With UEFA EURO 2008™ less than three months away, the forthcoming round of friendly internationals on 26 March represents a crucial opportunity for the 16 finalists to fine-tune their preparations.
Enticing fixtures
Several enticing fixtures have been arranged as the countdown to the big kick-off in Basel on 7 June begins in earnest. Co-hosts Switzerland, who play the Czech Republic in Group A in the tournament's opening game, test their credentials by entertaining one of the favourites, Germany, in Basel. Jakob Kuhn's side are looking to return to winning ways having been beaten by England last month, but could find the going tough against the three-time European champions who disposed of Switzerland's fellow joint-hosts Austria 3-0 in their last outing.
Dutch challenge
Austria, drawn alongside Germany, Croatia and Poland in Group B, face an equally stern examination against the Netherlands in Vienna. Marco van Basten claimed his team were "beautiful to watch" in the 3-0 defeat of Croatia a month ago, and the Dutch coach will be hoping for another encouraging display as he prepares for the tussle with France, Italy and Romania in Group C. Croatia's first match since losing striker Eduardo da Silva to a broken leg is a testing trip to Scotland, while Poland – winners against the Czech Republic last time out – take on the United States.
Spain defeat
If the Dutch impressed in February's friendlies, Raymond Domenech's France are in need of a boost against England in Paris, having been beaten by Spain in their previous fixture. Les Bleus open their summer campaign against a Romanian side that finished above the Netherlands in qualifying, yet slumped to a disappointing defeat by Israel in their most recent friendly. Victor Piţurcă will be counting on an improvement when Romania play Russia in Bucharest on 26 March. Former winners Italy, meanwhile, travel to Spain on the same evening.
Glamorous encounter
The Spaniards have struggled to assert themselves at the UEFA European Championships since lifting the trophy in 1964, but confidence is high after Joan Capdevila's goal saw off France in their meeting on 6 February and they will be hopeful of progressing from a section that includes Greece, Sweden and Russia. The resurgent Greeks prepare for the defence of their crown by playing Portugal, the side they defeated to win UEFA EURO 2004™, in Dusseldorf while Sweden face a glamourous encounter with Brazil in London. Elsewhere, Group A contenders the Czech Republic and Turkey play host to Denmark and Belarus respectively.
Enticing fixtures
Several enticing fixtures have been arranged as the countdown to the big kick-off in Basel on 7 June begins in earnest. Co-hosts Switzerland, who play the Czech Republic in Group A in the tournament's opening game, test their credentials by entertaining one of the favourites, Germany, in Basel. Jakob Kuhn's side are looking to return to winning ways having been beaten by England last month, but could find the going tough against the three-time European champions who disposed of Switzerland's fellow joint-hosts Austria 3-0 in their last outing.
Dutch challenge
Austria, drawn alongside Germany, Croatia and Poland in Group B, face an equally stern examination against the Netherlands in Vienna. Marco van Basten claimed his team were "beautiful to watch" in the 3-0 defeat of Croatia a month ago, and the Dutch coach will be hoping for another encouraging display as he prepares for the tussle with France, Italy and Romania in Group C. Croatia's first match since losing striker Eduardo da Silva to a broken leg is a testing trip to Scotland, while Poland – winners against the Czech Republic last time out – take on the United States.
Spain defeat
If the Dutch impressed in February's friendlies, Raymond Domenech's France are in need of a boost against England in Paris, having been beaten by Spain in their previous fixture. Les Bleus open their summer campaign against a Romanian side that finished above the Netherlands in qualifying, yet slumped to a disappointing defeat by Israel in their most recent friendly. Victor Piţurcă will be counting on an improvement when Romania play Russia in Bucharest on 26 March. Former winners Italy, meanwhile, travel to Spain on the same evening.
Glamorous encounter
The Spaniards have struggled to assert themselves at the UEFA European Championships since lifting the trophy in 1964, but confidence is high after Joan Capdevila's goal saw off France in their meeting on 6 February and they will be hopeful of progressing from a section that includes Greece, Sweden and Russia. The resurgent Greeks prepare for the defence of their crown by playing Portugal, the side they defeated to win UEFA EURO 2004™, in Dusseldorf while Sweden face a glamourous encounter with Brazil in London. Elsewhere, Group A contenders the Czech Republic and Turkey play host to Denmark and Belarus respectively.
