Slovakia stun Germany, Portugal down Norway

World champions defeated 3-1 in storm-hit friendly; Selecção register 3-0 win

BERLIN/ PORTO: An inexperienced Germany team suffered a self-confidence sapping 3-1 defeat to Slovakia in Sunday’s storm-affected friendly as the world champions fielded four new caps ahead of Euro 2016.

Slovakia, who will make their European championships debut in Group B alongside Wales, England and Russia next month, deserved their win in Augsburg as Germany coach Joachim Low blooded a youthful quartet.

A heavy storm in Bavaria at half-time meant the break was extended to 39 minutes and it was Slovakia who profited from the soggy second-half conditions by adding their third goal.

Low was more relieved that none of his players picked up injuries rather than bothered by the result.

“I have never experienced such a long half-time break. The pitch was dangerous and, thank god, nothing happened [injury wise],” said Low. “Combinations were impossible at the start of the second half. We did well in the first half hour, but we had a few problems in defence. You can’t expect everything from the young players, but all four have the necessary quality.”



Ronaldo not missed as Portugal sink Norway

Portugal made sure the absence of top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, resting the day after after Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph, went unnoticed as they thrashed Norway 3-0 in a Euro 2016 warm-up on Sunday.

Ronaldo would have been impressed with the finishing of his international teammates as Ricardo Quaresma and Raphael Guerreiro netted spectacular goals before Eder added a clinical third at the Dragao stadium.

The performance set a perfect stage for Portugal’s visit to Wembley on Thursday, when they meet England in their final warm-up for next month’s European Championship in France.



Pelle strikes as Azzurri beat Scots

Southampton striker Graziano Pelle hit a second-half winner as an injury-depleted Italy beat Scotland 1-0 in a disjointed Euro 2016 friendly in Malta on Sunday.

With his midfield decimated through injuries, Italy coach Antonio Conte gave Roma’s Daniele de Rossi a chance to impress before announcing his 23-man Euro 2016 squad on Tuesday.

Inter Milan striker Eder was in a similar position, having failed to spark for the Nerazzurri following his move from Sampdoria.

Thankfully for both, Eder and De Rossi were involved when Pelle pounced to beat David Marshall in the 57th minute with a clinical strike from the edge of the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2016.

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