Josetxo injury hits Osasuna

Friday, 23 March 2007
CA Osasuna defender Josetxo Romero is in danger of missing both legs of the UEFA Cup quarter-final against Bayer 04 Leverkusen after suffering a hamstring injury.
Participation in doubtJosetxo will spend between two and three weeks on the sidelines after damaging his right leg in training, ruling the 30-year-old out of the first-leg trip to Leverkusen on 5 April – and leaving a question mark against his availability to face the German club seven days later in Pamplona. The homegrown Josetxo has been a key figure for the Primera División team this season, making 16 league appearances as well as eight in the UEFA Cup.
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Second Klasnic transplant succeeds

Friday, 23 March 2007
Werder Bremen striker Ivan Klasnić said he was well after leaving hospital following a second kidney transplant. "I'm fine," Klasnić said. "My wife took me home to Bremen from the hospital in Hannover."
Official statementThe 27-year-old and his wife Patricia also sent a message to the club's official website via their lawyer Klaus-Peter Horndasch to confirm that the three-hour operation, which took place ahead of schedule, had been successful. "Ivan was operated on successfully," said the player's wife. "The kidney was accepted. His father is the donor. Both are well."
Unsuccessful operationCroatian international Klasnić was forced to undergo a kidney transplant because of complications following an appendicectomy last November. The initial procedure in January saw him given a kidney by his mother, but his body rejected the organ. The second attempt has proved more fruitful but Bremen have given no indication of when he is likely to play again. The German side are away to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final on 5 April.
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Injuries hamper England in Israel

Friday, 23 March 2007
by Paul Safferfrom London
Five teams are separated by just three points in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E - but the pre-qualifying favourites England go to Israel on Saturday knowing defeat would leave them in stark danger of missing out on the European finals for the first time in nearly 25 years.
Close groupBoth Israel and England have seven points - three behind Croatia, one adrift of Russia and level with F.Y.R. Macedonia - and with the campaign reaching its halfway point for both nations by Wednesday, losing any more ground would be anathema to these sides. Especially so for England, who have not sat out a major finals since 1994, and have not failed to reach the showpiece stage of this competition since 1984, when only eight teams qualified.
England injuriesEngland manager Steve McClaren has been in the job less than a year, but a home draw with F.Y.R. Macedonia and 2-0 defeat in Croatia in October meant the media criticism so familiar to his predecessors has been pointed in his direction. And his cause for the game in Tel-Aviv has not been helped by a spate of injuries; Jonathan Woodgate pulled out on Thursday with a knee problem to join Gary Neville, Wayne Bridge and Darren Bent in withdrawing since the squad announcement a week ago. Joe Cole and Peter Crouch were already unavailable and Ashley Cole is suspended for the Israel match, so Gareth Barry has been summoned along with Luke Young and Under-21 forward David Nugent.
Johnson chanceMcClaren remains typically upbeat, and has hinted that he could combine Wayne Rooney up front with Andy Johnson. "I can see potential in Johnson and Rooney together," McClaren said. "He has had a good season with Everton [FC]. He is a team player. Strikers have to work as hard as anyone to defend. Andrew Johnson does that. Wayne Rooney does that. Defenders don't like to play against strikers like that."
Teen strikersIsrael have fewer selection worries but are without English-based midfielder Idan Tal and striker Roberto Colautti while fellow forward Yaniv Katan has a cracked rib, opening the door for 17-year-old Chelsea FC starlet Ben Sahar, who made his debut last month in a 1-1 friendly draw with Ukraine, and Toto Tamuz, 18, the son of Nigerians who was adopted and raised in Israel and last week granted full citizenship. Tal has hailed the pair, saying: "Sahar is only 17 but is already a household name in Israel and is getting the best grounding of all at Chelsea. Toto has fantastic natural ability - he could be a world-class striker in years to come."
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France 98 stars back futsal

Friday, 23 March 2007
by Christian Châteletfrom Paris
Compared to Spain, Italy and Russia, France have tended to be among Europe's minnows in the small-sided game but that could all change after Sunday's RTL-Futsal meeting at the famous Palais Omnisport de Paris-Bercy.
Stars show upStars from the late 1990s, when France were the world's No1 football power, have answered the call to put on a show in front of 15,000 fans with many more at home watching the five-hour televised event. Among the four competing teams will be one representing the France '98 association, comprising 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000™ winners including Zinédine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, Laurent Blanc and Bixente Lizarazu, several of them playing futsal for the first time.
Deschamps hope"I know this sport is very popular in Italy," Juventus coach Deschamps said. "What we will do will be great for futsal, which deserves more coverage in my country." His side will be up against Paris Saint-Germain FC, whose squad features some of their current football players, and France's national futsal team under Pierre Jacky. "We are playing first of all for the spectacle, but also to give an idea of how good top-level futsal can be," Jacky said.
BenefitThe fourth and final contestant in the round-robin event is the Club des Internationaux Français, an organisation that encompasses all former French internationals and which will benefit from the afternoon's activities. "Years ago, international players were not paid as we were," said Blanc. "Some of them are now in financial and social difficulties and we must help them."
FFF backingHenri Emile, France's national team manager until 2004, is head of the French Football Federation alternative-football coaching section which is behind this showpiece. "As soon as I took the reins, I tried to arrange an event like RTL-Futsal," the 63-year-old said. "It took time to find the perfect format and to get into Bercy, a mythical place. I still have strong relationships with the 1998 team, beyond just football, and they signed up immediately for the RTL-Futsal." Fans did too. Bercy sold out a week in advance.
Futsal hope"What we want to do is to get this country used to futsal," Emile added. "To create an impetus which would lead to the creation of a spectacular professional league in France. The grassroots are in place. But difficulties come from professional sides and local councils reluctant to give facilities over to futsal. With their help we can really launch this thing."
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Promising pair await Dutch destiny

Friday, 23 March 2007
by Berend Scholten
Maarten Stekelenburg and Demy de Zeeuw could both be given the chance to shine over the next few days as the Netherlands look to build on their position atop UEFA EURO 2008™ Group G in back-to-back qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia.
Van der Sar absenceWhile coach Marco van Basten has not revealed his lineup for Saturday's big game against Romania in Rotterdam, AFC Ajax goalkeeper Stekelenburg is likely to add to his four national-team appearances to date. No1 Edwin van der Sar is ruled out with a calf injury and while veteran Feyenoord custodian Henk Timmer is an option, Van Basten has chosen to select the younger man, Stekelenburg.
Russia friendlyThe 24-year-old gave a good account of himself in the Netherlands' 4-1 friendly victory against Russia in Amsterdam on 7 February, and his coach liked what he saw. "The decision is made," Van Basten said. "Maarten played the whole match against Russia and did a good job." Another man catching the eye of late is De Zeeuw. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has played a big part in AZ Alkmaar's progress to the UEFA Cup quarter-finals and could yet cap an excellent spell of form with his Oranje debut.
De Zeeuw chance"We have always seen him as a good player, and he has shown that emphatically with AZ in domestic and European matches in recent weeks," said Van Basten, who concedes that whoever plays, his side face a difficult week. "We want to win, especially against Romania on Saturday, but also on Wednesday in Slovenia, although we realise it will be a very tough job." The Netherlands lead Group G from Bulgaria, with a three-point advantage over third-placed Romania albeit having played a game more.
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Lahm undaunted by Czech 'decider'

Friday, 23 March 2007
by Gerhard Willmannfrom Munich
Germany left-back Philipp Lahm believes Saturday's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in the Czech Republic "might already decide who is going to top the group".
Potential deciderThe leading two sides in Group D meet at the Sparta Stadium separated only by goal difference after four matches, with ten points apiece. With each having a game in hand on third-placed the Republic of Ireland, the fixture is being billed as a section decider. Given that Germany were held to a 1-1 draw in Cyprus in their last outing in November, Lahm acknowledges they now face a stern test in Prague. "It looks like it," he told uefa.com. "They have the same amount of points and a good team, so this match might already decide who is going to top the group."
Defeats avengedThe countries have met three times since the former Czechoslovakia split. Germany beat the Czechs 2-0 in the group stage at EURO '96™ then defeated them 2-1 in the final - a result that was partly avenged when the Czechs won 2-1 to end Germany's campaign at the group stage at UEFA EURO 2004™. This time around, Germany coach Joachim Löw has his share of selection headaches. Miroslav Klose and Clemens Fritz are suspended, while there are fitness concerns over Bastian Schweinsteiger (foot), Torsten Frings (thigh) and Christoph Metzelder (eye).
Confident outlookAnd with the Czechs naming a full-strength squad, Lahm accepts the threat that they pose but insists Germany will not wilt under the spotlight: "They have great players like Tomáš Rosický and an away game is always a tough task, but we are not a bad team either, and if we play our game we can overcome the Czechs." The Cyprus result has taken some gloss off Löw's bright new era, yet for Lahm, there is no shaking the team's self-belief. "I am not sure if we are the best, but we are a good team with real unity - not just the players but the staff as well. It's great every time we get together."
Lasting enthusiasmThe 23-year-old - who has reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with FC Bayern München - says the excitement engendered by hosting the 2006 FIFA World Cup is still being felt by his team-mates. "Absolutely," he said. "Look at our home games - every match is sold out, like the one against Switzerland. It's just wonderful." So even if the Czechs ask some questions of his side, Lahm does not doubt for a second that Germany will take their place in Austria and Switzerland next summer. "It's not going to be easy, even though people say it will. You cannot underestimate the other teams - we only drew in Cyprus. You have to be focused for every match, but of course I am confident we are going to qualify."
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Ireland see off Greek challenge

Friday, 23 March 2007
The Republic of Ireland picked up a second UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round Group 1 win today to set up a final-day decider against Germany.
McCarthy goal enoughIreland had beaten Scotland 2-1 on Matchday 1, when Greece lost 4-1 to Germany, who repeated that scoreline against the Scots earlier today. That meant Greece needed a substantial victory to keep any qualifying hopes alive, but instead fell to a goal from James McCarthy two minutes into the second half.
Win neededThe winning manager Sean McCaffrey said: "The boys were brilliant again. We always believed it would come to a decisive match for us against Germany and that is the way it has worked out." His side trail Germany on goal difference, so must defeat the home nation in front of a sell-out crowd of 6,000 in Nordhorn on Monday evening to pip their rivals to the finals in Belgium. Greece themselves require a success against Scotland in Lotte to avoid finishing fourth.
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Cagni signs Empoli extension

Friday, 23 March 2007
Empoli FC have agreed a one-year contract extension with coach Luigi Cagni, meaning he will remain in charge of the Serie A outfit for the 2007/08 season.
TurnaroundCagni, 56, has masterminded an impressive change in Empoli's fortunes since being named coach seven games into last season's campaign. After helping the Tuscany club avoid relegation in 2005/06 he has steered them to sixth place this term, and into contention for a first European qualification. Formerly at Piacenza Calcio, Hellas-Verona FC, Genoa 1893, Salernitana Sport and UC Sampdoria, Cagni, whose previous deal was due to expire in June, said: "I have always said I wanted to stay and I'm very happy with this new contract."
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England make flying startFriday,

23 March 2007
England hit the ground running in their opening UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round Group 3 fixture as they struck five goals without reply past mini-tournament hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo.
Four-goal halfThe match was 17 minutes old when Rhys Murphy converted a penalty for John Peacock's side, and soon after Henri Lansbury doubled the lead. Michael Woods added to the scoreline in the 25th minute and before half-time Murphy claimed his second.
Group leadAfter the break Bosnia-Herzegovina held out until the final minute when Daniel Rose completed the victory with a goal that puts England top, just ahead of Serbia who defeated Azerbaijan 5-1 elsewhere in the city. Azerbaijan are England's next opponents on Sunday when Bosnia-Herzegovina know they must beat Serbia to retain realistic hopes of qualifying.
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Serbia soar with Škuletić hat-trickFriday, 23 March 2007

Serbia's aim of emulating their UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification of 2005/06 moved closer to fruition as they began their Elite round Group 3 campaign with a comfortable defeat of Azerbaijan.
Škuletić treblePetar Škuletić was the hero for Serbia in Sarajevo, as he struck a hat-trick commencing in the sixth minute, and just before the midway point in the first half Milan Pršo - cousin of Croatian international striker Dado - converted a penalty to make it 2-0. Although Azerbaijan's Emin Mustafajev replied from the spot four minutes before the break, Škuletić himself scored with a penalty prior to the interval and his treble was completed 16 minutes into the second half.
Victory completeAleksandar Prijović finished the scoring late on, though Serbia, who reached the finals last year with Montenegro, do not hold the early group lead as England beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 5-0. The mini-tournament hosts are Serbia's next opponents on Sunday, when Azerbaijan look to resurrect their campaign against England.
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France train young guns on Kaunas

Friday, 23 March 2007
by Christian Châteletfrom Paris
The absence of six key players for Saturday's Group B game in Lithuania has given France a chance to call up a raft of exciting young prospects.
Absent starsThe loss of the quality of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Franck Ribéry, Louis Saha, Mikaël Silvestre and David Trezeguet would be a catastrophe for most European sides, but France coach Raymond Domenech is taking the opportunity to cast his net wider.
Young hopefulsInto his squad for the weekend qualifier - and Wednesday's friendly against Austria - come Olympique de Marseille's 19-year-old Samir Nasri, Chelsea FC's 22-year-old Lassana Diarra, Arsenal FC's 20-year-old Abou Diaby and Olympique Lyonnais' 19-year-old Karim Benzema. "Being selected was the last thing I expected," said Diaby. "First I felt euphoria, followed by a little bit of apprehension, but I have been welcomed into the fold. It's a great thing just to talk with players like Lilian Thuram or Claude Makelele." Diarra added: "I'm ready to play of course, but just being here is awesome."
Late bloomerDomenech's untried talents are not solely youngsters. At 28, AS Monaco FC's on-loan forward Frédéric Piquionne had all but given up hope of international recognition - until he saw the squad. "I never even got a provisional call-up or youth cap," he said. "I was in a cold sweat when I saw my name on the list on television, then the phone started ringing." Whether Piquionne gets to play against Lithuania is a big question. Nicolas Anelka is the favourite to start in place of Henry and Trezeguet, and Benzema may partner him. "I'm sure I can play and I'm prepared for that," said the teenager.
'They are good enough'Nasri could also get the nod. A natural No10, he has been touted as the new Zinédine Zidane - like 'Zizou' he hails from the Marseille suburbs. However, he is wary of treading the French hero's footsteps. "Zidane suffered from being compared to Michel Platini," he said. "I don't want that pressure. Zidane is Zidane. I am Samir Nasri." Not a name familiar around the world, yet Domenech insists he knows what to do with all his new arrivals against Lithuania. "I roughly know who will start," he said. "We can only put 18 names on the team-sheet but if I selected them, it's because they are good enough and have a lot to offer." The chance to prove that comes in Kaunas.Additional reporting by Eric Frosio
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