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Sweden 1 - Spain 1 By our international correspondent Borja Pantzov Spain drew with Sweden in the first of two warm up games for the Euro 2000 tournament. Camacho started the match with a line up which will be very similar to his first choice squad, with Hierro playing in the heart of defence, although Raúl was missing with a slight groin strain. Three players who ply their trade in Spain, Bjorklund, Sundgren and Mellberg, were in the Swedish squad. The early minutes belonged to Spain, with Alfonso going close two or three times in the first half hour. Etxeberria was creating openings on the right, and he hit the post with a shot ten minutes before half time before being brought down by Zaragoza full back Sundgren in the penalty area a few minutes later. Although Hierro was on the field of play, Guardiola was the man chosen by Camacho to take the spot kick, and he placed his shot wide of Hedman. In the second half the Spanish manager gave a run out to his replacements, with Sergi playing in an unfamiliar left midfield role and Casillas and Gerard coming on for their first caps for Spain. Valencia's captain Mendieta was trying to make himself a place in the team, and he twice worked himself into shooting positions in front of Hedman, although the Coventry keeper was on top form and kept him out. Sweden almost equalised on the hour mark as Paco misjudged a back pass and lobbed the ball on to his own crossbar. Casillas made a couple of good saves immediately after coming on, but fifteen minutes from time he brought down Ljungberg in the penalty area, Italian referee Trossi awarding the penalty but showed compassion, pardoning Casillas a red or yellow card. Roland Nilsson gave the young keeper no chance with a kick high into the roof of the net. Spain now move on to Holland where they will set up their headquarters in Tegelen. They have one more friendly match, against Luxembourg on Wednesday, before it all begins in earnest. Soccer-Spain will be there. Teams were as follows: Sweden: Hedman; Nilsson, Bjorklund, P.Andersson, Sundgren (Mellberg 46'); Alexandersson (Mild 68'), D.Andersson, Mjallby, Ljungberg; Pettersson (Larsson 67'), K. Andersson (Osmanovski 67'). Spain: Molina (Casillas 65'), Michel Salgado, Hierro (Iván Helguera 46'), Paco, Aranzábal; Etxeberria (Mendieta 46'), Guardiola, Valerón (Engonga 65'), Fran (Sergi 46'); Alfonso (Gerard 65'), Urzaiz (Munitis 46'). Goals: |
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