Bundesliga: Hamburg beat Duisburg 2-0 to strengthen their grip on third place in the Bundesliga yesterday. Sergej Barbarez scored the opener in the 38th minute and set up the second for Benjamin Lauth just before half-time. Victory takes Hamburg back to within six points of leaders Bayern Munich. Bayern lead with 34 points after winning 2-1 at Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday. Stuttgart's indifferent run of form continued yesterday as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Hanover 96.
Vucicevic: Nemanja Vucicevic of German second division club 1860 Munich has tested positive for the banned substance Finasteride, the German FA said yesterday. Vucicevic, a forward from Serbia, gave the positive sample after the match against Wacker Burghausen on Nov. 4. Club managing director Roland Kneissl said the player had used a hair restoring product without consulting the club's medical staff. "We hope for a mild punishment," Kneissl added.
Raul: Real Madrid captain Raul is a doubt for the Champions League clash with Lyon after he had to come off with a knee injury on Saturday. Raul left the field midway through the second half of Real's 3-0 defeat to Barcelona after twisting his knee while shooting. Real said the striker would have further tests today.
Hitzfeld: Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld says Manchester United, Real Madrid and Milan have all asked about his availability during his break from the game. Hitzfeld, who lost his job at Bayern in 2004 and has not yet returned to coaching, was asked in an interview with Der Zeit whether various big clubs had asked after him. The German confirmed there had been contact from Real and Milan and added: "Yes, there was also an enquiry from Man. United." Hitzfeld has said he is keen to get back into coaching after the World Cup in 2006.
Coach dies: Mansfield's new goalkeeping coach Peter Wilson died after suffering a heart attack at Saturday's fourth division match away to Shrewsbury, the club said. Wilson, 52, had spent 10 minutes overseeing Kevin Pressman's warm-up ahead of the Gay Meadow match when he collapsed. A stadium announcement 15 minutes before kick-off confirmed the match had been called off.
Australia: Australia are trying to organise matches against Greece and the Netherlands as they prepare for next year's World Cup finals in Germany. The Socceroos, who qualified for what will be their first finals in 32 years when they beat Uruguay 4-2 on penalties on Wednesday, will also play Asian Cup qualifying matches in February and March. Australia, who will represent Oceania in Germany, join the Asian Football Confederation next year.
Ligue 1: Stade Rennes vs Toulouse 4-1; Bordeaux vs PSG 0-2.