Sporting briefs...

Bielefeld: Ernst Middendorp is returning as coach of Arminia Bielefeld on a contract running until 2008, the struggling Bundesliga club announced yesterday. Middendorp, who was sacked as coach of South African club Kaizer Chiefs this month, has already had two separate spells as Bielefeld coach, from 1988-90 and 1994-98. He was voted Bielefeld's coach of the century during their centenary year.

Must win game: Failure to defeat Denmark in their next Euro 2008 qualifier would be "devastating" for Spain, coach Luis Aragones said. "We have no choice but to win this match," Aragones told a news conference in Madrid. Spain are in fifth place in Group F, nine points behind leaders Sweden and four behind second-placed Denmark. They host Denmark at the Bernabeu on March 24 and then play Iceland in Palma de Mallorca the following Wednesday.

Swoop on hooligans: Munich police said yesterday they had searched 24 homes and seized weapons and other evidence as part of an operation against soccer hooligans. Some 170 officers took part in the raid and secured items including gas pistols, butterfly knives and baseball bats,. Computer data and photos were also seized.

Ibrahimovic: Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been included in Sweden's 20-man squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier away to Northern Ireland on March 28. Ibrahimovic had refused to play for Sweden since he and two other players were sent packing by coach Lars Lagerback for staying out too late two days before a Euro 2008 qualifier against Liechtenstein last September. "We're getting one of the world's best forwards back," Lagerback told reporters yesterday.

Blackmail scam: An Italian paparazzi photographer has been arrested on suspicion of blackmailing Serie A footballers with compromising photographs. Fabrizio Corona was arrested by magistrates in the southern city of Potenza on allegations that he took photographs of Italian celebrities, including footballers, then threatened to sell the photographs to the press unless they gave him money.

Ticket Frenzy: Greece, bidding to win their fourth Euro 2008 Group C qualifier in a row and top the standings, will play joint leaders Turkey in front of a sold-out 33,000 crowd in Athens' Karaiskaki stadium on March 24. "The last batch of 18,000 tickets was sold in under five hours," a Greek FA official told Reuters yesterday. European champions Greece, who failed to qualify for last year's World Cup, seem to be finding their form again having won their first three qualifiers.

In Gozo: GFA Division One - Nadur Youngsters vs Ghajnsielem 3-3. Division Two - Gharb vs St Lawrence 2-3.

Basketball: Louis Borg Cup SFs (men) - Luxol vs Dakar 66-82; Siggiewi vs Qormi 89-55.