European soccer kicks off with friendlies

Germany have lost something of their virtually unbeatable aura since an ageing squad disappointed in the World Cup.

Ever-optimistic England, much to their post-1966 chagrin, have tried but failed to create such an aura and have watched as the Germans have racked up three title wins, aided by a semi-final win on penalties four years ago at Wembley.

On paper the two most appetising fixtures are England’s clash at Wembley against Argentina — shades of France 1998 and a win on penalties for the South Americans — and Germany’s game in Amsterdam against Euro 2000 co-hosts Holland.

England, who will face the Germans as well as Romania — who beat them at France ’98 — and Portugal, in the summer, expect to grab their chance with both hands under the enthusiastic leadership of Kevin Keegan having come in through the back door of the play-offs.

And despite rumours of a rift between Manchester United midfielder David Beckham and club boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who dropped the star for Sunday’s win at Leeds, Keegan says Beckham is the man to unlock the door against Argentina and his men’s Euro rivals.

Beckham will be looking to get the better of Diego Simeone at Wembley having been sent off in the penalty shoot-out World Cup defeat in Saint Etienne for kicking the midfielder.

Keegan has other worries as Coventry’s Steve Froggatt (ankle injury) and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard are both unfit.

However, Aston Villa defender Gareth Barry is set for a 19th birthday debut following some fine showings on the left of Villa’s three-man defence.

Argentina are England’s last opposition before Keegan names a provisional 35-man squad for Euro 2000 but he insists there will be no “mass experimentation.”

The South Americans are set to field 10 of the team that featured in Saint Etienne but cannot call on River Plate’s Javier Solari (Copa Libertadores commitments) and injured playmaker Marcelo Gallardo.

Roger Lemerre’s France host Poland in Paris having come through some difficult moments in the qualifiers and warned that “the final squad places are still up for grabs.”

The French will rely on their rock-solid defence and hope to solve their striker conundrum with Monaco’s David Trezeguet showing the best domestic form and looking to establish himself ahead of Lyon’s Tony Vairelles, Sylvain Wiltord of Bordeaux and back-in-favour Stephane Guivarc’h of Auxerre.

Real Madrid’s Nicolas Anelka is not in the squad as he battles injury problems but Lemerre said last week he has not been forgotten.

The French have been handed a tough group in Euro 2000 finals being drawn against the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Denmark.

Poland, under new coach Jerzy Engel, should not pose a big obstacle as they rebuild having seen England push them out of a play-off spot.

Germany will meanwhile hand Lothar Matthaus a World record 144th cap as coach Erich Ribbeck believes his reading of game and maturity will help bring on a squad containing attacking Wolfsburg midfielder Zoltan Sebescen, the only new face.

Matthaus so far holds the record jointly with former Swedish ‘keeper Thomas Ravelli.

With strikers Marco Bode and Ulf Kirsten injured Ribbeck has called back another veteran in 32-year-old Michael Preetz, the top scorer in the Bundesliga last season. Dietmar Hamann and Christian Ziege are set to run midfield with Oliver Bierhoff leading the line.

The Dutch have shown poor form of late, with nine draws, two defeats and a win over Peru their post-World Cup fare. Coach Frank Rijkaard has called up Feyenoord playmaker Paul Bosvelt for a debut at the age of 29.

Italy, European champions in 1968, have had to shuffle the pack as coach Dino Zoff has lost skipper Paolo Maldini and fellow defender Paulo Negro for Wednesday’s friendly against Sweden in Palermo due to injury.

Zoff announced only one replacement for the two men — calling up Juventus hardman Mark Iuliano.

Italy only topped their qualifying group by a point after two draws against Belarus and a home defeat against Denmark, who finally came through the play-offs. In the finals, the italians will face Turkey, Sweden and co-hosts Belgium.