LONDON: Europe captain Thomas Bjorn believes his frank manner of speaking will serve both him and the European team well for the 2018 Ryder Cup, he said Wednesday.
The 45-year-old Dane will endeavour to regain the biennial trophy in Paris after the United States inflicted Europe’s heaviest defeat since 1981, winning 17-11 at Hazeltine, Minnesota in September.
Bjorn infamously didn’t hold back when he failed to get the nod from Welshman Ian Woosnam in 2006 calling him “barmy” and “the most pathetic captain ever.”
“I think if you’re going to lead something you want the truth, you want people to be honest with you,” Bjorn told Britain’s Press Association Sport.
“I’ve never been one for liking having things around me where people are trying to just say yes to me. I want them to tell me the truth.
“I think if you’re going to be forthright yourself, then you want the same from everyone else.
“That’s the way I believe in things, and that’s what I expect for all the people I have around me.”
Bjorn, who played in three winning Ryder Cup teams (1997, 2002 and 2014), received the full backing of Woosnam when he was announced as Darren Clarke’s successor on Tuesday which he says is because sportsmen bury the hatchet easier.
“It’s fantastic to have his (Woosnam) support,” said Bjorn, who has won 15 times on the European Tour but never claimed a major.
“I’m grateful for all the past captains and the support I’ve had from them, and it’s nice for Ian to come out and be so supportive.
“But sportspeople have a way of probably putting things to bed a lot sooner than other people do.
“It’s a long time ago, so we go forward and we understand that this is about Europe, and the European team.
“So we go forward and we all get behind those 12 players that need to play, and that’s a good thing,” added Bjorn, twice a runner-up at The Open and once at the PGA Championship.
Bjorn banking on his frank manner of speaking as Ryder Cup captain
Bjorn banking on his frank manner of speaking as Ryder Cup captain
Atletico hammered but hold off Barca to reach Copa del Rey final
- Atletico, who clung on desperately in the final stages, returned to the final for the first time since 2013
BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid struggled through a 3-0 Copa del Rey semifinal second leg defeat at Barcelona on Tuesday but scraped into the final 4-3 on aggregate.
The Spanish champions almost produced a comeback for the ages after their 4-0 first leg defeat in early February, but fell just short at Camp Nou.
Youngster Marc Bernal netted twice for the record 32-time winners and Raphinha scored a penalty as Barcelona tried in vain to claw back Diego Simeone’s side’s lead.
Atletico, who clung on desperately in the final stages, returned to the final for the first time since 2013.
They will face Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao, who meet Wednesday in the second semifinal second leg.
Barcelona came out flying nd Fermin Lopez’s long-range effort just over the bar set the tone, as Hansi Flick’s side threw everything they had at a potential comeback.
They were dealt an early setback when Jules Kounde went off injured in the opening stages. Antoine Griezmann came close against his former side as Atletico threatened on the counter-attack.
Ferran Torres fired wide and had a shot saved low at the near post by Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso before Barcelona took the lead.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal drilled across the face of goal for Bernal to finish from close range, with one 18-year-old setting up another.
Ademola Lookman headed narrowly off-target for Atletico and came to rue the miss as Barca doubled their advantage before the interval.
Spain midfielder Pedri was tripped in the box by Marc Pubill and Raphinha sent Musso the wrong way from the spot.
Joao Cancelo almost grabbed the third but his shot was beaten away by Musso at full stretch, with Diego Simeone’s team on the ropes.
Bernal set up a frantic finale when he volleyed home Cancelo’s swirling cross to take Barca within one goal of the crumbling Rojiblancos.
Flick put center-back Ronald Araujo up front for the final stages, in search of a fourth goal to “make the impossible possible,” as he called on his team to do before the game.
Gerard Martin hammered narrowly over the bar as Barca turned the screw, with fans roaring the team on through six minutes of stoppage time.
The Rojiblancos fended off Barca and booked their place in the Seville final on April 18.
