Samba latest to join Anzhi exodus

The nomadic defender is the sixth player to turn his back on the troubled Dagestan outfit to join Dan Petrescu’s Dinamo Moscow

Former Queens Park Rangers defender Christopher Samba has become the latest player to jump ship from the Anzhi Makhachkala debacle.

The Congolese international was one of three Anzhi players to agree a deal with Dinamo on Thursday, alongside midfielder Alexei Ionov and goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov.

"We had some good things going on at Anzhi," Samba told reporters.

"But I think that the decision of the club to change the structure meant we went apart in terms of ambition. 

“I am grateful to Dinamo for giving me this opportunity. I am looking to have an even better time here."

That trio took the total of players to join the Moscow club from Anzhi to six in the past month following billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov’s decision to pull funding from the Dagestan based side.

Yuri Zhirkov, Igor Denisov and Alexander Kokorin have previously teamed up with former Chelsea defender Petrescu, whilst Willian, Lassana Diarra and Samuel Eto'o are amongst the others who have departed Anzhi in an unprecedented player exodus.

Anzhi have either sold or released 20 of their first team squad in recent weeks following Kerimov’s decision to dramatically downsize the club's ambitions and budget.

Dinamo have been the main beneficiary of the fire sale, with coach Petrescu confident his new recruits will usher the team up from eighth in the Russian Premier League.

Petrescu said: "Every coach is happy when players of quality come to the club."

Ronaldo set to snub Uefa ceremony for friendly.

The 28-year-old is reportedly set to decline the opportunity to attend the Best Player in Europe event in Monaco on Thursday in favour of competing in a friendly

 Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to snub Uefa's Best Player in Europe ceremony in Monaco in order to face Deportivo in a low-profile friendly on Thursday.

The 28-year-old, who is shortlisted for the award along with Franck Ribery and Lionel Messi, was expected to be present for the prizegiving after the Blancos confirmed via their official website that he would be in attendance.

However, according to Madrid-based newspaper Marca, the Portugal international will skip the event to compete in the Trofeo Teresa Herrera an annual event hosted by Deportivo.

A source close to the Spanish giants confirmed the decision. They told AS: "It is a pity that all is happening at the same time, but Cristiano does not have the gift of bilocation.

"We would like it if he could be in both places, but it is impossible."

The Portuguese's absence is set to leave Madrid light on representation for Thursday's event as president Florentino Perez - who was also absent last year - will not be in the Principality due to prior engagements with his construction company ACS.

Ronaldo has been present for the last two ceremonies, where he lost out to Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi respectively.

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti's men will discover who they will face in the group stages of the Champions League later on Thursday.

BREAKING NEWS:Chelsea sign Eto'o from Anzhi

Chelsea have confirmed they have signed striker Samuel Eto'o from Anzhi Makhachkala on a one-year deal.

"It wasn't a hard decision. I saw the qualities Chelsea have, and I was very happy with Jose Mourinho before, so when the opportunity came, I was very happy to take it," he told the club's official website.

More to follow...

Uefa to hold draw to determine Fenerbahce's successors

Those who are eliminated from the Europa League play-offs could yet make the group stages after Fenerbahce's ban from European football for two years is upheld

Uefa has concluded that those who lose their Europa League play-off ties on Thursday will be entered into a draw on Friday to see who progresses to the group stages following Fenerbahce's expulsion.

The Istanbul-based club have had their two-year ban from European competition for match-fixing upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following an appeal to have it overturned.

Defeat to Arsenal in the preliminary stages of the Champions League has meant that the club would have entered the group stages of the Europa League.

But Uefa's Emergency Panel has now confirmed it will stage a draw on Friday to determine who replaces Ersun Yanal's men this season.

The draw is scheduled to take place at 09:00 CET.

Fifa issue three lifetime bans for match-fixing.

Two officials and one player have been slapped with an indefinite ban from the game following their roles in match-fixing, while another has been banned provisionally
Fifa has issued three lifetime bans to officials and players throughout Europe for their respective roles in attempting to manipulate the outcome of football matches.

Two Armenian officials have been banned indefinitely by the international governing body for their involvement in attempting to fix a Europa League tie in July.

Inter Turku's clash with Vikingur was determined to have been compromised by referee Andranik Arsenyan and his assistant Hovhannes Avagyan, who admitted their involvement in a hearing with the Armenian Football Federation.

Fifa has also slapped Estonian player Elvis Liivamagi with a life-long ban from the game, a sanction which was initially handed down by his own federation earlier this month after being found guilty of match-fixing domestically.

Meanwhile, Lebanese referee Ali Sabbagh has been handed a provisional ban by the governing body until the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducts its own investigation into the official. 

Sabbagh was convicted of match-fixing after it emerged he accepted sexual favours in return for manipulating certain matches, resulting in a six-month prison sentence in Singapore.

Real Madrid dismantle Bale stage as presentation is put on hold

Carlo Ancelotti's side play at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and the unveiling of their world record signing is set to be put back until early next week

Real Madrid are set to take down the stage set up at the Santiago Bernabeu for the presentation of Gareth Bale, with the Welsh forward now unlikely to be unveiled by the Spanish side until Monday.

Madrid erected the platform at the Santiago Bernabeu last Friday and had hoped to unveil the Tottenham midfielder on Tuesday, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was upset by those tactics and also annoyed that Real president Florentino Perez coincided with Bale in Marbella earlier this week.

BALE TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE - BUT NOT YET

While a €100m deal is already in place, Tottenham are waiting to bring in replacements for the 24-year-old, with Willian's last minute change of heart having held up the announcement, after the Brazilian opted to move to Chelsea instead of White Hart Lane this week.

Despite that setback, Spurs have tied up a deal to bring in Erik Lamela from Roma and also hope to complete the signing of Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen.

Madrid, meanwhile, are in action in a friendly against Deportivo in Galicia on Thursday and are unlikely to announce any deal until Friday at the earliest, even though Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that the move could go ahead "very soon".

That means the official presentation is set to be put back until Monday (the last day of the transfer window) and, with Madrid in action at home to Athletic Bilbao at midday on Sunday, the stage will need to be dismantled and then erected again after the Liga clash at the Bernabeu.

NPFL Week 28 Round Up: Bayelsa United replace Enyimba at the top after draw against Sunshine Stars.

The hard work of the Yenagoa side has eventually paid off as they have been rewarded with a spot at the top of the NPFL after a battling goalless draw in Akure in match day 28

SUNSHINE STARS 0-0 BAYELSA UNITED

Bayelsa United are the new league leaders after they battled home team, Sunshine Stars to a draw at the Akure Township Stadium on Thursday morning.

Heavy downpour had prevented the game from being played on Wednesday after the heavens opened and forced both teams to retreat till Thursday morning.

Goal was informed that the Akure Gunners did all within reach to scoop all points but they met a determined Bayelsa United side who defended resolutely knowing that at least a draw would take them to the summit of the log.

The Isa Ladan Bosso led team have dislodged Enyimba from the top. The Aba Elephants regained top spot from Pillars on Wednesday night after they beat Gombe United 3-0 but they relinquished the position less than 24 hours to Bayelsa United.

Bayelsa United have 46 points from 28 matches and may still stay top weekend if they beat Sharks of Port Harcourt. Sunshine are 11th with 38 points from 28 games. The Akure side will visit Uyo as guest of Akwa United this weekend.

ENYIMBA 3-0 GOMBE UNITED

Enyimba reign at the top could not last 24 hours after they stayed briefly at the top on Wednesday. The sixth times league champions mauled Gombe United 3-0 at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba in a rather one sided affair but Bayelsa United's goalless draw meant they stay second with a point behind the Yenagoa side.

Goals from Ifeanyi Ede, Bishop Onyeudo and substitute Emeka Nwanna in the 11th, 35th and 55th minutes respectively handed all points to the Aba Millionaires and placed them second on the log.

Both Enyimba and Pillars have 45 points each but the Peoples Elephant are ahead on better goals difference.

Enyimba will make a short road trip to Port Harcourt to face wounded Dolphins this weekend while Gombe United will seek to extend their impressive home record as they welcome Nembe City.

ENUGU RANGERS 2-1 LOBI STARS

Lobi Stars have returned to the bottom of the league table a position they left briefly last week after a 1-2 loss to Enugu Rangers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

The Makurdi Bombers shot into a surprise lead in the 15th minute when Lobi's academy graduate, Joshua Abanyi scored the curtain raiser to the delight of his team mates.

The hosts however fought back gamely to score two goals through Christian Obiozor in the 40th and 50th minutes to hand all points to the Flying Antelopes.

Abanyi, evaded seas of Rangers legs to plant the lead in the 15th minute but gangling Obiozor leapt highest to nod home the equaliser about five minutes before halftime as both sides ended the first half one goal apiece.

At the restart of the second half, Obiozor again popped up to punish fumbling Lobi's defender, Stephen Eze to score what turned out to be the match winner in the 50th minute.

The win catapulted Rangers to 7th on the log with 42 points from 28 matches while Lobi went down to the bottom of the log as they remain on 35 points from 28 matches.

In a brief chat with Goal after the encounter, Lobi's Boss, Dominic Iorfa put the blame on the loss of concentration of his wards and he promised to liaise with the technical crew on how best to correct this ahead of their weekend game at home to Nasarawa United.

"We lost due to our inability to stay focus for the entire 90 minutes and we paid dearly for it with Rangers coming back to haunt us with two goals after we had scored first.

"We don't have to dwell too much on this loss. We shall go back home and correct our errors to get back to winning ways. I still want to reiterate that Lobi will not go on relegation. We shall get enough points to remain in the elite division next season," Iorfa urged.

HEARTLAND 2-0 KANO PILLARS

Heartland of Owerri played well and chalked up three points in a 2-0 win at home to Kano Pillars at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Wednesday.

The Naze Millionaires who were a spot from the relegation zone before the match knew they needed a win to steer clear of the drop zone and they quickly settled down to business when they got the first goal in the third minute through Kingsley Udoh according to the record of the centre referee Sylvester Okobi from Edo State made available to Goal . Other media wrongly credited the goal to Happy Okuoka.

The Owerri side kept on the momentum and it paid of when they got the second goal in the 85th minute through Bright Ejike.

The win lifted Heartland to 14th on the log with 37 points from 28 games while the loss sent Pillars to third with 45 points from 27 games. They are only third by their inferior goals difference to Enyimba. They still have a game at hand at home to Akwa United slated for September 4th.

The game was watched by Imo State Deputy Governor Prince Madumere and other top government functionaries who all thronged the Dan Anyiam Stadium,Owerri to show solidarity to Heartland that have complained of neglect from the state government.

Prince Madumere was impressed with the way Heartland defeated the erstwhile league leaders that he doled out N600,000 to the team after the match and he promised to subsequently watch all the club's home matches till the end of the season. He also promised his support to the cause of Heartland.

The Naze Millionaires will next travel to Wikki Tourists who will be desperate for all points to steer them clear of relegation zone after their 1-2 slump to Sharks in Port Harcourt while Pillars will play Enugu Rangers in Kano. Both matches take place this weekend.

WARRI WOLVES 4-0 KADUNA UNITED

Warri Wolves halted their five matches without a win in the NPFL with a resounding 4-0 thrashing of hapless Kaduna United at the Warri City Stadium yesterday.

Musa Najere got a hat trick in the 2nd, 26th and 78th minutes for the home team and Oghenekaro Etebo with the other goal in the 29th minute.

Etebo's strike took his tally to 11 this season in his debut season in the premier league.

The Seasiders moved into 6th on the log with 42 points from 28 matches while Kaduna United slipped to 12th with 38 points from the same number of matches.

Wolves will take a trip to Ilorin to face Kwara United this weekend while Kaduna United host Pillars in a northern derby also this weekend.

NASARAWA UNITED 4-0 DOLPHINS

Victor Namo got his first hat-trick for the Lafia side as they smashed Dolphins 4-0 in the first home match for new head coach, Kadiri Ikhana on Wednesday.

Namo, the former Pillars' striker got the goals in the 2nd, 24th and 79th minutes. Habu Mohammed had earlier netted in the 41st minute for Nasarawa United's third goal before Namo added one more to accord him the right to go home with the official match ball for his heroics.

Despite the loss, the Lafia side only moved two spots up from the bottom position they occupied last week. They have 36 points from 28 matches to be placed 18th while Dolphins capitulation saw them slide to ninth on the log with 39 points from 28 games.

Dolphins must dust themselves as quickly as possible as they host Enyimba this Sunday at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt while Nasarawa United too must be at their best again if they are to get anything at the Chief Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium, Katsina Ala this weekend.

SHOOTING STARS 2-0 EL KANEMI WARRIORS

3SC outplayed their visitors from Maiduguri before inflicting a 2-0 home win on them at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Ibadan on Wednesday to move away from the relegation zone.

The Oluyole Warriors were in the 18th position before the start of the matchday 28 tango but the win catapulted them to 16th with 36 points. They need at least an away win and also victory in all their remaining home matches to be safe of relegation worries.

After a barren first half, Raphael Musa put the Ibadan side in the lead in the 56th minute before a fine goal from

Osagona Ighodaro in the 70th minute sealed an important win for 3SC.

3SC could consolidate on their position on the log with another home win against ABS on Sunday. El Kanemi will have a date with Kaduna United at home this weekend. They are fourth with 44 points from 28 matches.

NEMBE CITY 2-0 KWARA UNITED

The Afonja Warriors lost more grounds in their quest to win the league this season with a surprise 0-2 loss to premier league newcomers, Nembe City at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.

Jonathan Zikiye and Ebitimi Agogo's goals in the 24th and 50th minutes improved Nembe's standing on the log to 13th with 38 points from 28 matches while Kwara United are fifth with 44 points from as many games.

Kwara United's head coach, Samson Unuanel admitted his lads were off day against their more determined opponents but promised to revitalise the side ahead of Warri Wolves' visit this weekend. Nembe will take their survival battle to Gombe as they play Gombe United this weekend too.

ABS FC 1-0 AKWA UNITED

ABS gained a reprieve in their push against facing the chop from the elite division after a laboured 1-0 home win over Akwa United with the visitors' Kelvin Nwoku scoring the only goal of the match in the 55th minute.

Nwoku diverted a cross from the flank through Ajibola Otegbeye into the vital area of the Uyo side into his own net after waves of pressure from the home team.

The Ilorin side were given a three match ultimatum after their 2-2 at draw to Wikki Tourists two weeks ago and they opened the ultimatum with a loss to Bayelsa United last Sunday. They needed a win and they got it 10 minutes after the restart of the second half.

ABS are 18th on the log with 36 points from 28 matches while Akwa United are 15th with 37 points from 27 ties. ABS travel to Ibadan to face 3SC this weekend while Akwa United must make home advantage count as they hosts bad travellers, Sunshine Stars on Sunday.

SHARKS FC 2-1 WIKKI TOURISTS

The Blue Angels had a scare from visiting Wikki Tourists but still did enough to score the winning goal seven minutes from time to record another important three points in their bid to halt being called relegation battlers.

Gbenga Ogunbote’s Sharks started brightly when they led through Ezeoha Okereke in the 26th minute but they allowed Wikki to claw their way back into the game with the equaliser in the 51st minute through

Ibrahim Shuaibu but Thompson Stowe's 83rd minute clincher ensured there won't be a repeat of last year's shocking 2-3 home loss to same side at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Sharks are 10th with 39 points from 28 games while Wikki slid to 17th with 36 points from 28 matches too.

The Blue Angels will have their works cut out as they play in-form Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium this weekend while Wikki must aim for maximum points at home to Heartland of Owerri also this weekend.

Juventus: Llorente is not joining Barcelona

Juve's sporting director Giuseppe Marotta has dismissed suggestions the attacker could leave the club just two months after arriving from Athletic Bilbao on a Bosman

Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta has refuted speculation linking striker Fernando Llorente with a loan move to Barcelona.

The 28-year-old is reported to be struggling to adapt to life in Italy following his Bosman move from Athletic Bilbao earlier this summer, leading to suggestions the Spain international could be loaned back to his homeland before the transfer window closes.

The Blaugrana are among those said to be monitoring the striker's situation in Turin, but Marotta has dismissed the notion that his stint with the Bianconeri could be over already.

He told Tuttosport: "We believe in Llorente and we have no intention of selling him."

Llorente, whose contract expires in 2017, is yet to start a competitive fixture for the Italian champions, with the forward being reduced to an 89th-minute cameo against Sampdoria on Sunday.

Barcelona's Supercopa win is just the start, warns Valdes

The goalkeeper’s heroics earned Barca their first silverware of the season despite Lionel Messi missing a penalty against Atletico Madrid, and he insists "there’s more to come"

 Victor Valdes says winning the Supercopa de Espana is the perfect catalyst for Barcelona to embark on another trophy laden campaign.

The Liga champions were indebted to the 31-year-old goalkeeper for their most recent success, with the Spain international pulling off a string of saves to deny Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the showpiece on Wednesday.

It was the sixth Supercopa Valdes has lifted during his career, and he told Barca TV the team are confident there will be more to come this season.

“It’s very important to start the season with this title. The players appreciate what it means," he said.

“It’s always nice to win a trophy. We knew how good Atletico were on the counter, and it’s not a style we feel comfortable playing against.”

Valdes had to react sharply to repel efforts from Arda Turan and David Villa in the closing stages of the Camp Nou tussle to earn Barca a 0-0 draw on the night and an overall victory on away goals.

It was another day when all did not go according to plan for Gerardo Martino’s side as Brazilian superstar Neymar was peripheral while Lionel Messi missed a penalty.

The Catalan giants have scored just two goals in the three games since an opening day mauling of Levante, and Valdes says everyone is striving for improvement.

“There are a lot of areas where we need to get better," he continued.

“We have to train hard for a difficult season, in which Barca will again be the team that they all want to beat.”

FOOTBALL:Lamela 'will improve dramatically' at Tottenham, says Ricky Villa

Tottenham icon Ricky Villa believes Erik Lamela will "improve dramatically" at White Hart Lane.

Roma announced that they have agreed a deal worth €30 million, plus €5m in add-ons, with Spurs for Lamela on Wednesday afternoon.

Andre Villas-Boas and new technical director Franco Baldini identified the 21-year-old Argentine as their top target to replace Real Madrid-bound Gareth Bale, and Villa believes they made an excellent choice.

"Lamela will improve dramatically as a player at Tottenham," he told Goal. "I think the arrival of Erik Lamela to Tottenham is fantastic. The manager is building up a super-competitive team.

"European football in general is lacking in footballers that are capable of creating, of inventing. English football is very dynamic, very quick, but it’s lacking in the volumen de juego (inventiveness,creativity) that players like Lamela can bring to the table."

Lamela moved from River Plate to Italy in 2011 following the Argentine giants' relegation, and Villa believes his experience of playing in Serie A will stand him in good stead upon his arrival in England, despite the differences between the two cultures.

"I don’t think he’ll have any trouble adapting when it comes purely to football," he added. "It’s true that the Premier League is not the same as Serie A, but Erik already has the European footballer mentality.

"He’s got a different level of discipline, a different kind of training, of dealing with the press. He learned all that in his two years in Italy. Besides, the manager is from Portugal, and Portuguese people in general understand South American footballers better."

Villa moved to Tottenham, alongside Ossie Ardiles, from Racing Club in 1978, and does not foresee the same kind of culture shock for Lamela that he experienced 35 years ago.

"These days it is a lot easier to adapt," he continued. "You’ve got social networks, internet, etc. With Osvaldo [Ardiles], we went into what was in effect a different world. We were disconnected, it was like an adventure for us. We had no contact whatsoever with Argentina. We were used to a completely different life. You had to walk for a while to find a telephone and make a call.

"The trouble for an Argentine that arrives to the Premier League is adapting to life in England, to the language, to the habits. But I don’t think that would be a big problem for Erik. There is a different level when it comes to the relationship between players and fans and vice versa. We (the Argentines) are more similar to the Italians. If we compare everything with Argentina, England is a step above.
"

CRICKET:Ryan Harris: Injured Australia bowler out for two months

Ryan Harris has been ruled out for up to two months with a hamstring injury, giving Australia a scare ahead of this winter's Ashes series.

Harris, 33, was the tourists' man of the series this summer after taking 24 wickets in four Tests against England, including nine at Old Trafford.

It was the first time the seamer had played four consecutive Test matches in a career permeated by injury problems.

The first Test of the winter Ashes begins on 21 November in Brisbane.

The pace bowler also struggled for fitness ahead of this summer's Ashes series, which England would win 3-0.

 Harris was ruled out of action for six to eight weeks with an Achilles injury in March, and was left out of the opening Test at Trent Bridge, which England won by 14 runs.

He returned for the second match at Lord's and impressed for the rest of the series, taking his Test career wicket haul to 71 in just 16 matches.

However, he was forced off the field during the fifth Test at the Oval after injuring his right hamstring and was unable to return to bowl.

In a statement, Cricket Australia said: "He was assessed after arriving back in Australia and is expected to be unavailable to play for the next six to eight weeks."

The former Surrey, Sussex and Yorkshire player has a history of injuries and missed the 2012 winter tour to South Africa  after undergoing shoulder surgery.

In July 2010 he was forced to fly home from the Ashes to undergo corrective knee surgery, while he also missed the one-day series with England in December the same year after breaking his ankle.

A year earlier he had two other knee operations.

F1:Ferrari want to keep Felipe Massa if he delivers better results

Ferrari want to retain Felipe Massa for next season, but only if he starts to deliver better results on track.

The Brazilian's contract expires at the end of the season and a poor run of form has raised questions about his future at the team.

But Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said: "My favourite choice would be, of course, to keep Felipe.

"When you look around there are not so many drivers out there that you swap and they immediately deliver."

Felipe Massa profile

• Age: 32
• Debut: 2002 Australian Grand Prix
• Races: 185
• Wins: 11
• Podiums: 36
• Pole positions: 15
• Fastest laps: 14
• Best championship position: 2nd (2008)

He added: "Felipe is a very good guy - very dedicated to the team.

"But, of course, we need good results from Felipe, so that's why we will not rush as we have to make the right decision for the team."

Massa, 32, has not won a race since 2008 when he looked to have won the World Championship having taken victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, only for Lewis Hamilton to gain a position on the final corner and take the championship by a single point.

Since then, he has scored eight podiums in a little over three and a half seasons. In the same period, Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso has managed 39, 11 of those victories.

The 32-year-old ended last season strongly, having considered quitting the sport during an early season slump before signing a new one-year deal, and continued that form in the early part of this year.

But following two crashes in Monaco - both at the same corner - his form has tailed off and he has scored just 67 points to his team-mate's 151.

Kimi Raikkonen has been linked with Ferrari, BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan saying the Finn wants a return to the team with which he won the 2007 title.

Speaking to the official F1 website,  Domenicali said: "Kimi is a very fast driver and everybody knows how I rate him. But if I make a comment now, it will be taken as a direct answer.

"There is no rush and we will make the right decision in the right moment.

ATHLETICS: Rested and ready for Zurich 100m in Diamond League says Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt says he is rested and ready to run another fast time when he takes on the likes of Britain's Adam Gemili over 100m at Thursday's Diamond League meeting in Zurich.

Continue reading the main story

“My goal is the world record”

High jumper Bohdan Bondarenko

The Jamaican won triple gold at the World Championships earlier this month, clocking 9.77 seconds to win the 100m.

"I have got a lot of rest," said Bolt, who believes he can run below 9.80secs at the Letzigrund Stadium.

"This track is always a fast track and I've run some fast times here."

Bolt, who ran 19.66secs to win the 200m at the same meeting a year ago, will also face American Justin Gatlin and fellow Jamaican Nesta Carter on Friday. They won silver and bronze respectively at the World Championships in Moscow.

Usain Bolt receives a Fifa shirt from Fifa president Sepp Blatter

Bolt held his pre-race news conference at the headquarters of Fifa, the body that governs world football.

He was greeted on arrival by Fifa president Sepp Blatter and later accepted a blue Fifa football shirt bearing his name.

Bohdan Bondarenko is also targeting a big performance in Zurich when he competes in the high jump.

The Ukrainian, who won gold at the World Championships in Moscow, is edging closer to the world record height of 2.45m, set by Cuba's Javier Sotomayor in 1993.

"My goal is the world record," said Bondarenko. "The thing is, at this height, there are many different kinds of emotions that interfere with your concentration. This makes an attempt at the record mentally difficult."

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The story of the World Championships

Perhaps the biggest contest of the night will be the women's 5,000m.

Ethiopian rivals Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba rarely race each other outside of major championships, but the winners of the past three Olympic titles will clash over the distance in Zurich.

"The 5,000m will be a nice race, but it's my fourth race in two weeks so I'm a bit tired," said Defar. "I expect a tactical race because there are too many good runners in the field."

Other world champions on show include American LaShawn Merritt (400m), American David Oliver (110m hurdles) and Kenyan duo Asbel Kiprop (1500m) and Ezekiel Kemboi (3000m steeplechase)
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Bayern Munich: Schweinsteiger could face Chelsea

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger could be available against Chelsea in Friday's Uefa Super Cup encounter following an injury scare.

The 29-year-old had been expected to miss the game after he limped off in the later stages of Tuesday's clash with Freiburg.

But the Bavarians confirmed on Wednesday, after the midfielder went under medical tests, that the injury was not as bad as first feared.

"Bastian Schweinsteiger did not injure himself seriously in the 1-1 draw at Freiburg," the club revealed.

"The medical examination showed he sustained a strained ankle. On Wednesday and Thursday he will be treated intensively so that ideally he can take part in the final pre-game training on Friday."

Schweinsteiger's diagnosis will be of good news to coach Pep Guardiola, who is already without the injured Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara, the latter of whom has been ruled out for at least seven weeks with ligament damage.

Schweinsteiger won Germany's Player of the Year award this summer, having inspired Bayern to an unprecedented treble last season under coach Jupp Heynckes.

He has made 443 appearances for the Bundesliga champions, scoring 55 goals in the process, while he has represented Germany 98 times since his debut in 2004.

Guardiola is not the special one says Thiago Alcantara

The midfielder insists the Spaniard is like any other top-level trainer and admits he would like a more attacking role upon his return from injury

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara has insisted that Pep Guardiola should be considered like any other top coach in Europe.

Guardiola is seen as one of the best coaches around following his success with Barcelona, guiding the club to 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012.

But Thiago has stressed that there is no special formula to the Spaniard's coaching methods.

"Guardiola really is like any other coach," Thiago was quoted as saying by Sport Bild. 

"When things go well, he is satisfied, but he can get angry as well when things don't go according to plan. 

"Pep can get upset just like anyone else. He is always fair, though, and treats all his players the same."

Thiago then went on to discuss his favourite position and revealed that he prefers a more advanced role to the position of holding midfielder.

He added: "I am happy to play in both positions, but a more advanced role where I play closer to the goal suits me best."

The Spain international recently underwent ankle surgery and will be out of action for at least eight weeks due to the knock, with Guardiola fearing it could be until halfway through November before the 22-year-old returns.

Bayern drew 1-1 with Freiburg on Tuesday and play Chelsea in the Uefa Super Cup final on Friday in Prague.