Football

Spurs hope to reverse UEFA Cup fortunes against Zagreb

Hamburg - Tottenham Hotspur hope to carry their rising Premier League form into the UEFA Cup on Thursday while Aston Villa seek a second win and Manchester City seek a good start into the competition.

Spurs were humbled 2-0 at Udinese in their opening group D match two weeks ago but now hope to rise from last place with a victory against Dinamo Zagreb.

City, who were idle on the first group match day, are at home as well, against Dutch side Twente Enschede in group A. Villa visit Slavia Prague after defeating former winners Ajax Amsterdam in their group F opener.

Inter held in Cyprus, Chelsea humbled in Rome, Liverpool draw

Hamburg - Champions League hopefuls Chelsea suffered an unexpected defeat Tuesday on a night of surprises in the lucrative Champions League.

Also on the night Inter Milan and Liverpool had to come from behind to snatch late draws in their group matches, while Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon became the first clubs to go through after making sure of finishing in the top two positions in Group C.

Last year's finalists Chelsea lost their Group A game in Italy against AS Roma 3-1 and had Portuguese international Deco sent off, while Liverpool needed a last-minute penalty in their Group D game against Atletico Madrid for a 1-1 draw at home.

Maradona officially appointed Argentine coach: A "dream come true"

Maradona officially appointed Argentine coach: A "dream come true" Buenos Aires - Former Argentine football legend Diego Armando Maradona, officially appointed to coach Argentina Tuesday, said the new position was "a dream come true".

"For me it is an honour and a dream come true to be the coach of the Argentine national team, at the side of Carlos Bilardo. I will give my everything so that things go well for us," Maradona said in a press conference.

Aston Villa's England star Young extends contract to 2012

Aston Villa's England star Young extends contract to 2012 London - Ashley Young, regarded as one of England's rising stars, has extended his contract with Aston Villa, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old forward, who has won three England caps, signed a new four-year deal, tying him to Villa until the summer of 2012.

Young joined Villa in January 2007 from Watford for almost 10 million pounds (16.1 million dollars).

Littbarski takes coaching job in Liechtenstein

Hamburg  - Former Germany winger Pierre Littbarski was on on Tuesday appointed coach and sports director at Liechtenstein football club Vaduz.

Chievo appoint Di Carlo in coach switch

Milan - Serie A newcomers Chievo Tuesday announced the signing of coach Domenico Di Carlo to replace Beppe Iachini after 10 league games.

Pages