Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Thursday, Feb 2
Reuters sports schedule at 0600 GMT on Thursday (times GMT): NFL Players Association responds to Goodell's address HOUSTON - The NFL Players Association responds to Commissioner Roger Goodell's state of the league address, and presents concerns of the players. (NFL-SUPERBOWL/NFLPA, expect by 0030 GMT/7:30 PM ET, by Larry Fine, 400 words) Steelers' Brown assesses Falcons, Pats Super Bowl chances HOUSTON - Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown sizes up the Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots, who eliminated the Steelers in the AFC Championship game, and the Atlanta Falcons. (NFL-SUPERBOWL/BROWN (INTERVIEW), expect by 2130 GMT/4:30 PM ET, by Larry Fine, 400 words) Man from Down Under looks to end rookie season on top HOUSTON - From Sydney to the Super Bowl, Australian-born rookie offensive lineman Blake Muir's journey to America's biggest sporting stage may be one of the most winding after stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers before landing a spot on the roster of the Atlanta Falcons, who will face the New England Patriots on Sunday in the NFL championship game. (NFL-SUPERBOWL-FALCONS/AUSTRALIAN (PIX), expect by 2100 GMT/4 PM ET, by Steve Keating, 450 words) SOCCER Premier League Leicester face reality check LONDON - Eight months after completing one of sport's most remarkable triumphs, Premier League champions Leicester City stand potentially one more bad result away from a place in the relegation zone. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/ (PREVIEW), moved, by Toby Davis, 500 words) We will bring team news from manager news conferenes throughout the day. (SOCCER-ENGLAND-TEAM/ expect throughout) Real Madrid face Celta rematch with eye on title VALENCIA-Real Madrid return to Celta Vigo 10 days after being eliminated from the King's Cup by the Galicians aiming to maintain their four-point gap over title rivals Barcelona and Sevilla, who faltered last week. Barca host Athletic Bilbao, while Sevilla host Villarreal. (SOCCER-SPAIN/ (PREVIEW), expect by 1200 GMT/7 AM ET, by Cindy Garcia, 400 words) King's Cup Celta, Alaves do battle for place in final VALENCIA - Celta Vigo host Alaves in a King's Cup semi-final first leg, aiming to reach a first final since 2001. Alaves, 2001 UEFA Cup runners-up, have never reached a domestic final. (SOCCER-SPAIN-CUP-CLV-ALV/, expect by 2200 GMT/5 PM ET, by Cindy Garcia, 200 words) African Nations Cup finals (to 5) Cameroon v Ghana Heavyweights battle for place in final FRANCEVILLE, Gabon - Cameroon and Ghana have both won four Nations Cup titles and are aiming for a fifth as they meet in the semi-final to decide who will take on Egypt in Sunday's decider. (SOCCER-NATIONS-CMR-GHA/ (PIX), expect by 2100 GMT /4 PM ET, 400 words) GOLF European Tour: Dubai Desert Classic Woods makes slow start in Dubai Tiger Woods, continuing his comeback after a long injury layoff, has made a slow start to the European Tour event in Dubai, the American two over par after five holes. David Lipsky and Wade Ormsby share the early lead at four under. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/ expect by 1100 GMT/6 AM ET, 300 words) PGA Tour: Waste Management Phoenix Open, Scottsdale, Arizona Matsuyama, Spieth head field at TPC Scottsdale World number five Hideki Matsuyama defends the title he won in a playoff last year when he sets off in the opening round at TPC Scottsdale in a field that includes Jordan Spieth. (GOLF-PGA/, expect by 0100 GMT/8 PM ET, 400 words) CRICKET New Zealand v Australia, 2nd ODI Second ODI abandoned due to unsafe outfield An unsafe outfield has forced the abandonment of the second one-day international between New Zealand and Australia without a ball being bowled on Thursday. (CRICKET-NEWZEALAND/, moved, by Greg Stutchbury, 300 words) RUGBY Six Nations We will cover team announcements for the first round of matches this weekend when Scotland host Ireland, England entertain France and Wales travel to Italy. (RUGBY UNION-NATIONS/TEAM, expect throughout) NBA Clippers battle Warriors, Spurs host Sixers The Los Angeles Clippers host the league-leading Golden State Warriors while the San Antonio Spurs play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in two of the four games on the National Basketball Association schedule. (BASKETBALL-NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0630 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) NHL Oilers set for clash with Predators The Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators, two of the hottest teams prior to the All-Star break, clash in the Music City, while the Chicago Blackhawks try to snap a three-game skid when they visit the Arizona Coyotes in two of the eight games on the National Hockey League schedule. (ICEHOCKEY-NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0630 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 800 words) NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 0100 GMT/8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 500 words) (Asia desk editor: Peter Rutherford)
