August 24, 2007	Friday	Sha’aban 10, 1428

LONDON, Aug 23: World champions Italy suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat in Hungary while Germany inflicted more Wembley pain on England in international friendlies on Wednesday.

Italy, who meet France in Euro 2008 qualifying next month in a repeat of last year’s World Cup final, led through Antonio Di Natale before conceding three goals in 15 second-half minutes.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni was forced to pick his squad without seeing a competitive game after the league ignored his pleas and decided to start Serie A next weekend.

Germany, who beat England 1-0 in the last match played at the old Wembley Stadium in October 2000 before it was demolished, came from behind to win 2-1 on a wet night in London.

Midfielder Frank Lampard, barracked by England fans during the 1-1 draw with Brazil in June, fired a ninth-minute opener but keeper Paul Robinson’s error allowed Kevin Kuranyi a simple equaliser.

Debutant Christian Pander cracked in an unstoppable shot from 25 metres to register the decisive goal five minutes before halftime.

Spain and France enjoyed away wins to put them in good heart for the resumption of Euro qualifying.

Spain put their grumbles about the poor condition of the pitch at the Toumba stadium in Thessaloniki behind them as two goals from David Silva inspired a 3-2 comeback victory over European champions Greece.

Former Greece captain Theodoros Zagorakis, who led Greece to victory at Euro 2004, made his final appearance for his country.

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry hit the only goal as France eased to a 1-0 win over Slovakia.

Ronaldinho scored and created the other on his return to the Brazil side after coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 friendly win over Algeria in Montpellier, France.

The Barcelona forward and AC Milan’s Kaka, who said they were too tired to play at the Copa America last month, both started on the bench after being told by coach Dunga they would have to win back their places in the side.

Ronaldinho’s corner was headed in by full back Maicon just after the hour and he rounded off the victory nine minutes from time after slotting in from a narrow angle.

Argentina, thrashed 3-0 by Brazil in the Copa America final, suffered another hangover as John Carew’s double earned Norway a surprise 2-1 win in Oslo.

Alfio Basile’s side, without Carlos Tevez, Juan Roman Riquelme and Gabriel Heinze, made little impact until Maximiliano Rodriguez netted a consolation six minutes from time.

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to the side for the first time since being dropped after last year’s World Cup as the Netherlands lost 2-1 in Switzerland.

Two goals from midfielder Tranquilo Barnetta, one a penalty, put the Euro 2008 co-hosts 2-0 up before Dirk Kuyt replied.

Honours finished even in the battle of the two Dutch managers in Moscow, Leo Beenhakker’s Poland netting twice in the second-half to hold Guus Hiddink’s Russia to a 2-2 draw.

Croatia beat Bosnia 5-3 in an entertaining contest although the game was marred by crowd trouble before and during the match.

Ireland also registered an eye-catching victory, romping to a 4-0 win in Denmark with two goals apiece from captain Robbie Keane and Shane Long.

Wednesday’s collated results:

Belarus 2 Israel 1

Iceland 1 Canada 1

Montenegro 1 Slovenia 1

Albania 3 Malta 0

Austria 1 Czech Republic 1

Scotland 1 South Africa 0

Slovakia 0 France 1

England 1 Germany 2

Greece 2 Spain 3

Hungary 3 Italy 1

Bosnia 3 Croatia 5

Switzerland 2 Netherlands 1

Sweden 1 United States 0

Romania 2 Turkey 0

Luxembourg 0 Georgia 0

Denmark 0 Ireland 4

Bulgaria 0 Wales 1

Latvia 1 Moldova 2

Norway 2 Argentina 1

Brazil 2 Algeria 0

Ukraine 2 Uzbekistan 1

Russia 2 Poland 2

—Reuters