Urzaiz earns Athletic deal

New deal struck
The player celebrated his 32nd birthday on Tuesday by securing another deal with the Basque club, who have renewed his contract until June 2005. Urzaiz's appearance in Tuesday's Copa del Rey tie against RS Gimnástica de Torrelavega triggered a clause in the two-year contract that the player signed two seasons ago, stating that Athletic would review the terms of his deal upon completion of 40 games for the club.

Prieto's toe woe
However, any celebrations were marred by Athletic's 2-1 defeat at the hands of third-division opponents. The defeat also cost Athletic the services of defender Luis Prieto for three weeks. The 24-year-old centre back limped off after 82 minutes of Tuesday's match and tests have revealed that Prieto has broken a toe in his left foot. He will miss league games against RCD Mallorca and Real Valladolid.

Zamorano tribute
Also in Spain, Real Madrid CF will pay tribute to their former Chilean international forward Iván Zamorano before the league derby against Club Atlético de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on 3 December. Zamorano recently announced his retirement at the age of 36, and the occasion will be an opportunity for Spanish supporters to show their appreciation for the player. Zamorano scored 100 goals in four years at Madrid.

Hristov in hot water
Finally to Germany where 1. FC Kaiserslautern's Bulgarian international Marian Hristov has been banned for two league games and fined €3,000 by the German Football Association for his behaviour during Saturday's 4-0 away defeat by VfL Bochum 1848. Hristov had just received his second yellow card for a foul on the Bochum captain Dariusz Wosz when he turned and kicked the ball at Wosz as the latter lay injured on the ground.