Werder Win: Werder Bremen rode their luck to claim a 1-0 win at Arminia Bielefeld yesterday and climb to second place in the Bundesliga, eight points behind champions Bayern Munich. Bielefeld, by far the better side in the first half, missed a chance to take the lead when David Kobylik struck a penalty against the bar in the 24th minute and Werder took advantage with a Frank Fahrenhorst header 18 minutes from time. Schalke 04 consolidated fourth spot yesterday by winning 2-0 at Kaiserslautern in their first game since former assistant coach Mirko Slomka stepped up to replace Ralf Rangnick.
German Cup: German Cup giantkillers St Pauli have been rewarded with a semi-final tie against holders Bayern Munich. Third division St Pauli knocked out Hertha Berlin in the third round and pulled off another big upset by beating Werder Bremen 3-1 in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. The popular Hamburg-based club now get a lucrative home tie, certain to be televised, against Bayern on April 11 or 12. Eintracht Frankfurt host Arminia Bielefeld in the other semi-final. The final will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on April 29.
Lisbon Derby: Sporting came from behind to beat rivals Benfica 3-1 with two goals from Brazilian striker Liedson and a penalty by Sa Pinto at the Stadium of Light on Saturday night. Benfica, who came into the Lisbon derby on the back of seven straight wins, lost in front of their best crowd of the season as more than 63,000 fans packed into their ground. The night had started well for the home side as they went ahead through captain Simao Sabrosa's 27th-minute penalty after a handball by Sporting defender Custodio but Sporting's second-half rally won them the day.
Carlsberg Cup: South Korea strolled to a 2-0 win over fellow World Cup finalists Croatia yesterday to book a place in the final of the annual Carlsberg Cup tournament against Denmark, who beat hosts Hong Kong 3-0. Midfielder Kim Dong-jin celebrated his 24th birthday with a 36th minute goal for South Korea and striker Lee Chun-soo sealed the victory with a long-distance strike just after halftime. With both teams missing key figures, the match was a chance for fringe players to claim a ticket for Germany 2006. Croatia will play Hong Kong for third place on Wednesday in a tournament held over the Chinese New Year holidays.
Inter Return: Striker Lampros Choutos has agreed to end his loan spell at Real Mallorca and return to Inter, the Primera Liga club said on their website. The 26-year-old, who has been capped by Greece, failed to establish himself in the team after joining Hector Cuper's side in August. Choutos made only nine substitute appearances for Mallorca, scoring twice.
Primera Liga: Weekend results - Cadiz vs R. Santander 1-1; A. Bilbao vs Getafe 1-0; A. Madrid vs Deportivo 3-2; Alaves vs Real Sociedad 3-1; Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid 1-2; Espanyol vs Malaga 3-1; R. Mallorca vs Barcelona 0-3; Osasuna vs Real Betis 0-2; Sevilla vs Villarreal 2-0; Valencia vs Real Zaragoza 2-2. Leading standings - Barcelona 52; Valencia 40; Real Madrid, Osasuna 39; Sevilla 35; Villarreal 34; Deportivo La Coruna, Celta Vigo 33.
Ligue 1: Lille vs Metz 3-1; Monaco vs Lyon postponed.