Sportsworld

Sportsworld's Lee James is joined by our football reporter John Bennett, Italian football expert Mina Rzouki and the Independent's chief football writer Miguel Delaney to preview the final of Euro 2020 between England and Italy at Wembley. Lee speaks at length to England forward Danny Welbeck, who was part of Gareth Southgate's England squad, which reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, about the culture of the England squad under Southgate, Raheem Sterling's mentality and the emergence of Bukayo Saka. Italy midfielder Marco Veratti tells John about his boss Roberto Mancini and veteran centre backs Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, while legendary Italian manager Claudio Ranieri tells Mani Djazmi how Mancini has restored pride to the national team.(Image: Composite image of Roberto Mancini and Gareth Southgate. Credit: Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

After a year's absence due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Wimbledon is back. Sportsworld will be covering the action across the 2 weeks and what better way to whet your appetite than listening to Lee James and guests - players Jill Craybas and Taylor Townsend preview this year's tournament. There will also be appearances from current champions Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Ashleigh Barty.

The European Football Championships has always been an exciting tournament whether it's the unexpected winners to shock results. Join Lee James as he speaks to players who have experienced the highs of European Championship glory such as: Kim Vilfort who helped Denmark win the 1992 title, Germany legend Bastian Schweinsteiger on his countries chances of regaining some pride and Iceland's Johan Berg Gudmundsson on their shock Euro 2016 campaign and their historic win over England. Lee will also be speaking to Finland captain Tim Sparv on leading his country into their first senior men's competition.

Sportsworld's Lee James is joined by guests who featured on Sportsworld 12 months ago, to catch up and reflect on a year of destruction caused by the Covid pandemic.

On April 22nd 1996, sporting history was made when the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) was founded. It was a huge moment for women's basketball and sport. The concept of a professional women's basketball league wasn't new. Previous attempts to start a women's pro league had failed but the WNBA had two things going for it: the backing of the NBA and the determination of many women to make the league a success. Hear from the women who scrapped and fought to help the WNBA become a giant in women's sport. The Trailblazers who made the WNBA. Produced by Tom Paton

The dates have changed but the goals remain the same , the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have been billed as a symbol of human kinds victory, over the coronavirus, but will the ongoing global pandemic really allow the Olympic flame to provide the light at the end of the tunnel?Sportsworld’s Lee James is joined by Japanese Sports Journalist Yuko Suzuki, European correspondent for the Australian Newspaper Jaquelin Magnay, Celestine Karoney from BBC Africa and BBC parasport reporter Kate Grey. He ask the question what can the world expect from Tokyo’s covid games?

In March 1996 Sri Lanka pulled off one of the biggest shocks in cricket history by winning the World Cup.Having been knocked out in the first round of four of the previous five World Cups, and finished eighth in the other, Sri Lanka were never taken seriously as an international side.This is the story of how that changed, told by those involved. And how a proud island nation overcame bombings, boycotts and near-bankruptcy at the cricket board to reach the top of the world.Photo: Sri Lanka fans celebrating (Getty Images)

Sportsworld looks ahead to the upcoming 2021 Formula One season, as Lewis Hamilton looks for a record-breaking eighth world title. Joining Sportsworld’s Lee James, is former Red Bull & Williams driver Mark Webber. We also hear from Alpine driver Esteban Ocon and Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer.Photo: Mercedes’ driver Lewis Hamilton walks on the grid during 2021 F1 Testing. (Credit: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

50 years on since the "Fight of The Century," Sportsworld looks back at that historic fight between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier and speaks to the last unified heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis.Photo: Boxer Muhammad Ali steps away from a punch thrown by boxer Joe Frazier during their heavyweight title fight dubbed the “Fight of the Century” at Madison Square Garden in 1971. (Credit: Bettmann via Getty Images)

How inclusive is sport to LGBT+ athletes, and what more needs to be done? Sportsworld presenter Lee James speaks with England and Aston Villa defender Anita Asante, San Diego Loyal midfielder Collin Martin and Jamaican swimmer Michael Gunning, who is aiming to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. All are openly gay and came out while playing their sports.Photos: Aston Villa’s Anita Asante in action during a Barclays FA Women's Super League match. (Credit: Aston Villa FC via Getty Images); Collin Martin runs with the ball against the Montreal Impact. (Credit: Getty Images); Jamaican swimmer Michael Gunning competes during the Men's 200m Butterfly Heats. (Credit: Getty Images)

In the United States of America, February is Black History Month - an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the historical contributions of African Americans in the country's history and is now perhaps more poignant than ever following events in the USA over the last year. The death of George Floyd last May sparked a worldwide reaction of shock and horror at police brutality towards black people in America and led to the worldwide Black Lives Matter movement, with protests and demonstrations taking place around the globe. Many sports stars used their platform to show support. USA World Cup winner Crystal Dunn, tennis player Taylor Townsend and Olympic triple jumper Will Claye have been discussing their own experiences along with Nashville striker and former US men's international, CJ Sapong who joined Sportsworld’s Lee James to discuss racial injustice and social inequality.Photo: Philadelphia 76ers players and Toronto Raptors players kneel in honour of the Black Lives Matter movement during the nationa

Back in 1975, Lee Elder braved death threats to become the first African American golfer to play at the Masters. It was one of the last colour barriers in US sport and made him a hero to many black sportsmen and women, including Tiger Woods.But 45 years on, and in the wake of the death of George Floyd, what progress has been made to make golf more inclusive and accessible to the black community?To discuss this, Delyth is joined by Maurice Allen, who was the first African American player to become World Long Drive Champion in 2018, and current LPGA Tour player Mariah Stackhouse, who was the youngest African American woman to compete in the US Open and first African American woman to compete in the Curtis Cup.Jeff Benedict, journalist, and co-author of the number one New York Times bestselling biography of Tiger Woods, joins us to discuss whether golf has failed to capitalise on Tiger's success, and whether Tiger himself has done enough to promote diversity in the sport.We'll hear from Joseph Bramlett about his

We celebrate the athletes who rarely step foot on the pitch - only ever cross the white line to bring on drinks - and some who are able to lead the race but never reach the finishing line.It's the tales of the substitutes, the 12th players, the bib wearers and the pace setters.Lee James chats to England cricketer Jack Leach, former Netherlands and Tottenham keeper Michel Vorm and Olympic 800m runner Jenny Meadows on benchwarmers.Photo: Mark Wood of England on 12th man duties (Credit: Getty images)

Nigeria’s UFC world welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says it’s become ‘normalised’ to face racism in the United States.Last month, Usman was subjected to racist comments from UFC fighter Colby Covington – who said the backlash he received from fellow fighters was “unwarranted”. UFC President Dana White said he doesn’t want to "muzzle fighters, we let everybody speak their mind. I don't know what he said that was racist.” Usman, who was born in Nigeria but moved to the United States at the age of 8, has become one of the biggest names in the sport and is nicknamed the Nigerian nightmare. Usman and female UFC bantamweight fighter Sijara Eubanks have been talking to Sportsworld's Maz Farookhi about the challenges they’ve faced in their careers, being role models and how they felt when they heard those racist comments.Photo: Kamaru Usman (Getty Images)

In 2010 the Los Angeles Lakers were the kings of the NBA. The Lakers, thanks to legendary coach Phil Jackson and Laker great Kobe Bryant, defeated the Boston Celtics in game 7 of the NBA finals. But in the following the decade, the fortunes of the franchise changed. Phil Jackson left, franchise owner Jerry Buss died and the championship team was broken up. So what happened? Sportsworld’s Delyth Lloyd is joined by former Lakers coaches and players to discuss the Lost Lakers.Photo:Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 (Produced and edited: Tom Paton - Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Remember the date – 26th August 2020 – the day athletes across US professional sports boycotted games. An unprecedented and historic protest for racial justice and the end to police brutality in America. Players were responding to the death of Jacob Blake, a Black man who was shot by police in Wisconsin.It was led by several Women's NBA teams and reached across the entire basketball leagues and across other sports...as America's courts, pitches and fields fell silent.Lee James speaks to star of the WNBA and LA Sparks player Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and former Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder NBA player and now motivational speaker and author Etan Thomas.Photo: Sug Sutton looks on while standing with teammates Jacki Gemelos, Kiara Leslie, Leilani Mitchell, Myisha Hines-Allen, Tianna Hawkins and Emma Meesseman of the Washington Mystics during the WNBA postponement announcement at Feld Entertainment Center on August 26, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. The Washington Mystics are wearing white T-shirts that spel

Ferrari – the biggest name in Formula One.Iconic cars, a global brand, a Formula One team that comes under more scrutiny than any other. As Ferrari marks its 70th anniversary and it’s 1000th Formula One race at the Tuscan Grand Prix this weekend, we’re taking a look at what makes the name such a dominant force within the sport. From the origins of the iconic Prancing Horse logo, their cars and their famous owner Enzo Ferrari to the current day – what’s it like to drive for the most iconic brand in F1?What’s the pressure like, the scrutiny, how does it change your life and what’s it like walking through the gates of the famous Maranello factory for the first time?Felipe Massa, Jody Scheckter and Eddie Irvine all have their say.Plus Shabnam Younus-Jewell is joined by Italian journalist and designer Giorgio Piola and the BBC’s Formula One reporter Jennie Gow.Photo: Ferrari fans supporting the team at Monzo for the Italian Grand Prix (Getty Images)

What's it really like to play for the obsessive and demanding Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa?We’ve spoken to some of the people who have got closest to the 65-year-old Argentine through his well-travelled career – from Buenos Aires to Bilbao and Mexico to Marseille - to try to find out more about how he operates.Bielsa carries a mythology with him - but how many of the remarkable stories about him are actually true?As his exciting Leeds United team prepare to take on the Premier League, it makes for a revealing portrait of a fascinating but flawed character who is embarking on a tantalising new chapter in his career. Photo: Marcelo Bielsa (Getty Images) Presenter: John Bennett Producer: Sam Sheringham

As Leeds United make their return to the Premier League after a 16 year wait, we take a look at their fall from the top, and their return to glory under manager Marcelo Bielsa.Joined by special guests Lucas Radebe, Jon Newsome and the Kaiser Chiefs, we unravel the last two decades of football in Leeds. From the glory days of Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Lee Bowyer, to their significant and rapid decline in the early 2000s, and their return to the top flight of English football in 2020.This is the story of Leeds United and their rise, fall and rise again to the Premier League.Photo credit: Leeds United win promotion to the Premier League in 2020 (Getty Images).

Atlanta Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce is one of just a few black head coaches in the NBA, but says now is the time athletes around the world are ‘speaking louder and being heard’.Pierce was joined by This Is Us softball player Kiki Stokes for one of a series of BBC discussions about racism and whether we will see change following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May which sparked protests around the globe. Earlier this year Stokes quit the Houston-based Scrap Yard Dawgs club along with her team mates following a now deleted tweet from the team’s general manager Connie May about the national anthem.Pierce and Lloyd talk about their own experiences of racism with Ade Adedoyin and discuss what needs to change, and whether sport and politics should be discussed at the Olympics in 2021.Photo: Atlanta Hawks Head coach Lloyd Pierce on the sidelines during their game against the Boston Celtics in February 2020. Credit: Omar Rawlings/Getty Images