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The Sports Matrix: Thursday 7 June 2012

 

Wednesday 06 June 2012 19:34 EDT
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Hodgson arrives in Poland but Rio row refuses to go away

England arrived in Krakow last night, five days before they open their campaign against France in Donetsk.

Although the Football Association chairman David Bernstein said that the exclusion of Rio Ferdinand was "frankly historical" yesterday, it is likely to dominate manager Roy Hodgson's press conference today.

Hodgson hopes to keep a positive mood in the England camp after recent disappointments. "It is important for us to enjoy the journey," he said. "I'm always disappointed at tournaments with the negativity that surrounds all the teams."

While France's mood is better, after a 21-match unbeaten run, manager Laurent Blanc warned that the defence "was not good enough" in the 4-0 defeat of Estonia on Tuesday night. MORE

Ferrer sends Murray home

Andy Murray fell at the quarter-final stage at Roland Garros, losing 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 to the Spaniard David Ferrer last night. It was the Scot's earliest Grand Slam exit since 2010, as he was left to rue a high number of unforced errors. MORE

England rotate into brave new world

England launch a squad rotation policy today when they rest James Anderson – they may also leave out Stuart Broad to give Graham Onions an outing – and take Kevin Pietersen as a focused one-format batsman into the final Test with West Indies at Edgbaston. MORE

Lambert free to raid Norwich

Paul Lambert is free to buy from his former club Norwich after it was confirmed there is no agreement to stop him taking players to Aston Villa. Grant Holt has been linked, but Lambert insisted: "I need to know what's happening at Villa before I do anything." MORE

Vieira: Spain may have lost focus

Patrick Vieira believes Germany look strongest for Euro 2012, and fears Spain are exhausted, as France were in 2002. "When you have won the World Cup and European Championship it's very difficult to go again. We couldn't find the motivation." MORE

Cook left bereft over selection

The world No 1 Aaron Cook's chances of competing in London have been hit after British Taekwondo refused for a third time to overturn its selection of Lutalo Muhammad in the -80kg. The BOA now has little choice but to accept the decision. MORE

Westwood hoping for Swede dreams

Lee Westwood has explained his decision to prepare for the US Open by playing in Sweden. "It's difficult to prepare for a West Coast major, nowhere is near," he said. "It's a toss-up whether you play in all that heat or you go to Sweden." MORE

Cardiff choose red to get into the black

Cardiff City will play in red next year, after 104 years of playing in blue. In return, the investors Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Dato Chan Tien Ghee have pledged to clear the club's estimated £70m debt, improve training facilities and improve the squad. MORE

Keane believes the Irish will struggle

The former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane does not believe the Irish will get out of a group containing Italy, Croatia and Spain. "It will be very difficult," he said. "Ireland do not retain the ball well enough to sustain results." MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

It is hard to imagine a more inspiring setting for the crowning of the European champions than beautiful Kiev. But there is a sense of rising tension, with increasing police vigilance as Ukraine confronts its darker elements. MORE

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