Europe's big guns fail to fire

Europe's big guns did their best to hasten the demise of international friendlies with a series of low-key performances on Wednesday. France were held to their third successive 0-0 home draw, by Poland, England failed to muster a single shot on target in a dire 1-0 defeat in Spain and an experimental Italy side beat Finland 1-0.

Germany at least managed to find the net as they beat Cameroon 3-0, as did Sweden, 4-1 winners in Scotland, but goalless draws between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria and Slovakia and Slovenia were more typical of the night's fare.

Germany, automatic qualifiers as hosts of the 2006 World Cup, have little option but to take friendlies seriously and looked solid enough in beating Cameroon in Leipzig.

They missed a series of chances before striker Kevin Kuranyi put them ahead in the 71st minute and second-half substitute Miroslav Klose added two more.

The Africans, who hardly threatened, had Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba sent off nine minutes from time.

It was a third win in four games for Germany since Juergen Klinsmann's arrival as coach in July and, aside from the poor finishing of the first half, it was by far their most convincing.

France also appointed a new coach in July but Raymond Domenech is finding things much tougher.

Wednesday's 0-0 stalemate with Poland was their fourth consecutive home draw, the last two in World Cup qualifiers against Israel and Ireland, and brought a disappointing year to a suitably low-key close.

Poland keeper Jerzy Dudek kept out their best efforts while Sidney Govou headed against a post.

England did not even get that close in one of their worst performances for years in a game marred by racist chanting by home fans in Madrid.

Spain were vastly superior but had only defender Asier del Horno's looping header after nine minutes to show for all their sharp passing.

England keeper Paul Robinson saved a Raul penalty midway through the first half and despite the home side's domination, they too seemed to lose interest once the fans started abusing the visitors' black players.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi rested several regulars in Messina, where Fiorentina forward Fabrizio Miccoli beat impressive Finnish goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen after 33 minutes for the game's only goal.

Sweden also rested strikers Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg but were far too good for sorry Scotland in Edinburgh.

Striker Marcus Allback scored two and Johan Elmander and Fredrik Berglund were also on target.