Fiorentina: Fiorentina have agreed to sign defender Jose Basanta, who was part of the Argentina squad that reached the World Cup final, from Mexican club Monterrey, the Italian club said. The deal is subject to a medical and contract terms for the 30-year-old Basanta, the Serie A side said on their website. Basanta, who spent six years at Monterrey, began his career at Estudiantes in Argentina. He is a central defender who filled in at left-back for the suspended Marcos Rojo in Argentina’s quarter-final win over Belgium.
Hannover: Hannover have strengthened their squad ahead of the new season by signing Austria international goalkeeper Robert Almer from Energie Cottbus. The 30-year-old has penned a 12-month contract with the Bundesliga club, where he will provide back-up to number one Ron-Robert Zieler.
Sofia derby: CSKA snatched a fifth win in a row in the Sofia derby, beating city rivals Levski 2-0 yesterday in an ill-tempered Bulgarian league match that featured crowd trouble, three red cards and a firework delay. Police said more than 10 fans were detained for hooliganism before the game, which has a long history of crowd violence.
Blanco: Former Mexico striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco has returned to the top flight at the age of 41. Blanco, capped 120 times, came on as a substitute for Puebla after an hour of their 0-0 draw at home to Veracruz on Saturday having last appeared in the Mexican first division for Santos Laguna in 2008 and spending recent seasons in the second tier. “I’m happy and grateful to the Puebla fans and team owners who gave me this chance to come here... I lacked a goal to take the three points,” Blanco told reporters.
Violent storm: Flash flooding in Stockholm caused by a summer thunderstorm forced the postponement of the top-flight match between AIK and Falkenberg at the Friends Arena yesterday. The game fell victim to a violent storm that caused flooding in shopping centres, a fairground and the central train station of the Swedish capital, creating havoc for fans trying to get to the game, which was postponed following a pitch inspection.
Malta Summer Cup: Żebbuġ Rangers vs Floriana 2-2 (Żebbuġ win 4-1 on penalties); Mosta vs Vittoriosa Stars 4-0. Played on Saturday – Qormi vs Balzan 1-2. Semi-finals (Thursday)– 6.30pm Balzan vs Mosta; 8.30pm Żebbuġ vs Pietà Hotspurs.