WORLD SPORTS at 1330 GMT
TOP STORY:
SOC--SPAIN SPOTLIGHT-LUIS ENRIQUE
MADRID - Luis Enrique?s surprise announcement that he will quit has left Barcelona having to plan for its future amid a tight title race in the Spanish league and an emotional final three months under the departing coach. By Tales Azzoni. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1600 GMT, photos.
NEW/DEVELOPING:
SOC--ENGLAND SPOTLIGHT-KANE VS LUKAKU
UNDATED - They are 23-year-old strikers in the form of their lives, leading the race to be the Premier League's top scorer, and blossoming after circuitous routes to the top of the game. Born within 77 days of each other, Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku are the priceless assets that Tottenham and Everton - ambitious clubs which recently have been just outside English soccer's established elite - want to build their futures around. By Steve Douglas. SENT: 890 words, photos.
CAR--F1-TESTING
BARCELONA, Spain - With Lewis Hamilton out of action because of a mechanical issue, Kimi Raikkonen put Ferrari back on top on in Formula One's preseason testing on Thursday. SENT: 300 words, photos. Will be updatd after afternoon session.
OLY--TOKYO 2020-GOLF DISPUTE
TOKYO - The club that is set to host the 2020 Olympic golf tournament must change its policy of excluding women as full members or the event will go elsewhere, IOC vice president John Coates said Thursday. By Jim Armstrong. SENT: 280 words, photos.
SKI--VEITH INJURY
VIENNA - Olympic super-G champion Anna Veith, out for at least six months following knee surgery, is expected to recover in time for the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. SENT: 260 words, photos.
FOOTBALL:
SOC--EUROPEAN SOCCER WEEKEND
UNDATED - Barcelona has regained the Spanish league lead but is losing its coach. In their first game since Luis Enrique announced he's leaving at the end of the season, the two-time defending champions play Celta Vigo on Saturday. In England, there's a meeting between two teams who have dropped out of the title race since the start of the year, with Liverpool hosting Arsenal. SENT: 720 words, photos.
SOC--FRANCE SPOTLIGHT-MARSEILLE
PARIS - When American businessman Frank McCourt took over at Marseille a few months ago, his ambitious plan to bring the glory days back was confidently labelled the "Champions Project." Recent performances show that there is a long way to go before Marseille - Champions League winner in 1993 - can challenge in France, let alone Europe. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT: 760 words, photos.
SOC--GERMANY SPOTLIGHT-FRINGS
BERLIN - Torsten Frings can't afford to get too sentimental on his return to Werder Bremen. Now in charge of struggling Darmstadt, Frings needs points on Saturday - last-place Darmstadt is 10 points from safety with 12 games remaining. By Ciaran Fahey. SENT: 500 words, photos.
Also:
- SOC--OBIT-GEMMELL - Celtic great Tommy Gemmell dies at 73. SENT: 160 words.
- SOC--CAS-BOLIVIA APPEAL - Bolivia challenge FIFA over forfeited World Cup games. SENT: 130 words.
- SOC--US-GERMANY - US women's soccer team beats Germany 1-0 to open 2017. By Dave Zeitlin. SENT: 390 words, photos.
CRICKET:
CRI--INDIA-AUSTRALIA
BANGALORE, India - After two batting collapses in a shocking, series-opening loss to Australia, it is little wonder the Indian batsmen such as Murali Vijay want to start all over again. SENT: 630 words, photos.
CRI--PAKISTAN-PSL FINAL
ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Super League final is more than a mere game of cricket. For the Pakistan Cricket Board it's a challenge to showcase that it can once again safely host international teams. By Rizwan Ali. SENT: 590 words, photos.
GOLF:
GLF--THE WEEK AHEAD
MEXICO CITY - For the first time since 1962 - before Jack Nicklaus had won any of his 18 majors - the PGA Tour will not have a tournament at Doral this year. By Doug Ferguson. SENT: 870 words, photos.
GLF--LPGA SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE - Michelle Wie rolled in several clutch putts on Thursday and had six birdies in a 10-hole stretch to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the HSBC Women's Champions. SENT: 420 words, photos.
Other Stories:
- BKN--NBA CAPSULES - Isaiah Thomas leads Celtics to 103-99 win over Cavaliers. SENT: 1,340 words, photos.
- HKN--NHL CAPSULES - Kane's hat trick helps Blackhawks to 4-1 win over Penguins. SENT: 250 words, photos.
- BBO--SPRING TRAINING - Red Sox newcomer Chris Sale tunes up for spring debut. SENT: 1,160 words, photos.
YOUR QUERIES: Questions and story requests are welcome. Contact your local AP bureau or the AP International Sports Desk in London by telephone at +44 207-427-4224 or email lonsports@ap.org.
