May's Update

As things reach a peak of excitement in the month of May, it's time to take a quick stock-take on what action we've seen so far, and what's to come.

Football - Chelsea clinched the Champions League after an extraordinary victory over home side Bayern Munich, 4-3 on penalties. Despite TacticalBet, along with most of the footballing world, tipping the Germans, Roberto Di Matteo's men pulled off one of the most memorable upsets ever to grace the biggest of stages. Thomas Muller looked to have won it for Bayern with 8 minutes to go, before Drogba, like a pheonix from the flames, pulled Chelsea out of the depths of despair to drag the game into extra time. Those thinking the drama couldn't get any greater were sorely mistaken, as Drogba preceded to give away a penalty which ex-Chelsea star Arjen Robben went on to miss. It was beyond fiction, and in extrodinary circumstances, Drogba again proved the man for all occasions as he slotted the final penalty in the shoot-out. Elsewhere, West Ham returned to the Premier League thanks to their 2-1 victory over Blackpool, and York similarly earned promotion beating York in the Blue Square Premier final. In the 4th final of the weekend, Hearts thrashed Hibs to win the Scottish Cup, after an all Edinburgh affair.

Rugby - Leinster continued their dominance in the Heinenken Cup with a third triumph in four seasons, beating Ulster 42-14 at Twickenham. Biarritz claimed the Challenge Cup seeing off Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon in a tight, no try match. Up next is the Aviva Premiership final, which will be between Leicester and Harlequins. If that wasn't enough, there's the Championship play-off final between the Cornish Pirates and London Welsh, a result which could have great significance for the relegation places in the Premiership.

Cricket - County cricket remains in full flow, with the weather steadily improving, and England are back in action with a three test series against the West Indies. The hosts looked in control for the majority of the first four days, but will have a testing chase ahead of them, needed 191 to win and closing on 10-2. However, you would still have to have Strauss' men down as strong favourites,

In the season that just keeps giving, next up is the European Championships, held in Poland and Ukraine. We'll be here in the build up to the tournament with all the insightful articles and tips you could wish for.

HA