The week after Easter is when summer starts to signal its arrival. If not in a meteorological sense, then at least with the finales of several leagues and competitions ahead of a summer calendar of sport.

That means, for example, that the Masters is on its way this week. So too are other highly anticipated sporting events, as the big finishes to the season start to ramp up.

BT Sport to stream Sevilla v Bayern Munich for free (BT Sport)

One of those big finales is the Champions League. It may take place every year – and so perhaps diluting its importance in comparison with, say, the World Cup Final – but the final of the Champions League is always one of the biggest nights in the sporting calendar. Before we get there, though, we have to whittle the field down to just two from the eight who remain.

Although subscription TV broadcaster BT Sport have the rights to the Champions League in the UK, they will make tonight’s clash between Sevilla and Bayern Munich free to everyone on their app and on Freeview.

Google predicts stats from the NCAA final four games in real time (AdWeek)

Another yearly sporting institution which has just come to its close is the NCAA final four. This wasn’t just a chance for basketball fans to see the young and hungry college players. It was also a chance for Google to prove its data can predict the outcomes of games in real time.

With a few close predictions on stats like rebounds, assists and three-pointers, Google’s machine didn’t do too badly at all.

Amazon is wielding its power in new and different ways (New York Times)

It’s no surprise to anyone that Amazon is a company whose power is growing day by day. We know it as an online retailer, but it’s been branching out of that space into the on-demand content world, too, rivalling Netflix for original content and going up against sports broadcasters for live events.

Moving into bricks-and-mortar retailing in order to sell groceries is another logical step for the company as they look to wield their power in new and interesting ways.

Women’s football is growing by every metric except fans in stands (The Guardian)

A year on from the Gameplan for Growth blueprint which the FA launched to promote women’s football in England, there are some very encouraging figures.

The numbers of women’s teams around the country is growing, as is participation amongst girls in Mini-Soccer tournaments. The Women’s Super League, too, is harnessing the power of social media live-streaming and a mix of free-to-air BBC broadcasting as well as premium games on BT Sport. That is increasing interest and viewing figures are up as a result.

The downside is that attendance figures in the grounds have dropped – thanks to scheduling fixtures at the same times as men’s games, as well as a particularly cold winter. Women’s football is not the only sport in the midst of a struggle between falling attendance figures and growing interest on digital media.

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