Watching sportscentre last night led to unexpected excitement - afterall the club football season is over and there isn't an exciting title race, a man united highlight reel or a champions league round up to look forward to anymore.

However, the upcoming sporting battles on offer certainly made me perk up. First up is the French Open - it's turning into another great one as Rolland Garros approaches the final rounds. Caught the highlights of Henin v Sharapova, two of my former favs, and it was an epic win by Justine. Nadal v Federer finale re-re-re-redux anyone?

Next up were all the friendlies in the lead-up to the World Cup a week or so away. It's gonna be interesting to see if Spain can do a France and hold both World & Euro titles at the same time. And of course I'd love to see Argentina make a run for it. Brazil and Germany will be thereabouts as always and Holland look good as Van Persie is hitting form on his return. Among the minnows, I'd say the real surprise could be USA who have improved alot. You heard it here first ;)

But the real mouthwatering sporting spectacle coming up is the NBA Finals as that classic rivalry is once again the pick of the crop. Lakers v Celtic. Kobe v Pierce. Gasol v KG. Allen v Artest. Phil Jackson v Doc Rivers. This series has tonnes of match-ups. Stadiums filled with starkly contrasting yellow and green. And there's that new star element this yr - Rajon Rondo. This kid is certainly talented, and for the Celtic Big 3 to devote so much time talking abt him on sportcentre, you know he's special. Can't wait for tip off.