
UP - Women's Tour de France - Good news for female cycling as they finally have an event in the Tour de France. On the final day the women will compete in a one day race to Champs Elysees. Described as a "game changer" for womens cycling who have not had a Tour de France even since 2008. Perhaps we could have a double British winner?
UP - Zac Purchase - Worth mentioning the retirement of double Olympic medalist Zac Purchase. Purchase, 27, won a silver medal during his home Olympics in 2012 as well as a gold medal four years earlier in Beijing. A fantastic rower and an outstanding Olympian I wish him well in the rest of his career.
DOWN - Kolo Toure - Oops. Not the finest game of Kolo Toure's career. A horrific moment as he single-handidly gifted West Brom a point by passing the ball straight to Victor Anichebe. A moment of madness which Liverpool cannot afford if they wish to get back into Europe. Toure has hardly set the world on fire since his move from Manchester City and will need to do a lot more to prove himself to the fans now.
DOWN - Andy Flower - Despite spending months claiming he would not step down Andy Flower has gone more or less full u-turn and resigned this week. Probably for the best after the 5-0 Ashes whitewash. The resignation came after new managing director Paul Dowton decided he wanted one coach to cover all formats instead of different coaches as it is at the moment. Looks like this flower hasn't blossomed.
DOWN - Kim Kallstrom - On Deadline Day in the summer Arsene Wenger signed Mesut Ozil to the delight of Arsenal fans. This January Deadline Day he signed Kim Kallstrom on loan to slightly less delight. This small quantity of delight completely disappeared the next day when it emerged he will be out for around a month after arriving at the club injured, even though he managed to complete his medical. Awkward.
DOWN - Barcelona and Real Madrid - It is extremely rare to find a weekend where Barcelona lose a League match. It is even more rare to find out where Real Madrid also fail to win. Yet that is exactly what happened this weekend as they collected just one point between them, leaving Atletico Madrid as the solo front runners. Could there be a new winner for the first time in ten years?
DOWN - Sebastian Vettel/Red Bull - You would be hard pressed to find anyone who would suggest Sebastian Vettel has not been the best driver in Formula One over the last few years. However, this weeks pre-season testing would suggest that perhaps his reign is coming to an end. Issues with the reliability of the car have left him and the team leaps and bounds behind their rivals before the season starts in March.
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