Villa hat-trick sinks Russians
Holders go down to Sweden
Third Lanark could apply to return to Scottish League
Rozenhal joins Lazio
Barry set to move to Liverpool
Ramsey set for Arsenal
Tottenham complete Dos Santos deal
Zico leaves Fenerbache
David Villa struck a hat-trick for Spain as they beat the Russians 4-1 in the opening game in Group D tonight. Linking up with Fernando Torres, Villa opened the scoring in 26 minutes, before adding a second on half-time. Villa completed his hat-trick, the first since Patrick Kluivert scored three in Holland’s 6-1 quarter-final win over Yugoslavia in 2000.
Sweden beat the Euro 2004 winners Greece 2-0 in the other game of the night. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal for Sweden since 2005 with a stunning 25-yard strike after 67 minutes. Petter Hansson scrambled home Sweden’s second six minutes later.
Third Lanark have expressed a surpirse interest in applying for the Scottish Football League berth made vacant through the demise of Gretna. The club went bust in 1967 but were resurrected four years ago and have since played in the amateur leagues. They still play at Cathkin Park on the South side of Glasgow.
Newcastle United have agreed to sell defender David Rozehnal to Lazio in a deal worth around £2.9m. The Czech Republic centre-back, currently with his country at Euro 2008, spent a loan spell with the Italian giants last season following Kevin Keegan’s return as manager to St. James’ Park.
Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry appears to have moved a step closer joining Liverpool after announcing he wants to play Champions League football next season.
Welsh wonderkid Aaron Ramsey is set to join Arsenal from FA Cup finalists Cardiff City in a £5m deal.
Tottenham have completed the signing of Mexico international Giovani Dos Santos from Barcelona for an initial £4.7m. That fee could rise to £8.6m depending on appearances.
Fenerbache coach Zico has left the club after failing to agree a new deal.The Brazilian led the side to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in their history where they lost to Chelsea, but they lost out to rivals Galatasaray in the league.
Kevin Taylor