Sporting briefs

Stockport promoted: Stockport County came from behind to beat neighbours Rochdale 3-2 in the English League Two promotion play-off at Wembley Stadium yesterday to end Rochdale's dream of escaping from the bottom tier for the first time in 34 years. Stockport, who finished fourth in the regular season, one place above Rochdale, go up alongside Milton Keynes Dons, Peterborough United and Hereford United, who all won automatic promotion.

Keita: Barcelona have signed Mali midfielder Seydou Keita from Sevilla on a four-year contract. Keita, 28, severed his contract with Sevilla, whom he joined from Racing Lens on a four-year deal in 2007.

Russia: Russia will pay each player a €10,000 bonus for every victory in their Euro 2008 first-round group and an additional €60,000 if they reach the quarter-finals, the Russian daily Sport-Express reported. The Russians are in Group D along with European champions Greece, Spain and Sweden.

Bayer Leverkusen: Bayer Leverkusen said yesterday they had hired Bruno Labbadia as coach on a two-year contract through to June 2010. Leverkusen sacked Michael Skibbe last week after the club finished seventh in the Bundesliga and failed to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Perrotta: Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta suffered a calf problem in Roma's Italian Cup final win over Inter on Saturday. "It seems it is just cramp but we will have to check it out. I hope it is nothing serious," Italy coach Roberto Donadoni told reporters.

Heitinga: Netherlands defender John Heitinga passed a medical with Atletico Madrid on Sunday. The 24-year-old, who has won 33 international caps, is set to join Atletico on a five-year deal from Ajax Amsterdam, for a fee of around €10 million.

Oliveira: Relegated Real Zaragoza have exercised an option to buy on-loan Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira from Milan. The 27-year-old, who has agreed to a four-year contract, top scored for the club in the Primera Liga last season with 17 goals.

MFA Div. One KO sfs: Today at Centenary Stadium - 6 p.m. Tarxien vs Vittoriosa; 8 p.m. Dingli vs Mosta.