Demirel to miss semis

VIENNA: Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel will miss his team’s semi-final match against Germany at the European Championship after UEFA upheld his two-match ban on Monday. Turkey had appealed the suspension, which also kept Demirel from playing in the quarter-final win over Croatia. Demirel was likely to be replaced for Wednesday’s match by Rustu Recber, who would play his 118th international match. Demirel was banned for two games after he was sent off against the Czech Republic in Turkey’s final Group A game

in Geneva last Sunday. He had knocked down striker Jan Koller in the final minute of the match, which Turkey won 3-2. — AP

Hickersberger quits

VIENNA: Josef Hickersberger quit as Austria coach one day before the Austrian football federation was to decide his future. Hickersberger told federation president Friedrich Stickler on Monday that he resigned with immediate effect. His contract was due to expire in December. “I am empty and tired, I need a time off, must recharge the batteries. Chapter closed, mission accomplished,” Hickersberger was quoted as saying on Austrian daily newspaper Der Standard’s Web site. Co-host Austria was eliminated in the group stage of the European Championship after losing to Croatia and Germany and drawing with Poland. — AP