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■ Soccer
Jurgen Klinsmann honored
Jurgen Klinsmann, who coached Germany to third place at last year's World Cup, received the country's highest honor on Wednesday at a private ceremony at the chancellery. Klinsmann, 42, was awarded the Cross of the Order Merit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel for his team's performance at the tournament. Based in California, Klinsmann did not attend a ceremony in August when the players received their distinctions, not of the same rank. Klinsmann said he was "very touched" by the honor, adding: "Last summer's World Cup remains an unforgettable experience for me." Merkel paid tribute to Klinsmann, a World Cup winning striker with Germany in 1990 and European champion in 1996, for "giving so much to our country."

■ Football
Smith's contract extended
Lovie Smith, who guided the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl berth last season, has reportedly been rewarded with a four-year contract extension by the NFL team. The Chicago Tribune reported on its Web site on Wednesday that Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo were given contract extensions on Wednesday after a day of meetings with president Ted Phillips. Smith was given a four-year extension through 2011 and Angelo a six-year extension through 2013. Smith, who led the bears to the National Conference title in the recently completed season, was entering the final year of his contract and was the lowest-paid coach in the NFL at US$1.45 million. According to the report he was asking for a contract worth US$5 million a year. Over the past two years, the Bears have the second-best record in the league. Only the Indianapolis Colts, who beat Chicago in the Super Bowl in January, have a better record.

■ Cricket
Gough named as captain
Veteran England fast bowler Darren Gough was on Wednesday unveiled as the new captain of Yorkshire, three years after leaving his home county. Gough, 36, made his debut for Yorkshire in 1989 but moved from Headingley to Essex in 2004. It is a move which could reinvigorate the veteran's career after his omission from the England World Cup squad appeared to signal the end of his international ambitions. Gough admitted he never thought a return to his home county was likely. "I thought today would never happen," he said. "Today is a very proud day, to come back as captain. There are some exciting things happening at this club. I am just looking forward to the challenge. With the blend we have got I think we have a good chance this year of putting in some good performances." Gough retired from Test cricket in 2003 after taking 229 wickets in 58 appearances.

■ Soccer
Euro 2008 tickets on sale
Tickets for next year's European soccer championship finals being jointly hosted by Austria and Switzerland went on sale yesterday. European soccer's governing body UEFA announced on Wednesday that some 330,000 of the 1 million tickets available will be on offer through www.euro2008.com with the final application phase ending on March 31. Sales will be on a "first come, first served" basis and applicants can apply for one match per day and for a maximum of four tickets per match, UEFA said. If there is more demand than tickets available, a lottery will determine the successful applications. UEFA warned the public against purchasing tickets on the black market.

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