Top teams face first 2008 test as Euro looms

Six matches are between fellow-qualifiers, with world champions Italy taking on Portugal in Zurich, and France visiting Spain in two of the top games.

 Elsewhere, the Netherlands travel to Croatia, Germany play Austria - group opponents at Euro 2008 - in Vienna, the Czech Republic entertain Poland in Larnaca, Cyprus, and Sweden play Turkey in Istanbul.

 Meanwhile, co-hosts Switzerland are in London to face England, who failed to qualify for Euro 2008 but make a new start under Italian Fabio Capello. Romania meet Israel in Tel Aviv and European champions Greece have a test against Finland in Nicosia, Cyprus.

 Of the Euro 2008 participants, only Russia are not playing in a day of friendly internationals which also sees Brazil in Ireland.

 Elsewhere, Denmark are in Slovenia, while Cyprus hosts two other internationals, with the home nation meeting Ukraine in Nicosia, and Hungary playing Slovakia in Limassol.

 Spain are looking for revenge in Malaga for a 3-1 defeat at the 2006 World Cup and have their confidence buoyed by a run of 14 months and 12 games since their last defeat.

 "The game against France will be an important test of how much we have really progressed, against one of the top sides in Europe," coach Luis Aragones said.

 Genoa striker Marco Borriello has been called up by Italy for the first time as the world champions take on Portugal in a friendly international in Zurich.

 Germany welcome Michael Ballack back as captain for their trip to Vienna after an absence of almost 11 months.

 The Chelsea midfielder needed nine stitches in a head wound after a clash of heads against Portsmouth on Saturday, but will play with the wound probably covered by a special plaster.

 Coach Joachim Loew will have to make several changes following the loss of around half a dozen players.

 Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will miss the Netherlands friendly against Croatia in Split after he suffered an ankle injury in Real's 2-0 defeat by Almeria in the Primera Division on Saturday.

 Dutch coach Marco van Basten will also be without Orlando Engelaar and Clarence Seedorf due to knee and ankle injuries, respectively.

 England, meanwhile begin the Capello era when they take on Euro 2008 joint hosts Switzerland at Wembley.

 Having missed out on a place in the Euro 2008 finals, England replaced Steve McClaren last month with Capello, who won league titles with AC Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid.

 Capello has seven months to work with the team before their first competitive match, a World Cup qualifier in Andorra, and he will, of course, be looking for victory in his first game.

 The omission of former captain David Beckham from the squad - leaving him still on 99 caps - dominated much of the build-up to the announcement of the squad.

 Ireland face Brazil at Croke Park with under-21 manager Don Givens set to remain in charge of the team while Ireland's Football Association ponder the appointment of a new coach, widely tipped to be the Italian Giovanni Trapattoni.

 Brazil coach Dunga, meanwhile, has said he wants to try some new, younger players in preparation for the Beijing Olympics later this year.

 Ten of his 22 players are in the under-23 category, although the squad also includes experienced players in Kaka, Robinho, Chelsea defender Alex and Real Madrid midfielder Julio Baptista.

DPA