Europa League: Borussia Monchengladbach look for second victory over Schalke in a week

WINNER: Gladbach top scorer Lars Stindl helps his team to victory

 By Steven Oldham

German heavyweights Schalke 04 and Borussia Monchengladbach meet tonight in the Europa League round of 16.

Both sides are having under-par seasons in the Bundesliga but still have to be considered major threats in knockout competition.

Gladbach travel to Schalke on the back of a mini revival in domestic terms - with four wins in their last five - including a 4-2 victory over tonight's opposition last weekend.

Manager Dieter Hecking - in charge since January and overseeing consistent improvement in his team's fortunes - will be without the suspended Christoph Kramer.  

Having again being drawn into a tough Champion's League group, Monchengladbach improved on last season and avoided finishing last to qualify for the final 32 of this competition, where they knocked out Fiorentina despite losing the first leg at home 1-0.

Top scorer Lars Stindl scored an impressive hat trick in that second leg victory, and almost half of his tally so far this season have come since the winter break. 

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS VS AS ROMA PREVIEW

The hosts meanwhile have only won one in the same time frame and while they have quality, they remain only four points above the relegation playoff places.

S04 made light work of their Europa League group, picking up 15 points from 18, only losing their last game against Red Bull Salzburg having already long qualified. They then eliminated PAOK of Greece in the first knockout round.

Their performances in Europe have been the highlight of a poor season to date, littered with inconsistency that shouldn't afflict a team including Benedikt Howedes, Coke and Matija Nastasic. Creditable results (victory over Herta Berlin, an away draw at Bayern Munich) are often followed by defeat.

With teams like Roma, Lyon, Manchester United and Besiktas still involved, both these German giants know tough challenges still await the winner in the next round. 

LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT: Schalke captain Benedikt Howedes

No Olympics? No problem! Championships galore in minority and developing sports in 2015 as road to Rio continues

By Steven Oldham

Even though there's no Olympic Games this year, there is plenty of action to follow in the sports that make up the biggest show on Earth.

Olympic sports will also benefit from the men's World Cup taking place last year - giving them more opportunity for exposure in 2015 as the months and days tick down to Rio 2016.

Throughout the year lots of sports are holding world and continental championships - here are some highlights.

Handball World Championships
Qatar
January 15-February 1

Will Spain be celebrating again in Doha on February 1?
(beforeitsnews.com)

Handball is the latest sport holding a prestigious tournament in Qatar, with the men's  world championships one of the first events of the year for Olympic sports fans.
Teams from 24 nations will contest the title, including current champions Spain, who made the most of home advantage two years ago and will be looking to seal their position as top dog with Rio 2016 now just 18 months away.
Reigning Olympic and European champions France will also surely be a force to reckoned with, having reclaimed their continental title last year in Denmark.
Having won the Asian Championship for the first time last year, the hosting Qataris should be quietly confident of achieving their best result to date.
The women's tournament takes place in Denmark in December and the majority of places are still to be determined via qualifiers.


FIFA Women's World Cup
Canada
June 6-July 5

Japan's Azusa Iwashimizu, who scored the goal
that sealed her country's first Asian Cup win
(zimbio.com)

The rise in interest in women's football should continue in 2015 with what is likely to be the most watched and talked about World Cup to date.  The tournament has grown to 24 teams for the first time, and as such will follow an awkward route to get to the neat 16/8/4/2 system that works best, with the best four third placed teams in the group stages advancing to the knockout rounds.
Host nation Canada start the proceedings against China on June 6, and all four previous winners (most recent champions Japan, Germany, USA and Norway) have qualified again. The expansion of the tournament will see one third of the teams making their World Cup debuts.
Holders Japan go into the tournament with high hopes following an inaugural Asian Cup win last year, finally winning after being the bridesmaids on four occasions.
Two-times winners Germany qualified for the tournament with ease, winning all 10 games and finishing with an impressive goal difference of +58, while fellow double champions USA will be looking to win a first title since 1999.
 

World Table Tennis Championships
China
April 26-May 3

China's Zhang Jike will be looking to retain his world title on home turf

'Odd' years see table tennis players aiming for individual and doubles titles at the world championships, as opposed to 'even' years which now play host to the team event.
This year the tournament returns to China for a fifth time, this time in the eastern city of Suzhou.  It's hard to look past a highly successful tournament for players from the host nation, and indeed from Asia. At the last edition in Paris two years ago, not one medal escaped to another continent.
Home advantage is likely to play into Chinese hands, who boast the current Olympic and World champions Zhang Jike and Li Xiaoxia in the men's and women's events respectively. Competition for the holders is likely to come from within; Jike had a poor year by his standards in 2014 and is below countrymen Xu Xin, Ma Long and Fan Zhendong in the ITTF rankings following successive early exits in big competitions.
Beaten in the final two years ago, Liu Shiwen is now higher than Xiaoxia in the world rankings and won the Asian Games last year. They both trail Ding Ning however, who took victory in both the World Cup and Asian Cup in a successful 2014.

World Weightlifting Championships
USA
November 20-29

Albania's Daniel Godelli on his way to gold in Kazakhstan last year

This year's World Weightlifting Championships - to be held in Houston - is also doubling up as a qualifier for Rio 2016. Performance in this tournament - and the 2014 event - are the most important for the various National Olympic Committees as the majority of places for the Games will be decided by lifters' performance in these tournaments. Athletes' performance will directly influence the number of places available to their NOC, and the likelihood of them being selected for Rio. There are further chances to qualify individually, but a strong showing on the world stage will surely give them an advantage. At last year's Worlds in Kazakhstan, Asian nations proved to be the teams to beat with China, North Korea and the host nation winning 11 of the 15 gold medals available between them. Russia's performance dramatically dropped off compared to the year before - winning just one gold compared to six in 2013 - it will be interesting to see which nations' lifters will build momentum heading into the final months before Rio.

IPC Swimming World Championships
Scotland
July 13-19

Will Great Britain's Ellie Simmonds repeat her London 2012 success?

Glasgow is again set to welcome swimmers from across the globe one year on from the Commonwealth Games as the biggest Paralympic swimming meet outside the Games lands in Scotland this summer.
Around 650 swimmers from over 50 countries will take part in the Championships and a good performance here could prove a launch pad for these athletes for next year's Paralympic Games.
Great Britain's golden girl Ellie Simmonds will provide the star attraction for a partisan crowd, and the seven time world and four time Paralympic champion will be keen to add to her medal haul on home turf.

There are too many world and continental championships to mention in one blog - ice hockey, judo, fencing, gymnastics and pentathlon to name but five are all searching for new world champions this year. Keep an eye on my blog nearer to the time for more features on these and other events.

MORE OLYMPICS READING

 

Olympics: How will Agenda 2020 change the future of the Games?

 

England's Helen Clitheroe not retiring after Commonwealth Games...but risks being 'strung up' if she guns for Rio 2016!

 

"Legacy? What legacy?" ask British basketballers, weightlifters and water polo players as UK Sport funding withdrawn

 

Badminton's Olympic legacy boosted by creation of NBL

 

Wheelchair fencing, football and goalball all lose funding despite big increase for other Paralympic sports

 



World Cup power rankings - every country rated 1-16

By Steven Oldham

The group stages are over. There is no football on tomorrow. It's the perfect opportunity to look back on the opening 48 games of the tournament and where they leave each country in the rankings.

1 NETHERLANDS
(P3, W3, D0, L0, F10, A3, GD +6)
9 POINTS

Louis Van Gaal's team have arguably been the most impressive team so far in Brazil, recording three straight victories in what looked a very tough group. Their demolition of Spain set them up for qualification and they kept their heads in the group decider against Chile to top the group and avoid hosts Brazil in the second round. Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie look to be in the form of their lives.



Robin van Persie (@foreverutd)

2 COLOMBIA
(P3, W3, D0, L0, F9, A2)
9 POINTS

Colombia could be the ultimate surprise package of this World Cup. They have made light work of an open group and reinforced their status as dark horses. Often overlooked in favour of their more illustrious continental neighbours, Colombia have so far outperformed Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Dangerous for any opponent and they will not be daunted by facing Uruguay in the round of sixteen, especially with Luis Suarez now banned.

3 ARGENTINA
(P3, W3, D0, L0, F6, A3, GD +3)
9 POINTS

Argentina have gained a 100% record in their group without ever really hitting top gear and without Lionel Messi in the team they might have struggled to put their opponents to the sword. Nevertheless they topped the group with little trouble, but looked potentially vulnerable defensively against Nigeria, and they struggled to break down Iran in a game many thought they would win by a cricket score.

4 BELGIUM
(P3, W3, D0, L0, F4, A1, GD +3)

The Belgians are similar to Argentina in progressing comfortably without fully turning up as of yet. Widely tipped to do well before the tournament began, they have shown flashes of brilliance, but look solid rather than spectacular so far. Defensively they shared the best record with Costa Rica, but given the riches they possess in attack, four goals is a disappointing return and they will be looking to Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku to improve if they are live up to their challengers billing.

5 FRANCE
(P3, W2, D1, L0, F8, A2, GD +6)
7 POINTS

Didier Deschamps' team have more than exorcised the demons of South Africa four years ago with their performances so far. Most impressive was their 5-2 mauling of Switzerland which in effect won them the group. France are either brilliant or terrible at tournaments, never in between, and they have produced some silky football in Brazil so far this summer. They will be confident of making the last eight.

6= BRAZIL
(P3, W2, D1, L0, F7, A2, GD+5)
7 POINTS

The hosts have not yet reached their brilliant best, and yet Brazil never looked as if they would fail to top the group. This is not a vintage Brazilian team though and they are too over reliant on Neymar to produce the goods. Frustrated by Mexico, given more than a helping hand against Croatia, they only really found their swagger against Cameroon who were already out. They have also been handed a tough second round tie against Chile. Could they go out in the second round?

6= GERMANY
(P3, W2, D1, L0, F7, A2, GD+5)
7 POINTS

Joachim Low's men put their best performance in against Portugal in their opening game, with Thomas Muller hitting a hat trick that looked ominous for the other countries at this year's World Cup. They haven't been as impressive since and Ghana nearly gave them a shock result before a point was recovered. They have been handed a kind looking draw against Algeria but need to be wary of the North Africans' pace on the break.

8= COSTA RICA
(P3,W2, D1, L0, F4, A1, GD +3)
7 POINTS

Nobody gave Costa Rica a chance when they were drawn alongside Uruguay, Italy and England in Group D last year. Excellent performances from the likes of Joel Campbell and Oscar Duarte have given everybody large helpings of humble pie as the Central Americans topped the group with relative ease. Solid defensively and dangerous on the break, they could go even further - their second round clash with Greece could've been much worse.

Oscar Duarte (@FUTBOL_RVTE)

8= MEXICO
(P3,W2, D1, L0, F4, A1, GD +3)
7 POINTS

Mexico were the only team to take points off Brazil in Group A and kept them at bay to record a clean sheet and looked impressive. Had the refereeing been up to scratch in their opener against Cameroon they may well have topped the group, with two perfectly good goals scratched off before they eventually won 1-0. They showed in their decisive game against Croatia they can perform under pressure and while they may struggle against the Netherlands, it's a far cry from the traumas of qualification where they very nearly missed out on a playoff place to minnows Panama.

10 CHILE
(P3, W2, D0, L1, F5, A3, GD +2)
6 POINTS

Before the tournament began, Chile were a team many people thought could push the European teams close, but it was always imagined the Netherlands may be the fall guys. Chile have helped end an era of Spanish domination of world football and at the same time announced themselves as potential major players in this World Cup. Their all-out attacking style sometimes leaves them vunerable at the back, but they will not be overwhelmed by facing Brazil in round two, whose defence looks suspect too often.

11 SWITZERLAND
(P3, W2, D0, L1, F7, A6, GD +1)
6 POINTS

Switzerland did well to recover from their 5-2 defeat to France to convincingly beat Honduras to secure their passage to the last 16. They showed great spirit to keep fighting to the end against Ecuador to score what proved to be a vital winner in the 93rd minute, and along with France they helped Europe fight a mini comeback against the native South Americans - Ecuador were the only team from the continent to be knocked out at this stage. Bayern Munich midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri's hat trick against Honduaras will have caught the eye of Argentina's backline.


12 URUGUAY
(P3, W2, D0, L1, F4, A4, GD 0)
6 POINTS

Oscar Tabarez's team will now have to contest what's left of their World Cup without Luis Suarez after his latest inexcusable bite saw him banned for four months by FIFA. They will definitely miss the Liverpool player and continental rivals Colombia will head into the match as favourites. The Uruguayans did well to recover from a truly dismal start against Costa Rica, but deserved to have men sent off against both England and Italy, which could have made the final standings in Group D much different.

13 ALGERIA
(P3, W1, D1, L1, F6, A5, GD +1)
4 POINTS

Another surprise qualifier for the second round, there is no denying Algeria deserve to make it. They gave the first indication that Belgium may not be the world beaters everyone believed they were in their opening match, and played some brilliant flowing football to dismantle a shell shocked South Korea side to secure their best ever World Cup result. They've now made more history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time and will have gained many neutral fans' support for their impressive style of play.

14 USA
(P3, W1, D1, L1, F4, A4, GD 0)
4 POINTS

Jurgen Klinsmann's side progressing is a literal middle finger to those berating his decision not to include Landon Donovan in his squad. Given slim to no hope of escaping this group, they set their stall out early on by beating Ghana, and narrowly missed out on securing a famous win over Portugal by letting in a 95th minute equaliser. Germany helped them progress by tonking the Portuguese in the first game, but the US put themselves in contention and now look forward to the knockout stages for the third time in four tournaments.

15 NIGERIA
(P3, W1, D1, L1, F3, A3, GD 0)
4 POINTS

The reigning African champions duly became the first team from their continent to book their place in the round of sixteen. They improved as the group stage progressed, and will be disappointed by their failure to beat Iran in their opener. They overcame dangerous debutants Bosnia Herzegovina however, and put their best performance in against Argentina despite losing. They looked dangerous going forward and while they are unlikely to get the better of France, qualification for the knockouts is progress for a country that has failed to do since 1998.

16 GREECE
(P3, W1, D1, L1, F2, A4, GD -2)
4 POINTS

Greece's surprise love affair with major tournaments continues. Well beaten by Colombia in their opener it looked bad for the Greeks, with many predicting three defeats in as many games. They shared a draw with a desperately disappointing Japanese side who failed to live up to their obvious potential this year. Their win over Cote D'Ivoire in the final round of group games was both brilliant and cruel, for Greece had looked anything but a last sixteen side before they went through.

Check back later for the rankings of the sides already going home.