Germany coach Joachim Loew has yet to decide who will be his national team captain in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012.
Michael Ballack lost the armband to Philipp Lahm at the World Cup due to an injury which ruled him out of the tournament, but the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder expects to be given it back when he returns to international duty.
“I have acknowledged Lahm’s wish, which is legitimate,” explained Loew.
“Of course it is my decision and I have not yet made up my mind definitely. I will speak with both of them at the necessary time. That is going to be immediately before the Denmark game.”
Police recover Eto’o’s stolen Bentley
Hungarian border guards have recovered a black Bentley belonging to Inter striker Samuel Eto’o that was stolen in Italy in March.
Guards at the border between Serbia and Hungary became suspicious when they checked the papers of two Ukrainians wanting to cross into Serbia. The guards noticed that the car, worth some €150,000, was carrying both forged tax stickers and number plates.
The Ukrainian driver, who claimed he did know the car was stolen and was taking it to Greece for a Polish woman he was working for, was arrested, while his companion was allowed to go after questioning.
Adebayor sues Togo journalist
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has taken legal action against a Togolese sports journalist on grounds of alleged defamation.
Lawyers for Adebayor issued a writ against Prosper Komi Agboklou for “broadcasting false information, defamation and impugning the honour” of the former Togo captain.
The journalist is accused of claiming on a programme that Adebayor was the cause of a rift between the players and management prior to the 2012 Africa Cup qualifier in Chad on July 1.
The Togo players had refused to travel on the date officially set aside by their federation because, according to Agboklou, they decided to stay in Lome to go to a party organised by Adebayor in one of the capital’s nightclubs.
Hodgson signs Wilson from Rangers
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson signed highly-rated young Rangers defender Danny Wilson in a deal worth up to five million pounds.
Hodgson made his first signing since taking charge of Liverpool when he swooped for England midfielder Joe Cole earlier this week and teenage centre-back Wilson became the latest arrival at Anfield.
Liverpool have been tracking Wilson for several months and the 18-year-old has been pulled out of the Scottish champions’ pre-season tour of Australia to allow time to complete his move.
Rangers had anticipated Wilson’s departure towards the end of last season after the centre-back refused a new contract offer.
Shakhtar complete Eduardo swoop
Arsenal striker Eduardo completed a £6m move to Shakhtar Donetsk yesterday.
The 27-year-old signed a three-year contract after passing a medical and agreeing terms with the Ukrainian champions.
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said: “We wanted to buy Eduardo before he moved to Arsenal. Not everything went his way last season, but he is still a player of very high quality, a real marksman.
“Yes, he had a serious injury, we are aware of the risk, but at the same time we realise he can give a lot to Shakhtar. We expect a lot from Eduardo.”
The Brazil-born Croatia inter-national joined the Gunners from Dinamo Zagreb in 2007.
Jovetic happy in Florence
Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic is flattered by Barcelona’s reported interest but insists he is happy to stay in Florence.
Barca and Wolfsburg have been linked with the 20-year-old Montenegrin starlet.
“My agent and I have heard and read about Barcelona’s interest,” Jovetic said.
“Barca is the top club in the world but it is a team that has already been built. Moreover, they signed David Villa this summer.
“It would be difficult to have playing time there and I want to play.
“At Fiorentina I can play and I can improve my game.”
Jovetic joined Fiorentina from Partizan Belgrade in the summer of 2008.
Juventus still keen on Dzeko
Juventus will not give up in their pursuit of Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, according to general director Giuseppe Marotta.
Dzeko has been linked with a summer move away from the Bundesliga club and has reportedly attracted the interest of several clubs including Milan, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Marotta said: “Dzeko is a dream that is not going away. He is a target that we will continue to follow until it is possible. We are aware of the challenge we have in order to acquire him.”
The Bosnia striker was the Bundesliga’s top scorer last season and has a release clause set at €40 million.