Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Thursday, May 21

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SOCCER

FIFA election package

LONDON - Reuters 14-part package previewing the May 29 FIFA presidential election comprised profiles and factboxes of all four candidates -- incumbent Sepp Blatter, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Michael van Praag of the Netherlands and Luis Figo of Portugal. It also included a preview of the election, a history of FIFA presidential elections back to FIFA's founding in 1904, factboxes on soccer's world governing body and how the election works, plus betting odds. (SOCCER-FIFA/ (PIX), moved, by Mike Collett and Brian Homewood)

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Premier League

Newcastle must put differences aside for relegation decider

LONDON - Dressing-room unrest, a change of manager and supporter dissatisfaction, Newcastle United's disastrous season will come to a close on Sunday with the north-east club needing a victory against West Ham United to guarantee Premier League survival. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/ (PREVIEW), moved, 400 words)

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La Liga

Atletico looking to secure third as La Liga reaches climax

MADRID - With Barca champions and Real Madrid assured of second place, Atletico Madrid will look to secure third when they play on Saturday at Granada, one of four teams along with Almeria, Deportivo La Coruna and Eibar fighting to avoid the drop on the final day of the season. (SOCCER-SPAIN/ (PREVIEW) expect by 1100 GMT/7 AM ET, by Iain Rogers, 400 words)

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Midfielder Xavi to announce he is leaving Barca for Al Sadd

BARCELONA - Barcelona midfielder Xavi is set to announce he is leaving after more than two decades with the Catalan club to join Qatari side Al Sadd. (SOCCER-SPAIN/XAVI (PIX, TV), expect by 1200 GMT/8 AM ET, 400 words)

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MOTOR RACING

Monaco Formula One Grand Prix

Hamilton and Rosberg limber up for weekend duel

MONACO - Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, with a freshly signed new Mercedes contract, aims to keep team mate Nico Rosberg off the top of the timesheets in first practice for Sunday's showcase Monaco Grand Prix. (MOTOR RACING-PRIX/ (PIX), expect by 1100 GMT/7 AM ET, by Alan Baldwin, 400 words)

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NHL

Lightning beat Rangers in Game Three

Nikita Kucherov skated through the New York defense and slapped home the game-winning goal as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Rangers 6-5 in overtime on Wednesday to move ahead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final series. (NHL-PLAYOFFS/LIGHTNING (PIX), moved, 300 words)

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NBA

Hawks reeling after Game One defeat, Carroll injury

The Atlanta Hawks suffered a double blow on Wednesday when they were beaten 97-89 by the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game One of the Eastern Conference finals and lost DeMarre Carroll to what looked like a serious knee injury. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/HAWKS (PIX), moved, 300 words)

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BASEBALL

Cards rout Mets 9-0

Right-hander Carlos Martinez threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings and the St Louis Cardinals scored six runs in the fourth inning of a 9-0 rout of the New York Mets. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, moved, 800 words)

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NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS

Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (moved, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)

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CRICKET

England v New Zealand first test at Lord's (to 25)

England face tough start against bullish New Zealand

LONDON - Alastair Cook leads England into the first test of the summer after a period of upheaval off the pitch. Brendon McCullum's confident and improving New Zealand will provide tough opposition in the two-match series. (CRICKET-ENGLAND/ (PIX), expect by 1215 GMT/8:15 AM ET, by Ed Osmond, 400 words)

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GOLF

BMW PGA Championship (to 24)

McIlroy plays alongside Kaymer and Donaldson at Wentworth

VIRGINIA WATER, England - World number one Rory McIlroy launches his Wentworth campaign at 0835 local time in a first round three-ball with European Ryder Cup team mates Martin Kaymer and Jamie Donaldson. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/, expect by 1300 GMT/9 AM ET, by Tony Jimenez, 500 words)

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CYCLING

Giro d'Italia, Stage 12 (to 31)

Contador maintains narrow advantage in Italy

Spain's Alberto Contador leads the race going into the 12th stage, a 190 kilometre ride from Imola to Vicenza. CYCLING-GIRO/, expect by 1600 GMT/12 PM ET, 200 words)

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TENNIS

ATP: Nice Open, France (to 24)

Geneva Open, Geneva (to 24)

WTA: Strasbourg International, France (to 24)

Copy on merit

- - - - (Asia desk editor: Peter Rutherford)