History Lessons: Germany's soccer federation (DFB) said yesterday it was planning lessons on the country's history for young German internationals after an Iran-born player on the U-21 team caused controversy by withdrawing from a match against Israel. DFB sporting director Matthias Sammer and senior team manager Oliver Bierhoff were preparing an educational programme and an examination of Germany's past was necessary for youngsters with immigrant backgrounds.

Jankulovski: Milan left back Marek Jankulovski looks set to miss Wednesday's Champions League Group D match at home to Shakhtar Donetsk. The club's website (www.acmilan.com) said it would take longer to assess a problem with his right knee.

Siviglia: Lazio's Sebastiano Siviglia is likely to be out of action for at least one more month. The defender's surgeon told Italy's ANSA news service he had never seen a knee in such a state as his following an operation.Siviglia underwent surgery in July and was working his way back to fitness when he broke his fingers in training last month.

Real Madrid: Real Madrid will be without centre back Fabio Cannavaro and midfielder Mahamadou Diarra for today's Champions League Group C match against Olympiakos at the Bernabeu. The two players were left out of the squad on Tuesday after failing to recover from minor knee injuries that have prevented them from training with the rest of the team. Sergio Ramos is expected to move into central defence alongside Christoph Metzelder, with Michel Salgado coming in at right back.

In Norway: Brann Bergen clinched their first Norwegian league title for 44 years on Monday when Stabaek lost to Viking Stavanger. Brann and its fans had hoped to uncork the champagne at the weekend but were forced to hold off when they stumbled 2-1 away to 10th-placed Aalesund on Saturday Brann have 51 points from 24 matches, seven more than second-placed Viking with two rounds of matches to go.

Australia: Australia will play Nigeria in a friendly in London on Nov. 17, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said yesterday. The match against the African side, ranked 25 places above Australia at 23rd in the world, will take place at Craven Cottage, home of English club Fulham.

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