German chancellor Angela Merkel has absolved herself of blame for the eurozone’s north-south split during the debt crisis, saying she has Europe’s best interests at heart when pressing the need to become globally competitive.

Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes has indicated he will retire from coaching at the end of the season.

Tottenham have won the race to sign highly-rated Germany international Lewis Holtby from Schalke.

Germany will be without captain Philipp Lahm and Real Madrid pair Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira for their friendly against Australia on Tuesday.

Germany coach Joachim Low said the fans were wrong to boo his side and individual players during last night’s 4-0 win over Kazakhstan.

ARJEN ROBBEN may have been Bayern Munich’s Champions League saviour once more but he was still forced to issue an apology following the 1-0 semi-final first leg win against Lyon on Wednesday night.

Germany coach Joachim Low has revealed Kevin Kuranyi will not play for the national team again as long as he is in charge.

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Nick Heidfeld has had his claims for a race seat with Williams backed by three former Formula One stars.

THE parents of a young girl swept to her death in a tragic balloon accident yesterday paid tribute to their “little angel” as they appealed for privacy to come to terms with their grief.

A five-year-old British girl was killed when she was swept away in the mooring ropes of a tethered helium balloon ripped from the ground during freak storms, it was confirmed today.