Football news

Hungarians proudly toasted Wednesday's shock 3-1 friendly win over world champions Italy, a welcome change from recent doom and gloom over the national side.

A slump to 65th in the world rankings and a humiliating defeat by Malta last year produced harsh criticism. But yesterday the tone had changed.

"Something has returned from the old, forever lost glory, we beat the world champions 3 to 1," ran the headline in daily Magyar Nemzet.

The country's biggest selling broadsheet Nepszabadsag said under the headline "Bravissimo" that the victory was "almost incredible" and "the team secured the most beautiful soccer feat in recent memory."

Cicinho sad to leave Real

Brazilian full-back Cicinho is disappointed to leave Real Madrid a season and a half after joining the club.

"It was the club's decision," Cicinho told sports daily Marca. "I was happy here but they weren't counting on me and I had to look after my best interests."

The 27-year-old will join Roma for an estimated nine million euros.

The deal to sell Cicinho ended a frenetic night at Real who also announced the signings of Argentina left back Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United and Dutch winger Arjen Robben from Chelsea for an estimated total outlay of 48 million euros.

Wind power to light up Scots

A club in the Scottish Highlands plan to use wind turbines to power their floodlights during evening and winter games.

Deveronvale hope to be the first football club in Britain to power their floodlights with wind energy when they install turbines at their Princess Royal Park stadium in Banff.

The club, sixth in the Highland League, believe there is enough wind blowing through the town to generate about 300,000 kilowatt-hours. The supporters, who normally number about 600, need not worry about the noise drowning out their chants as the turbines will be switched off during play.

Benitez unhappy with schedule

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has criticised the Premier League fixture planners for the amount of early kick-offs his team have.

Liverpool travel to Sunderland for a lunchtime start tomorrow and the Spaniard feels his side are being disadvantaged in their title challenge.

"On Saturday we will go to play another away game with an early kickoff after internationals in midweek," Benitez said.

"We have four of these games before December. Last year we had 10 or 12 of them. We had to play eight away games after Champions League matches."

Kiev offer to take Sheva on loan

Ukraine champions Dynamo Kiev have offered to take Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko on loan for a year.

"I'm ready to cover Chelsea's expenses on his salary which is rather high. I don't know what is happening with him in London but I would love to see him in Kiev," Dynamo president Igor Surkis told a news conference.

The 2004 European player of the year, who has not featured for Chelsea this season because of a back problem, was sold to Milan by Dynamo Kiev for $26 million in 1999. He joined Chelsea in May last year.

Lehmann out for two weeks

Jens Lehmann has injured his Achilles tendon and will miss tomorrow's home clash with Manchester City, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

The goalkeeper aggravated a chronic injury during Germany's 2-1 win over England at Wembley on Wednesday.

Wenger said Lehmann joined an injury list that included captain Frenchman William Gallas, with a groin injury, and Emmanuel Eboue, who has an ankle injury.

Wenger said Spaniard Manuel Almunia would replace Lehmann tomorrow.

Diouf and Anelka on way out

Bolton could lose El Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka before the transfer window ends next week. Diouf, 26, wants to play in the Champions League and fellow striker Anelka, 29, has been linked with Arsenal and Lyon.

"It's a concern and it might be out of my hands but at the moment it is only speculation," said manager Sammy Lee.

"We want to keep our better players but if people want to go sometimes you can't stop them."

Bolton are bottom of the league after losing all three games so far.

Fiore joins Serie B Mantova

Stefano Fiore said he was leaving Valencia for a move to Serie B outfit Mantova. The 32-year-old said he would leave Spain after a miserable spell at the Mestalla.

Fiore spent the last two years on loan at Fiorentina, Torino and Livorno. Fiore has now signed a one-year contract with Mantova and has the option of a two-year extension.

Mantova's season ticket sales are up to a club record of 5,800.

Harte, Kuffour at Sunderland

Sunderland are analysing all options to sign former Leeds defender Ian Harte and Samuel Kuffour as Roy Keane looks to bolster his defence.

Harte, 29, has been playing in Spain with Levante but is now hoping to return to the Premier League.

Ghana international Kuffour is currently on the books of Serie A side Roma but spent last season on loan at Livorno.

Keane said: "They are training with us for a few days. We are having a look at them but there's no chance of them signing before the weekend."