Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday May 6
Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday: SOCCER Europa League UEFA dismisses complaints over final stadium ZURICH - UEFA has dismissed complaints the Europa League final venue of Basel is too small after fans of finalists Liverpool complained that a "large number" would miss out. (SOCCER-FINALS/VENUES, expect by 1500 GMT/11 AM ET, by Brian Homewood, 400 words) Premier League We will bring you all the latest news and updates ahead of this weekend's Premier League matches as the countdown to Leicester City's coronation as champions continues. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/TEAM, expect throughout) SWIMMING Vollmer shows heart with another inspiring bid NEW YORK - Dana Vollmer has beaten the odds before and the American is displaying her courage again in a comeback quest for more Olympic hardware at the Rio Games in August. (OLYMPICS-SWIMMING/VOLLMER (INTERVIEW, TV), expect by 1900 GMT/3 PM ET, by Larry Fine, 650 words) GOLF PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship, Charlotte, North Carolina (to 8) McIlroy off the pace as Americans lead CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - American joint leaders Andrew Loupe and Steve Wheatcroft seek to consolidate their position after opening 65s in the second round while defending champion Rory McIlroy has work to do to make the cut at Quail Hollow. (GOLF-PGA/, expect by 0030 GMT/8:30 PM ET, by Andrew Both, 400 words) LPGA Tour: Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic, Prattville, Alabama (to 8) Beck seeks to maintain two-shot cushion at RTJ Trail Israel's Laetitia Beck takes a two-shot lead into the second round after opening with a seven-under-par 65 at Robert Trent Jones Trail. American world number four Stacy Lewis trails by six strokes. (GOLF-LPGA/ (PIX), expect by 0030 GMT/8:30 PM ET, 350 words) ATHLETICS Host of Olympic medallists set for Diamond League opener DOHA - A total of 80 current and former Olympic medallists will be in action at the first Diamond League meeting of the season. (ATHLETICS-DIAMOND/DOHA, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, by Tom Finn, 500 words) Athletes gaining more choices ahead of Games New meetings are giving Olympic hopefuls a chance to compete more often in North America this spring and summer rather than always travelling to Europe as they prepare for the Rio Games. (ATHLETICS-NORTHAMERICA/MEETINGS, expect by 1800 GMT/2 PM ET, by Gene Cherry, 400 words) NBA LeBron's Cavs try to keep Hawks grounded LeBron James and the Eastern Conference's top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers aim for a commanding 3-0 lead when they resume their best-of-seven series with a clash at the Atlanta Hawks. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/HAWKS, expect by 0145 GMT/9:45 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) Spurs set for heated clash with Thunder The San Antonio Spurs look to rebound from a controversial Game Two loss when their best-of-seven Western Conference semi-final, tied at 1-1, shifts to Oklahoma City for an encounter with the Thunder. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/THUNDER, expect by 0415 GMT/12:15 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) NHL Lightning try to push Islanders to brink The Tampa Bay Lightning try to push the host New York Islanders to the brink of playoff elimination when they take a 2-1 series lead into a pivotal Game Four of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final. (NHL-PLAYOFFS/ISLANDERS, expect by 0215 GMT/10:15 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) BASEBALL Hamel and Zimmermann set for pitchers duel Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels (3-0) and Detroit Tigers right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (5-0) put their perfect records on the line when they face off in a pitchers duel in one of the 15 games on the Major League Baseball schedule. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0245 GMT/10:45 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 800 words) HORSE RACING Nyquist trainer O'Neill eyes another Derby win Four years after celebrating his first Kentucky Derby triumph, trainer Doug O'Neill is in prime position to toast another after his bay colt Nyquist was installed as the pre-race favourite for Saturday's 142nd edition. (HORSERACING-KENTUCKY/ (PREVIEW), expect by 1900 GMT/3 PM ET, by Mark Lamport-Stokes, 400 words) NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0030 GMT/8:30 PM ET, 500 words) (London desk editor: Tony Jimenez +44 207 542 7933)
