There were worldwide football matches, but it was the friendly tests taken on by the UEFA European Football Championship™ 2008 participants that were under the spotlight. On Wednesday, March 26, 2008, all 16 participants in the UEFA European Football Championship™ finals were being watched carefully. Switzerland and Austria, the two hosts of UEFA EURO 2008™, again suffered defeats as they did in February. The Swiss lost 4-0 to three-time European champions Germany at their UEFA European Football Championship™ venue in Basle, while the Austrians went down 4-3 to the 1988 European champions Netherlands at their Championship venue in Vienna.

In addition to these two matches, there were three further encounters between teams participating in the Championship between June 7-29. Title holders Greece defeated Portugal 2-1 in a repeat of the UEFA EURO 2004™ final in Duesseldorf; Spain won 1-0 against Italy in Elche; Romania celebrated a clear 3-0 victory over Russia in Bucharest. The top match took place in Paris, but with just one UEFA European Football Championship™ participant, France. The FIFA World Cup™ silver medallists beat England, not qualified for UEFA EURO 2008™, 1-0.

Only Germany won of the teams drawn into Group B at the European Championship finals. The 4-0 victory over Switzerland in Basle was the 800th international match of the German Football Association, DFB, the 50th encounter between the two neighbouring countries, and a further big date from the German point of view. For 100 years ago, on April 5, 1908, the DFB team played their first ever international match, also in Basle, also against Switzerland, but then lost 5-3. It was due to goals scored by Gomez (2), Klose and Podolski in the recent match which recorded that Switzerland has not beaten Germany for 52 years. “Germany are the favourites for the tournament”, Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn said. Great doubts arose around his team whether they will be capable to impress in the UEFA EURO finals.

From Group B, Austria lost 4-3 to the Netherlands after taking a 3-0 lead with goals from Ivanschitz and Proedl (2). But Huntelaar (2), Heitinga and Vennegoor of Hesselink eventually ensured victory for the “Oranje” team. The positive conclusion for the hosts was that they finally scored goals. But the defence, coupled with the team’s new offensive strategy, has conceded seven goals with the 3-0 defeat by Germany in February and the 4-3 by Holland. Other Group B team Poland suffered an even worse defeat when they lost 3-0 to the USA in Krakow. Bocanegra, Onyewu and Lewis scored for the US boys. Croatia, who lost 3-0 to the Netherlands in Split in February, managed a 1-1 draw against Scotland in a further test in Glasgow, with Kranjcar and Miller scoring the goals.

None of the Group A teams won on the evening: Switzerland lost to Germany, European silver medallists Portugal to title holders Greece in Duesseldorf. Midfielder Karagounis achieved the lead for the Hellenic team with two free-kick goals, Gomes scored for the Portuguese. Turkey experienced quite an unpleasant evening in Minsk, drawing 2-2 with Belarus, played in freezing temperatures of minus 11°. The Turks were down twice, Tuncay Şanlı and Tümer Metin equalised. Hamit Altintop of FC Bayern Munich suffered a broken metatarsus and must now fear for his European Championship participation. The Czech Republic, missing Rosicky and Cech, only managed a 1-1 draw against Denmark at Herning. Bendtner scored for the 1992 European champions, Koller equalised.

There were three winners from Group C. Only 2006 FIFA World Cup™ champion Italy lost, 1-0 in the top match against Spain at Elche. The Netherlands won 4-3 against Austria in Vienna, France deservedly against England with a penalty goal struck home by Ribery, voted man of the match, at the Stade de France. The English failed to produce a convincing performance in their second match under the direction of new national coach Fabio Capello. The Italian is facing an uphill struggle in forming a powerful team for the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifications, which follow UEFA EURO 2008™. David Beckham’s 100th international match attracted much attention. Romania won 3-0 against Russia in Bucharest, with Marica, Daniel Niculae and Marius Niculae scoring the goals. After the 1-0 defeat in Israel, national coach Piturca’s team were more convincing.

There were two winners and two losers from Group D in the test friendlies. In London, Sweden lost 1-0 to five-time FIFA World Cup™ champions Brazil, through a goal from 18-year-old Pato from AC Milan. Russia were brought down by the 3-0 defeat in Romania. Greece once again proved their strength against Portugal in Duesseldorf. The Greeks beat the Portuguese twice during the UEFA EURO 2004 ™, once 2-1 in the group match in Porto, and finally 1-0 in the final in Lisbon. On the weekend after the friendly in Duesseldorf, coach Otto Rehhagel renewed his contract with the Greek Football Association for another two years until the summer of 2010. Spain was victorious in the prestigious encounter with Italy, a match between the 1964 and 1968 UEFA European champions, who both have ambitions to finish on top again this summer. Villa scored the golden goal. A previous goal by Italian striker Luca Toni was disallowed. The hosts increased their successful run to 14 matches without a defeat.