Bangalore, Nov. 24: England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen has urged his players to keep their chins up and give the Indians a run for their money in the remaining three one-day internationals and the two Test matches.

Munich - Frustrated Germany forward Lukas Podolski has told his club Bayern Munich that he wants to leave the Bundesliga champions during the upcoming winter break, the Bild daily reported on Monday.

Bild said that Podolski, 23, made this move even though Munich manager Uli Hoeness on the weekend ruled out any departure during the January transfer window.

"I have told those responsible that I want to leave in winter," Podolski was quoted as telling Bild. "I have reached the decision that I want to leave the club in winter."

Frankfurt - SV Hamburg are under investigation by the German football federation DFB after a player from visiting Werder Bremen was hit by a battery thrown from the stands in the teams' Bundesliga match on Sunday.

The DFB said in a statement that Hamburg have been asked for a report, on which further action will be based.

Werder captain Frank Baumann needed treatment after being struck in the face by a mobile phone battery thrown from the crowd while joining team-mates to celebrate Bremen's goal in the 2-1 defeat near the corner flag.

"It hit me on just above the left eyebrow. It was a shock and painful. There was a little bit of blood but it didn't hinder me," Baumann said.

Hamburg - This week's European Champions league matches could be a further indication that German top clubs Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen are heading in opposite directions.

Bayern are unbeaten in the Champions League and require only a draw at home to Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday to qualify prematurely for the knockout stages.

They lie third in the Bundesliga within striking distance of surprise leaders Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen, whom the both play over the next fortnight.

Bremen, by contrast, face a Champions League exit on Wednesday when they visit Anothorsis Famagusta with no win in the first four games.

Madrid - Injury-plagued Real Madrid face a daunting trip to Belarus for a Champions League match which could shape the season for the nine-time European champions.

Bernd Schuster's troubled team is away to BATE Borisov in a Group H match as the Spanish champions scramble to reach the last 16 amid growing pressure on the German coach.

Real will ensure themselves of a place in the knock-out stage with a victory at BATE, providing Juventus avoid defeat away to Zenit St Petersburg.

But two defeats in the group to Juventus have dented Real's confidence, and a further defeat would leave them facing a tough last game in the group at home to Zenit to avoid a humiliating exit.

Los Angeles - Randy Wittman hasn't had much to smile about this season, but the Minnesota Timberwolves coach beamed a rare happy face after Sunday's game.

Randy Foye had 23 points and a career-high 14 assists as the Timberwolves spanked the Detroit Pistons 106-80 for their first road victory of the season.

Minnesota entered the game with a 2-9 record, including 0-5 away from home, before dominating one of the Eastern Conference powerhouses with ease.