As Germany and Argentina prepare to renew old rivalries, Joachim Low admits he is somewhat in awe of Diego Maradona, who he feels won the World Cup on his own in 1986.

France skipper Thierry Henry has likened his nation’s World Cup play-off showdown with the Republic of Ireland to a Champions League tie.

THIERRY HENRY’s infamous handball did more than just cost Ireland a place in the last World Cup, according to the new edition of France’s best-selling travel guide.

IRELAND team manager Paul McNaughton predicts the chase for world ranking points will make Argentina more formidable than ever.

Influential Italy captain Paolo Maldini remained on course to equal a World Cup record after overcoming an injury scare.

Denmark’s Jon Dahl Tomasson and Stig Tofting will undergo tests tomorrow morning to prove their fitness to face England in the World Cup second-round showdown.

Brazilian protesters and police clashed near a stadium hosting a football match, as thousands of demonstrators trying to march on the site were met by tear gas and rubber bullets.

A Scottish teenager had to be escorted to safety by police at the end of a Brazilian league match after she angered fans by asking an opposing player for his jersey.

The Premier League have defended the organisation of their fixtures following criticism from Arsene Wenger over his Arsenal side playing three times this week.

THOSE of a nervous disposition should probably avoid Cork’s Musgrave Park this evening as the leading Irish rugby stars are set to rejoin battle in an eagerly awaited match between Munster and Leinster.

Yokohama F Marinos have confirmed they are interested in taking Celtic’s Shunsuke Nakamura back to Japan.

Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez is determined to use his side’s shock World Cup defeat of England to mount a serious challenge for qualification for the 2008 European Championships.

England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson was undergoing a scan today on an injury which could have been inflicted during the World Cup final.

Keith Earls is convinced the celebrated Test career of his boyhood hero Brian O’Driscoll could extend until the 2015 World Cup.

Shay Given is desperate to give the nation a chance to dance in the streets as he once did by securing another trip to the World Cup finals.

AZZURRI coach John Kirwan caused a sensation in Italian rugby yesterday when he omitted stand-off Ramiro Pez from his World Cup squad.

Ian McKinley said that heading to Japan with Italy next month, 10 years after featuring there for Ireland in the Junior World Cup, would circle a remarkable rugby journey.