Berlin, July 24, IRNA – Contract extension talks between German first division club Hamburger SV and its Iranian striker Mehdi Mahdavikia have been postponed as a result of Hamburg's efforts to sign an additional top-rate striker, the bi-weekly kicker sports magazine reported Thursday.

Hamburg team officials had said earlier "there was no time pressure" to prematurely extend Mahdavikia's contract beyond the summer of next year, refusing to speculate as to when the negotiations would resume. Mahdavikia has repeatedly signalled his willingness to play for Hamburg next season.
The ex-Perspolis striker was linked to several English Premier League teams, following Mahdavikia's superb performance in the German Bundesliga last season.

Abedzadeh Released From Hospital MNA - TEHRAN, Former Iranian goalkeeper Ahmadreza Abedzadeh was released from Arad Hospital, central Tehran, Saturday.Returning from a journey to northern Iran, Abedzadeh felt dizzy and nausea and was rushed to hospital Friday.He underwent tests and CT scan by his physician Abbassioun and was allowed to leave the hospital on July 26 as his general conditions were reported as normal.

Talking to reporters, Prof. Abbassioun said there is no room for concern.
He added, “Unfortunately, a little neglect of his medicines caused him to feel sick.”
Abedzadeh was the national keeper of Iran, and goalie of popular sides Esteqlal and Persepolis.
In March 2002, he underwent a brain surgery and narrowly survived.

Asian Cup 2004 Qualifiers fixtures announced

PFDC - The football governing body in Asia, AFC, released today the corrected fixtures for Asian Cup 2004 Qualifiers, giving Lebanon the favor to host their return leg against Iran from what it was decided before.
"It was previously reported that the two teams meet in Tehran for the return leg, but after correspondance with AFC, we have been successful to change the return venue to Beirut." says Bahij Abu Hamza.
"Lebanon is enjoying the services of Frenchman Richard Tardi who has invited 11 olympic players to prepare them for this important event." concludes Hamza.
Below you can find the corrected fixtures:
Sep 6, 2003
Iran vs Jordan - Tehran
N. Korea vs Lebanon - Pyongyang
Sep 28, 2003
Jordan vs Iran - Amman
Lebanon vs N. Korea -Beirut
Oct 19, 2003
N. Korea vs Iran - Pyongyang
Jordan vs Lebannon - Amman
Nov 13, 2003
Iran vs N. Korea - Tehran
Lebannon vs Jordan - Beirut
Nov 19, 2003
Iran vs Lebanon - Tehran
Jordan vs N. Korea - Amman
Nov 29, 2003
Lebanon vs Iran - Beirut
N. Korea vs Jordan - Pyongyang

Iran's federation summons 36 to national football camp

Tehran, July 11, IRNA -- Iran's Football Federation (IFF) Thursday invited 36 players to attend the national training sessions. According to the IFF, the team is prepping for a fou-sided tournament in Tehran and the Asian Nations Cup. The invited players are Ebrahim Mirzapour, Nima Nakissa, Seyed Mehdi Rahmati, Nader Ghobishavi, Rahman Ahmadi, Afshin Peyrovani, Yahya Golmohammadi, Rahman Rezaei, Mohammad Nosrati, Jalal Kameli-Mofrad, Mohsen Bengar, Samad Zare', Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi, Ali Badavi, Mehrzad Ma'danchi, Mehdi Amirabadi, Hossein Ka'bi, Mehdi Rajabzadeh, Pejman Nouri, Asghar Taleb-Nassab, Reza Jabbari, Mahmoud Karimi, Javad Kazemian, Iman Mob'ali, Javad Nekounam, Yadollah Akbari,Moharram Navidkia, Ali Daei, Farhad Majidi, Ali Karimi, Vahid Hashemian, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Amir Vaziri, Edmond Bezik, Arash Borhani,and Hamid Shafiei. Manager Homayoun Shahrokhi, coach Hossein Faraki, goalkeeping coach Ahmad Sajjadi, physical fitness coach Hamid Khodadad are steering the team.

Iran's varsity judo team wins Turkish title
By IRNA

TEHRAN -- Iran's Islamic Azad University (IAU) was crowned at an international judo tournament in Turkey Monday. According to the IAU's Physical Education Department, the kurash team of Azad university also ranked second in the Turkish tourney. The varsity judo team bagged three golds as Mehdi Hajizadeh, Majid Javadifar, and Ali Rezaei stood top in -60, 66, and -90 kg competitions. FGE of Izmir and Istanbul finished runner-up and third respectively. The two-member kurash team of Iran snatched two gold and one bronze medals. In 66 kg, Majid Javadifar took the gold and Ali Rezaei added another gold to IAU's asset as he stole the show in -90 kg class. In open category, Rezaei took a bronze medal. Turkey lifted the kurash trophy and the third title went to Uzbekistan. Rezaei was announced Technical Player of the Tournament