Mike Starling

Sep 7, 2023 | theweek.co.uk | Mike Starling

After previously losing three Rugby World Cup finals, can France finally end the jinx by lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time? Or can South Africa successfully defend the trophy they lifted in Japan in 2019? These questions will be answered over the next seven weeks when France hosts the 10th edition of the men’s Rugby World Cup.

Aug 21, 2023 | theweek.co.uk | Mike Starling

View from the terraces“Let none of you feel defeated.” That was the message from King Charles III to England’s Lionesses after their Fifa Women’s World Cup dreams were shattered by Spain in yesterday’s final in Sydney. A 29th-minute goal from captain Olga Carmona was enough to see La Roja “deservedly” triumph in front of a sell-out crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia, said Emma Sanders on BBC Sport.

Aug 16, 2023 | theweek.co.uk | Mike Starling

England’s Lionesses, the reigning European champions, will play in their first ever Fifa Women’s World Cup final against Spain on Sunday after defeating co-hosts Australia 3-1 in today’s semi-final clash at Stadium Australia. It was a “historic evening” in Sydney, said Emma Sanders on BBC Sport, as goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo “spoiled” the Australian “party”.

Aug 10, 2023 | theweek.co.uk | Mike Starling

After three successive Premier League titles, and five out of the last six, Manchester City once again go into a new campaign as the team to beat. Pep Guardiola’s treble winners are aiming to become the “first club in English top-division history to win the title four seasons in a row”, said Paul Harrison on Sky Sports. With Erling Haaland leading the attack, the “odds-on favourites” have “few flaws”.

Aug 8, 2023 | theweek.co.uk | Mike Starling

Observatories are not only found in the “deepest darkest countryside” either, said Raynor in BBC Sky at Night Magazine, “you may be surprised to learn that there are quite a few situated in Britain’s towns and cities”. Mills Observatory in Dundee, Scotland, was the “first purpose-built public observatory” and is just one of two surviving observatories in the UK with a “papier-mâché dome”, the other being Godley Observatory in Manchester.