As 2012 comes to an end, many will reflect on it being a magnificent sporting year, with the Olympics obviously being the highlight.
But 2013 promises to also have its fair share of sporting excitement and, whilst no one can promise the spectacle of the Olympics, the successes of the Tour De France and the drama of the last moments of the Premier League, we take a little look at what to expect.
Football
The African Cup of Nations returns with some famous names from around the Premier League and the top divisions of Europe battling it out in South Africa for the coveted prize. Running through the end of January and in to the start of February, it’s hated by many managers for taking players at a key stage of the season, but usually provides good entertainment on the field.
Plus England continue their qualification campaign for the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil and February sees them entertain their hoped hosts at Wembley, before qualification matches against San Marino, Montenegro, Moldova and the Ukraine before finishing the campaign with a double-header against Montenegro and Poland.
Rugby League
The Rugby League World Cup takes place across England and Wales with some games in France and Ireland in 2013 through October and November. Nations from across the globe from Scotland to Fiji will play to be involved in the final at Old Trafford.
And more:
If the Olympics whetted your appetite for track and field, UK athletics has a full programme of events this year from the UK Championships in February to the Grand Prix in July. And there’s a Grand Prix of a difference kind as the British leg of the F1 season comes to Silverstone in June and right on our doorstep we have the racing at Newmarket between April and November.
