Women’s World Cup Rugby World Cup & Big Cricket Match Provide Big Excitement For Fans
This, 2018, was a vintage year for sports. It featured one of the most dramatic FIFA World Cups of the modern era, with Russia defying sceptics to put on a wonderful show as hosts and France finally putting promise into prizes by lifting the big prize. In tennis, we saw the rebirth of Novak Djokovic to become the greatest player in the world again. In horse racing, Justify won the American Triple Crown in glorious fashion.
Countless other examples could be listed above, but, as ever, 2018 has probably only whetted the appetite for more going forward. Below are three incredible events we have to look forward to in 2019. They are non-annual events, so no Super Bowl or Champions League Final, but they are amazing, once-in-a-lifetime spectacles. Regardless if you watch live sports streaming at home on your laptop, catch the action in the pub or manage to make it to the tournament itself, these are going to be special:
Rugby World Cup, Japan: 20th September – 2nd November
Prediction: this tournament is going to lift rugby union to new levels of popularity. For a truly great tournament, you need strong protagonists. So, step forward New Zealand and Ireland. The All-Blacks are one of the greatest sporting sides in history, but they tasted a rare defeat to Ireland in Dublin this week. The men from the Emerald Isle have never come close to winning this event before, but they seem to be building a special side under Joe Schmidt. That win rattled betting the betting markets, with Ireland now priced at 4/1 andthe All-Blacks at 6/5 (Betfair) to lift the trophy. If the two best teams in the world meet in the final in Tokyo on 2nd November, it could be an all-time classic. David vs Goliath stuff, but the world will be gripped.
Women’s Soccer World Cup, France: 7th June – 7th July
Slowly but surely, women’s soccer is getting the recognition it deserves. And, like the Rugby World Cup above, this tournament could help women’s sport move up another couple of deserved rungs on the sporting ladder. The favourites are the USA, who have been given odds of 5/2 by Bwin. Hosts France and perennial challengers Germany are both given odds of 7/2. But, if you want to look at an outsider with a great chance, look no further than the 11/1 shots England. The Lionesses have been going from strength to strength in recent years, finishing a best-ever third place in the 2015 World Cup. This is seen as their big chance to do what the England men’s team couldn’t and bring “football home”. Many people think that they can do it.
ICC Cricket World Cup, England & Wales: 30th May – 14th July
Picture this: The Lionesses come home to a glorious welcome as winners of the World Cup at the same time the England Cricket team are at the business end of the Cricket World Cup hosted at home. Moreover, Wimbledon runs from 1st July – 14thJuly and we could see fan favourite Andy Murray back to full fitness. This could be one of the greatest sporting fortnights in Britain’s history. England are actually the favourites for the cricket, coming in at 11/4 with Bet365. It would be quite shocking if they don’t make it to the semi-finals at least, so expect a wonderful atmosphere in pubs and clubs around the country.
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