England, France, Germany and Spain will be looking to lay the groundwork for next month’s Euro 2008 qualifiers during Wednesday night’s series of international friendlies across Europe.
PARIS: England, France, Germany and Spain will be looking to lay the groundwork for next month’s Euro 2008 qualifiers during Wednesday night’s series of international friendlies across Europe.
Steve McClaren’s England meet Spain at Old Trafford looking for a morale-boosting win ahead of next month’s trip to Israel, after taking just one point from their last two qualifying fixtures in Group E. McClaren will have to do without Owen Hargreaves after the Bayern Munich midfielder and Manchester United target ruled himself out of contention after only returning to action from a broken leg in Friday’s Bundesliga defeat to Nuremberg. But striker Wayne Rooney has been given the all clear after limping off with an ankle injury in Manchester United’s 4-0 win at Tottenham on Sunday.
The star-studded Spaniards are fifth in Group F and also need success after taking just one win in their three opening fixtures, with coach Luis Aragones telling Spanish football bosses they can sack him if his side get beaten. World Cup runners-up France, second in their Group B, won’t be getting distracted by their glamour clash against Argentina in Paris, but will instead have their eyes firmly fixed on Lithuania next month.
“Argentina is a huge game, anyone would love to play this match but the coach (Raymond Domenech) is looking towards the Lithuania game,” said Marseille striker Djibril Cisse, who returns for the first time after suffering an horrific leg injury on the eve of the World Cup. Although they can count on Cisse up front, the 2000 European champions have an injury crisis in defence with Philippe Mexes, William Gallas and Jean-Alain Boumsong out injured and Lilian Thuram and Sebastien Squillaci uncertain as they struggle for fitness.
In Dusseldorf, Group D leaders Germany take on Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland, who have lost their last two matches.
Austria are bidding to build on their three-game winning streak in Malta. Group E leaders Croatia, unbeaten in Slaven Bilic’s five games in charge, host Norway, who have not won in three in Group C. Group C leaders Turkey have won all three games and head to Georgia, as Group G leaders the Netherlands play the Guus Hiddink-lead Russians.
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