International friendlies round-up

While Germany triumphed against Brazil and world and European champions Spain suffered a 2-1 defeat by Italy, a number of other nations hoping to reach UEFA EURO 2012 also continued their preparations with friendly fixtures. UEFA.com rounds up the action.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-0 Greece
Despite missing the injured Miralem Pjanić and Saša Papac, it was the hosts who started the better. Sejad Salihović and Edin Džeko came close inside the opening 20 minutes, while Celtic FC forward Giorgios Samaras had Greece's best chance after the hour. Greece face Israel in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group F on 2 September, when Bosnia and Herzegovina face Group D opponents Belarus in Minsk.

Norway 3-0 Czech Republic
Norway prepared for their crucial Group H qualifier against Iceland next month in fine style. Mohammed Abdellaoue opened the scoring midway through the first half before Fulham FC's John Arne Riise doubled the lead with a cool finish 19 minutes from time. Abdellaoue then sealed the win from the penalty spot on 89 minutes after Petr Cech brought down Tarik Elyounoussi. The Czechs will hope for an improved performance when they return to qualifying action on 3 September against Group I opponents Scotland.

Portugal 5-0 Luxembourg
Hugo Almeida scored twice as Portugal, who share the lead at the top of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group H, ran out comfortable winners in Algarve. Hélder Postiga opened the scoring on 25 minutes and Real Madrid CF forward Cristiano Ronaldo made it 2-0 before the break. Fábio Coentrão headed in João Pereira's cross for his first international goal two minutes into the second half before Almeida's second completed the scoring. Portugal return to action in Cyprus on 2 September while Luxembourg host Romania in Group D.

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Croatia
The Republic of Ireland extended their unbeaten run to five matches after this goalless draw in Dublin. Niko Kranjčar had the best chance of an uneventful opening period but the Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder fired over from close range. The hosts improved after the break and created the best opportunity of the match on 73 minutes only for Ireland captain Richard Dunne to head wide from Sean St Ledger's cross. Both sides return to UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying action on 2 September, when Croatia travel to Malta in Group F and Giovanni Trappatoni's charges host Group B opponents Slovakia in a vital match at the top of that section.

Russia 1-0 Serbia
Russia continued their excellent form with a slender victory in Moscow. VfB Stuttgart striker Pavel Pogrebnyak tapped in the rebound after Bojan Jorgačević failed to hold Roman Pavlyuchenko's 53rd-minute strike. Injuries to Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Andrei Arshavin will be of some concern for the hosts, who continue on the road to Poland and Ukraine against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 2 September while Serbia play Northern Ireland in Belfast.

Albania 3-2 Montenegro
Austria 1-2 Slovakia
Azerbaijan 0-1 FYROM
Belarus 1-0 Bulgaria
Cyprus 3-2 Moldova
France 1-1 Chile
Germany 3-2 Brazil
Hungary 4-0 Iceland
Italy 2-1 Spain
Israel 3-4 Ivory Coast
Kazakhstan 1-1 Syria
Latvia 0-2 Finland
Liechtenstein 1-2 Switzerland
Lithuania 3-0 Armenia
Malta 2-1 Central African Republic
Poland 1-0 Georgia
San Marino 0-1 Romania
Scotland 2-1 Denmark
Slovenia 0-0 Belgium
Turkey 3-0 Estonia
Ukraine 0-1 Sweden
Wales 1-2 Australia