Europe’s top teams on Wednesday showed 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 soccer players 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 equalizer from Joe Cole in a 2-2 draw against the 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.
The victory gave new national team boss Vicente del Bosque the perfect start, having succeeded Luis Aragones after the finals in Austria and Switzerland.
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 Sept. 10.
Cole helped Capello avoid a first Wembley defeat as his late equalizer earned England a barely-deserved 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic.
Despite Cole’s intervention it was still a dispiriting experience for Capello, who had to deal with the revelation that the man who hired him — the FA’s chief executive Brian Barwick — is set to quit his post at Soho Square.
England’s midfield remains as confused as ever, they still look toothless in attack for long periods and the only two serious opponents England have faced in Capello’s five-match reign — France and now the Czechs — have both outplayed them.
“I am happy with the draw because the reaction of the team in the last minute was good. That is important,” Capello said.
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 Sept. 6. France then host Serbia four days later.
The back four of right back Bacary Sagna, central defenders Philippe Mexes and William Gallas, plus left back Patrice Evra, were far from the high standard of French teams over the last decade.
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.
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.
But the Azzurri were vulnerable at the back, wasted several chances in attack and the performance suggested that Lippi has a lot to do after being recalled to replace Roberto Donadoni following their disappointing Euro 2008 campaign.
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