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Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC have completed the loan signing of former Dutch Under-21 international winger Daniël de Ridder from Wigan Athletic FC until the end of the campaign, with a further 12-month option.

Josep Guardiola will continue in his role as FC Barcelona head coach next season after the 39-year-old said he would sign a new contract under a newly elected club president in the summer.

Fulham FC's fears that Clint Dempsey's season may be over have been allayed after scans revealed that the United States winger does not require surgery on a knee injury picked up on Sunday.

The Football Association of Moldova has appointed Gavril Balint to lead the national team through UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying after the 47-year-old Romanian agreed to a two-year contract.

He may have only recently allowed his FK Crvena Zvezda players to say the forbidden word 'title' after two seasons without one, but Vladimir Petrović is already plotting a "return to European glory".

FC Girondins de Bordeaux are still setting the pace at the Ligue 1 summit though their title defence is under threat from a LOSC Lille Métropole outfit who have won their last seven league matches.

Vladimir Levus took part in Belarus's first competitive futsal international in October 1995 and on Wednesday he will play in their debut in a final tournament, promising to give holders Spain "a good fight".

Spain begin their bid for a third successive title against first-time qualifiers Belarus with the holders' coach José Venancio López warning that their novice rivals will play "the match of their lives".

Few would back inexperienced Slovenia to take much from their opener against Russia, but the latter's coach Sergei Skorovich insisted: "What does being favourites mean in futsal? Not much."

The most dangerous weapon in Russia's goalscoring armoury, Brazilian-born Cirilo has pretty much mastered his adopted native language, but needs no lessons in futsal as he bids for "first place" in Hungary.

Only A Game? – the acclaimed UEFA exhibition that explores the stories and faces of Europe and its most popular sport, football – will open in Istanbul on Thursday at the start of a three-month run.

Italy coach Roberto Menichelli says their opening 4-0 win against Belgium "was the start I dreamed about", leaving opposite number Benny Meurs bemoaning his side's lack of focus and finishing.

Italy coach Roberto Menichelli says their opening 4-0 win against Belgium "was the start I dreamed about", leaving opposite number Benny Meurs bemoaning his side's lack of concentration and finishing.

Italy 4-0 Belgium
Saad Assis scored at the start of both halves and Luca Ippoliti added a penalty before Clayton Baptistella sealed a classy win.

Olympiacos FC have added to their squad ahead of their round of 16 tie against FC Girondins de Bordeaux by signing Argentinian midfielder Jesús Alberto Dátolo on a six-month loan from SSC Napoli.

Carlos Tévez reminded Manchester United FC of what they are missing by scoring twice to help Manchester City FC defeat their cross-town rivals 2-1 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.

A 3-1 win against hosts Hungary has led to Azerbaijan emerging as surprise title contenders, with goalkeeper Andrey Tveryankin joking: "We're a mystery team for many Azerbaijanis as well!"

Hungary 1-3 Azerbaijan
Goals from Biro Jade, Serjão and Alves confirmed the strength of Alesio's Brazilian-born talents as the hosts lost in Budapest.

Abdoulay Konko faces a race against time to be fit for Sevilla FC's UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg at PFC CSKA Moskva after the 25-year-old midfielder tore adductor muscles on Saturday.

Olympiacos FC have parted company with head coach Zico only four months after his appointment, leaving Božidar Bandović to take the reins of the Greek titleholders for the second time this campaign.