Armenia’s rivals at FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifiers are placed as follows: Italy is 8th with 1115 points, Denmark – 10th with 1090 points, Czech Republic climbed to 29th place with 775 points, Bulgaria is 88th with 408 points, Malta dropped to 159th place with 133 points.

World and European champion, Spain tops the FIFA rankings; followed by Germany and the Netherlands (1369 and 1359 points resp.).

Armenian Football Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan noted that Gyumri stadium is likely to host Armenia’s youth team matches.

On June 12 Armenia U-21 squad will face Andorra at European Football Championship qualifiers. With 8 points Armenia comes 3rd in 3rd qualifying round. Czech Republic tops standings with 10 points.

Weightlifting and boxing: Second numbers of the Armenian team are likely to perform at European Weightlifting Championships to be held on April 6-15 in Antalya, Turkey, Armenian Weightlifting Federation President said.

According to Samvel Khachatryan, the weightlifters who perform well at Armenian championships due Feb 22-26 are likely to be included in the Olympic team.

“Currently 64 Armenian weightlifters are having team practice sections in Armenian cities of Abovyan, Gyumri and resort town of Tsaghkadzor,” Mr. Khachatryan said.

From February 20-26, Armenian sportsmen will participate in international boxing tournament in Bulgaria.

According to Armenian team’s head coach Karen Aghamalyan, 6 boxers will represent Armenia.

“The squad is currently training in Abovyan. The line-up for the tournament is as follows: Hovhannes Danielyan (49 kg), Baregham Harutyunyan (52 kg), Hovhannes Bochkov (56 kg), Vladimir Sarukhanyan (60 k.g.), Artur Khachatryan (81 kg) and Sergo Poghosyan (+91 kg).

From March 8-16, another tournament will be held in Finland with 6 Armenian boxers participating: Koryun Soghomonyan (49 kg), Narek Abgaryan (52 kg), Aram Avagyan (56 kg), Ara Puluzyan (64 kg), Hrayr Matevosyan (69 kg) and Andranik Hakobyan (75 kg).

The head coach noted that these tournaments will determine contenders for the tournament in Trabzon, Turkey due on April 13-22.

Tennis: Four-time finalist Argentina sealed the tie against Germany on February 11, as doubles pair David Nalbandian and Eduardo Schwank rallied to upend Philipp Petzschner and Tommy Haas in five sets.

Argentina is through to the Davis Cup quarterfinals, having built an unreachable 3-0 advantage over Germany. Veteran David Nalbandian and partner Eduardo Schwankfell were behind two sets, then rallied to seal the win in five, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Team Argentina had a 2-0 edge heading into the doubles rubber following successful singles results from Nalbandian and Juan Monaco.

They are scheduled to take on either Croatia or Japan in the quarterfinals, which takes place in early April, Tennistalk.com reported.

After knocking French No. 2 seed Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-2 in 68 minutes David Nalbandian made it to 2012 Brasil Open quarterfinal held in Sao Paolo.

However, Nalbandian later dropped out of the tournament after suffering a defeat by Filippo Volandri from Italy.

The player confirmed his participation in the Copa Claro 2012, scheduled for February 18-26 in Buenos Aires.