In the same week that Michel Platini fights to save his career, the draw for the finals of the expanded 24-team European Championship that he championed takes place in Paris on Saturday.

The former France star, who propelled his country to glory as a player when they last hosted the Europeans in 1984, was widely criticized in his role as the UEFA president for changing the format of a tournament that had been so compelling with 16 teams, in particular in 2012 when Spain triumphed in Poland and Ukraine.

Rogerio Ceni, the highest-scoring goalkeeper in history, charmed the world with his golden boots, but it is his magical gloves that will be most missed at the club where he spent his career, Brazil's Sao Paulo.

Ceni, who was Sao Paulo's go-to man for free kicks and penalties, scored 131 goals in his 25-year professional career -- far more than any other keeper.

Jose Mourinho hopes Chelsea's progress to the Champions League last 16 will restore his side's shattered confidence and help save his job.

Mourinho was on the brink of being sacked until Chelsea avoided elimination from Europe's elite club competition with a 2-0 win over Porto at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The Boston Celtics warmed up for their critical game against the streaking Golden State Warriors on Friday night by holding on to beat the Chicago Bulls 105-100 Wednesday at the Boston Garden.

Forward David Lee scored six points and guard Evan Turner had two points and three assists during a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter for the Celtics who turned a 77-77 tie into an 87-77 lead with 6:55 left on the clock.

The president of Roma, James Pallotta, launched an astonishing attack on media Wednesday, accusing them of "beating up" the Serie A club's players.

Roma squeezed into the last 16 of the Champions League after a dire scoreless draw at home to Belarusian champions BATE Borisov on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola celebrated his 100th win as Bayern Munich coach as Robert Lewandowski scored both goals in Wednesday's 2-0 Champions League win at Dinamo Zagreb.

Bayern had already secured their place in the next round as Group F winners before the match at the Maksimir stadium in Zagreb which saw Guardiola reach his landmark figure in just 132 games at the Bavarian giants.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique is concerned Neymar may be set for a lengthy lay-off after the Brazilian superstar injured his groin before their final Champions League group match.

The defending champions were already through to the Champions League's last 16 for the 12th year in succession and ended their group campaign on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen.

Olivier Giroud netted a hat-trick to propel Arsenal to a 3-0 win at Olympiakos on Wednesday and send the Gunners through to the Champions League knockout stages at the expense of the Greeks.

The France striker gave Arsenal a first-half lead at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus before netting twice more, the third coming from the penalty spot, to ensure Arsene Wenger's side reached the last 16 of the competition for the 16th year in a row.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal found himself under attack from all sides on Wednesday following his team's meek group-phase elimination from the Champions League.

A picture of the Dutchman sitting in the dug-out with his head in his hands during Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg adorned several back pages, The Times branding United's exit "Embarrassing, Amateurish, Excruciating".

Japan's figure skating superstars Yuzuru Hanyu and Mao Asada will both be bidding to make history in the ISU Grand Prix Final in Barcelona starting on Thursday.

Olympic champion Hanyu is targeting an unprecedented third straight men's gold as three-time world champion Asada chases a record fifth women's crown.