Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT on Thursday
Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Thursday:
WINTER OLYMPICS
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea - The ladies figure skating free programme is the highlight of Friday's Olympic action while elsewhere on the ice it is the men's hockey semi-finals and the men's bronze medal match and women's semi-finals in curling. There are also medals in speed skating, biathlon, and in the all-action women's freestyle skicross race. Meanwhile, following CAS's guilty verdict on doping curler Alexander Krushelnitsky, all eyes are on the IOC to see whether it allows Russia's athletes to march with their flag in Sunday's closing ceremony. (OLYMPICS-2018/ (PIX, TV), expect throughout)
SOCCER
Europa League, last 32, second legs(1800/2005)
RB Leipzig take a 3-1 advantage over Napoli into the second leg of their Europa League last-32 clash, while Celtic hold a slender 1-0 lead over Zenit St Petersburg. We will wrap up the second leg ties. (SOCCER-EUROPA/, expect from 2000 GMT/ 3 PM ET, by Brian Homewood, 500 words)
Interview with Qatar's World Cup Supreme Committee
QATAR - Interview with Qatar's Supreme Committee for the 2022 World Cup. (SOCCER-WORLDCUP/QATAR (PIX, TV), by Hadeel Al Sayegh)
Fans of Jerusalem club fed up with racism form new outfit
JERUSALEM - A group of Jerusalem soccer supporters who were fed up with the behaviour of their fellow fans have turned their backs on the club they followed and set up a friendlier, more tolerant outfit. (SOCCER-ISRAEL/NORDIA (PIX, TV), by Ori Lewis, 600 words)
MOTOR RACING
Mercedes 2018 Formula One car launch
SILVERSTONE, England - Lewis Hamilton unveils the car he hopes will take him to a fifth Formula One title this season. The Briton will be joined by team mate Valtteri Bottas and key personnel for the launch, with the car also running on track. (MOTOR-F1-MERCEDES/ (PIX, TV), expect by 1700 GMT/12 PM ET, by Alan Baldwin, 400 words)
Mercedes, Hamilton hope to start season with new deal done
SILVERSTONE, England - Four times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes hope to have a new long-term deal wrapped up before the season starts in Australia next month, both parties said on Thursday. (MOTOR-F1-MERCEDES/HAMILTON-CONTRACT (PIX, TV), moved, by Alan Baldwin, 400 words)
Ferrari Formula One car launch
Ferrari present their 2018 Formula One car online, ahead of the first pre-season test in Spain on Feb. 26 (MOTOR-F1-FERRARI/ (PIX, TV), expect by 1800 GMT/1 PM ET, 400 words)
RUGBY
Hughes returns for England against Scotland
LONDON - Nathan Hughes was named at number eight on Thursday as the only change in the England starting side to face Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday as the team look to keep up their decade-long dominance over their northern neighbours.(RUGBY-UNION-NATIONS-ENG/ (PIX), moved, by Mark Gleeson)
Ireland name team to face Wales
DUBLIN - Ireland hold a news conference to name their side to take on Wales in the Six Nations (RUGBY-UNION-NATIONS-IRE/, expect by 1400 GMT/10 AM ET, by Padraic Halpin, 300 words)
GOLF
PGA Tour: Honda Classic, Palm Beach Gardens (to 25)
Thomas, Fowler head strong field at PGA National
Reigning Player of the Year Justin Thomas and defending champion Rickie Fowler head a strong field that includes Tiger Woods, four-times major winner Rory McIlroy and Masters champion Sergio Garcia for the opening round at PGA National. (GOLF-HONDA/, expect by 0030 GMT/7:30 PM, 400 words)
NBA
Cavs battle Wizards, Warriors host Clippers LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Washington Wizards while the Los Angeles Clippers battle the reigning champion Golden State Warriors is two of the six games as the National Basketball Association returns from a week-long All-Star break. (BASKETBALL-NBA/HIGHLIGHTS, expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by Field Level Media, 300 words)
NHL
Lightning visit Sens, Predators host Sharks
The Tampa Bay Lightning try to pad their lead atop the Eastern Conference when they visit the Ottawa Senators while the Central Division-leading Nashville Predators host the San Jose Sharks in two of the 11 games on the National Hockey League schedule. (ICEHOCKEY-NHL/HIGHLIGHTS, expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by Field Level Media, 300 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 Field Level Media, 500 words) (Europe desk editor: Toby Davis)
