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England Faces Poland in Vital European Championship Qualifier

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SOCCER

After Tottenham Hotspur beat Leicester City on Sunday at Wembley to win the Worthington Cup, their first trophy for seven years, the twin towers will again be the focus this weekend when football hero Kevin Keegan takes charge of the England side (for the first time) in a vital European Championship qualifier against Poland. The former England captain is attempting to combine management responsibilities at the international level with those of runaway Second Division leaders Fulham.

England must beat Group 5 leaders Poland to have a realistic chance of making the finals of the competition in Holland and Belgium next year. And history stands in Keegan's favour. Of the last five newly appointed England managers, only Howard Wilkinson lost his opening game in charge. England also has the upper hand going into the game, having won four and drawn one of the last five meetings between the two nations.

Keegan's hopes of a good start, however, have been cast in doubt. A number of injuries, Michael Owen (hamstring), Chris Sutton (thigh), David Beckham (calf), and Andy Hinchcliffe of a match, could make or break England's hopes of reaching the European Championship Finals. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Ian Walker has been called into the national squad as cover for Leeds United's Nigel Martyn, who has a "slight" back problem.

This weekend also sees Scotland aiming to enhance their Euro 2000 aspirations with a home win against Bosnia, while Wales travels to take on Switzerland next Wednesday.

The Republic of Ireland's European Championship qualifier in Macedonia was called off by UEFA on Tuesday because of the NATO air strikes in the region.

RUGBY LEAGUE

After last week's Rugby Union Five Nations Tournament, this weekend sees the semifinals in Rugby League's Silk Cut Challenge Cup, with Wembley again beckoning for the two finalists. Britain's favourite business tycoon, Richard Branson, will be hoping his London Broncos can come through against gritty Castleford on Saturday. The Broncos boast big name stars such as Shaun Edwards and Martin Offiah, plus a host of Australian recruits, and look to have their best-ever chance of making the short trip to Wembley. However, Castleford will provide stubborn opposition and boast a fine record in the competition.

In the other semifinal on Sunday, heavyweight neighbours Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos will battle it out. Both Yorkshire teams have been losing finalists in recent years but look stronger than ever this season.

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