Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Tuesday, April 19
Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Tuesday: SOCCER Infantino inspects Russia's World Cup preparations Newly elected FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko give a press conference in Moscow after a tour of Russia's 2018 World Cup preparations. (SOCCER-WORLDCUP/RUSSIA-FIFA, expect by 1800 GMT/2 PM ET, by Dmitriy Rogovitskiy, Jack Stubbs and Christian Lowe, 600 words) Marseille go from champions to laughing stock PARIS - When Didier Deschamps led Olympique de Marseille to their first top-flight title in 18 years in 2010, the club looked on the verge of recapturing their past glory but six years later they are a laughing stock amongst their own fans. (SOCCER-FRANCE/MARSEILLE (UPDATE 2), expect by 1400 GMT/10 AM ET, by Julien Pretot, 500 words). Premier League We will bring you the latest team news from the Premier League after Tottenham Hotspur closed the gap on leaders Leicester City to five points by beating Stoke City on Monday. (SOCCER-ENGLAND-TEAM/ expect throughout, 300 words) Dutch league Groningen v Roda JC Kerkrade (1630) PSV Eindhoven v Vitesse Arnhem (1845) Tricky visitor to test PSV's hopes AMSTERDAM - PSV Eindhoven need a home win over Vitesse Arnhem, who have proved to be tricky opponents for the champions in the recent past, to keep up their hopes of retaining the title. (SOCCER-DUTCH/, expect by 2100 GMT/5 PM ET, 250 words) Argentine Superclasico Boca Juniors v River Plate, La Bombonera Arch-rivals vie for derby win with league title out of reach BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's 'Superclasico' between Boca Juniors and River Plate, the biggest game of the domestic season and one of the most passionate on the planet, finds the two big rivals out of the title race in a controversial 30-team league championship. (SOCCER-ARGENTINA/ (PREVIEW), expect by 1600 GMT/1200 PM ET, by Rex Gowar, 400 words) Argentine government to put Sports Law bill before congress BUENOS AIRES - The colour and passion in Argentine soccer that draws tourists to the 'Superclasico' derby between Boca Juniors and River Plate has a dark side in the violent stranglehold hooligans have over the national sport. The country's new government will send a bill to congress on Wednesday for a new Sports Law it wants to introduce in a bid to rid the game of the so-called 'barras bravas'. (SOCCER-ARGENTINA/VIOLENCE (PREVIEW), by Rex Gowar, expect by 1600 GMT/1200 PM ET, 450 words) NBA Celtics look to square series with Hawks The Boston Celtics, who lost their series opener by one point, try to avoid falling into a 2-0 hole when they visit the Atlanta Hawks for Game Two of their best-of-seven first round Eastern Conference playoffs series. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/HAWKS, expect by 0215 GMT/10:15 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) Spurs try to keep Grizzlies in check The San Antonio Spurs and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard look to pull ahead 2-0 in their series with the Memphis Grizzlies before going on the road for the next two games of the best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/SPURS, expect by 0445 GMT/12:45 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) NHL Rangers set for showdown with Penguins Swedish goalie Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins with their best-of-seven first-round series tied at one game apiece. (NHL-PLAYOFFS/RANGERS, expect by 0445 GMT/12:45 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) Lightning try to push Red Wings to brink The Tampa Bay Lightning can push the host Detroit Red Wings to the brink of playoff elimination with a victory in a crucial Game Four of their best-of-seven first-round series. (NHL-PLAYOFFS/REDWINGS, expect by 0230 GMT/10:30 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) Blackhawks look to pull even with Blues The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks strive to pull even in their best-of-seven series when they host the rival St. Louis Blues in a pivotal Game Four. (NHL-PLAYOFFS/BLACKHAWKS, expect by 0445 GMT/12:45 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) Predators try to eliminate Ducks The wild card Nashville Predators try to push the Anaheim Ducks into a dire 3-0 hole when they host the Anaheim Ducks in Game Three of their best-of-seven first-round series. (NHL-PLAYOFFS/PREDATORS, expect by 0445 GMT/12:45 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) BASEBALL Jays ace Stroman eyes 3-0 start to season Toronto Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman look to improve to 3-0 on the season when he takes the mound versus right-hander Mike Wright and the host Baltimore Orioles in one of the 16 games on the Major League Baseball schedule. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0414 GMT/12:15 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0100 GMT/9:00 PM ET, 500 words) BASKETBALL Euroleague kings Real fighting to keep their crown BELGRADE - Real Madrid's Euroleague title will be on the line when they try to overturn a 2-0 series deficit against Fenerbahce Istanbul as their best-of-five quarter-final moves to Madrid. Fellow Spaniards Barcelona and Laboral Kutxa Vitoria are also in action. (BASKETBALL-EUROLEAGUE/, expect by 2130 GMT/5:30 PM ET, by Zoran Milosavljevic, 400 words) (Europe desk editor: Ken Ferris)
