Dane Anders Hansen set a strong early pace on a blustery opening morning of the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.

Denmark’s Anders Hansen admits the preparation for his Joburg Open title defence this week has not been ideal.

European golf’s man of the moment Pablo Martin extended his lead in the South Africa Open to three shots over the opening five holes of his third round at Pearl Valley today.

Swedish golfer Martin Erlandsson went from the ridiculous to the sublime when the South African Open began at Pearl Valley today.

Ireland's Gareth Maybin described himself as a "no-name" when he played with Lee Westwood in the final group on the final day of the South African Open last year.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI is still weighing up the risks of fielding Irish players on yellow cards in tomorrow evening’s final Group 8 game against Montenegro.

Marco Tardelli is keeping his fingers crossed that the Republic of Ireland avoid France in the World Cup play-off draw.

Italian World Cup winner Marco Tardelli will have no qualms about denting his native country’s defence of their title in Dublin on Saturday evening.

Real Madrid captain Raul insists their Peace Cup semi-final defeat to Juventus is no cause for alarm and remains confident next season will be a successful one for the Spanish giants.

IN these troubled times it’s gratifying to know that Italy’s coach reads the Irish Examiner.

Italian World Cup winner Marco Tardelli is set to join the new Irish management team under Giovanni Trapatoni.

Ulster Coach Mark McCall has included Italian World Cup lock forward Carlo del Fava and summer signing Kieran Hallett in a 24-man squad to play The Dragons this Saturday at Rodney Parade.

Roma lifted the Coppa Italia despite going down to a 2-1 defeat to Internazionale in tonight’s second leg of the final.

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso admitted yesterday that he is relishing the chance to heal the psychological scars left by the heartbreaking Champions League defeat to Liverpool two years ago.

The European Commission today unveiled its all-star football squad to play Manchester United in a one-off charity match at Old Trafford.

REAL Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has urged his team- mates to “play like Chelsea” if they are to defeat arch rivals Barcelona in tomorrow’s ‘el clasico’ (Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm).

JOSE MOURINHO is confident Chelsea’s policy of signing superstars and emerging prospects will keep them at the summit of English football.