Indian mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju suffered a straight-game defeat at the hands of top seeded Danish duo of Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen in the summit clash of the World Super Series Masters Finals in Johor Bahru.
Germany were stunned 1-0 by Mexico in the opening game of their World Cup defence on Sunday as Hirving Lozano finished off a sharp counter-attack that exposed the ragged defending that the four-times winners had displayed in their warm-up games.
Germany showed a lack of courage against European champions Spain and paid the price with a 1-0 defeat in their World Cup semi-final, coach Joachim Loew and his players said after Wednesday's match.
Arvind Bhatt stunned world No 8 Joachim Persson of Denmark and Saina Nehwal beat Thailand's Salakjit Ponsana in first round singles matches at the Hong Kong Super Series badminton championships.
The Indian challenge in the China Open Super Series badminton tournament in Shanghai ended on Friday with Arvind Bhatt suffering a straight-game defeat at the hands of China's Kai Wen in the quarter-finals. Bhatt was thrashed 13-21, 10-21 by Kai in a lop-sided battle that lasted just 28 minutes.
The 29-year-old Ozil announced his international retirement in July after Germany crashed out of the World Cup group stage in Russia. He said he had faced "racism and disrespect" because of his Turkish roots.
News of all that transpired on and off the football field.
Indian shuttler Anand Pawar failed to make the main draw of the Indonesian Open badminton tournament after a 17-21, 18-21 loss to Hans-Kristian Vittinghus of Denmark in the qualifying opener of the Super Series event in Jakarta.
Germany coach Joachim Loew cut the inexperienced trio of Marko Marin, Jermaine Jones and Patrick Helmes when he named his final 23-man squad for Euro 2008 on Wednesday. Marin, the 19-year-old Borussia Moenchengladbach winger, had yet to win his first cap when he was named to Loew's provisional squad earlier this month, while Schalke midfielder Jones and Cologne striker Helmes had played just five times between them.
Michael Ballack will miss Germany's World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Finland through injury.
Germany's professional teams have been training since mid-April, divided into small groups and under strict conditions, including extensive testing of all players and coaching staff.
Mexico sprang the perfect trap for confident and overwhelming pre-game favourites Germany on Sunday to take advantage of the champions' defensive weakness in their opening match at the World Cup.
News of all that tranpired on and off the football field.
Jens Lehmann may be allowed to leave Arsenal next month if the right offer is received, manager Arsene Wenger said.
Japanese teenager Kei Nishikori beat Slovak Dominik Hrbaty 6-1, 1-6, 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals at the Stockholm Open on Thursday. Nishikori, 18, broke the former world number 12 to lead 6-5 in the decider before serving out for victory. He next faces second seed Mario Ancic of Croatia, who beat Belgian Steve Darcis 7-6, 6-4.
Images from Saturday's action in the English Premier League.
World Cup winner Neuer, who has been the Germany number one for more than eight years, has not played a single official game since breaking a bone in his foot back in September but Koepke said he was fully on track for the tournament in Russia.
Manuel Neuer became the first goalkeeper since 2002 to make the final short list for the FIFA world player of the year award on Monday when he was included alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the final three.
The All India Football Federation's former general secretary has been banned for accepting a payment during Asian Football Confederation (AFC) elections in 2009, FIFA's ethics committee said in a statement on Thursday.
Germany coach Joachim Loew said preventing David Beckham from getting free kicks anywhere near Jens Lehmann's goal was the key to their 2-1 victory at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.
Coach Joachim Loew said he is satisfied with Germany's showing at Euro 2008 after they lost the final 1-0 to Spain on Sunday. The Germany coach, who will stay in charge for the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup, said Spain fully deserved their first major title in 44 years.
Lukas Podolski injured his calf in Germany's 1-0 win over Austria and is a doubt for the Euro 2008 quarter-final against Portugal.
Arputham said, "Past experience shows that such partnerships can save developers time and money, while ensuring that the needs of the urban poor are addressed."
Lionel Messi's exquisite Champions League double for Barcelona against Bayern Munich was a case of history repeating itself with an added magnificent assist for Neymar to seal an emphatic 3-0 semi-final, first leg win.
Germany's World Cup winner Lukas Podolski announced his retirement from international football on Monday, bringing to an end a glittering 12-year career.
Defending champion Lee Chong Wei produced one of his finest performances to retain the men's singles title with a straight-game victory over familiar foe Chen Long of China in the final of the US $250,000 Yonex Sunrise Metlife India Super Series in Delhi on Sunday. In an all-Chinese women's singles final, All-England champion Shixian Wang, seeded second, kept her cool at crucial moments to overcome Olympic champion and top seed Li Xuerui 22-20, 21-19 in 47 minutes.
Images from the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches on Sunday night.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski on Friday denied hitting a teenage supporter who had made an offensive gesture to the striker for signing with Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.
Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro struck twice, including one in the final minute of the game, as FC Pune City staged a remarkable fightback to beat Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the Indian Super league (ISL) in Pune on Wednesday.
Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger will miss friendly matches against England and Italy after partly tearing ligaments in his right knee.
German fans responded with shock and dismay after the national team suffered their first elimination in the first round of the World Cup for 80 years.
Germany became the first country to win a place at Euro 2008 with a 0-0 draw in Ireland on Saturday, while World Cup finalists Italy and France still live in fear of losing out to Scotland.
Germany's Mario Gomez has been ruled out of the rest of Euro 2016 with a thigh muscle injury while Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger are doubtful after being injured in Saturday's quarter-final win over Italy.
Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund, the German club said on Saturday. The 27-year-old became the Premier League team's third high-profile signing since the appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager in May, following defender Eric Bailly and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Old Trafford.
Sweden scout Roger Sandberg is not expecting Germany to make many changes for their World Cup game on Saturday, despite the world champions' flat performance in a 1-0 defeat by Mexico in their opening match.
Bastian Schweinsteiger does not believe he can yet offer Germany a 90-minute show at Euro 2016 but against Ukraine on Sunday the playmaker proved he only needs a short cameo to make a big difference.
Imperious Liverpool extended their Premier League home winning streak against Arsenal to six on Saturday with an easy 4-0 victory that lifted them to second in the table.
FIFA whistleblower Phaedra Al-Majid, who accused Qatar of corruption in its successful bid to win the right to host the 2022 soccer World Cup, said on Wednesday she was living in fear after receiving threats against her family.
He said he is leaving because he wanted to spend time with his family, who live in southern California.
