Like Clockwork: Germany's World Cup players will take a course in watch making to fill up a bit of spare time during their Swiss training camp. "They'll learn how to take a watch apart and put it back together again," German team manager Oliver Bierhoff said. "It's something a bit different. It must be a great feeling when you get all the bits back together and you hear it ticking."
Women's soccer: A FIFA team is in Pakistan to prepare a documentary on women's soccer to confirm the national federation is spending part of its $1 million annual grant on promoting the sport among women. FIFA awards the annual grant to assist the cash-strapped Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) which has to spend 10 per cent on encouraging women to play the sport.
Phil Neville: Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has withdrawn from England's World Cup stand-by list and has been replaced by Phil Neville, British media reported yesterday. West Ham Utd's Reo-Coker suffered a knock in training earlier in the day and his place on the list of five reserve players has now been taken by Everton utility man Neville.
Laudrup: Former Denmark great Michael Laudrup has resigned as manager of Brondby after four years at the helm, saying he is ready to take on bigger challenges abroad. Laudrup, who played for Brondby, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid in an illustrious career, won the Super League title with the Danish club last year. Danish media have speculated the 41-year-old Laudrup could be in the running to be the new Real Madrid coach after the Spanish team ended their third season in a row without a major trophy.
Poyet: Former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gustavo Poyet will make his managerial debut as assistant to Dennis Wise who was unveiled yesterday as player-manager of third division Swindon Town. The former Uruguay international follows Argentine Osvaldo Ardiles, another former Spurs player who cut his management teeth at Swindon as player-manager in the late 1980s. Poyet, 38, who played for Real Zaragoza before moving to the Premier League with Chelsea in 1997, hung up his boots a year ago after being released by Spurs.