Sportsday - rolling football news

1. Mourinho given suspended ban & £50,000 fine
2. England named among top Euro 2016 seeds
3. Man City announcement first profit under Sheikh Mansour
4. Get involved #bbcsportsday: how will the home nations fare at Euro 2016?
5. BBC Price of Football at 22:00 BST
6. Pakistan declare at 523 for 8 in first Test

That's it for Sportsday today. Stay here for the release of the 2015 Price of Football findings at 22:00 BST.

We will be back at 08:00 BST on Thursday.

Giving youth a chance

NI and Wales Euro 2016 bottom seeds

Northern Ireland and Wales will be among the bottom seeds in France next summer, Uefa has confirmed.

England, as expected, join holders Spain, Portugual, Germany, Belgium and hosts France as top seeds. 

Northern Ireland won Group F with 21 points but actually have the lowest Uefa co-efficient of any team still involved and, like Wales, will be pulled from pot four. 

Sympathy for Scots

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Australia coach Michael Cheika sayshe sympathises with banned Scottish pair Ross Ford and Jonny Gray who will miss the rest of the World Cup.

The forwards received three-week suspensions on Tuesday for dangerous tackles in Scotland's win over Samoa.

Cheika, whose side face the Scots in the last eight, said: "I haven't seen the incidents but I feel for them."

Ex-Wales international Jonathan Davies has described the tournament's disciplinary hearings as a "disgrace".

Mead call-up 'dream come true'

Uncapped Sunderland striker Beth Mead says her first England senior call-up has topped off a memorable first season in Women's Super League One. 

The 20-year-old was one of four new faces in the squad for the international friendly tournament in China, that begins next week. 

Mead scored 12 goals for the Lady Black Cats in their debut campaign in WSL 1. 

"Finishing top scorer in WSL 1 and getting in the England squad is a dream come true," Mead said.

The FA

Stories you might have missed

Danny Blind failed to guide star-studded Netherlands to the Euro 2016 finals - in arguably the biggest shock in qualifying - but he says he wants to stay on as coach.

Blind - father of Manchester United midfielder Daley - took over at the start of July after Guus Hiddink left after 10 months in the position.

He lost three of his four matches in charge but says he has "no intention" of stepping down.

"I'm going to carry on with my work because I'm under contract until 2018 and I believe in this team," Blind said.

"I haven't achieved my goal. The aim was to qualify automatically or via the play-offs and I haven't done that.

"Am I the one to blame? I now have to analyse that. The results weren't good."

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'Most Dutch players not good enough'

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Netherlands midfielder Arnold Muhren has tried to explain what went wrong for the national team as they failed to qualify for Euro 2016.

Where has it all gone wrong?

"Do you have an hour? We only got 13 points in this group, it’s not good enough. Of the teams who finished above us, Turkey, Czech Republic and Iceland, we only managed to get a draw against Turkey. So that proves that you’re not good enough.

Is the blame being pointed at the manager Danny Blind or more the players?

"It’s a combination of I think. We started with Guus Hiddink, who used to be a very, very good coach at Barcelona and not only for Holland but for other big countries as well. Blind took over. But if you play four games and you’re losing three out of four, it’s not very good. It’s not only the manager. It’s all about a combination of players, managers and technical staff. Everybody is to blame really.

Is it time to strip back and start again?

"I think so. Most of the players at the moment are not good enough. We’ve got a very good squad of younger players coming up but  It’s going to be a while before the Dutch national team is going to be a force in Europe again."

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Martinez proud of Munich refugee response

Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez reveals why he helped some of the refugees who arrived in Munich last month and says he is proud of how the Bavarian capital reacted. 

"It was something which came from me, I could at least coax a smile from these people in what was for them a difficult moment," the Spain international told Munich newspaper AZ. 

The defensive midfielder went to Munich's central station last month to hand out footballs and Bayern shirts to some of the refugees coming into the city by train. 

"It was worth it, just to see all the children forget everything which was going on around them when they received a ball," he said. "They forgot how it is to see their parents cry or to cry themselves."

ge

Bayern players Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Thiago (among the group) pose for the media together with refugee youths during a training session

Stories you might have missed

Former Scotland international Kenny Logan described the three-week bans which have ruled hooker Ross Ford and lock Jonny Gray out of the rest of the World Cup as a "sick joke".

Ford and Gray were handed the bans for a clearout of Jack Lam at a ruck during the pool victory over Samoa last Saturday which secured the Scots a quarter-final against Australia.

"This is a sick joke," he told the DailyTelegraph. 

"Two Scottish players with a perfect disciplinary record get a three-week ban for clearing out a player with no malicious intent at a ruck just because he fell awkwardly. There is no level playing field. This is a shameful decision."

PA

Ross Ford will miss the rest of the World Cup

A brand new Farah

Strauss to fight for banned Scots pair

Scotland forward Josh Strauss has vowed to help his side beat Australia in in quarter-finals in tribute to banned team-mates Ross Ford and Jonny Gray.

Their World Cup is over after receiving three-week bans for their illegal two-man tip-tackle on Samoa's Jack Lam. 

Strauss said: "We are all very disappointed for Ross and Jonny. Being a close group of lads we know each other very well and these are two very determined guys. 

"When I heard it myself, and I can only speak for myself, I was angry. But personally that is good for me. It motivates me. I want to put in a performance for them if I'm selected."

Reuters

Birthdays

Get Involved - Euro 2016 debate

How will the three home nations perform at Euro 2016?

• Will Northern Ireland continue surprising?
• Will Bale & Ramsey lead Wales to the latter stages?
• Will England shock the world by qualifying from the group stage?

Join the debate using #bbcsportsday or the BBC Match of the Day Facebook page

Wildcats sign prop England

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have signed prop Anthony England after Warrington released him from his contract with them a year early.

The 28-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the Yorkshire club.

Price of Football launch

A quick plug for something rather special coming to the BBC Sport website later...

Which fans pay more than all the rest? Who gets the best deal? Which club offers free tickets for good GCSE results and where will a junior replica strip cost more than £100?

The BBC Price of Football study, the biggest analysis of ticket prices in Europe, will be published on the BBC Sport website and app from 22:00 BST on Wednesday.

We'll give you more than 2,000 individual facts about prices across 227 clubs in British and European football, and you'll be able to work out your individual price of football with our special calculator.

Read this preview

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Bang on head is a life-saver

Here's a clip from our colleagues at BBC Radio 5 live that you might want to listen to.

It concerns the tale of an amateur referee, who discovered a brain tumour the size of his fist, after being hit on the head by a football during a game.

BBC

Melvyn Scarborough, from Sheffield, had been suffering from chronic tiredness and a lack of balance - which his doctors put down to feeling depressed.

But after agreeing to referee a friendly, he was knocked out by a stray ball and sent to hospital where a CT scan revealed the tumour.

Melvyn said: "They must have thought they'd killed the referee because when I fell down I smashed all my teeth at the bottom".

Listen to the story here.

A Question of Sport

A one-off

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Former Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer says 'there’ll never be another like Paul O’Connell,' after the Ireland captain was forced to retire from international rugby through injury.

O'Connell suffered a serious hamstring injury during his side's 24-9 victory over France at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

"What a captain he has been. He is the first second row I have played with who has been the complete player," Stringer tells BBC Radio 5 live.

Listen to the full clip here.

Israel coach resigns after Euro failure

Israel coach Eli Guttman has resigned after a second unsuccessful qualifying campaign ended with a 3-1 defeat by Belgium that brought an end to their hopes of reaching Euro 2016.  

Reuters

Leeds keeper Turnbull sidelined

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Leeds United goalkeeper Ross Turnbull is facing a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a broken ankle.

The 30-year-old keeper suffered the injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the club's Thorp Arch training ground last week.

The club said that the former Chelsea and Middlesbrough man was set for a "long-term absence".

Nadal made to struggle

World number one Novak Djokovic eased into the third round of the Shanghai Masters with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Martin Klizan, but world number seven Rafael Nadal was made to battle for a 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) win over Ivo Karlovic.

AP

Friendship on hold for 90 minutes

Bury boss David Flitcroft and Rochdale manager Keith Hill will put aside their friendship when their teams meet in League One on Saturday.

Flitcroft, 41, was Hill's assistant manager at Dale and Barnsley before taking over at Oakwell after 46-year-old Hill was dismissed.

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"He's not my old mate, he's my current mate," Hill told BBC Radio Manchester.

Flitcroft added: "Mine and Hilly's relationship is incredible, I've loved the guy like a brother."

Davies books Rio 2016 berth

Nick Hope, BBC Sport

Britain's Rob Davies has secured himself a place for the Rio Paralympics by successfully defending his European championship crown in Denmark.

London Paralympic silver medallist and current world champion Will Bayley missed out his class, losing in the final and will now have to wait until the end of the year for his place to be confirmed based on his world ranking. As ranked number one he will be fine.

Man City in the black

Check out 16:04 BST entry.

Mourinho punished by FA

Mourinho had been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for remarks he made about match officials following his side's 3-1 home loss to Southampton on Saturday.

The FA alleged his comments "imply bias on the part of a match official".

Mourinho felt referee Robert Madley denied Chelsea a penalty on Saturday, adding officials were "afraid" to award his side spot-kicks.

Reuters

Mourinho punished by FA

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been given a suspended one-match stadium ban and fined £50,000 after he admitted a breach of Football Association rules in relation to post-match media comments.

LeBron tribute to Lamar Odom

Instagram

Cleveland Cavaliers NBA star LeBron James has posted a tribute to former LA Lakers player Lamar Odom, who is being treated in hospital.

So many prayers sent up to you LO! I truly hope this isn't the last stop for you because you still have so much to give, not even to others but to yourself more importantly. Never know what someone is going through unless you're walking in their shoes. No judgement. Straight up homie!

Wozniacki avoids first-round blip

Caroline Wozniacki was the only player among the top-five seeded women to reach the second round at the Generali Ladies, rallying to beat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 on Wednesday.

The second seed went up 2-0 in the opening set but won only two points in the next five games. She missed a set point at 5-4 in the second set but turned the match around in the tiebreaker. 

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Get Involved - Euro 2016 debate

How will the three home nations perform at Euro 2016?

• Will Northern Ireland continue surprising?
• Will Bale & Ramsey lead Wales to the latter stages?
• Will England shock the world by qualifying from the group stage?

Join the debate using #bbcsportsday or the BBC Match of the Day Facebook page

Hendrie joins Hartlepool

Courtois hopeful of December return

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Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois hopes to be back in action from a knee injury by December.

The Belgium international needed surgery following damage to ligaments in his right knee suffered in training last month. 

"In terms of my knee, it is good. I am doing my rehabilitation and it is progressing fine," Courtois said.

"I will be now starting the bulk of the work with my physio to come back as soon as possible."

Woffinden targets titles record

BBC

World speedway champion Tai Woffinden wants to go on and break the all-time record after winning his second title.

North Staffordshire-based Woffinden is only the second double world champion from Britain, following Peter Craven in 1955 and 1962.

"I want to be the best ever," he told BBC Midlands Today. "I need to win one more to be the best-ever UK rider. Then the best ever in the world was six, so I guess I need to go one better and do seven."

Ouch

Ever fancied being a professional snowboarder? Erm, make sure you're prepared to suffer the odd injury...

Boreham Wood appoint 30-year-old manager

Boreham Wood FC

Boreham Wood have named Luke Garrard as manager, making him the youngest boss in England's top five divisions. 

The 30-year-old former Tottenham youth player was assistant to Ian Allinson before the ex-Arsenal winger's resignation as Wood manager on Monday. 

Garrard joined Wood as a player in 2010, helping them win promotion to the Conference South in that year and into non-league's top flight last season. 

He takes over a side currently 20th in the National League table.

WSL 'explodes' to new level

PA

Premier League-backed clubs have elevated Women's Super League to "another level", according to Notts County Ladies boss Tony Passmoor.

"It is going in another direction, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and even Sunderland as well. They have seen the gap, a niche in the market to add to their business portfolios," he told BBC Sport.

"I don't think a lot of people, stakeholders, governing bodies, were aware that this was going to explode like it has."

BreakingCity in the money

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Some breaking news for you... Manchester City have posted a profit for the first time since Sheikh Mansour bought the club in 2008.

The Premier League club's annual financial figures show they made £10.7m in the 2014-15 season, despite having to pay £16m in fines for failing to meet Uefa's Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

City made a loss of £22.9m last season but with annual revenue growing for the seventh straight year, to £351.8m, the club have heralded a new era of profitability.

"The 2014-15 season marked a historic step in Manchester City's journey," said chief executive Ferran Soriano. "Manchester City is now a profitable, self-sustainable club competing at the highest level in world football."

Nadal edges a thriller

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A truly fantastic game of tennis between Rafael Nadal and Ivo Karlovic has just come to an end.

The big-serving Croatian looked as if he was going to dump Nadal out, coming back from a set down to win the second 7-6 and to take the third to another tie-break.

But in front of an enthralled crowd in Shanghai, Nadal produced some terrific tennis to take the match.

It was stunning stuff from the Spaniard, who has had such a tough year but looks like he's almost back to at least somewhere near his best.

He punched the air like he'd won Wimbledon at the end - that's how much it means to the man.

Welcome back Rafa.

Diamond flattered by England link

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Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond would be open to an England role should an opportunity arise. 

Former England utility back Austin Healey has suggested ex-Russia head coach Diamond could work within a coaching set-up under a national team director of rugby.

"Well it's flattering, but in reality I think they've got a lot to do themselves in deciding how they go with it," 46-year-old Diamond told BBC Sport.

Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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The day in a nutshell

So if you weren't there - and clearly plenty weren't - why not have a listen to this and catch up on what you missed.

That empty feeling

The crowd for yesterday's opening day of the first Test between England and Pakistan was, as you may have read, a measly 168.

Wondering if it was any busier today?

Does this picture answer your question?

Reuters

Chances galore

Cockerill wants 'world class' Youngs to stay

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill wants "world class" scrum-half Ben Youngs tostay with the club for the rest of his career.

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The England international, 26, returned to training with his club on Wednesday.

Along with his brother Tom, he signed a "long-term" deal with Tigers in 2012.

"He's a world class player and he has proved that with England over the last few months. We want to keep him for the rest of his career," Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester.

Ronaldo wants Euro 2016 title

Cristiano Ronaldois targeting Euro 2016 glory with Portugal to crown his glittering career,reports Marca.

"At club level and on a personal level I've already won everything," said Ronaldo.

"But I haven't won a title with the national team," lamented Ronaldo, a beaten Euro 2004 finalist and a World Cup 2006 and Euro 2012 semi-finalist.

"It would be the pinnacle of a great career [winning the European championship] and this is what I'm hoping for. My hope is that 2016 will be the year." 

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Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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Paul S: Sporting James Bond has to be Andy Murray. With his looks, charm and wit, he'd be ideal surely?  

Adam Palmer: Roger Federer, oozes class, never panics and has been around as long as Bond.

Practice time

Sexton 'may' make Ireland's quarter-final

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Ireland’s management are "hopeful" outside-half Jonny Sexton will be available for Sunday’s world cup quarter-final against Argentina in Cardiff.

Sexton, who left the field in the first half of Sunday’s win over France with a groin injury, trained this morning and will be further assessed between now and the weekend.

Ireland haven’t ruled out an appeal over Sean O'Brien’s suspension. The flanker will miss Sunday’s game after admitting punching France’s Pascal Pape early in last weekend's match.

Ireland have yet to receive the written testimony of the judgement. They have 48 hours to appeal once they receive it. If Ireland chose to appeal, they risk O’Brien’s ban being increased at the subsequent hearing.

All is revealed...

A Question of Sport Teaser

Remember that question we set you earlier? What, you don't. Ok, fair enough, it was this:

Name the four players to have won the European Golden Shoe whilst playing in the Premier League?

Well, the answers are: Kevin Phillips, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez.

Pat on the back to all who got it, no pat at all to those who failed.

Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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Big run chase ahead

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Shoaib Malik registered his maiden Test double century to putPakistanin a commanding position on the second day of the first Test againstEngland.

Malik, playing his first Test in five years, hit 245 and shared in a record fifth-wicket partnership of 248 with fellow centurion Asad Shafiq (107).

England toiled in the Abu Dhabi heat, failing to take a wicket until the final session of the day.

However, Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali saw the tourists to 56-0 at the close.

Full report on the BBC Sport website now.

End of play

When Forest Ruled Europe

BBC Radio 5 Live

PA

A special programme looking back at Nottingham Forest during the Brian Clough years and their rise under him to become two times champions of Europe is on BBC Radio 5 live from 21:30 BST.

As a new film about the most successful time in the club's history is released, we speak to the players, including £1m man Trevor Francis and Wendy Taylor, daughter of Peter Taylor, about how the stars aligned to create what has been widely acknowledged as a miracle.

The main man

'Players fear asking me for advice'

As some of you know, ex-England batsman Kevin Pietersen was at BBC Sport HQ today.

Here is what he told BBC Radio Four:

Would you like a coaching role with England?

"I think that it is a sad, sad state that the messages that I receive from some of the current players that it is difficult for them to ask me questions and advice because they fear they might get into trouble for getting in touch with me.

"I know for a fact that there was a little bit of a worry that getting advice from me would be frowned upon. I don't really want to go into that or dwell on that.

"It's a sad position that with what I have achieved in the game with England that it seems to be sort of a no-go.

"I love English cricket and I want these guys to do well. I love seeing what Paul Farbrace and Trevor Bayliss are doing with that side at the moment."

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Copeland & Grainger at GB champs

Katherine Copeland and Katherine Grainger are two of four Olympic champions who will compete in the British Rowing Championships this weekend.

They will both compete in the women’s quad event.

The men’s eight that won World gold in Aiguebelette will be split across four boats, with seven of them racing in a very strong men’s four competition. 

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SL's Karunaratne scores century

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored an unbeaten century as Sri Lanka reached 250-2 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies on Wednesday.

Full scorecard.

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Scotland bans are 'sick joke'

Former Scotland international Kenny Logan described the three-week bans which have ruled hooker Ross Ford and lock Jonny Gray out of the rest of the World Cup as a "sick joke".

Ford and Gray were handed the bans for a clearout of Jack Lam at a ruck during the pool victory over Samoa last Saturday which secured the Scots a quarter-final against Australia.

"This is a sick joke," he told the DailyTelegraph. 

"Two Scottish players with a perfect disciplinary record get a three-week ban for clearing out a player with no malicious intent at a ruck just because he fell awkwardly. There is no level playing field. This is a shameful decision."

PA

'Great Scott' - Hamilton with legendary director

Get Involved - Euro 2016 debate

How will the three home nations perform at Euro 2016?

• Will Northern Ireland continue surprising?
• Will Bale & Ramsey lead Wales to the latter stages?
• Will England shock the world by qualifying from the group stage?

Join the debate using #bbcsportsday or the BBC Match of the Day Facebook page

'Fifa investigating Mangala move'

Belgium are number one

Belgium have been ranked by Fifa as the number one team in the world.

Surviving

Cipriani focused on Sale not England

Sale Sharks fly-half Danny Cipriani tells BBC North West Tonight he is focused on his club form before thinking about another call-up by England.

Cipriani was included in England's World Cup training squad but missed out on the final squad.

The Sharks begin the new Premiership season at reigning champions Saracens on Saturday, looking to improve on their seventh-placed finish last term.

BBC

Liverpool news latest

Ben Smith

BBC Sport

Jurgen Klopp’s new assistant manager Zeljko Buvac will be involved in his first Liverpool training session later today having been granted a UK work permit.

The 54-year-old Bosnian will be involved in his first session from 4pm at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground and is now free to take his place alongside Klopp for the match at Spurs on Saturday.

Belgium striker Christian Benteke has still not returned to full training and is therefore considered a major doubt for Klopp’s first game in charge.

The £32m striker has been out with a hamstring problem, having limped out of the draw with Norwich on September 20.

There is still no time-frame for his return.

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Get Involved - Euro 2016 debate

How will the three home nations perform at Euro 2016?

• Will Northern Ireland continue surprising?
• Will Bale & Ramsey lead Wales to the latter stages?
• Will England shock the world by qualifying from the group stage?

Join the debate using #bbcsportsday or the BBC Match of the Day Facebook page

Look who's talkijng

This will be worth a listen. Just don't challenge him to a fight (that's the Hulk, not Dan).

No pressure, Moeen...

England, a massive 523 behind, will face 24 overs before the close of play.

Pakistan innings ends

Borthwick appointed Bristol coach

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Former England captain Steve Borthwick has been named forwards coach of Championship side Bristol. 

The 36-year-old most recently coached Japan, who stunned South Africa, at the Rugby World Cup working as Eddie Jones's assistant. 

He played 246 times for Bath and 144 for Saracens, also winning 57 caps for his country in a 16-year career. 

 "We are delighted that Steve Borthwick is going to be joining us," Bristol director of rugby Andy Robinson told BBC Radio Bristol.

FA responds to Uefa 'crowd trouble' charge

The English FA has responded to being charged by Uefa - along with the Lithuanian Football Association - over crowd disturbances at the Euro 2016 qualifier on Monday.

"We were naturally concerned to witness scenes of disorder in Lithuania," said the FA's statement.

"However, we must be clear that these incidents did not happen within the official England Supporters Travel Club area, where supporters who had bought tickets from The FA were housed.

"We would encourage the authorities to identify anybody involved in disorder and deal with them appropriately through the criminal system and with banning orders. We will, of course, fully cooperate with Uefa."

'Farce'

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The Netherlands, of course, have failed to qualify for next year's European Champions in France and were beaten at home last night by the Czech republic.

Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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Morley to come out of retirement

Adrian Morley is to come out of retirement to play one final game, for his first club Leeds against the touring New Zealanders. 

Morley, a former Great Britain captain who brought the curtain down on his 20-year career last month at the age of 38, will be a guest for the Rhinos in their clash with the Kiwis at Headingley on Friday week.

SWPIX.COM

Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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And another one bites the dust

After hat happened on day one, bet Ian Bell was relieved he held onto that.

German chief wants to help world football

German soccer (DFB) chief Wolfgang Niersbach has said he wants to play an active role in restructuring world football but did not say he wanted to run for the Fifa presidency next year. 

"I do not want and I will not shy away from playing my part," he said.

Asked what his part could be, Niersbach told German paper Die Zeit: "This thing can certainly not be won in the media. You only win it if internally you set a clear course for which you win majorities." 

Arsenal team news

Ahead of Saturday's match against Watford,ArsenalmanagerArsene Wengerhas revealed some team news:

Defender Laurent Koscielny has a slight chance to be back on Saturday. He has a test on his hamstring on Thursday. Midfielders Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are back in full training. 

Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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At last

It felt like it was never coming but, finally...

Pakistan's Asad Shafiq has gone lbw to Wood for 107.

It is the first wicket England have picked up since the 75th over. We're now into the 145th...

Get Involved - Euro 2016 debate

How will the three home nations perform at Euro 2016?

• Will Northern Ireland continue surprising?
• Will Bale & Ramsey lead Wales to the latter stages?
• Will England shock the world by qualifying from the group stage?

Join the debate using #bbcsportsday

Fifa ban ex-South Africa FA official

What is fast becoming a daily Fifa disciplinary story, the world governing body have banned Lindile Kika, a former official of the South African Football Association (Safa), from all football-related activities at national and international level for six years. 

The ban is effective immediately.

This relates to claims of match fixing in the run-up to the South Africa World Cup in 2010.

Tea-time

Oscar celebrates Brazil win

Brazil beat Venezuela 3-1 to record their first points in South American qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.

Oscar's Chelsea team-mate midfielder Willian scored twice in the victory.

Earl banned by NRL

Former Australian National Rugby League player Sandor Earl has been banned for four years by the game's anti-doping tribunal for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Earl, 26, was provisionally suspended in August 2013 when he was playing as a winger for the Canberra Raiders. The four-year ban commences from that date and will end in August 2017.

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Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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Question of Sport teaser

Answer will appear here later.

Oh dear

Get Involved - our sporting James Bond

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Tough going

Euro 2016 play-offs seedings

Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ukraine, Sweden and Hungary are seeded, while Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Norway and Slovenia are unseeded.

The draw is at 10:20 BST on Sunday.

Get Involved - Euro 2016 debate

How will the three home nations perform at Euro 2016?

• Will Northern Ireland continue surprising?
• Will Bale & Ramsey lead Wales to the latter stages?
• Will England shock the world by qualifying from the group stage?

Join the debate using #bbcsportsday

Football Daily time

Some good stuff on BBC Radio 5 live last night when Jonathan Overend was joined by Robbie Savage and John Hartson, who gave their (totally unbiased) reaction to Wales’ 2-0 win over Andorra.

Relive it here.courtesy of 5 Live's Football Daily Podcast.

Brit Watson reaches third round

Good news for British tennis fans, Heather Watson has defeated Taiwan's Lee Ya-Hsuan 6-0 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 to reach the third round of the Hong Kong Open. 

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Get Involved - Euro 2016 debate

How will the three home nations perform at Euro 2016?

• Will Northern Ireland continue surprising?
• Will Bale & Ramsey lead Wales to the latter stages?
• Will England shock the world by qualifying from the group stage?

Join the debate using #bbcsportsday

PA

Northern Ireland's Oliver Norwood (left) and Stuart Dallas celebrate after the 1-1 draw against Finland

Fowler commits future to Irish

London Irish centre Tom Fowlie has committed his future to the club by signing a two-year contract extension.

The new deal takes the England Under-18 and Under-20 international through to the end of the 2017-18 season.

Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

William, below the belt...

In other news, remember Gerrad and co posing ahead of the 2010 World Cup in their official suits? A few potential James Bonds among this lot.

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Feeling the pain

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Wondering how it's going in the cricket? The answer is, not well.

Pakistan are racing along, pretty much untroubled, and  about half-an-hour after tea are now 405-4.

Shoaib Malik is 179 not out, with Asad Shafiq on 71.

England's bowlers look shattered and more than a little cheesed off and on a flat wicket, in baking hot sunshine, offering very little, who can blame them?

You will wind live text commentary here.

Safely though

Andy Murray has just sealed his second round match at the Shanghai Masters, beating American Steve Johnson in straight sets.

The British world number three won the first set 6-2 and followed it up by taking the second 6-4, wrapping up the match in a fairly brisk one hour and 16 minutes.

It was the very definition of comfortable. Well done that man.

FA face Uefa disciplinary probe

Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association as a result of the crowd disturbances during England's match in Lithuania on Monday.

Riot police required to quell skirmishes between rival fans.

Fighting broke out in a stand behind one of the goals just before the match began in Vilnius.

The Lithuanian FA are also in the dock regarding crowd disturbances, ticketing and stairways blocked, in relation to the match.

PA

Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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Nice, Andrew. A reference, of course, to Sam Allardyce's claim that he missed out on the England job because the FA didn't have any facilities to play his carefully-prepared Powerpoint presentation.

Close-run thing

The second set between Andy Murray and his American opponent Steve Johnson set is proving a tighter affair.

After Murray took the opener 6-2, he's found things a little tougher now, locked at 3-3 on serve in the second.

Johnson is playing much better and Murray knows he is in a battle. Still, a set to the good, you'd certainly back the Brit to come through.

Play resumes...

Shaken, but not stirred

Blimey Nora, Lewis... you're not the next James Bond are you?

Get Involved - Your sporting James Bond

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'I will stay on'

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Netherlands coach Danny Blindtook over at the start of July after Guus Hiddink left after 10 months in the position.

He has lost three of his four matches in charge but says he has "no intention" of stepping down.

"I'm going to carry on with my work because I'm under contract until 2018 and I believe in this team," Blind said.

"I haven't achieved my goal. The aim was to qualify automatically or via the play-offs and I haven't done that.

"Am I the one to blame? I now have to analyse that. The results weren't good."

Dutch despair

While it's delirium in Wales, spare a thought for the people of the Netherlands this morning.

The Dutch have failed to qualify for Euro 2016, Robin van Persie scoring an own goal in a 3-2 home defeat by the 10-man Czech Republic.

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Danny Blind's side needed to win and for Iceland to beat Turkey to earn a play-off spot.

But the Dutch lost (though it could have been even more embarrassing - they were 3-0 down at one point), while Turkey beat Iceland 1-0.

NNot a good night, though perhaps it neatly summed up what has been a wretched qualifying campaign for a team that finished third at the World Cup.

'Golden generation'

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Wales manager Chris Coleman says his players are now worthy of being described as a "golden generation" after qualifying for Euro 2016.

"The team were labelled the 'golden generation' before they'd earned it. Now they've earned it," said Coleman.

"They deserve it. You get team spirit from working hard for each other on the pitch and coming through tough situations and big challenges, and they've done it time after time."

Get Involved - Sporting James Bond

That didn't take long...

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Andy Murray lost serve in the opening game of the match but quickly got into his stride and has just won the first set 6-2 in his opening match of the Shanghai Masters against American Steve Johnson.

It is the Scot’s first match since he inspired Great Britain’s Davis Cup semi-final victory over Australia last month.

Cooke stays put

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Chris Cooke has signed a two-year extension to his current contract to keep him with Glamorgan until the end of the 2018 season.

The batsman helped Glamorgan to the YB40 final at Lord's in 2013 after making his mark in one-day cricket.

Murray hits back

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Good news for Andy Murray fans.

After that dodgy start - losing his opening service game - the lad from Dunblane is now flying.

Murray leads 4-1, having broken Johnson twice, and he's playing some wonderful stuff, whipping forehands across the court every which way.

It's the second round of the Shangai Masters by the way, the first time Murray has been in action since helping GB to Davis Cup semi-final success against Australia.

Get Involved - Your James Bond

Right, we want your input. Check this out.

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Which leads us to ask this: Which sporting person would you select to play James Bond and why?

My personal choice is Bury striker Craig Madden (who broke the club's all-time scoring record for one season in 1981-82, as you well know). Always delivered on time, never panicked, and rescued many a dire situation.

Who are you opting for? Let us know now at #bbcsportsday or post a message on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

'Gutted'

Lunch-time

Recovery

Andy Murray's back. Hoorah.

But it's not been a great start. Boo.

(We'll lay off the pantomime stuff now).

The Brit was broken in the opening game of his first round match at the Shangai Masters, not perhaps the way he envisaged his first match since the triumphant Davis Cup semi-final against Australia to start.

But hang on, Murray has just broken straight back. It's 1-1, back on serve.

Odom being treated in hospital

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Ex-NBA basketball player Lamar Odom is being treated in hospital after being found unconscious at a brothel in Nevada, authorities have said.

Police were called to Love Ranch brothel in Crystal, Nevada, after he was found unresponsive on Tuesday.

The American (pictured above, on the right`) had to be driven to hospital because he was too tall to be airlifted in a helicopter.

Mr Odom, 35, has played basketball for Miami, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.

'Replace Blatter quickly'

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It wouldn't be a day without a 'y' in it if we didn't have a Fifa story to bring you.

So here's today's... Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein says any delay in electing Sepp Blatter's replacement would "create further instability".

The Jordanian wants to replace the suspended president of world football's governing body in February's election.

But after Blatter, 79, and Uefa president Michel Platini, 60, were suspended, Fifa is expected to discuss postponing the vote.

Prince Ali said that would "tell the world lessons haven't been learned".

'It will take willpower'

Russell Fuller

BBC tennis correspondent

The last couple of months of the season offered Robson the perfect opportunity to get some wins at a lower level and gain the match sharpness she will require to force her way back into the top 100.

Instead she has only been able to play one tournament since the US Open.

The last two years have been a virtual write-off and, for all her talent, it will take a lot of willpower to get back where she once was.

Robson to miss rest of the year

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While we're talking tennis, there is worrying news about former British number one Laura Robson, who has announced that she won't play again this year as she continues her recovery from injury.

The world number 547 returned to competition at Eastbourne in June after 17 months out with a wrist injury.

She has played just 10 matches since, winning three, and last featured at an ITF event in Monterrey a month ago.

"Laura's team decided it was most effective for her to spend her time training for the rest of the year," the 21-year-old's management company said.

In trouble again?

From Daily Mail tennis writer Mike Dickson, after controversial Aussie Nick Kyrgios was warned during his match with Nishikori for smashing the ball into the court in anger after losing the second set.

Murray returns

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Andy Murrayis about to return to court for his first match since his Davis Cup semi-final heroics against Australia.

Murray faces America's Steve Johnson in the second round at the Shanghai Masters.

It's due to start in the next few minutes and follows a cracking encounter between Kei Nishikori andNick Kyrgios.

Australian Kyrgios took the opening set 6-1, Nishikori the second 6-4, and then the Japanese - playing some truly beautiful shots - took the decider.

As for Murray, we'll bring you regular updates as soon as it gets under way - it's due to start in the next few minutes...

Bone stress injury hits Finn

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Some meat on the bone of that last story.

Steven Finn will return home because of a bone stress injury to his left foot.

Finn had made a late run into the reckoning for selection as third seamer for the first Test match of three against Pakistan, only to suffer pain in his foot.

He took four for 16 in England's warm-up match against Pakistan A in Sharjah but was then ruled out of the first Test and has spent the past three days on crutches.

"Finn has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour of the UAE with a bone stress injury to his left foot, which requires a period of off-loading to aid recovery," said an ECB statement. "He will return to the UK today for further assessment."

Finn out

Bad news for England off the pitch as well...

Get Involved - Wales

For goodness sake Steve, it's the morning after qualification, can't we all just enjoy it...

Relive the game

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By the way, if you wish to sample some of the atmosphere inside the Cardiff City Stadium last night, have a listen to some of the match commentary here - including the goals of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale.

Final standings

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Back to Wales, who have alreadystarted their preparations for Euro 2016, twice visiting France in recent months to look at potential training bases.

Although Coleman's side recently rose to an all-time world ranking high of eighth, the nature of Uefa's coefficient ratings mean they will be among the bottom group of fourth seeds for the tournament, potentially leading to a difficult draw.

Long day ahead

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Quickly to the cricket, where day two of England's first |Test against Pakistan is under way (play started at 07:00 BST).

It's not been a terrific start by Alastair Cook's men.

Pakistan resumed on 268-4 with England chasing early wickets. But they've drawn a blank and instead the hosts have put their foot on the accelerator and raced to 350-4, Shoaib Malik passing the 150 mark.

You will find live text commentary here, but be warned - looks like it could be a long day.

Highlights

Some of the best photos from Cardiff...

AP

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Reuters

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Suffice to say, the Welsh lads were pretty happy...

'My pride' - Gary Speed's father

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The father of the late Gary Speed - Roger - has been talking to BBC Radio 5 live about his pride at Wales’ qualification for Euro 2016.

He also talked about how he was brought to tears by the crowd in their last home qualifier against Israel.

Listen to the interview here.

Let's all have a party

Let's start with Wales because boy do they deserve it.

Their 2-0 win over Andorra at the Cardiff City Stadium wasn't the finest 90 minutes of football you'll ever see but frankly, who cares?

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Having already secured their place at a first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, there was an electric atmosphere around the ground with the match almost secondary to the jamboree in the stands.

Aaron Ramsey scored - firing in after Ashley Williams's header was saved - then, fittingly, Gareth Bale struck his seventh goal of the campaign with five minutes to go.

Wales finished second in Group B following Belgium's win against Israel. They're off to France next summer, they can't wait - and neither can we.

Wednesday's papers

The Guardian

Wednesday's papers

The Mirror

Wednesday's papers

Daily Mail

Wednesday's papers

The Sun

Wednesday's papers

The Times

Wednesday's papers

Daily Telegraph

Wednesday's papers

Independent

Welsh wonders

GOOD MORNING.

Or. to people in Wales, a much softer and quieter... 'good morning', as your heads might be a bit sore today.

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What a party it was in Cardiff as Chris Coleman's men, already qualified of course, completed their qualifiers with victory over Andorra.

More on that shortly, plus everything else that's going on in the sporting world.

First, the papers.