More Premier League Success in Champions League

As an Englishman, you'd think I am 'over the moon' that all four English Premier League clubs have made it through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, but I'm not! Where is the interest in, say, Arsenal playing Chelsea and/or Man Utd vs Liverpool (or any other combination)? The beauty of European competition is the prospect of playing teams from other countries who play in a different style. Now we have homogeneous football played by multinational teams - there's no soul or heart any more!

Thursday's teasers for you are: -

1. What is the best known book written by Beat Poet Jack Kerouac, who was born today in 1922?
   
   
2. Pete Doherty (right), who was born today in 1979, first came to fame as a member of which punk band?
   
   
3. Who gave his first "Fireside Chat" on radio to the American people today in 1933 titled "On the Bank Crisis"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Keith; 2. "Don't Worry, Be Happy"; 3. Captain Jack Harkness

The Romance of the FA Cup

What better time for the 'Romance of the Cup' than Valentine's Day weekend. Can Derby County beat World Champions Manchester United, again? Will Chelsea overcome Watford away from home? Can Swansea take another Premier League 'scalp' by beating Fulham? Will Aston Villa progress at the expense of Everton?

Who knows, but it's at this time of year, when the air is still cold and the skies grey, that football fans, whose team is still in the FA Cup, can start to dream of a warm Saturday afternoon in May at Wembley. Just the tonic now that the nights are starting to draw out!

And the 'romantic' Valentine's Day questions are: -

1. Which two middleweight boxers met for their sixth and final bout together in what was dubbed 'The St Valentine's Day Massacre' in Chicago today in 1951?
   


2. Simon Pegg (right), who was born today in 1970, starred in and co-wrote which 2004 film described as "A Romantic Comedy. With Zombies"?
   


3. Which actor married actress Meg Ryan today in 1991?
   
   Yesterday's Answers: 1. Chuck Yeager; 2. United Kingdom (East Finchley Tube Station, London); 3. Macdonald

Part-Time Coach for Chelsea

Following the departure of 'Big Phil' from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have appointed Guus Hiddink as their coach for the rest of the season. He's a very good manager and should do well at Chelsea, but how are Russian fans feeling today? Should their World Cup aspirations take a back seat to an English club? Imagine the uproar if Fabio Capello took on the coaching role at, say, Juventus for the rest of this season...I think the England fans would be a bit unhappy!!

Your fun selection for Friday are: -

1. Who was born today in 1923 and was the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound?


2. In which country was TV host Jerry Springer (right) born today in 1944?


3. Which Scottish clan was the victim of the Massacre of Glencoe today in 1692?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. An Asteroid (Eros); 2. Annette Crosbie; 3. Ballerina