SPORTS

Japan have beaten Spain in football for the first time in history, after the side claimed a 1-0 deserved win over 10 men in the first day of the men's football matches.

Should Team GB become a permanent side, and not just for the Olympics? There are many compelling reasons for it, says Alfred Joyner.

Abou Diaby is looking forward to starting the season fit and ready for Arsenal, with the midfielder revealing that he has improved to no end because of Arsene Wenger's confidence in him.

Sir Roger Bannister is favourite to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Games after William Hill closed betting on the 83 year old being given the prestigious honour on Thursday.

Leeds United boss Neil Warnock has added another new player to his squad after it was today revealed that the club had agreed a deal with Portsmouth to sign midfielder David Norris.

Liverpool principal owner John Henry says Kenny Dalglish would have been sacked as manager regardless of whether the club had won the FA Cup.

IBTimes UK brings you the step-by-step guide to book your tickets online for all the biggest sporting events about to happen at the London Olympics 2012.

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has praised new signing Oscar, while the club continue to chase fellow Brazilian Hulk.

Tottenham are believed to be ready to make an offer of €12million to Lyon for goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after the club made it clear that they were willing to listen to offers.

Row over North Korea and South Korea flag mistakes is not only unfortunate incident to occur during huge sporting events.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to be prepared to allow back-up goalkeeper Alexander Doni and Brad Jones both leave the club as he looks to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers stopper Dorus de Vries.

Ryan Giggs and Tom Cleverly have stated there is every chance the hosts could walk away with the gold medal for the men's football tournament

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has sent a clear warning to clubs attempting to purchase Robin van Persie, with the club insisting that he won't leave for a price less than is satisfying.

Manchester City captain and defender Vincent Kompany has penned a new six year deal with the Premier League champions

Andy Murray begins his Olympic campaign back at Wimbledon against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in the first round of the tennis competition at London 2012.

Italian striker Fabio Borini, who has just recently signed by Liverpool, says that he wants to a main player for the Reds and help them score more goals in the upcoming season.

Javier Hernandez has admitted he would have loved to play for his country in the Olympics, but the Manchester United striker says he's equally glad he's been able to participate in his club's pre-season training.

Voula Papachristou has revealed how she has been left feeling "very bitter and upset" after the decision was made to expel her from the Greek team for the London Olympics because of a racist remark she made on Twitter.

Seth Mitchell was never destined to become the great American heavyweight hope. Throughout his childhood he dreamed of being a basketball player, before seemingly finding his true calling when taking up American Football as a freshman at High School.

Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he will assess whether Alberto Aquilani fits into his plans at Liverpool over the course of the pre-season, with the playmaker returning from yet another loan spell in Italy to have a shot at stardom in Merseyside.

Veteran Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has said he is all set to hold talks with the Blues over a contract that will see him finish his professional career at Stamford Bridge

Swansea City claim Liverpool have broken a written agreement between the two the clubs upon the departure of Brendan Rodgers over interest in midfielder Joe Allen.

The organisers behind the 2012 London games have promised some 6,000 tests (including the new bio-marker tests) will be carried out over the course of the event

Mikel Arteta has revealed his admiration for fellow Spaniard Santi Cazorla who has been strongly linked with a move from Malaga to Arsenal in recent days.

Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has revealed how unhappy he was with life at the club under Harry Redknapp who seemingly refused to allow the player to leave White Hart Lane in order to find regular first team football.

For those who believe that the respective Team GB football squads haven't endured pain and heartbreak to reach the summer's Olympic Games, you need only look in the direction of Tom Cleverley.

Manchester United may still be in with a chance of landing Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura after hearing comments from the clubs vice president suggesting that he is willing to further negotiate with the Premier League side.

Former Olympic silver medallist Steve Cram believes the target of eight athletics medals set by head coach Charles van Commenee during the London 2012 Olympics is realistic.

Check out a brief preview of the first serious pre-season friendly for both Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as information on where and how to watch Roberto Mancini's men take on Arsene Wenger's Gunners