8 February 2011
The midweek FIFA-sanctioned dates are packed with international friendlies involving European teams, but two matches featuring four former world champions stand out: Brazil v France in Paris/Saint-Denis and Germany v Italy in Dortmund.
The latter clash sees the Azzurri head back to the scene of their famous semifinal win over Germany en-route to winning the 2006 World Cup.
This time, however, it is Germany who seemingly hold the upper hand after their strong performance in last years World Cup as compared to Italys first round exit.
The Italians are very much in a transitional phase, as evidenced by their call-up of Brazilian-born Internazionale midfielder Thiago Motta, who has long been a naturalized Italian eligible for the national team.
Coach Cesare Prandelli has gone with a relatively inexperienced squad, though veterans Daniele De Rossi and Gianluigi Buffon do up the cap-count significantly.
At the Stade de France, Les Bleus and Brazil will rekindle memories of their 1998 World Cup final.
Both sides had disappointing campaigns in last years World Cup and their new coaches Laurent Blanc for the French and Mano Menezes for Brazil both see this game as a great opportunity to gauge how far they have progressed since their showings in South Africa.
Blanc had high praise for Brazil and labeled a match against them as the ultimate test.
“It’s very important not to lose (the ball) easily because they’re a team capable of taking it from you and unfortunately not giving it back to you until much later,” he said.
“But our philosophy will stay the same against Brazil. We’ll try to see what we’re capable of doing against one of the best teams at this level. It will be the ultimate test.
Other notable games in Europe this week see reigning world champions Spain host Colombia in Madrid; 2010 runners-up the Netherlands host Austria in Eindhoven; England travel to Copenhagen to take on Denmark; and Argentina and Portugal meet in Geneva for what should be an entertaining encounter.
International friendlies involving European teams:
Tuesday, February 8
Romania v Ukraine Paralimni
Cyprus v Sweden Nicosia
Rep. Ireland v Wales Dublin
Wednesday, February 9
Belgium v Finland Ghent
Germany v Italy Dortmund
Netherlands v Austria Eindhoven
Israel v Serbia Tel Aviv
Turkey v Korea Republic Trabzon
Croatia v Czech Republic Pula
Belarus v Kazakhstan Antalya
Greece v Canada Larissa
Mexico v Bosnia-Herzegovina Atlanta
Albania v Slovenia Tirana
Andorra v Moldova Lagos
San Marino v Liechtenstein Serravalle
FYR Macedonia v Cameroon Skopje
Latvia v Bolivia Antalya
Northern Ireland v Scotland Dublin
Iran v Russia Abu Dhabi
Denmark v England Copenhagen
Malta v Switzerland TaQali
France v Brazil Paris
Argentina v Portugal Geneva
Azerbaijan v Hungary Dubai
Estonia v Bulgaria Belek
Spain v Colombia Madrid
Poland v Norway Faro
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