Valuables stolen from Panama team hotel

OSLO • At around the time that World Cup debutants Panama were being beaten 1-0 by Norway in Oslo on Wednesday, thieves were busy rifling through their hotel rooms, Norwegian police told AFP yesterday.

Authorities confirmed that valuables worth around €53,000 (S$83,443) were taken.

Panama kick off their Group G campaign against Belgium on June 18, followed by England and Tunisia.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Russia lowest-ranked of all World Cup teams

LONDON • Hosts Russia will begin next week's World Cup as the lowest-ranked of the 32 teams participating in the tournament, according to Fifa's latest world rankings announced yesterday.

Russia have slipped four places to No. 70, behind Saudi Arabia at No. 67, while world champions Germany remain on top. The two lowest-ranked teams will kick off the tournament at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Thursday.

REUTERS

New dad Eriksen back with Denmark squad

COPENHAGEN • Playmaker Christian Eriksen has rejoined the squad following the birth of his son on Monday, the Denmark team said yesterday.

He missed their goal-less friendly against Sweden at the weekend as his partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen awaited the birth of their first child. Denmark play Peru on June 16 in their World Cup opener.

REUTERS