1) Let’s open with a celebration of an achievement that may never be matched again. Across 23 years of playing for Manchester United, Ryan Giggs was a vital part of a side that won the Premier League 13 times, Champions League twice, the FA cup four times, and the League Cup on three occasions. An unparalleled career – worthy of this extraordinary collection: Ryan Giggs – All The Goals + Assists for Manchester United (1990 - 2014).
Elsewhere, as you may have noticed, Portugal won Euro 2016 on Sunday, stunning France in the final. Éder’s extra-time winner caused commentary box meltdowns (“shh, critics!”) and wild celebrations in Lisbon and Porto. Cristiano Ronaldo began the night being upstaged by a moth, and ended it geeing up team-mates and practically coaching the team. France became the first Euro hosts to have their final party ruined since, well, Portugal. Just ask Cristiano.
2) The 145th Open championship gets under way on Thursday at Royal Troon – here’s what the players are taking on. The American Todd Hamilton was the last person to win The Open at Royal Troon, in a play-off against Ernie Els in 2004. Justin Leonard won it there in 1997, as did Tom Weiskopf in 1973 (he also designed Troon Country Club in Arizona). But perhaps the most significant was Arnold Palmer’s victory at the top of his game in 1962. What does that little Claret Jug mean to golf’s greats? Be ready to blub.
3) The first Test between England and Pakistan takes place at Lord’s this week and look who’s back. When Pakistan toured in 2006, Mohammad Yousuf crafted a supreme double century at Lord’s to earn a draw, although the series ended in ugly fashion. Pakistan haven’t always garnered glowing reviews in the field but Umer Akmal produced a classic moment against England with this quick-thinking catch, complete with acrobatic leap, flailing arms and some confused commentary: “Oh, well caught ... Yeah?! Yeah?! Yeah?! Yeah!”
4) Chris Froome has had his ability to tackle steep descents questioned in the past but he put those doubts to bed with a supreme weave down a mountain at 90km/hr on Saturday. He also showed that if you come within six inches of a Tour de France champion on his bike, your face is in danger.
5) Here’s a no-look pass with a difference from the Canadian Football League...
6) Kell Brook’s next opponent, Kazakhstan’s undefeated Gennady Golovkin, is something of a knockout specialist, and beat his last opponent, Dominic Wade, inside two rounds. He certainly can’t be accused of having a weak chin...
Highlights from last week’s blog
1) Adam Yates: the 2016 Tour de France’s unluckiest rider.
2) The science behind F1 drivers’ superhuman reactions.
3) Bad luck, or bad finishing? You decide.
4) The 2016 Megavalanche mountain bike race took place this week. Here’s Jamie Nicholl getting off to a bad start on Alpe d’Huez last year …
Spotters’ badges: Dormant4, Black Caeser, Graham Clayton, fi5ty5ive
Guardian YouTube football channel
Guardian YouTube sport channel
