No balm for battered egos

After the FIFA World Cup left a few European egos battered and bruised, last night's friendly matches were the perfect opportunity to restore some confidence with the EURO 2004™ qualifiers looming large.

Uninspiring draw
Yet after France’s feeble attempt to defend their world crown in Korea/Japan, when they went out after the group phase without scoring a single goal, new coach Jacques Santini watched his side produce an uninspiring 1-1 stalemate against Tunisia in Tunis. Mikaël Silvestre ensured a good start with an early strike, but Radhi Jamali equalised as the home side more than earned the draw.

'No confidence'
Santini said: "I do not think the players were at their best. They were hurt after the World Cup and that is why there was a little bit of apprehension. The team has lost its confidence. We will have to improve a few things in the next few days but this is not a matter of individuals."

Italian shame
Italy, who were defeated by the Korean Republic in the second round of the World Cup, fared badly with a 1-0 defeat by Slovenia at the Nereo Rocco stadium in Trieste.

Match marred
Sebastjan Cimirotic, who plays for Serie B side US Lecce, scored the goal that gave the Slovenians a famous victory in a game marred by crowd trouble. Yet Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni felt his side deserved better. "The first half was disjointed and a bit sluggish, but I was pleased by the reaction of the players in the second half," he said. "We saw two different matches but I’d say we deserved a draw."

Account opened
Spain were Korea's next victims after the Azzurri's elimination and new coach Iñaki Sáez would have relished a victory over Hungary in Budapest in his first match in charge. Raúl Tamudo broke the deadlock after the break but an error by Spain goalkeeper Ricardo gifted Hungary's Vasile Miriuta the equaliser.

Spirits lifted
Sáez saw enough to lift his spirits, however, with his young charges showing some impressive form. "In general terms, I am satisfied by the player's performances in such an early stage of the campaign," he said.

Friedrich first
Life after their World Cup high was slightly disappointing for finalists Germany, too, but coach Rudi Völler was not too worried after a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria in Sofia. His injury-ravaged side fought back twice with debutant Arne Friedrich firing home an unstoppable equaliser. "The game is not that relevant because we had too many players injured," said Völler.

Towering Turks
Among the night's other matches, World Cup semi-finalists Turkey continued their impressive form with a 3-0 defeat of Georgia in Trabzon, thanks to goals from Arif Erdem, Cihan Haspolatli and Nihat Kahveci. Edgar Davids's 70th-minute goal gave the Netherlands a 1-0 win in Norway while a late Zlatan Ibrahimovic strike salvaged a 1-1 draw for Sweden in Russia.

Spoils shared
It also finished 1-1 between Poland and Belgium, Wesley Sonck cancelling out an early Maciej Zurawski goal as coaches Zbigniew Boniek and Aimé Anthuenis saw their respective new sides share the spoils. Finally, Berti Vogts is still seeking his first win as Scotland coach after Denmark's Ebbe Sand scored the only goal in Glasgow.