Italy's footballers are bracing for an unpleasant surprise during the World Cup finals -- nude photographs of themselves. The "Squadra Azzurra" are expecting the worst from a paparazzi photographer after an incident during their final preparations for Tuesday night's friendly against Sweden. Goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi pulled a muscle which cost him a place at France '98 and in the subsequent confusion around the changing rooms, a photographer sneaked in to the building on Sunday morning. He made it to a glass door which looked onto the changing rooms, in which several players were wandering about either half clothed or fully naked, and began happily snapping away. Midfielder Angelo Di Livio was the first to raise the alarm, telling the photographer in no uncertain terms where to go, quickly followed by a completely nude skipper Paolo Maldini. However, the snapper was quicker off the mark than the Italian team minders and made a quick getaway.

Bilbaohold Brazil 1-1

Brazil, who played without Romario, drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in their warm-up match for the World Cup. Carlos Garcia opened the scoring for Bilbao in the 18th minute but Brazil's Rivaldo levelled the scores three minutes after the break. In the other warm-up games, Mexico beat Japan 2-1, while Cameroon defeated Luxembourg 2-0.

Saudis' chosen 22

The squad as announced by Carlos Alberto Parreira: GK: Mohammed Al-Daeya, Hussein Sadoq, Taysir al-Natif; Defenders: Mohd. Chliya, Ahmed Doukhi, Mohd. Khlaiwi, Ahmed Jamil, A Souleiman, Hussein Abdel Ghani, Aziz al-Janoubi.; Midfielders: Fouad Anwar, Khamis al-Ouairan, Ibrahim Mater, K Messaed, Hamza Saleh; Strikers: Nawaf al-Timiyat, Sami al-Jaber, Fahd al-Mhallel, Y Thounayan, Saeed al-Owairan, Oubeid al-Doussari, Ibrahim Soueid.

The French Cuppa Quick Sips

Bierhoff's challenge
German ace Oliver Bierhoff has thrown down the gauntlet to Ronaldo, saying he will outscore theBrazilian at the World Cup just as he did in last season's Serie A. The two men are set to become neighbours as well as rivals here next season, with Bierhoff leaving Udinese to join AC Milan and Ronaldo staying with Inter. But first comes the small matter of France '98.

US seek scoring spark
Members of the United States World Cup team are making a list of the items they will need as they prepare to depart Thursday for France. Toothbrush. OK. Underwear. OK. Goal scorers. Ooops. Finding someone to put the ball in the back of the opponent's net is becoming a real problem for the US team, which played a second goal-less draw in two weeks against Scotland.

Robot soccer
Scientists, who do not want to be left on the sidelines, take centrestage next week, will organise a similar extravaganza -- not by humans but by robots. More than 60 teams of robots from major research organisations across the world will take part in this robot football World Cup, from June 30 to July 8 in Paris. The5-a-side tournament to be played on an area equal to 20 Table Tennis boards is open to robots not higher than 50 cms and each match will be 20 minutes.

The Rise And Fall Of Gazza

JULY 1990: Bursts into tears during World Cup semi-final with West Germany after yellow card. Out of final, but wins hearts.
MAY 1991: Lasts 17 minutes of FA Cup final; tears ligament; out for 16 months.
SEPT 1991: Career in doubt after fresh surgery on knee following injuries sustained in nightclub scuffle near home.
SEPT 1992: Lasts 45 minutes of Lazio (Italiandebut) after hurting knee again.
AUGUST 1993: Returns to Lazio after summer break in England, overweight.
DECEMBER 1993: Reports to Rome after Christmas break with thigh strain.
JANUARY 1994: Breaks rib against Sampdori; arrested after punching photographer.
APRIL 1994: Career in doubt again after breaks his jinxed right leg in two places while training for Lazio. Out of action for ayear.
JULY 1994: Admits to a newspaper that he beat up girlfriend Sheryl Kyle for two years.
APRIL 1995: Returns to Lazio.
MAY 1995: Signs for Glasgow Rangers in 4.3million deal.
SEPT 1995: Returns for England, after 18-month absence, against Colombia.
APRIL 1996: Crowned Scottish Player of the Year by fellow pros. Hat-trick against Aberdeen makes Rangers champions for eighth time.
MAY 1996: Pleads with fans not to wreck Euro 96. Took part in England players' drinking session in Hong Kong to celebrate his 29th birthday. Said to be involved in causing damage to Cathay Pacific plane bringing England back from Far East tour.
JUNE 1996: Stars for England in Euro 96, scoring against Scotland on way to semis.
MAY 1997: Returns from injury to guide Rangers to a record-equalling ninth League title and welcomed back into England fold for summer.
SEPT 1997: Praised for man-of-match display in home 4-0 WC win overMoldova.
MAY 1998: England boss Glenn Hoddle expresses his disappointment after Gascoigne is pictured eating a kebab in the early hours after a night out.
Disappointing campaign ends with him being left out of squad.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: GROUP D

Toppers: Spain
Runners-up: Bulgaria
The X-factor: Paraguay
Key Match: Bulgaria v Paraguay,
which may decide 2nd qualifier from Group D

It is perhaps the most difficult Group to predict. Spain have a good chance of winning not just the Group, but maybe even top honours for they have a very good team with experience and new faces. They have been nearly unbeatable in recent times. The winners of the Olympic gold in 1992 look formidable indeed. Nigeria has a good crop of newcomers, while Bulgaria are a solid, hardworking side, who must looking for revenge against Nigeria, to whom they lost four years ago.Paraguay have that flashy goalie, Jose Luis Chilavert,but the squad is fraught with in-fighting.

SPAIN
Coach: Javier Clemente
Key Players: F Raul Gonzalez, F Alfonso Perez; M Josep Guardiola; DAbelardo Fernandez; G Andoni Zubizaretta
Past Appearances: (9) '34, '50, '62, '78, '82, '86, '90, '94
Glory Times: 1950, when they were fourth
Points In Their Favour