Sporting briefs...

Marseille: Olympique Marseille face an uncertain future after main shareholder Robert Louis-Dreyfus broke off takeover talks with Canadian businessman Jack Kachkar. It seems unlikely, though not impossible, that Louis-Dreyfus might still reach a last-minute deal with Kachkar, who has offered 115 million euros ($153 million) to buy France's most prestigious football club. "For that to happen, the buyer would have to give every guarantee that he can help the club in the future and he would have to do that in the next few hours," chairman Pape Diouf said.

Odonkor: Germany winger David Odonkor expects to return to action with Real Betis next month, after recovering from an injury to his kneecap sustained in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus in November. The 23-year-old has only made three league starts for Betis since moving from Borussia Dortmund for six million euros in the close season.

Vucinic: Roma striker Mirko Vucinic will lead the team when Montenegro make their debut as an independent nation in Saturday's home friendly against Hungary. "The national team staff have decided Vucinic should be the first Montenegro captain," assistant coach Branko Brnovic told reporters in Podgorica.

Ireland: Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland believes Sunderland manager Roy Keane's recent criticism of the Irish national team will fire his countrymen to victory over Wales in today's Euro 2008 qualifier in Dublin. "All it has done is fire us up even more. It has hurt the players but it's another big reason to win," Ireland told reporters.

Shevchenko: Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko will miss their Euro 2008 qualifier against the Faroe Islands today after picking up an injury in training. The Chelsea striker was left at home yesterday when the Ukrainians flew to the small islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

In England: League Two - Mansfield vs Macclesfield 1-2; Wycombe vs Boston 0-0.

In Italy: Serie C1 (B) - Ravenna vs Ternana 1-0.

MFA Division Three: Pembroke vs Zejtun Corinthians 0-0; Kalkara vs Mdina Knights 1-1.

Basketball: Women's Louis Borg Cup final 1st leg: Hibs Medsea vs Depiro 43-41.