EURO 2008 QUALIFYING: Germany coach Joachim Loew will be without all four of his World Cup central defenders for the start of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign next Saturday against Ireland after Christoph Metzelder was ruled out yesterday with a knee injury. Per Mertesacker, Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny are already out.

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: The Republic of Ireland suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Germany in their final World Cup qualifying game at Richmond Park on Saturday. Noel King's side were thoroughly outclassed by the World and European champions. Switzerland need to avoid heavy defeats to Russia and Germany to condemn Ireland to the foot of Group Four.

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink netted the winner on his debut as Celtic came from behind to defeat Hibernian 2-1 at home on Saturday.

The Dutch international pounced after Aiden McGeady's 20-yard drive came off the post midway through the second half. Scott Brown had fired Hibs into an eighth-minute lead but Celtic surged back with Polish striker Maciej Zurawski levelling on 62 minutes. Rangers yesterday missed the chance to go top with a 2-2 draw at Kilmarnock.

SPANISH PRIMERA LIGA: A new-look Real Madrid started the season in disappointing style when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Villarreal at the Bernabeu yesterday. Fabio Capello's side gave a solid display in defence but lacked ideas in attack and were jeered off the pitch by their fans at the final whistle. The game of the day was at the Riazor where Deportivo la Coruna came back from a goal down to beat Real Zaragoza 3-2.

ITALIAN SUPER CUP: An extra-time free kick by Luis Figo completed a stunning rally by Inter Milan on Saturday, the Italian champions coming from 3-0 down to defeat AS Roma 4-3 in the Super Cup.