ON THIS DAY - 6 April: Four score for Lionel Messi

FOOTBALL - Precisely two years ago, in 2010, Lionel Messi went on a rampage in the Champions League quarterfinals, torching Arsenal for four goals in a 4-1 victory over the Gunners at the Camp Nou. It would mean his first Champions League hat-trick and  the promise of big things to come.

BIRTHDAY - 6 April: Anton Geesink (Judo)

JUDO - If Anton Geesink were still alive today, he would be 78 years old. The man mountain Geesink achieved the incredible. He defeated the Japanese home favourite Akio Kaminaga at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. In spite of the disbelief of the home crowd, Geesink won the hearts of all onlookers by showing his opponent the respect commanded by this sport - by waving off his onrushing entourage out of acknowledgment for the holy tatami.

Shares birthday with: Anthony Fokker, Gheorghe Zamfir, Barry Levinson