22.08.2007 10:32
Internationals for Barça players
Berta Brau
On Wednesday night no fewer than 10 Barcelona players have international matches to play. Of the eight different games, only the one between Portugal and Armenia forms part of an official tournament.
Here we take a closer look at each of these games, to which can be added Japan’s 2-0 win
against Samuel Eto’o and his Cameroon played earlier this morning.
Portugal in Euro 2008 qualifier
Portugal, currently third in Group A, face Armenia in a qualifying match for Euro 2008, and
Deco will be one of players they will relying on to produce the goods in a crucial encounter where
only three points will do. The game will be played at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan at 21.00.
‘Les Bleus’ in Slovakia
Eric Abidal and Thierry Henry will be in the side that faces Slovakia in Trnava at 21.00. It
will be the first time the Frenchman has played for the national side since February.
Ronaldinho back with the ‘canarinha’
The Brazilian star didn’t play at the recent Copa America, but will be back in the side
as Brazil take on Algeria at 18.30 in the Stade de la Mosson in the French city of Montpellier.
Iniesta and Xavi, in Greece
Salonika will be the venue at 22.00 when Spain face 2004 European champions Greece. The game
is being played in tribute to Zagorakis, the captain of the Greek side when they shocked everybody
by winning the trophy in Portugal three years ago.
Oslo welcomes Copa America runners up
Argentina’s first game since losing to Brazil in the
Copa America final will be against Oslo in Norway at the Ullevaal Stadium. The games starts at
19.00 and the starting eleven, which has already been announced, is set to include both Gaby Milito
and Leo Messi.
Hungary v Italy
The world champions, including Barça defender Gianluca Zambrotta, have a friendly against
Hungary at 20.50 in the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest.
All African encounter
The Ivory Coast and Egypt meet tonight in France. Touré Yaya will be joining the Elephants in
a game at the Charlety Stadium in Paris that gets going at 19.00.