Dutch qualify with convincing win

Buffon saves Italians from defeat

Five clubs bid to replace Gretna

Saints set to close parts of ground

Uefa overturn Porto European ban

Ten Cate appointed boss of Panathinaikos

Carling Cup First Draw made

The Netherlands continued their impressive start to the Euro 2008 tournament with a 4-1 win over World Cup finalists France, after beating the Italians 3-0 in the opener the Dutch eased into the quarter-finals.

Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring as the Dutch led 1-0 at half-time, Robin Van Persie added a second before France’s top scorer Thierry Henry bagged his 45 international goal in his 101st appearance, but the comeback chance was shortlived as Arjen Robben made it 3-1 just a minute later. Sneijder rounded off a great evening for the Dutch with a cracking fourth in stoppage time.

Gianluca Buffon saved Adrian Mutu’s penalty to stop the Italian’s being eliminated in the group stages. Mutu’s penalty was down the middle and Buffon did well to save one handed after diving to his left. Mutu had opened the scoring for the Romanian’s only to see Christian Panucci equalise a minute later. The Italians play France next but if Romania beat the Dutch both will go out.

Five clubs have applied to replace Gretna in the Scottish Football League and play in Division Three next season. Annan Athletic, Edinburgh City, Preston Athletic and Spartans who all currently play in the East of Scotland League and Highland League champions Cove Rangers have all applied. There were no formal applications from East of Scotland side Gala Fairydean and former senior outfit Third Lanark, who had also expressed an interest.

Southampton are to close parts of their St Mary’s Stadium next season as part of the club’s cost-cutting measures. Three of the four corners of the stadium will be closed, affecting around 700 season ticket holders.

Uefa’s appeal body has overturned the decision to exclude Porto from next season’s Champions League. The Portuguese side had been excluded from next season’s competition over alleged bribery of referees in the 2003/04 campaign.

Henk Ten Cate has been appointed as the new boss of Panathinaikos a fortnight after his departure from Chelsea.

Seems like the season has just finished but already the draw has been made for the first round of next season’s Carling Cup. Recently relegated Reading will travel to League Two Dagenham & Redbridge, while Derby County host Lincoln and Birmingham travel to Wycombe.

Kevin Taylor