Flintoff wins top British sports award

LONDON – England cricket all-arounder Andrew Flintoff went to extra lengths to receive Britain’s most prestigious annual sports award.Unable to attend the nationally televised ceremony in London, Flintoff picked up the prize at 03h00 while on tour in Pakistan.

Just hours before facing Pakistan in Monday’s second one-day international in Lahore, Flintoff – star of England’s Ashes-winning team – got up in the middle of the night to accept the BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy from former England cricketer Ian Botham. “As a kid growing up watching cricket, it was Ian Botham for me – and Viv Richards,” the 28-year-old Flintoff said.”To receive that tonight from ‘Beefy’ who I’ve got to know well – made it even sweeter.”He was the last cricketer (to win it) and obviously an all-rounder too, so to receive it from him was great.I only found out (I’d won) about two minutes before.I’d have looked a bit daft staying up til 3 o’clock in the morning for nothing.”Flintoff scored 402 runs and took 24 wickets as England beat Australia over the summer to win the Ashes series for the first time since 1987.Finishing second in the voting for the BBC award was solo round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur.Steven Gerrard, who captained Liverpool to the Champions League title, was third.England’s cricket team won the team of the year award, while Australian leg-spinner was voted overseas personality of the year.Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was named coach of the year, while Brazilian soccer great Pele received a lifetime achievement award.- Nampa-AP Real Madrid green light for Roy Keane? MADRID, Roy Keane could be back playing with former teammate David Beckham at Real Madrid this week.Spanish sports papers on yesterday said Madrid was on the verge of signing the former Manchester United captain.Leading sports daily Marca said Madrid had given the go-ahead to sign the Irish midfielder pending the result of a medical checkup.The paper said Keane, 34, would sign for six months, or the rest of the season, with an option to sign for another year.Keane would not be eligible to play for Madrid in the Champions League since he already played in that competition this season for United.Keane, who left Manchester United in November after 12 1/2 years at Old Trafford, has also been linked with several English clubs.For most of his time at United, Keane was a teammate of Beckham.The England captain left the English club for Madrid in 2003.Madrid hopes Keane could give the club a mid-season boost similar to the lift which Edgar Davids gave Barcelona two seasons ago when he helped the ailing side finish in second place.Real Madrid is in third place, six points behind leader Barcelona.Vanderlei Luxemburgo was fired as manager last week.- Nampa-AP”As a kid growing up watching cricket, it was Ian Botham for me – and Viv Richards,” the 28-year-old Flintoff said.”To receive that tonight from ‘Beefy’ who I’ve got to know well – made it even sweeter.”He was the last cricketer (to win it) and obviously an all-rounder too, so to receive it from him was great.I only found out (I’d won) about two minutes before.I’d have looked a bit daft staying up til 3 o’clock in the morning for nothing.”Flintoff scored 402 runs and took 24 wickets as England beat Australia over the summer to win the Ashes series for the first time since 1987.Finishing second in the voting for the BBC award was solo round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur.Steven Gerrard, who captained Liverpool to the Champions League title, was third.England’s cricket team won the team of the year award, while Australian leg-spinner was voted overseas personality of the year.Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was named coach of the year, while Brazilian soccer great Pele received a lifetime achievement award.- Nampa-AP Real Madrid green light for Roy Keane? MADRID, Roy Keane could be back playing with former teammate David Beckham at Real Madrid this week.Spanish sports papers on yesterday said Madrid was on the verge of signing the former Manchester United captain.Leading sports daily Marca said Madrid had given the go-ahead to sign the Irish midfielder pending the result of a medical checkup.The paper said Keane, 34, would sign for six months, or the rest of the season, with an option to sign for another year.Keane would not be eligible to play for Madrid in the Champions League since he already played in that competition this season for United.Keane, who left Manchester United in November after 12 1/2 years at Old Trafford, has also been linked with several English clubs.For most of his time at United, Keane was a teammate of Beckham.The England captain left the English club for Madrid in 2003.Madrid hopes Keane could give the club a mid-season boost similar to the lift which Edgar Davids gave Barcelona two seasons ago when he helped the ailing side finish in second place.Real Madrid is in third place, six points behind leader Barcelona.Vanderlei Luxemburgo was fired as manager last week.- Nampa-AP