LAST FRIDAY, Avram Grant welcomed some friends who had come to watch Israel’s Euro 2008 qualifier against England to Chelsea’s newly-built training ground at Cobham.

Faroe Islands 0 Israel 2

GUINEA’S President Lansana Conte has rewarded the national soccer team with gifts of two tractors and land to show his appreciation after they routed Botswana 4-0 to move to the top of their World Cup qualifying group.

RUSSIA coach Valery Gazzayev last night threatened to resign after his side’s 2-1 home defeat to Israel in a warm-up to the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against a Republic of Ireland side sweating on the availability of Robbie Keane.