Tit-bits

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Hahnemann thinks WC ball is bad invention
IRENE (South Africa), June 3: Marcus Hahnemann is no fan of the new Adidas ball being used for the World Cup. "Technology is not everything," the American goalkeeper said Thursday. "Scientists came up with the atom bomb, doesn't mean we should have invented it."Adidas says the Jabulani, its 11th World Cup model, will travel more accurately because it has eight bonded panels and is perfectly round. Goalkeepers have said it is unpredictable. — AP
Ballack urged to retire by Bayern boss Hoeness
BERLIN, June 3: Injured Germany captain Michael Ballack was Wednesday urged to retire by Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness and forget about leading Germany at Euro 2012. Ballack damaged ankle ligaments playing for Chelsea in last month's FA Cup final and will miss the World Cup in South Africa with Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm captaining the side in his absence. The 33-year-old Ballack has said he intends on playing on until at least the next European Championships to be held in Poland and the Ukraine, but Hoeness has advised him to realise now is the time to quit. — AFP