As the Grand National goes virtual, we put other postponed events through the sporting simulators
SPORTING spectacles maybe in short supply but fans did get the chance to watch the Grand National. Aintree’s big race took place yesterday – thanks to a computerised running of the famous steeplechase. So, in a bid to fill the sporting void, we have put some of this year’s other cancelled top events through the […]
SPORTING spectacles maybe in short supply but fans did get the chance to watch the Grand National.
Aintree’s big race took place yesterday – thanks to a computerised running of the famous steeplechase.
So, in a bid to fill the sporting void, we have put some of this year’s other cancelled top events through the sporting simulators, crunching data such as form, injuries and playing conditions.
Ben Griffiths looks at what could have been (and it might just bring small joy to Man City fans).
Champions League
KEVIN De Bruyne’s 20-yard deflected shot clinches a 2-1 win for Man City over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final – meaning City are champions of Europe for the first time in their history.
Midfielder De Bruyne’s 77th minute winner clinches the trophy for the team.
Sergio Aguero had earlier opened the scoring after six minutes before Robert Lewandowski levelled the scores just before half-time.
According to the simulator using Football Manager’s data, City are the only Premier League team to make the quarter finals after Chelsea are beaten in their last 16 tie by Bayern.
Wimbledon
LEGEND Roger Federer wins his ninth title aged 38 after beating Greek wonderkid Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men’s final 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
No British player makes it to the second week. In the women’s singles, Johanna Konta reaches the semis but loses to Romanian Simona Halep, who wins the title for the second year, according to Playasport.com.
Cricket
ENGLAND beat the West Indies 2-0 in the Test series at the start of the summer.
Skipper Joe Root scores back-to- back hundreds in the first two games to clinch the series. But rain interrupts the last game at Lord’s, preventing a 3-0 triumph.
Boxing: Joshua v Pulev
ANTHONY Joshua easily beats Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev to retain his world heavyweight titles.
A packed crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium sees AJ win with a sixth-round stoppage, run through Fight Night Simulator.
Golf: US Masters
JON Rahm is triumphant in the Masters at Augusta.
He beats US star Justin Thomas by two shots to become the fourth Spaniard to win the coveted Green Jacket. Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood is the early leader but falls away.
He is still the highest-ranking British player. Tiger Woods cannot repeat his 2019 heroics – he fails to make the cut.
Premiere League
LIVERPOOL claim the league crown for the first time in 30 years.
A 3-1 win over Aston Villa wraps up the title. Jack Grealish’s early goal for Villa is cancelled out by two from Sadio Mane and a Mo Salah header. Man City finish second.
Meanwhile, according to Football Manager simulator, Norwich, Watford and Bournemouth are relegated.
Euro 2020
IT’S zee Germans again! Not only do they knock England out in Dublin in the last 16, but they then go on to beat France 2-0 in the final.
Harry Kane returns from his injury lay-off to score three goals in the early group games, but Gareth Southgate’s men fail to find the net against the Germans, who win the game with a goal from Leroy Sane.
FA Cup
ARSENAL win the famous old trophy – to give Mikel Arteta his first piece of silverware as a manager.
The Gunners beat Leicester City on penalties after a goalless draw played out at Wembley.
Incredibly, Leicester striker Jamie Vardy misses the only penalty of the shoot-out as Arsenal lift the trophy for the fourth time in seven years.
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The Derby
FAVOURITE Pinatubo wins the big flat race of the summer at Epsom.
The 5-1 shot just pips 50-1 outsider Year Of The Tiger.
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