“HOW do you explain this frivolous spending during a recession?” demands one of the characters of our eponymous hero early in Arthur (12A), in a bid to deflect audience resentment at the sight of Russell Brand playing a playboy billionaire who wastes thousands of dollars at every hand’s turn.

A bleak, though beautiful, Arctic landscape is the setting for this deeply thoughtful, largely Russian drama that considers the generation gap, isolation, personal tension, self-examination and the dilemma that comes when one person is less than truthful with another.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni declared tomorrow’s match against Russia the moment when their Euro 2012 campaign really kicks into gear.

Arlene Hunt

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka believes his team will beat Juventus in their Champions League last-16 clash – and that Manchester United and Arsenal will have similar success against Italian opposition.

Andy Murray’s opening round against Andrei Pavel at the Australian Open was a short-lived affair, lasting just 45 minutes before the Romanian retired hurt.

Andy Murray has drawn Andrei Pavel in the first round of the Australian Open.

Ireland have beaten Romania in their vital UEFA Women’s Championship, Group 2 Qualifier at Richmond Park today.

Andre Agassi was unable to muster up one more emotional win to extend his brilliant career.

ANDRE AGASSI’S glittering tennis career came to an emotional end at the US Open as Germany’s Benjamin Becker outgunned the sport’s elder statesman.

Andre Agassi staved off retirement with a riveting 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory over Romania’s Andrei Pavel on what turned out to be a late Monday night at the US Open.

Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele will join up with France even if Blues boss Jose Mourinho forbids him to go.

Chelsea are to hold top-level talks with the French Football Federation to try and persuade the governing body Claude Makelele should be allowed to retire from international football.

The international space station could be turned into a golf driving range this summer.

Liverpool striker Milan Baros believes tomorrow’s Champions League final could herald the end of his Anfield career.

NEWCASTLE are targeting Juventus and France midfielder Olivier Kapo, according to the player himself.

Newcastle are targeting Juventus and France midfielder Olivier Kapo, according to the player himself.

RAFAEL BENITEZ will tell striker Milan Baros to make up for the damage caused by his derby day red card by firing Liverpool to victory against the might of Juventus tonight in the Champions League.

Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt breathed a massive sigh of relief after battling past American James Blake in the second round of the Australian Open today.

LogicaCMG today announced the appointment of Pavel Kalasek as the new chief executive for its central and eastern European business, which has offices in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

Top seed and defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium became the highest-seeded player at this year’s US Open to lose as she was knocked out by Russia’s Nadia Petrova.

Top seed Roger Federer remains on course to win his third Grand Slam of the year after advancing to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows thanks to a walkover.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros wants first-team football at Liverpool next season – or he may move on.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros admitted last night that he was in no mood to savour his probable coronation as Euro 2004 top scorer as the Czechs were beaten by Greece in a sensational semi-final at the Estadio do Dragao.

Barclaycard Premiership strugglers Wolves have signed Brazilian midfielder Emerson.

THE Stadio Delle Alpi has proved a curse on brilliant creative players and on Wednesday it was the turn of Juventus’ most innovative talent Pavel Nedved to be booked and end a match in tears with the knowledge he would miss the Champions League final in a fortnight.

Greg Rusedski has crashed out of the Masters Series tournament in Monte Carlo at the first hurdle after he lost to Romanian Andrei Pavel.