Sports Ladder (June 29th - July 6th)

UP - Surprise Packages - So the semi-finals are decided and we have a heavyweight bunch with Brazil against Germany and Argentina versus Holland but it really was the performance of certain 'minnow' teams that captured the imagination of the public. Costa Rica were the last to fall after an outstanding qualification from a 'group of death' but there was some sensational stuff from Colombia, USA and Algeria to name just a few. If we could have some of that passion for our England boys in four years then that would be fantastic.

UP - Susie Wolff - Okay, so it only lasted one racing lap. Okay, so it was a bit disappointing that the car suffered an oil pressure issue. Besides that it was great to see Susie Wolff become the first female driver to step into a Formula One car on a race weekend in twenty-two years. So the actual practice session was a disaster as she suffered a technical issue beyond her control and finished second last in the session. Yet Susie will get another chance in Hoffenheim and I for one look forward to seeing her get a proper crack of the whip.

UP - Nick Kyrgios - If you had not heard of the tenacious Australian before this week then you will have now. Kyrgios, who I met just last month at the AEGON Trophy in Nottingham, took the tennis world by storm as he blew apart Rafael Nadal on route to his first Wimbledon quarter-final at just nineteen years old. He may have lost to Milos Raonic but the youngster certainly proved why many are considering him to be the next big tennis sensation.

UP - Jordanne Whiley - Whilst British eyes were fixed on Andy Murray this week, (well until Wednesday at least), there was another Brit who walked away with a title as Jordanne Whiley and her partner Yui Kamiji won their third Grand Slam Wheelchair Doubles title of the year, meaning they need just the the US Open to complete the set. The pair have been playing some magnificent stuff over the last 12 months or so and now sit proudly at the top of the global rankings.

UP - Aberystwyth Town - With the World Cup coming towards a sparkling end it will not be long before we return to the regularity of everyday football. For some however, that has already started and I couldn't help but chuckle at the sly dig made by Aberystwyth Town to Manchester United when they messaged the Red Devils saying 'we are all off to Europe... are you?'. Unquestionably funny but perhaps United will have the last laugh as Aberystwyth were only travelling to Derry and lost 4-0 in the first leg.

DOWN - Massimo Cellino - So it's official, we have another Vincent Tan on our hands. We all knew from his time at Cagliari that Cellino was a little bit bonkers but he stepped it up this week by refusing to allow Paddy Kenny to join the first team because his birthday is on the 17 May. Seventeen is considered an unlucky number in Italy and Cellino's deep suspicion of it has now left Kenny looking for a new club. People like this should not be allowed to own football clubs.

DOWN - Mark Cavendish - Poor Mark. You wait your whole life to cycle the most prestigious event on the cycling calender right past your own doorstep but the Manxman had it taken away from him when he unfortunately crashed barely 200 metres from the end of the first stage. The resulting shoulder injury has ruled Cavendish out of the rest of the Tour after he was just a little too desperate to wear that coveted yellow jersey at home.

DOWN - Luis Suarez - Why? Just why? I cannot help but laugh at the calamity that is Luis Suarez. He has the potential to be one of the absolute best players in the world but is constantly impeded by his vampirical tendencies. I'm not sure what was worse though, the fact he bit someone for the third time in his career or his excuse that he tripped and fell teeth first into Chiellini's shoulder. I'm concerned that if he does it again he will emerge from the ban in the 'twilight' of his career. Terrible vampire joke quote ticked.

DOWN - Serena Williams - Well it looks like the Queen of women's tennis has now well and truly lost her grip on the thrown. Suffering her third early exit in Grand Slams this year Serena will now have a monumental job on her hands to retain her US Open title. Luckily her grip on the number one ranking is well in tact as Li Na also lost early but others are catching fast and it may only be a matter of time before Serena loses in tennis' game of thrones.

DOWN - Match Fixing - Whichever direction you turn your head in the sporting world there seems to be problems with match fixing at the moment. Lou Vincent, the self-proclaimed cricketing cheat, was littered on the back page of the papers this week for his confession and then we were treated to a number of stories about match-fixing at the World Cup. As if that wasn't enough, there is now an investigation into Aberdeen in the Europa League. It has become an epidemic that needs to be killed sooner rather than later.

Disclaimer - This was written before the finish of the Wimbledon Men's Final and before I have watched the British Grand Prix so that's why neither are mentioned.