Reuters Sports Schedule at 1400 GMT Friday, Oct 23

Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Friday: - - - - FIFA German FA chief leaves questions unanswered over 2006 cash FRANKFURT - German FA President Wolfgang Niersbach said he could not answer some questions regarding the flow of 6.7 million euros ($7.5 million) to soccer's governing body FIFA before the 2006 World Cup. (SOCCER-FIFA/GERMANY (PIX, TV), moved, 565 words) - - - - RUGBY WORLD CUP (to 31) South Africa and New Zealand host last news briefings LONDON - South Africa and New Zealand hold their last news conferences ahead of the semi-final showdown at Twickenham. (RUGBY UNION-WORLD/SAFRICA, RUGBY UNION-WORLD/ZEALAND (PIX), moved, by Mitch Phillips and Justin Palmer, plus sidebars, 400 words) - - Pocock, Folau return for Australia LONDON - Number eight David Pocock and fullback Israel Folau were named in the Australia team for the semi-final against Argentina on Sunday after recovering from injury. (RUGBY UNION-WORLD/AUSTRALIA-TEAM, moved, by Julian Linden, 400 words) - - Wallabies v Pumas has all the makings of a classic LONDON - Australia, champions in 1991 and 1999, tackle a vastly improved Argentina in the semi-finals at Twickenham on Sunday in a match that has all the makings of a classic. (RUGBY UNION-WORLD/AUSTRALIA-ARGENTINA (PREVIEW), expect by 1800 GMT/2 PM ET, by Julian Linden, 600 words) - - Pumas talk about chances of reaching final BAGSHOT, England - Argentina players ponder their chances of upsetting Australia and reaching their first World Cup final. (RUGBY UNION-WORLD/ARGENTINA, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, by Rex Gowar, 400 words) - - Argentina name team to face Australia BAGSHOT, England - Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade names his side to face Australia in their semi-final at Twickenham. (RUGBY UNION-WORLD/ARGENTINA-TEAM, expect by 1530 GMT/11:30 AM ET, by Rex Gowar, 400 words) - - We will monitor news from across the tournament and file copy throughout. (RUGBY UNION-WORLD/) - - - - SOCCER Real coach Benitez discusses plans for Celta game MADRID - Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez holds a news conference ahead of their La Liga game at Celta Vigo. Both sides are level on 18 points with champions Barcelona at the top. (SOCCER-SPAIN/REAL (PIX, TV), moved, 400 words) - - Premier League news briefings LONDON - We will file copy throughout as English Premier League managers host news conferences ahead of this weekend's matches. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/) - - Ligue 1 Caen v Nantes (1630) Olympique Lyon v Toulouse (1830) - - La Liga Rayo Vallecano v Espanyol (1830) - - Bundesliga Hoffenheim v Hamburg SV (1830) - - Dutch championship PEC Zwolle v Utrecht (1800) Copy on merit on above matches - - - - MOTOR RACING U.S. Formula One Grand Prix (to 25) Heavy rain could dampen Hamilton's preparations AUSTIN, Texas - Thunderstorms are forecast for free practice, making life trickier for Lewis Hamilton as the Mercedes driver limbers up for a weekend that could bring him a third world championship. (MOTOR RACING-PRIX/ (PIX), expect by 1630 GMT/12:30 PM ET, by Alan Baldwin, 400 words) - - We will also have stories from around the paddock. - - - - CRICKET Pakistan v England, second test (to 25) England reach 182-3 in reply to Pakistan's 378 DUBAI - England bowled out Pakistan for 378 and reached 182-3 in reply at the close on the second day. (CRICKET-PAKISTAN/, moved, by Matt Smith, 400 words) - - TENNIS WTA Finals draw made SINGAPORE - The draw for the end of season WTA Finals, missing world number one and defending champions Serena Williams, was made. (TENNIS-WOMEN/FINALS-DRAW, moved, 300 words) - - - - MOTORCYCLING MotoGP: Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang (to 25) Copy on merit - - - - BASKETBALL Big guns face underdogs in Euroleague BELGRADE - Former winners Olympiakos and Barcelona as well as noveaux riche Fenerbahce Istanbul are strong faviurites to win their Euroleague clashes against less fancied rivals. (BASKETBALL-EUROLEAGUE/, expect by 2130 GMT/5.30 pm ET; By Zoran Milosavljevic; 400 words). - - - - BASEBALL Royals look to punch ticket to World Series The Kansas City Royals will try to advance to the World Series for the second consecutive year when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in Game Six of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. (BASEBALL-PLAYOFFS/ROYALS, expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, 400 words) - - - - NBA Defending champion Warriors look to defy doubters We look ahead to the 2015-16 National Basketball Association season with a five-part package consisting of an overall preview, a feature on Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, five storylines to watch for in the upcoming campaign and brief profiles on all 15 Eastern Conference teams and 15 Western Conference teams. (NBA-PREVIEW/, expect by 1400 GMT/10AM ET, by Jahmal Corner, 600 words) SEE ALSO: (NBA-LAKERS/BRYANT (FEATURE), expect by 1400 GMT/10AM ET, by Mark Lamport-Stokes, 652 words) (NBA-PENPIX/EASTERN, expect by 1400 GMT/10AM ET, 1,153 words) (NBA-PENPIX/WESTERN, expect by 1400 GMT/10AM ET, 1,115 words) (NBA-STORYLINES/, expect by 1400 GMT/10AM ET, 315 words) - - - - GOLF PGA Tour: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open (to 25) Las Vegas Hubbard, Thompson and Hearn set early pace with opening 64s Americans Mark Hubbard and Michael Thompson, and Canada's David Hearn, held a share of the early lead after opening with seven-under 64s. American Tyler Aldridge was also at seven under, with two holes remaining, when first-round play was abandoned for the day on Thursday in fading light. (GOLF-PGA/, expect end-of-day lead by 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, 400 words) - - - - NHL Montreal put perfect start on the line in Buffalo The red-hot Montreal Canadiens look to extend their best start to a season in franchise history when they visit the Buffalo Sabres with a chance to improve to 8-0 in one of the six games on the National Hockey League schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, 400 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0000 GMT/8:00 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) (Europe desk editor: Ed Osmond)