What: International Friendly Match Who: Belarus - Argentina Where: Dinamo Minsk, Belarus When: Wednesday August 20, 2008, 17:00 GMT

Life Without Argentina’s Olympians

Alfio Basile’s side will come into their relatively low-key friendly match with Belarus missing several of their key players. The likes of Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme, Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano helped Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic Games semi-finals on Tuesday, and will obviously be out. But Argentina still count with a very strong side, and Basile should be happy about the fact that he has the opportunity to test some new players before the restart of the 2010 South American World Cup qualifiers next month.

Los Albicelestes will be up against group leaders Paraguay in Buenos Aires, and will be looking for a win after having been held to draws in their two last qualifiers earlier in the year. They disappointed against Ecuador in a 1-1 tie in Buenos Aires, and then performed slightly better in their goalless draw with Brazil in Belo Horizonte. Argentina will be happy with the return of Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, who missed both qualifiers because of a suspension and fatigue, after a long European season.

Since Basile was appointed the head coach of the national team he has tested several different players in an aim to find the ideal blend, and this match will be another example of this. Lisandro Lopez will be given a rare opportunity to impress, as will his FC Porto teammate Luis Gonzalez. While new Napoli hitman German Denis is likely to come on in the second half.

Stiff Test Before Belarus’ World Cup Qualifiers

Belarus will kick off their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign on the 6th of September against the Ukraine in Kiev, and will be delighted to test their strengths against one of the best teams in the world. Former Perth Glory coach, Bernd Stange, counts with a young side who have the potential to challenge for a spot in the World Cup, particularly because of the influence that Alexander Hleb could have on the side.

The former Arsenal midfielder, now of Barcelona, will be Belarus’ main inspiration as they look to get a positive result against the highly fancied Argentines, that would be a major boost for the side before the commencement of their World Cup qualifying campaign. They find themselves in an extremely difficult group with England, Croatia, Ukraine, then more assessable opponents in Kazakhstan and Andorra.

After a 2-2 draw with Turkey in March, and a 1-1 tie with Germany two months later, there is high optimism in their squad. Still, they are a relatively unknown side and will have to be at their very best form to pick up a memorable result against the South Americans.

Team News

Belarus

With Gennadi Bliznyuk and Artem Kontsevoy fit Belarus are more than capable of finding the back of the net against Argentina, although it will obviously be difficult. The addition of Alexander Hleb, who made his Barcelona debut at the Camp Nou against Boca Juniors last week, will add spice to their offense.

Argentina

Argentina obviously confront the match without their Olympians, but will also be without Atletico Madrid’s Maxi Rodriguez, who suffered a muscular injury in training, and has reduced Argentina’s squad to only 16 players. After months of speculation Fernando Cavenaghi will finally have the opportunity to partner Carlos Tevez in Argentina’s intimidating attack.

Probable Starting XI:

Belarus: Khomutovsky, Omelyanchuk, Filipenko, Lentsevich, Verkhovtsov, Puzila, Kulchiy, Hleb, Buliga, Bliznyuk and Kontsevoy. Coach: Bernd Stange.

Argentina: Abbondanzieri, Nicolas Burdisso, Fabricio Coloccini, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Zanetti, Luis Gonzalez, Esteban Cambiasso, Jonas Gutierrez, Lisandro Lopez, Fernando Cavenaghi and Carlos Tevez. Coach: Alfio Basile.

Prediction

Despite missing several of their key players Argentina are likely to prove too strong for this inexperienced Belarus side. Expect a very open contest between two teams who have a lot to prove before the 2010 World Cup qualifiers begin/resume next month. Argentina should win comfortably.

Belarus 1-3 Argentina

Ref From Gregory Sica - goal.com

What: International Friendly
Who: Sweden (FIFA ranked 26) vs France (FIFA ranked 12)
When: Wednesday, 20th August 2008, 2100 CET
Where: Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg, Swden

Both Sweden and France begin new eras after disappointing Euro2008 campaigns, in which both countries were knocked out in the group stages.

Swedish Blend Remains Strong

A strong start to the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland this summer proved a false dawn for Sweden as they lost subsequent fixtures to Spain and Russia.

The Swedes have been middleweights in international football for several years, generally qualifying for the final stages of major competitions but rarely impressing greatly when they reach them.

Drawn in World Cup qualifying group 1 alongside Portugal, Demark, Hungary, Albania and Malta, the Swedish side will again be confident of reaching South Africa for world football’s ultimate jamboree.

Possessing a strong corps of veterans such as Ibrahimovic (who has withdrawn late from the squad to face France), Svensson and Andersson, the Swedes will utilise Wednesday’s match at Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium to held blood some youngsters.

Although there are no international virgins in the squad named by Lars Lagerback, who has been in charge of the Swedes since 2000, there are plenty of inexperienced faces.

Markus Berg of Gronigen in the Netherlands, has only one cap to his name and can gain invaluable experience from playing alongside the likes of Henrik Larsson, who will edge onto 99 caps if selected. In the group of 20 players, there are eight who have won less than ten caps – expect many of these fresh faces to be given some game time.

Fresh-faced France Look For Improvement

Rarely has a national team under-performed as badly as France did during Euro2008 yet the head coach has been spared his job. Raymond Domenech was not immune from criticism from great sections of the French press and public as les Bleus picked up only one point in three group matches.

Domenech’s side laboured to a draw against Romania before being thoroughly outplayed by a brilliant Dutch performance and then ousted by Italy in a final match showdown. Lacking creativity and flair, it was certainly signalled the abrupt end to a golden era of French football.

A whole list of players have retired; Thuram and Makélélé are the two players in the Euro2008 squad that have given up, however, Trezeguet and Frey have also called time on their international careers.

The France squad that will take the field in Gothenburg will be a vastly different squad to the one that travelled to the Alpine region of Europe this summer. Four debutants – dubbed ‘zeros’ by the French media – could be included by Domenech.

A fresh quartet, the French squad looks reinvigorated. In goal, Hugo Lloris will challenge Marseilles’ Steve Mandanda, himself a relative rookie at international level, for the number one jersey. Into the defence comes Rod Fanni, a replacement for the injured François Clerc while Gael Clichy could challenge at left-back. The final ‘zero’ is Yoann Gourcuff of Bordeaux, who is with Laurent Blanc’s club on loan from AC Milan.

Gourcuff is arguably the most exciting of the debutants. After just three games with his new team-mates he has settled in brilliantly, causing the defences of Lyon, Caen and PSG great consternation.

Do not under-estimate the influence Clichy could have on the French squad. Although he is likely to be a reserve behind Patrice Evra, the lightning quick Arsenal left-back could provide an attacking option from deep that the French could really use when attempting to break down packed defences.

The baton is firmly in the hands of France’s younger generation. This is their first chance to impress.

FORM GUIDE

Sweden

18/06/08 N Russia 0-2 (Euro 2008)
14/06/08 N Spain 1-2 (Euro 2008)
10/06/08 N Greece 2-0 (Euro 2008)
01/06/08 H Ukraine 0-1 (Friendly)
26/05/08 H Slovenia 1-0 (Friendly)
26/03/08 N Brazil 0-1 (Friendly)

France

17/06/08 N Italy 0-2 (Euro 2008)
13/06/08 N Netherlands 1-4 (Euro 2008)
09/06/08 N Romania 0-0 (Euro 2008)
03/06/08 H Colombia 1-0 (Friendly)
31/05/08 H Paraguay 0-0 (Friendly)
27/05/08 H Ecuador 2-0 (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Sweden

Lars Lagerback will consider himself to be pretty fortunate with call-offs. Although two of Sweden’s most prominent attacking figures in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Johan Elmander, who had a scoring debut for Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, have pulled out of the squad, Lagerback can still call upon two recognisable forwards.

Larssen will be aiming to win his 99th cap while Markus Rosenburg has a tremendous scoring record with Werder Bremen.

Otherwise the Swedish squad is in decent shape. Verstile midfielder Kim Kallstrom will aim to gain some bragging rights against his club-mates in Lyon while cumbersome Rennes defender Petter Hansson will be seeking a similar prize.

Squad: Andreas Isaksson, Johan Wiland – Mikael Nilsson, Frederik Stoor, Olaf Mellburg, Petter Hansson, Daniel Majstorović, Andreas Granqvist, Max von Schlebrügge, Oscar Wendt – Sebastien Larsson, Christian Wilhelmsson, Samuel Holmén, Kim Kallstrom, Anders Svensson, Stefan Ishizaki – Marcus Berg, Marcus Rosenberg, Henrik Larsson

France

Raymond Domenech’s plans have been hit by a couple of late injury problems, leaving him with a travelling squad of just 19. Hatem Ben Arfa pulled out of the team on Monday but was swiftly replaced by Arsenal’s Samir Nasri. But Narsi’s presence in the squad last less than 24 hours as he pulled out due to a problem with his thigh.

Injury problems already existed for the French coach. Franck Ribéry, Willy Sagnol and Patrick Vieira were already missing due to a variety of problems.

Thierry Henry, les Bleus’ record scorer with 45 strikes, has been confirmed as the captain of France tomorrow.

Squad: Steve Mandanda, Hugo Lloris – Bakary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Phillipe Mexes, William Gallas, Patrice Evra, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Rod Fanni – Alou Diarra, Lassana Diarra, Mathieu Flamini, Jérémy Toulalan, Sidney Govou, Yoann Gurcuff, Florent Malouda – Nicolas Anelka, Karim Benzema, Thierry Henry

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sweden

On the verge of his 100th cap, Henrik Larsson remains Sweden’s likeliest goal scorer. Despite being 36 years-old, Larsson remains an extraordinary predator. Intelligence and a unique ability to time his jumps brilliantly, the Helsingborg forward can still score all kinds of goals. With Ibrahimovic out, the ex-Celtic star is an absolutely vital cog in Sweden’s wheel.

France

Les Bleus begin a new era tomorrow evening and hence a new face deserves to be highlighted as a player to watch. For this reason, Yoann Gourcuff, should he be given some time on the field, deserves a special mention. He has started the season superbly with Bordeaux, wrecking havoc in Ligue 1. A stunning goal against Caen showcased the midfielder’s shooting power but it will be his creative abilities that will be most valuable for France. Minus Ben Arfa and Nasri, they lack real invention in the centre of the park.

PREDICTION

Friendlies are always tough games to predict. One thing that is sure, is that there will be few goals in this fixture. Sweden are without their greatest attacking threats while France do not have their most creative players in the centre of the field.

Les Bleus will still be stinging from a difficult summer. The new players will be eager to impress while the few experienced figures in their side will wish to show that they are not has-beens. France to win by a nose and Henry to mark his debut as captain with a goal.

Sweden 0-1 France

Ref From Robin Bairner - goal.com

Football legend Diego Maradona has landed in China to support Argentina when they take on Holland in the quarter finals of the Olympic games.

El Pibe d’Or arrived in Shanghai early this morning with his entourage as he hopes to see his side conquer the Dutch and progress to the semi finals.

The former Napoli hit-man turned up with suit and sunglasses and he still used his trickery and silky movements to dance around the waiting press gang and avoid questions.

Maradona preferred not to say anything until after the game, the only words he did say were: “I’m tired, I will speak later, but I have faith in Argetina.”

The 1986 World Cup winner will continue his tour of China on Sunday when he visits Beijing to support his Argentina’s other Olympic sportsmen and women.

Maradona is regarded as the greatest player ever to have lived but his drugs scandal in the early 90’s tarnished his image. He made his name at Napoli and he is still adored in the port city today.

Ref From Salvatore Landolina - goal.com