Dutch, Germany warm up cold night

The Netherlands, Germany and Spain scored morale-boosting wins in friendly matches on Wednesday, but there were home defeats for England and France.

With international soccer beginning to come out of its winter hibernation on a freezing night across most of Europe, world champions Italy were notable by their absence.

Their home friendly against Romania was called off last week following the death of a policeman at a Serie A match.

The Italians were therefore forced to remain on the sidelines as most of their rivals used Wednesday as preparation for the resumption of next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The Dutch, who top qualifying Group G ahead of Bulgaria, were the night's highest scorers beating Russia 4-1 in Amsterdam with all four goals coming in the second half.

It was a bad night for Dutchman Guus Hiddink, the Russia coach, who is being investigated for alleged tax evasion by Dutch prosecutors demanding he serves a jail sentence.

He certainly endured plenty of punishment in the second half at the Amsterdam Arena as Ryan Babel, Wesley Sneijder, Joris Mathijsen and Rafael van der Vaart scored for the home side.

Bulgaria had a good night in Cyprus, winning 3-0 against the home side with Dimitar Berbatov scoring twice.

TOO GOOD

Germany, who lead Group D, were too sharp for Switzerland, the co-hosts of Euro 2008, with Juergen Loew's new-look side winning 3-1 in Duesseldorf.

Goals from the recalled Kevin Kuranyi, new boy Mario Gomez and Torsten Frings gave the Germans victory. The Czechs, second in the same group on goal difference, underlined their credentials with a 2-0 win in Belgium.

Austria, who are Switzerland's fellow hosts for next year's finals, also had a night to forget, being held to a 1-1 draw away to minnows Malta.

The home side took the lead through Gilbert Agius after eight minutes but Austria squeaked an equaliser when an Andreas Ivanschitz freekick was deflected in after 48 minutes.

Spain, struggling to qualify from Group F and already a long-shot to be at the finals, looked good at Old Trafford, beating England at home for the first time since 1981 thanks to Andres Iniesta's stunning 63rd minute strike.

The home side, third in Group E, were booed off as their winless streak under coach Steve McLaren stretched to four matches.

RARE DEFEAT

World Cup finalists France, second in Group B behind surprise leaders Scotland, suffered a rare defeat at the Stade de France, going down 1-0 to Argentina with a goal after 15 minutes from Javier Saviola.

It was a notable match for defender Roberto Ayala who set an Argentine record of 107 caps ahead of Diego Simeone's 106.

One Euro 2008 qualifying match was played on Wednesday and it nearly ended in an almighty upset.

San Marino, who have lost all 37 European qualifiers they have played in the past, were drawing 1-1 with Ireland deep into stoppage time in their Group D match in Serravalle.

Ireland had taken the lead through Kevin Kilbane after 49 minutes, but San Marino scored their first goal of the competition four minutes from time through Manuel Marani.

A draw would have been a crushing blow to Ireland's hopes and given San Marino their best competitive international result but their dreams were dashed four minutes into injury time when the appropriately named Stephen Ireland got the winner.

That result moved Ireland up to third place behind Germany and Czech Republic and rekindled hopes of a place in the finals.

The European qualifiers resume on March 24 with another round following four days later for most teams.