Lahm resumes training

PULA: World Cup hosts Germany received encouraging news on Saturday about key defender Philipp Lahm who has resumed light training after an operation on his left elbow. The 22-year-old Bayern Munich star injured his elbow when he fell on it during the 7-0 romp by Germany over amateur side Luckenwalde on Tuesday. However while he will have it in plaster for around two weeks Lahm said he was not worried that it might keep him out of the World Cup. German coach Jurgen Klinsmann had not in any case called up a replacement as the surgeon had assured Lahm that he would be fit for the finals.

Bullet tour for fans

TOKYO: Japan will carry on their tradition of organising a “bullet” tour for supporters to attend a World Cup football match without an overnight stopover. The Japan Football Association said on its website that it will allot 600 tickets for the Japan-Brazil Group F match on June 22 in Dortmund to the 35-hour lightning package tour. The tour’s price will be $2,250 for an economy class seat and $3,160 for a business-class seat. According to a tentative itinerary, the tour group will leave Tokyo and Osaka aboard two chartered planes for Cologne on June 22.

Hamann retires

LONDON: Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has retired from international football after being overlooked for Germany’s World Cup squad. He won 59 caps and scored five goals, among them the last ever goal at the old Wembley Stadium when Germany beat England in an October 2000 World Cup qualifier. Hamann made his international debut against South Africa in 1997 and his last appearance was against Holland in August last year. In 2002 he played for Germany in the World Cup final.