By Paul OsborneJanuary 26 - Double Olympic champions France have triumphed at the 2014 European Handball Championships, beating hosts Denmark 41-32 in the final at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning.

The third place play-off saw Spain edge past Croatia 29-28 in an extremely close encounter.A four-goal

By Paul OsborneJanuary 25 - Canada have defied all the odds and progressed to just their second ever Cup semi-final in the HSBC Sevens World Series with victory over France in the quarter-finals in Las Vegas.

the Scots in this year's competition.Hosts United States began day two brightly with a victory over Spain

Plate sees England take on France and Argentina up against Australia, while the US and Uruguay, and Spain

By Zjan ShirinianJanuary 24 - The nine countries which will be seeded in the qualifying draw for Euro 2016 have been announced by UEFA.

They are headed by defending champions Spain, who are joined in pot one by Germany, Netherlands, Italy

By Paul OsborneJanuary 23 - USA Basketball has announced the 28 players who have been selected for the 2014-2016 men's national team pool, from which the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympic teams will be chosen.

participate due to injury.The United States have won the past two Olympic gold medals with victory over Spain

Our first challenge will be the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup that is being held in Spain."

With 24 teams competing for the world title, including host Spain who we have had memorable games against

By Gary AndersonJanuary 23 - South Africa will be looking to secure their second consecutive win in the HSBC World Sevens Series this weekend as they tour pitches in Las Vegas, where the Blitzbokke will be out to defend the title they won last year at the Sam Boyd Stadium.

United States will be hoping to spring a few surprises in Pool D and will fancy their chances against Spain

His brother-in-law, Juan Carlos of Spain, took part in the 1972 Olympic sailing competition.British subjects

By Zjan ShirinianJanuary 21 - Brazilian city Curitiba could be excluded from hosting matches at this summer's FIFA World Cup, unless it can show in the next four weeks that it is able to resolve lengthy delays with its stadium.

the stadium are Iran versus Nigeria on June 16; Honduras versus Ecuador on June 20; Australia versus Spain

By Paul OsborneJanuary 20 - Two-time Olympic gold medallist Kobe Bryant has claimed he will not play basketball for the United States at Rio 2016.

Bryant joked that he would "watch Pau win another silver" following the United States' victory over Spain

By Nick ButlerJanuary 18 - Roger Federer and Andy Murray are one win away from a quarter final showdown at the Australian Open after each secured comfortable straight sets victories on a blustery and cooler day in Melbourne.

safely through after beating Austrian Yvonne Meusburger 6-1, 6-0, while Garbiñe Muguruza Blanco of Spain

By Zjan ShirinianJanuary 17 - Serena Williams powered her way to a record 61st singles victory at the Australian Open, on another day of extreme heat in Melbourne.

Czech Lucie Safarova, eventually winning 1-6, 7-6, 6-3.On the men's side of the draw, David Ferrer of Spain

By Zjan ShirinianJanuary 16 - Play was suspended for more than four hours on all but two of the courts in Melbourne during another scorching day at the Australian Open, as the "extreme heat policy" was finally implemented.

involving fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro.The Argentine lost in five sets to Roberto Bautista Agut, of Spain

By Paul Osborne at the O2 Arena in London January 15 - National Basketball Association (NBA) All Star Luol Deng is set to return to the Great Britain team ahead of the EuroBasket qualifiers this summer, British Basketball has confirmed.

second qualification round of the 2015 EuroBasket will be revealed when the draw is due to be made in Spain

By Zjan ShirinianJanuary 15 - The top seeds made light work of their opponents on day three of the Australian Open, as the searing Melbourne heat meant many were in a hurry to get off the court.

wind - but so far play has not been stopped.Day four at the open will men's top seed Rafael Nadal of Spain

By Zjan ShirinianJanuary 15 - Nine referees from Europe are among the 25 chosen by FIFA for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

vice-president Jim Boyce.The referees include Briton Howard Webb, who officiated the at times hot-blooded Spain

Brazil, including the final ©AFP/Getty Images Felix Brych from Germany, Carlos Velasco Carballo from Spain

Marisol Casado Spain 60715. Danka Barteková Slovakia 27516. Pál Schmitt Hungary 24817.