Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko gave his side a huge World Cup boost on Thursday, scoring as a second-half substitute in his first game after a month out with a knee injury.
Shevchenko, the 2004 European Player of the Year, featured for 30 minutes as Ukraine beat Luxembourg 3-0 in their final warm-up.
Coach Oleg Blokhin said it was too early to give Shevchenko a clean bill of health.
Ukraine open their Group H campaign on Wednesday against Spain in Leipzig and Blokhin said: "In a few days we can say how he is feeling."
The 29-year-old, one of the most feared strikers in world football, appeared to show no ill effects from the injury which forced him to miss friendlies against Costa Rica, Italy and Libya.
South Korea took preparations for their World Cup opener against Togo to a new level on Thursday, as coach Dick Advocaat ordered a closed-doors morning training session and swore his players to secrecy.
South Korea have never had a closed doors session since Advocaat took over at the end of September last year.
The Koreans face Togo on Tuesday, France five days later and what could be a crunch match with Switzerland on June 23.
No reasons were given by the Korean FA's representatives as to why the session was closed to reporters.
Spain midfielder Xavi says that he is now back to full fitness after missing five months of the season because of a serious knee injury.
"On a personal level I've noted a big improvement in the knee in the last couple of weeks and now I can say that it is perfect," the Barcelona playmaker told a news conference on Thursday.
"Before I had some pain in the tendon but now it's gone completely. All I needed was some match practice," he said.
Six Croatian players missed training on Thursday, with recuperation the watchword after the warm-up game against Spain.
Coach Zlatko Kranjcar conducted the lightest of work-outs following Wednesday's 2-1 defeat in Geneva.
Captain Niko Kovac and defender Josip Simunic received back treatment from a specialist in Munich, and Ivan Klasnic traveled to Berlin for non-soccer-related reasons.
Defender Igor Tudor nursed a slight thigh strain while midfielder Darijo Srna and forward Ivica Olic only did some stretching exercises.
Iranian left back Sattar Zare seriously injured his right knee in training on Thursday, while midfielder Ferydoon Zandi has not been able to shake off a fever caused by the flu.
Neither player may be able to play in the World Cup, coach Branko Ivankovic said after a practice session on Thursday.
"We'll see tomorrow how serious it is after an MRI," Ivankovic said.
Australia captain Mark Viduka was forced to sit out his team's practice session on Thursday after injuring his leg while warming up.
A team spokesman said Viduka had felt some tightness in his right calf but would be fine for Australia's first Group F match against Japan on Monday.
The Australians have been plagued by niggling injuries in the lead-up to the tournament and the sight of Viduka limping off at the heavily-guarded Otto-Meister stadium would have been a major concern to the camp.
Viduka had completed just two slow laps when he stopped.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely