Italy Friendly: Ivory Coast, who will play in the World Cup finals for the first time next year, have confirmed a friendly against Italy in Geneva next month. The two countries are due to meet for the first time on November 16, the Ivorian FA said yesterday. It will be Ivory Coast's first match since securing World Cup qualification. The Ivorians have only previously played two matches against European opposition, beating Switzerland 1-0 in a friendly in 1983 and losing 3-0 to France in August. Italy also meet Holland in Amsterdam on November 12.

Tigana: Besiktas have reached an agreement in principle with former Fulham manager Jean Tigana to become their third coach this year, the Turkish club's chairman Yildirim Demiroren said yesterday. Demiroren was quoted as saying the Frenchman had been offered a 1 1/2-year deal with an option to extend and he expected Tigana to sign the contract today.

Argentina: Inter striker Julio Ricardo Cruz was recalled last weekend by Argentina for friendly internationals against England and Qatar next month. Boca Juniors striker Daniel Bilos was called up for the first time by coach Jose Pekerman just when he was being courted by Croatia, the land of his forebears, who have also qualified for the World Cup.

Uruguay: Uruguay coach Jorge Fossati has criticised the choice of European referees for his team's World Cup play-offs against Australia. "I don't like this one bit," Fossati said. The Danish trio of Claus Bo Larsen, Bill Hansen and Anders Norrestrand have been appointed to officiate in the first leg in Montevideo on November 12. The return leg will be handled by Belgians Frank De Bleeckere, Mark Simons and Peter Hermans. "People will say they are Europeans, yes, but they're neighbours of Australia's current coach (Dutchman Guus Hiddink)," Fossati said.

German Cup: Holders Bayern Munich will host Hamburg in the pick of the third round ties in the German Cup in a one-off tie to be played on December 20 or 21. The draw: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Nuremberg; Bayern Munich vs Hamburg; Arminia Bielefeld vs Unterhaching; Freiburg vs 1860 Munich; Hanover 96 vs Werder Bremen; FC St Pauli vs Hertha Berlin; Hansa Rostock vs Kickers Offenbach; Kaiserslautern vs Mainz.

Bundesliga: A. Bielefeld vs Hanover 4-1; Mainz vs Nuremberg 4-1.

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