Football

Serbia thump Bulgaria as Wales win in Denmark

Hamburg  - Serbia demolished Bulgaria 6-1 in an international friendly in Belgrade Wednesday and could even afford the luxury of missing two penalties as Savo Milosevic bade farewell to the national side.

Serbia's Milosevic netted twice and missed two early spot kicks in his 102nd and final appearance for his country before being substituted by Dragan Mrdja. Milan Jovanovic also scored a brace while Blagoy Georgiev got on the scoresheet for the disappointing Bulgarians.

Craig Bellamy scored the only goal of the game to give Wales a 1-0 victory away to Denmark in Copenhagen, firing in a low shot from 20 metres after 77 minutes.

Greece and Italy finish of international year with a draw

Athens  - Greece and visiting Italy Wednesday settled for a 1-1 draw in Athens that gave world champion coach Marcello Lippi a record of 31 unbeaten games at the helm of the Azzurri.

Fanis Gekas put the home side in front on 50 minutes but Italy equalized just four minutes later through Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni, whose 16th goal for his country ended a barren period that lasted almost 700 minutes.

The draw sees Lippi, who returned to the helm at Italy last summer after winning the 2006 World Cup and following the removal of Roberto Donadoni, improve by one game an earlier record set by Vittorio Pozzo, a winner of two World Cups in the 1930s.

Ukraine dissolves Euro 2012 preparation agency after UEFA criticism

Kiev  - Ukraine's government on Wednesday dissolved a state agency dedicated to preparing the country for the Euro 2012 football championships after criticism by UEFA that progress was far too slow.

Ukraine and Poland were named co-hosts for the high-profile tournament in April 2007. The formation of a National Agency for the Preparation of Ukraine for Euro 2012 was announced in January 2008.

"This is a result of criticism by UEFA," said Hryhory Surkis, head of the Federation of Football of Ukraine, according to an Interfax news agency report. "They (UEFA) had been complaining that the agency's work was not satisfactory."

Germany honours goalkeeper legend Trautmann

German footballers get record bonus if they qualify for World CupBerlin - German football authorities Wednesday honoured goalkeeper legend Bernd Trautmann for his services to football at a ceremony ahead of an international between Germany and England.

Trautmann, 85, was awarded the German Football Federation pin with diamond - its highest award for a person outside the federation - for his "unique services" for German football.

It’s official: Posh and boys will accompany Becks to Milan

AC MilanLondon , Nov 19 : Popstar Victoria Beckham will soon be accompanying footballer husband to Milan along with her kids.

Contrary to claims predicting that Victoria will stay back in Los Angeles, the singer is going to Milan with her kids Brooklyn, 9, Romeo, 6, and Cruz, 3 and is very excited.

“It will literally be for two months, because the season finishes here in LA and David will then go to train with AC Milan,” The Sun quoted Victoria, as saying.

“We are so supportive, myself and the children. It’s a great opportunity for him,” she added.

Fiji downs New Zealand in last World Cup qualifier

Fiji downs New Zealand in last World Cup qualifierWellington - Fiji embarrassed visiting New Zealand with a 2-0 win in Oceania's final World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night.

It was the New Zealanders' first defeat after five wins in the Oceania Nations Cup had already qualified them for the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June 2009 and a World Cup playoff against an Asian team later next year.

Both goals in Lautoka, Fiji, came in the second half after New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss was sent off in the 59th minute for questioning a decision of referee Lencie Fred, reducing the visitors to 10 men.

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