Arsenal are expected to finally confirm the signing of Malaga midfielder Santi Carzola today after he passed a medical and joined the club at their pre-season training camp in Germany.

This year’s European Swimming Championships have been switched from Antwerp to Debrecen due to financial problems.

MARTIN COPPINGER beat Aidan Murphy by almost a bowl in the Con Kelleher — Dan Hurley Cup at Drimoleague.

VIOLENT clashes erupted in Warsaw last night as right-wing extremists, football hooligans and anarchists attacked police with cobblestones and glass bottles during marches commemorating the country’s Independence Day.

WAYNE ROONEY hit the goal trail once more as England took a significant stride towards Euro 2012 with an impressive 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia last night.

Faroe Islands 0 Italy 1

THE crowd in the South Stand at the Aviva Stadium in Lansdowne Road last Saturday evening, with their cheering and singing, provided a noisy and lively atmosphere that made up for many of the empty seats at the European Championship qualifier with Macedonia.

Gary Speed is poised to be confirmed as the new manager of Wales tomorrow.

ASTON VILLA striker Emile Heskey has announced his retirement from international football.

EX-FOOTBALL League chairman Brian Mawhinney believes Fabio Capello should retire several of England’s older players following their World Cup humiliation.

Fabio Capello has stated his desire to remain as England manager – but his future will be decided by the Football Association over the next two weeks.

BAYERN against Inter... Munich against Milan... Germany against Italy.

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed he turned down a move to Juventus earlier this year.

FOUR months after Thierry Henry’s ‘Hand of Gaul’ ended Ireland’s World Cup dreams, France return to international action against Spain tonight (8pm) with a recall for another enfant terrible.

Brazil 2 Republic of Ireland 0

Captain Robbie Keane could make a surprise appearance tonight in Ireland's friendly against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium.

Captain Robbie Keane has rejoined the Republic of Ireland squad for tomorrow’s friendly against Brazil after recovering from a knee injury.

Giovanni Trapattoni has called on his Republic of Ireland players to invoke the spirit of Paris when they take on Brazil at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

The furore over underwear model Vanessa Perroncel’s relationship with England captain John Terry erupted again today with fresh claims of liaisons with three more players.

IN A decision sure to prompt anger, European football’s governing body UEFA has confirmed that not only will the play-offs for the 2012 European Championships be seeded — but the seeded teams will then be guaranteed home advantage in the second leg.

IN the VIP lounge at Dublin airport last night, as he awaited his flight home to Milan, the emotion of the preceding 24 hours finally got to Giovanni Trapattoni.

THERE’S no need to worry — Dublin will be heaven in 2011.

UEFA have admitted to worries over the lack of progress made by Euro 2012 hosts Poland and Ukraine, but played down suggestions that the tournament could be moved.

Glenn Hoddle believes Fabio Capello will have to act quickly address a lack of depth in quality of English players which contrasts unfavourably with his own time as national team boss.

APART from the weather (wet), this week’s favourite conversational gambit in Italy is: How good are Milan? Or, alternatively: How good are Inter? It all depends on who you support.

Ukraine and Poland will host the 2012 European Championships following a vote by UEFA’s executive committee in Cardiff.

SATURDAY night’s 1-1 draw between Roma and Milan in Rome lived up to its billing as a possible dress rehearsal for the Champions League semi-final.

UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson believes Italy’s bid to stage the 2012 European championships will survive the cut in November.

UEFA today opened the way for a pitch revolution in football by sanctioning the use of artificial turf in all European competitions, including internationals.

The Football Association of Ireland intend to approach Scotland about launching a second joint bid to host the 2012 European Championships.