Three goals in 12 first-half minutes set Udinese on course for a 5-3 home rout of Serie A strugglers Livorno on Sunday. The visitors looked like they were going to have a good afternoon when Paulo Sergio Betanin put them ahead in the 13th minute. Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale missed an opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot but in the 19th minute he scored in open play. Emmanuel Ba...Full Story »

Striker Paulinho has agreed a contract extension with Serie A new boys Livorno. The Brazilian, who also holds an Italian passport, will now stay with the club until 2018 after playing a major role in them gaining promotion from Serie B last season. A statement on www.livornocalcio.it read: "AS Livorno Calcio is pleased to announce officially the extension of the contract for the player Paulo...Full Story »

BRASILIA, June 15 (Reuters) - Hosts Brazil opened the Confederations Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Japan on Saturday but the occasion was marred when police fired teargas at protesters outside the Mane Garrincha National Stadium.A stunning third minute goal from Neymar set Brazil on their way before Paulinho added a second three minutes into the second half as they dealt competently with t...Full Story »

ROME, June 2 (Reuters) - Livorno were promoted to Serie A on Sunday after a 1-0 home victory over local rivals Empoli in the second leg of the Serie B playoff final saw them win 2-1 on aggregate.A bullet Paulinho header from a Pasquale Schiattarella cross 32 minutes into the first half was enough to seal promotion for the Tuscan side, who return to Serie A after three years away.They will join S...Full Story »