Frankfurt - German football has enjoyed a successful year despite the lost Euro 2008 final and some problems off the field, German football federation (DFB) supremo Theo Zwanziger said on Monday.

"We have had great sports highlights," said Zwanziger.

The men's national team reached the Euro 2008 final in Vienna which it lost to 1-0 to Spain. Joachim Loew's team then started the qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup with three wins and a draw, while the women's team won Olympic bronze in Beijing and qualified for the 2009 European championship.

Stuttgart - Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has called for Markus Babbel to be given a chance as coach of the Bundesliga club even without the German football federation's coaching badge.

The former Germany international defender Babbel has led Stuttgart to wins in both matches since succeeding the sacked Armin Veh a fortnight ago. Babbel, who was an assistant to Veh, has initially been made interim coach.

On Saturday he comes up against Bayern Munich, one of his former clubs, in the last day of the Bundesliga season before the winter break.

Hanover, Germany - Midfielder Jan Rosenthal won't be used in the Hanover 96 go

Athens - Anorthosis Famagusta can extend their unexpected European Champions League adventure into the knockout stages if they do well against a Greek side again on Tuesday.

Anorthosis became the first team from Cyprus to qualify for the group stage of the elite event when they knocked out Olympiakos Piraeus in the third qualifying round.

Now a victory at Panathinaikos Athens is required to join Inter Milan in the round of 16 from group B.

Hamburg - Five teams are fighting for the last three places in the knockout stage of the Champions League when the last group matches take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

There is also plenty at stake for clubs now out of contention in the Champions League but seeking UEFA Cup participation as third-place finishers in their groups.

Roma, Chelsea, Girondins Bordeaux in Group A, and Panathinaikos and Anorthosis Famagusta in Group B are vying for the remaining three places in the last 16.

Madrid - Spanish giants Atletico Madrid announced on Monday that they would travel to Marseille, for Tuesday's Champions League clash against Olympique just hours ahead of the kickoff.

Like most European teams, Atletico normally travel the day before the game, in order to get used to the city, the stadium and the weather.

This time, however, Atletico have decided to fly later because of serious security concerns.

Atletico have received several threats from Marseille "ultras", because of the sentence handed out on Friday by a Madrid court to OM fan Santos Mirasierra.