Ze Roberto: Former Brazil international midfielder Ze Roberto, 35, said he intends to stay at Hamburg until the end of his contract in 2011. "There's no reason to leave the club," Ze Roberto said. "My family and I feel very good in Germany and at Hamburg. The most important thing is that I've found a family at HSV."
Italy Symbol: Italy coach Marcello Lippi hailed compatriot Francesca Schiavone as "a symbol of Italy" after she won the French Open on Saturday. Lippi said his squad would take inspiration from Schiavone's exploits. "I saw her final on TV, from the first point until her triumph," he said. "From now on she will be our symbol."
Top Hotel: French secretary of state for sport, Rama Yade, criticised the choice of hotel for the French squad at the World Cup as overly luxurious and called for "decency" at a time of general belt-tightening. "I would not have chosen this hotel. Spain, for example, has chosen a university campus," noted Yade. "If results do not come up to expectations those in charge will have some explaining to do," Yade said.
McGeady: Aiden McGeady could make up to £2m after tax if he signs for Spartak Moscow, according to top football agent Rudi Vata. The 24-year-old Celtic star, who signed a five-year deal in 2008, has been subject of a bid from the Russian club which was reported as £8.3m. The Parkhead club, however, have rebuffed the offer and insist the Ireland midfielder is not for sale.
Skrtel: Martin Skrtel is breathing a sigh of relief after learning an ankle injury will not keep him out of the World Cup. The Liverpool defender limped out of Slovakia's 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica after only 16 minutes on Saturday and was then taken to hospital for scans. But Skrtel has been told he only needs a rest.
Ref Simon: Brazilian referee Carlos Simon will take charge of England's World Cup opener against the US on June 12. A journalist by trade, the 44-year-old has come under fire in his native country recently for his performance in a match between Vasco and Botafogo, with both coaches complaining to the Brazilian authorities.
Friendly: Nigeria vs N. Korea 3-1.
In Italy: Serie B promotion play-offs SFs (second legs) - Brescia vs Cittadella 0-1 (agg 1-1; Brescia through); Sassuolo vs Torino 1-2 (agg 2-3). Prima Divisione promotion play-offs finals (first legs) - Cremonese vs Varese 1-0; Verona vs Pescara 2-2.
Athletics: Britain's Somali-born Mo Farah and Portugal's Ines Monteiro took the honours in last weekend's 10,000m Euro Cup race in Marseille. Farah timed 27:28.86 in seeing off France's Abdellatif Meftah, 28:12.83, and Jose Manuel Martinez, of Spain, 28:13.82. Monteiro took the women's race in 31:13.58 ahead of Germany's Sabrina Mockenhaput (31:23.86) with another Portuguese, Sara Moreira, third in 31:26.55.
Horse Racing: Drosselmeyer surged past the leaders in the final straight to win the 142nd Belmont Stakes and give Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott his first victory in a Triple Crown race. With jockey Mike Smith in the irons, 13-1 shot Drosselmeyer beat Fly Down by three-quarters of a length. Preakness runner-up First Dude was third in the "Test of the Champion" that completes the Triple Crown series that also includes the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Golf: Rickie Fowler kept his cool through six hours of weather delays Saturday and kept a firm grip on the lead through three rounds of the six million-dollar Memorial in Ohio. Fowler had three birdies and no bogeys in a 69 that gave him a 16-under par total of 200 and a three-shot lead over Tim Petrovic and Ricky Barnes. Barnes fired a 62 as he played alongside Tiger Woods who was at six-under 210, tied for 20th.
Motor Racing: Ryan Briscoe briefly surrendered the lead to Danica Patrick but regained it and pulled away in the closing laps to win the IndyCar Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday. Australia's Briscoe claimed his first victory of the season and made up for a disappointing runner-up finish last year. This time, Briscoe finished 1.463 seconds ahead of Patrick, her best finish of the season.
Cricket: England won the second and final Test against Bangladesh by an innings and 80 runs on the third day at Old Trafford yesterday to take the two-match series 2-0. Bangladesh, following on, were dismissed for 123 in 34.1 overs.
Rugby Union: Stade Francais centre Mathieu Bastareaud has pulled out of France's tour of South Africa and Argentina due to a groin injury. France take on South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday then travel to Argentina to play the Pumas on June 18 and June 26.