Weekend sport preview

SBS World News Radio: Football takes centre stage this weekend, with 24 of Europe's best nations starting their campaign in France to win this year's Euro crown.

Weekend sport previewWeekend sport preview

Weekend sport preview

Much of the build-up to the Euro 2016 Football Championship has focused on the possibility the event could be targeted by militants.

With hundreds of thousands of fans heading to France from across Europe, concern has grown.

BBC journalist Gavin Lee has been sent to cover the tournament.

He says fans travelling to France to watch Euro can be encouraged that training for French security services has included several exercises simulating armed attacks.

"There are about half a million football fans from the UK who'll be coming to France. One of the things that certainly is in the back of people's heads right now is, 'How safe is it to be here?' So for us to see one of the exercises taking place, to see how police, special forces, security services can cope with their responsive levels is something actually people want to see -- and, also, (something) people want to be reassured by if they're coming here as they are in huge numbers."

France will kick off its campaign against Romania in the early hours of Saturday morning in Paris.

SBS has live coverage of that match from 4.30 in the morning.

There are two matches on Sunday morning, with Wales and Slovakia playing in Bordeaux before England and Russia meet in Marseille.

The French capital will host its second match of the tournament on Sunday evening when Turkey and Croatia go head to head for the third time at a Euro finals.

On Monday morning, it is Poland against Northern Ireland before reigning world champion Germany plays its opening fixture against Ukraine.

The 100th edition of the Copa America continues over the weekend, with two matches on Saturday.

Chile plays Bolivia before World Cup finalist Argentina takes on Panama.

On Sunday morning, the host United States and Paraguay are in action, followed by Colombia against Costa Rica.

In cricket action this weekend, Australia is taking on South Africa in Saint Kitts on Sunday in the next Tri Nations one-day fixture.

Along with the host West Indies, each has one win and one defeat from its opening two fixtures.

Australia struggled against spin in its loss to South Africa on Wednesday, and that is something opening batsman Aaron Finch says the team will need to address.

"And we know that teams are going to come with spin. Both South Africa and the West Indies have got quality spin line-ups. So they're going to come and be aggressive with their spinners. And that's something that we're prepared for, and, so, that's something to work on for next time."

The Wallabies take on England in the first of three Rugby Union tests on Saturday night in Brisbane.

There has been much focus on the impact former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones will have on the outcome after he steered England to a Six Nations title earlier this year.

Another talking point has been the playing position of Israel Folau.

The Wallabies star will start at fullback but says he is happy playing wherever suits coach Michael Chieka.

"Recent times, I've shifted into outside centre, and it's something that I've really enjoyed, so, either or, whatever's best for the team, I'll definitely put my hand up to try and do the job."

Powerful Queensland centre Samu Kerevi will earn his Test debut in the match.

He is one of three first-timers, joining Brumbies lock Rory Arnold and Western Force winger Dane Haylett-Petty.

And, finally, boxer Muhammad Ali will be buried in the US city of Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday night.

The iconic Ali died aged 74 earlier this week after a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease.

He will have a public memorial service before being laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Cave Hill cemetery.

 






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