Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday, Dec 5
Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday: - - - - SOCCER FIFA digs in for turf war ahead of World Cup draw OTTAWA - FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke will hold a press briefing ahead of the women's World Cup draw with the dispute between players and soccer officials over the use of artificial turf at venues for next year's tournament sure to be a contentious topic. (SOCCER-WORLD/WOMEN (PIX), expect by 2000 GMT/3 PM ET, by Steve Keating, 400 words) - - Premier League LONDON - We continue the build-up to the weekend's matches, including leaders Chelsea at Newcastle United and second-placed Manchester City against Everton. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/, expect stories throughout) - - - - GOLF Nedbank Challenge SUN CITY - Briton Ross Fisher starts the second round with a two-shot lead in the race for the $1.25 million first prize at the Gary Player Country Club. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/, expect by 1530 GMT/1230 PM ET, 300 words) - - Hero World Challenge, Florida (to 7) Spieth in charge at Isleworth, Tiger in last place WINDERMERE, Florida - American Jordan Spieth leads by one shot going into the second round of the 18-man event, where host Tiger Woods is in last place after a five-over-par 77 left him 11 shots off the pace. (GOLF-CHALLENGE/, expect by 2000 GMT/3 PM ET, by Larry Fine, 300 words) - - - - OLYMPICS MONTE CARLO - The International Olympic Committee's Executive Board meets as it finalises details ahead of next week's key vote to make crucial changes in the Olympics and their preparations. (OLYMPICS-IOC/, expect by 1700 GMT/12 PM ET, by Karolos Grohmann, 400 words) - - - - CRICKET Hughes casts long shadow over India series SYDNEY - The death of Phillip Hughes will inevitably cast a long shadow over Australia's delayed series against India when it finally gets underway next week at the former test batsman's last home ground, Adelaide Oval. (CRICKET-AUSTRALIA/PREVIEW, moved, by Nick Mulvenney, 400 words) We have also moved analyses of the two squads CRICKET-AUSTRALIA/ANALYSIS and CRICKET-AUSTRALIA/INDIA-ANALYSIS and factbox CRICKET-AUSTRALIA/INDIA (FACTBOX) - - New Zealand v Pakistan, Dubai, second T20I - - - - NBA Lakers renew rivalry with Celtics The league's two most storied franchises add another installment to their longtime rivalry when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Boston Celtics with both teams trying to turn around a poor start to the season in one of the 12 games on the National Basketball Association schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 800 words) - - - - NHL Montreal set out to avenge blowout loss to Chicago The Montreal Canadiens look to avenge last month's blowout loss to Chicago when they visit a red-hot Blackhawks team that has won four straight and nine of 11 in one of the three games on the National Hockey League schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0101 GMT/8:01 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - - - (London desk editor: Justin Palmer)
