Nuremberg: Bundesliga club Nuremberg have announced a profit of €4.3 million for the financial year ending 30 June 2011. The profit has helped stabilise the club after they recorded a loss of €5.3m for the previous 12 months. A successful season in which Nuremberg qualified for Europe, boosting television revenue and gate receipts, were behind the results.

Albiol: Spanish defender Raul Albiol suffered a facial injury yesterday during training ahead of the final Euro 2012 Group I qualifier between the defending champions and second-placed Scotland. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said in a statement Albiol would undergo scans to ascertain the exact damage before a final decision was taken as to whether he would be fit to play tomorrow.

Down under: The much anticipated clash between returning Socceroos Harry Kewell, of Melbourne Victory, and Brett Emerton, of Sydney FC, provided plenty of fireworks but no goals as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw yesterday. More than 40,000 fans turned out and were not disappointed despite the lack of goals. The two sides had plenty of chances but were denied by superb goalkeeping at both ends.

Goetze: Germany coach Joachim Loew has released Mario Goetze from his squad for tomorrow’s final European Championship qualifier against Belgium. The 19-year-old returned to his club Borussia Dortmund with Loew informing his coach Jurgen Klopp that he felt the player needed a break in view of his upcoming duties in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Libya: The national football team of the ‘new’ Libya was indebted to long-serving goalkeeper Samir Aboud as they defied the odds again at the weekend to reach the 2012 Africa Cup. Aboud, who turns 40 next year but boasts the cat-like agility of someone half his age, pulled off several superb saves as the North Africans forced a 0-0 draw away to Group C winners Zambia and clinched one of two slots reserved for the best second-place sides.

League One: Notts County vs Hartlepool 3-0.