Nordics

ESPN International has acquired a package of more than fifty 2002 World Cup qualifying matches from the European group, including matches involving England, Italy, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Norway, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Denmark and Portugal.
Business

Norway?s bid to stage this year?s ice hockey world championships could be scuppered by a new anti-alcohol sponsorship law.
Business

Sports Resource Group plc is to acquire Sweden-based IEC in Sports International Events and Communications AB for an initial consideration of up to #17.5million ($25.04m/?28.44m).
Events

Battery firm Energizer has signed a deal to become an international partner of the European Athletic Association Programme of Championship events 2000-2003.
Sponsorship & Marketing

Research and evaluation specialist S-Comm is expanding its support office in Sweden with three new staff members.

FIFA has ordered Portugal's Benfica to deliver immediately a bank guarantee to Norway's Rosenborg Trondheim to honour a transfer agreement for striker Sigurd Rushfeldt, the Norwegian Football Association has said.
Media

UEFA have announced sweeping changes to their internal structure.

Switzerland's President Flavio Cotti has asked for the support of France and other French-speaking states for his country's bid to stage the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Events

U>DIRECT, the UK-based independent pay-per-view broadcaster, has hailed last night?s coverage of the Finland versus England soccer World Cup qualifier as a ?very successful evening?.
Stadia

Greenland, which has a population of 55,000 and around 3,000 soccer players, aims to become a member of FIFA and UEFA, national team coach Sepp Piontek has said.
Business

European internet sports network Sportal has finalised a new round of funding for its operations, which the company envisages will see it through to profitability in early 2002.

World and European soccer champions France have launched a publicity campaign aimed at keeping the French public interested in the team.
Business

Britain has urged the Belgian and Dutch hosts of Euro 2000 to get tough on English thugs and prevent an ugly new outbreak of violence at this summer's festival of football.

Canal Plus Scandinavia could go to the European Union to settle a dispute with the Swedish FA.
Business

Mercedes-Benz USA has signed an endorsement deal with LPGA professional Annika Sorenstam.
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Business

America's Cup holders, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, accepted the Swiss challenge for yachting's biggest prize on Monday after a month of legal wrangling.

Leading Swedish clubs AIK Stockholm, IFK Gothenburg and Helsingborg might be interested in playing in a new European league if governing body UEFA backs the idea.
Business

English Premier League soccer club Charlton Athletic will be the first team to test the Football Association?s new laser system to help assistant referees judge offside decisions more accurately.