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Europe's top teams in World Cup dress rehearsals

Roar Rookie
21st August, 2008
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Europe’s top teams showed today how new look formations were shaping up after Euro 2008 with 2010 World Cup qualifiers less than three weeks away.

It has not been much of a summer break for the continent’s top footballers following the European championships in Austria and Switzerland won by Spain in June.

The newly-crowned European champions Spain began where they left off in the summer and claimed a 3-0 victory in Denmark, and finalists Germany won 2-0 against Belgium.

England’s blushes were saved by a late equaliser from Joe Cole in a 2-2 draw against Czech Republic at Wembley and France, though they beat Sweden 3-2 in Gothenburg, looked to have defensive frailties.

Italy drew 2-2 against Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria in Nice, looking far from their 2006 World Cup winning form.

Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso was twice on the scoresheet for Spain as they completed World Cup preparations.

Substitute Alonso gave Spain the lead just after the break of their friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen.

Barcelona playmaker Xavi, who played a prominent role in Spain’s superb summer, scored a second goal in the 72nd minute and Alonso added his second in the final minute.

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England’s main Group Six rivals Croatia were held to a 1-1 draw by Slovenia in Maribor ahead of their meeting with Fabio Capello’s side on September 10.

Cole helped Capello avoid a first Wembley defeat as his late equaliser earned a barely-deserved 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic.

A new-look France team beat Sweden 3-2 but their deficient defensive qualities did not augur well for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The international retirements of Lilian Thuram and tough-tackling Claude Makelele looked to have affected France’s rearguard effectiveness less than three weeks before they play in Austria in their first 2010 World Cup qualifier on September 6. France then host Serbia four days later.

Henrik Larsson scored for Sweden after just six minutes with a spectacular shot at waist height, though Benzema equalised on 19 minutes.

Two goals from Sidney Govou after the break gave the impression France would romp away with a goal spree, but Kim Kallstrom’s penalty five minutes before time gave the Swedes a more respectable scoreline.

Marcello Lippi started his second stint on the Italy bench in unspectacular fashion as the world champions were held 2-2 by Austria.

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A lucky Alberto Gilardino effort and a dreadful own goal by substitute keeper Ramazan Ozcan earned Italy a draw after Emanuel Pogatetz and Marc Janko had put the Austrians 2-0 up.

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