Striker Oliver Bierhoff has been ruled out of Germany's two remaining Group A Euro 2000 matches against England and Portugal.
The 32-year-old Milan marksman was forced to limp out of training yesterday after injuring his right calf and after an examination at the team's Vaal training base in Holland, it was revealed that he would be unable to play for eight to 10 days.
Bierhoff, who scored the winning `golden goal' when the Germans beat the Czech Republic in the final of Euro 96, had been training for half an hour when he pulled up.
Paulo Rink and Ulf Kirsten could now take his place up front for the crucial clash against England at Charleroi on Saturday, but under-fire coach Erich Ribbeck may decide to opt for giant Bayern Munich forward Carsten Jancker.
England
The English FA has warned David Beckham not to repeat the one-fingered gesture he aimed towards England fans after they subjected him to a torrent of abuse following the Euro 2000 clash with Portugal.
FA officials are understood to have already spoken to the Manchester United star about his actions immediately after England's 3-2 defeat. And they held further discussions with him last night.
There is great sympathy in the FA for Beckham, who has to put up with the foul-mouthed remarks made towards him and his wife "Posh Spice" Victoria.
And it was also revealed by his England team-mate Martin Keown that pop star Victoria, who sat in the stand in Eindhoven, was herself on the receiving end of verbal abuse.
England coach Kevin Keegan has slammed the small group of fans situated near the players' tunnel who verbally attacked Beckham and admitted he would have found it hard himself to control his temper had the remarks been aimed at him. But the FA still feel that they cannot condone Beckham's response.
Spain
The Spanish press berated its footballers yesterday after Jose Camacho's men once again failed to perform to expectations at a major championships, losing 1-0 to Norway in their opening match on Tuesday.
"Spain blows it again in the first round," lamented El Pais on its front page, adding: "History repeats itself."
"Spain, as usual: awful," said Diario 16. Taking a swipe at the national coach, the Barcelona daily Vanguardia headlined: "Camacho shipwrecked in the fjords." Spain had been touted as one of the favourites for the Euro 2000 title after an impressive qualifying campaign which saw them win seven out of eight games and score 42 goals, conceding just five. The Spaniards were also fancied at the 1998 World Cup finals in France, but another goalkeeping error led to a disastrous 2-3 defeat in the opening stages to Nigeria.
