With no English Premier League action this weekend, it was the turn of the biggest international teams in Europe to take centre stage. It was the first competitive action for many of Europe’s finest teams since the World Cup. And once again, it was players from the EPL making the headlines.
Liverpool and Spain’s Fernando Torres returned to form for the World Cup winners netting a brace against lowly Liechtenstein on Friday night. Manchester City‘s David Silva was also on the scoresheet for the Spaniards.The Spanish are in a Euro’ 2012 qualifying group full of footballing minnows and are nailed on to qualify. The only team who might cause them a concern are the Czech Republic who had a game week off on Friday. Spain were the first European side to win the World Cup outside of their own continent, and the team they beat in the final in South Africa aslo had a convincing win on Friday. Again though, the Dutch were up against poor quality opposition as they dispatched San Marino 5-0. Three Prem league stars played their part for the Netherlands with Dirk Kuyt netting in the convincing victory. Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong and new Tottenham signing Rafael van Der Vaart also got a run out. Spurs fans will be hoping to get their first look at him next weekend when they play at West Brom.
Other notable appearances on Friday night saw Brimingham’s Nikola Zigic score in a 3-0 win for Serbia over the Farole Islands. Croatia who were pipped to World Cup qualifcation by England got off to a flyer against Latvia also winning 3-0. The Croatian side featured Spurs players Vedran Corluka and Nico Kranjcar. And Fulham‘s Brede Hangeland scored in a 2-1 win for Norway overlocal rivals Iceland.
There is another round of qualifying matches for Euro’ 2012 this coming week with England playing Switzerland on Tuesday night. England will go in to the game full of confidence ater a convincing win against Bulgaria on Friday, helped by a Jermaine Defoe hat-trick.
photo credit: Nigel Wilson
