Mifsud Double: Malta striker Michael Mifsud came off the bench yesterday to score twice for Lillestrom in the last stages of a crucial league match at home against leaders Brann Bergen. Mifsud scored in quick succession between the 83rd and 84th minutes to give Lillestrom a 2-0 victory. With the championship at half-way point, Brann Bergen are six points clear at the top but second-placed Lillestrom, on 25 points, have played a game less. Their next match is on Sunday away to Viking Stavanger.
Gallas: Chelsea defender William Gallas discovered yesterday that his treasured number 13 shirt has been given to new signing Michael Ballack. The France international found himself in hot water earlier this week when he failed to join up with the rest of the squad on their pre-season tour of the United States, claiming he needed more time off.
World Cup auction: A bench Germany used at the World Cup, one of Franz Beckenbauer's ties and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's boots are among 4,000 items of World Cup memorabilia being put up for auction by FIFA. The auction - the proceeds of which will go toward a range of non-profit projects - will be split in six locations where lots stemming from the surrounding World Cup stadiums will be sold.
Dudek: New Poland coach Leo Beenhakker recalled Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek and Wolves striker Tomasz Frankowski to the squad for his first friendly, against Denmark on August 16. Beenhakker's predecessor Pawel Janas sparked a media storm in Poland by dropping the two players before June's disappointing first round exit from the World Cup.
Croatia: New Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has midfielder Milan Rapaic back for a friendly against World Cup winners Italy on August 16 in Livorno. The 32-year-old last played for his country in a group stage defeat by England at Euro 2004.
Van der Sar: Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was named yesterday in a provisional Dutch squad to face Ireland in a friendly after shelving thoughts of retiring from international football. Netherlands coach Marco van Basten said after their second round defeat by Portugal at the World Cup that Van der Sar had doubts about continuing and might opt to focus solely on United.
Szusza dies: Ferenc Szusza, who set the goalscoring record for a single club in Hungary's top league, died yesterday aged 82. Szusza spent a total of 26 years at Budapest club Ujpest as player and manager, scoring 393 goals in 463 league games from 1940-1961, helping them to four league titles. He then coached clubs in Hungary and later went to Spain.
In Germany: League Cup SF - B. Munich vs Schalke 0-0 - 4-1 pens.