If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again. This seems to be key in any great sporting triumph.

It’s been quite a year in the life of Barry Solan, one which has brought him all around the world and occasionally the top of it too.

THE head of the American fitness team behind the German side that thrashed England 4-1 in Bloemfontein has claimed that the improvement in the relationship between the national team and its domestic clubs is the secret to their World Cup success.