Spain win, Germany, Netherlands lose before Euros
Agencies Sun May 27 2012, 10:38 hrs
Spain's Adrian Lopez celebrates after scoring during a friendly soccer match against Serbia in St. Gallen. (Reuters)
With the European Championship less than two weeks away, Spain showed they are in good shape to defend the title by beating Serbia 2-0 in their first warmup game.
It wasn't such a successful night for two more of the continent's heavyweight sides, however, with a Germany team missing its Bayern Munich stars losing 5-3 in Switzerland and the Netherlands losing 2-1 to Bulgaria.
Germany and the Netherlands are in the same Euro 2012 group, along with Portugal, which drew 0-0 with Macedonia, and Denmark, who were beaten 3-1 by Brazil.
But Roy Hodgson began his reign as England manager with a 1-0 victory at Norway.
The friendlies give Euro 2012 contenders a chance to assess their lineups just two weeks before the tournament starts in Poland and Ukraine.
Adrian Lopez made a case for starting up front for the Spanish at the Euros in place of the injured David Villa by opening the scoring in the 64th minute on his international debut, before earning the penalty that was converted by Santi Cazorla 16 minutes from time.
Adrian was one of six players introduced after the break by coach Vicente del Bosque, who was without his star names from Barcelona, and they helped turn the game the world champions' way in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
The Atletico Madrid striker finished off a quick counterattack by heading home Jesus Navas' cross after the winger was released from a long ball by substitute Benat Etxebarria.
Adrian, the leading scorer in Spain's win in the Under-21 European Championship last year, was then felled by Branislav Ivanovic, allowing Cazorla to step up to score from the spot.
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Schedule
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June 28, 00:15 hrs
ESP v/s 
POR -
June 29, 00:15 hrs
GER v/s 
ITA
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas lifts the trophy after the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine. (AP) 
Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik creates a sand image to extend his wishes to Euro Cup 2012 champion Spain at Puri beach on Monday. (PTI)
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and teammates Leonardo Bonucci react after losing the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine. (AP)
Fans of Spain celebrate Spain's victory over Italy in their Euro 2012 final soccer match held in Kiev, at a fan park in Malaga, southern Spain. (Reuters)
Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas celebrates with his team mates after defeating Italy to win the Euro 2012 final soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Kiev. (Reuters)
