European Championship Group D

Greece News

November 19, 2009Stubborn Rehhagel's tactics pay off for Greece
Champagne corks flew and cigars were being lit on board the Greek charter flight as the players celebrated their qualification for next year's World Cup following their 1-0 win in Ukraine.

November 18, 2009Ukraine 0-1 Greece: Greeks earn shock
Greece qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a 1-0 victory against hosts Ukraine on Wednesday, courtesy of a first-half goal from Dimitris Salpigidis.

November 17, 2009Mikhailichenko keen to kill Greek counter threat


Shakhtar owner unhappy with inflated ticket prices
Shakhtar Donetsk owner Rinat Akhmetov has clashed with Ukraine's National Football Federation over ticket prices for the World Cup playoff against Greece on Wednesday.

Russia News

November 19, 2009Russia coach Hiddink tight-lipped on future
Guus Hiddink will take time to reflect on his future after Russia were denied a place at the World Cup finals by Slovenia before deciding if he returns to club football.

November 18, 2009Slovenia 1-0 Russia
Slovenia beat Russia, who finished with nine men, 1-0 in the second leg of their World Cup play-off on Wednesday to clinch a place in next year's finals.

Zhirkov believes London move is behind injury woe
Yuri Zhirkov believes his ongoing knee problems since arriving at Chelsea have been caused by his move to London.

November 17, 2009Hiddink calls for calm ahead of vital Slovenia clash
Russia will stick to their crowd-pleasing style of attacking play when they take a narrow lead over Slovenia into Wednesday's World Cup playoff return leg, coach Guus Hiddink said.

Spain News

November 17, 2009Austria v Spain: Preview


November 16, 2009Phil Ball: Fabio Capello speaks
Fabio Capello got it wrong when he said Brazil were better than Spain, says Phil Ball.

November 14, 2009Spain 2-1 Argentina: Alonso brace seals victory
Xabi Alonso struck both goals, including a late penalty winner, as Spain further enhanced their World Cup credentials with an impressive friendly victory over Argentina in Madrid.

Spain 2-1 Argentina

Sweden News

November 19, 2009Italy 1-0 Sweden: Chiellini heads Italy winner
Giorgio Chiellini's first-half header earned Italy a narrow victory over Sweden in the Azzurri's last friendly match of the year in Cesena

November 17, 2009Italy v Sweden: Preview


November 10, 2009Ibrahimovic has doubts over international future
New Sweden boss Erik Hamren has revealed that Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is considering his international future.

November 8, 2009Italy boss Marcelo Lippi recalls Giampaolo Pazzini
Italy coach Marcello Lippi has rewarded in-form forward Giampaolo Pazzini by recalling him in a 25-man squad for this month's friendlies with Netherlands and Sweden.