Sporting briefs

Stoichkov: Bulgarian great Hristo Stoichkov will reward Bulgaria's rhythmic gymnasts with a vacation in Barcelona if they win a medal in the team event at the Beijing Olympics. The former Barcelona player, who spends most of his time in the Catalan city, made the offer at a meeting with head coach Iliana Raeva. Bulgaria's state agency for youth and sport has already offered a record bonuses for Bulgarian medallists in Beijing.

Gazzayev: CSKA Moscow are looking for a new coach after current boss Valery Gazzayev decided to quit at the end of the season, the Russian club said. "I'm just emotionally drained. With this team we have won everything and the team needs a change," said Gazzayev, who guided CSKA to three national titles and three Russian Cups in the last five years as well as the UEFA Cup in 2005.

Pablo Garcia: Real Madrid have agreed to release Uruguay midfielder Pablo Garcia from his contract, the Spanish champions said. The 31-year-old joined Real from Osasuna for around €4.5 million ($7.08 million) in 2005.

Mancini: Roma's Brazilian midfielder Mancini is on the verge of signing for rivals Inter. "There is satisfaction on both sides. Now we are waiting to define the last details," Inter representative Gabriele Oriali told Sky.

Totti: Roma captain Francesco Totti should be fit for the Italian Super Cup against champions Inter on Aug. 24, Roma physio Vito Scala told reporters. Totti missed the end of last season after knee surgery.

Beckham: England's David Beckham is one of five players to make the Major League Soccer All-Stars for the first time after voting results were announced by the league yesterday. The first-eleven will be joined by seven other players to make up the squad for the July 24 match against English club West Ham in Toronto.

Blazevic: Croatian Miroslav Blazevic was named Bosnia coach yesterday, the Bosnian Football Association (NSBIH) executive board said. Bosnia-born Blazevic, the former coach of Croatia and Iran, is a surprise replacement for Meho Kodro, who was sacked in May.

Basketball, NBA: Spanish centre Marc Gasol, younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers forward and All-Star Pau Gasol, was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has played the last five seasons in the Spanish ACB League and was named Most Valuable Player for Akasvayu Girona after his 2007-08 campaign. The Philadelphia 76ers signed forward Elton Brand in one of the most significant free agent deals of the close-season. Media reports said the 29-year-old had signed a five-year contract worth $82 million.

Motorcycling: Italian Loris Capirossi has been cleared to compete in this weekend's German MotoGP round after missing the last two races through injury. The Suzuki rider skipped the British race with a broken hand and then gashed his forearm when he fell in practice in the Netherlands last month.

Athletics: Greece's Piyi Devetzi gave her Beijing Olympic medal chances a boost when she produced the best triple jump of the year so far in the European Athletics Premium Meeting in Thessaloniki on Wednesday. The Olympics silver medallist from four years ago produced a winning jump of 15.22 metres while Cuban World champion Yargelis Savigne had to settle for a best of 15.12 metres.

Motor racing: Ferrari's Felipe Massa was quickest in yesterday's final day of Formula One testing for next week's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim while Giancarlo Fisichella crashed heavily in his Force India. The Brazilian was the only driver to lap inside one minute 15 seconds with a best time of 1:14.989. Honda's Jenson Button was second fastest in 1:15.081.