Sporting briefs

Ivankov: Bulgaria goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov has signed a two-year contract with Turkish first division side Bursaspor after leaving Kayserispor as a free agent last month. The 32-year-old Ivankov, capped 47 times for Bulgaria, is one of the highest scoring goalkeepers in the world. The penalty specialist has netted 34 times in his career so far.

Buchwald: Ghana have opened negotiations with former German international Guido Buchwald to take over as their new coach. Buchwald, part of Germany's winning team at the 1990 World Cup finals, travelled to Accra last week for negotiations with the Ghana Football Association.

Boloni: Belgian champions Standard Liege named former Romanian international Laszlo Boloni as their new coach after title-winning manager Michel Preud'Homme quit last month, the club said. Boloni, 53, played for Romania between 1975 and 1986, winning 104 caps and scoring 25 goals. He also won the European Cup with Steaua Bucharest in 1986. The club said his contract was for one season.

Lazio: Lazio have exercised their option to turn Czech defender David Rozenhal's loan from Newcastle United into a permanent move, the Serie A club said. The 27-year-old joined the Rome outfit in the January transfer window.

Luxemburgo: Palmeiras coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo criticised his players after Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Sport Recife, saying some of them were being distracted by the possibility of a transfer abroad. "There are players with their heads in Europe, thinking about transfers and that could be getting in the way," said the former Brazil coach.

Vieira: Jorvan Vieira, who less than a year ago steered Iraq to a shock Asian Cup victory, has been fired as coach of Iranian club Sepahan. The 2007 Asian Champions League runners-up failed to get past the group stages of the competition this year.

Portaluppi: Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi says he is not worried his team is rooted to the bottom of the Brazilian championship after their first five games. Portaluppi has fielded reserve teams in domestic matches, allowing the first team to qualify for the Libertadores Cup final. "I'm sure the other 19 teams would want to be in our position, in last place but in the final of the Libertadores," said Portaluppi.

Marica: Striker Ciprian Marica hopes to return to training in time for Romania's Euro 2008 match with Italy despite being rushed to hospital with a head injury yesterday, a team spokesman said. Marica clashed heads with fellow striker Marius Niculae after climbing for the ball in a five-a-side match during a light workout at the St Gallen Arena.