Bremen, Germany - They have many thousands of sea miles behind them and borne the brunt of many a storm.

But eventually even the best of sails has to be discarded. That's when designer Jan-Marc Stuehrmann of Bremen, Germany steps in to give the old material new life as a purse. He buys huge amounts of old sail material from sail makers and hands it over to prisoners in jails across Bremen and the surrounding area where it is transformed into trendy, one-of-a-kind shoulder bags.

Bremen, Germany - Werder Bremen have held talks with Italian Serie A giants Juventus over their Brazilian playmaker, Bremen sports director Klaus Allofs has confirmed.

Allofs told Wednesday's local Kreiszeitung Syke newspaper that there had been discussions by phone with Juventus but "no negotiations."

"When a club has an interest (in a player) it's normal that you telephone each other," he was quoted as saying.

Bremen, Germany  - Croatian footballer Ivan Klasnic on Friday rejected a settlement in a dispute with his former club Werder Bremen over his kidney problems which eventually led to a transplant.

Klasnic said he reject an offer of 350,000 euros (462,000 dollars) made by a Bremen judge not because the sum was too small but rather because he wants Bremen team doctors to acknowledge that they did not treat him properly.

"I could have died on the pitch ... I want justice to win and the truth to be revealed," Klasnic said.

Bremen - International Torsten Frings will miss Werder Bremen's Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund on the weekend and seems likely to have to withdraw from the Germany squad for the World Cup qualifiers on March 28 and April 1.

The midfielder has an ankle injury that will force him to miss the game against Dortmund and makes him doubtful for the games against Liechtenstein in Leipzig and in Cardiff against Wales.

Bremen, Germany  - Werder Bremen's Diego has confirmed that other clubs are interested in enticing the midfielder away from the German Bundesliga club at the end of the season.

"I have been here for three years and have another two years to

run on my contract. Offers have been made for me," the Brazilian said in an interview published in Wednesday's Die Welt newspaper.

"Either I'll stay or I'll go but I won't know which until after the season ends."