Big Guns Fire Warning Shots in International Friendlies

The World Cup hosts limbered up for their June 9 tournament opener against Costa Rica in fine style, sweeping aside Luxembourg with an imperious display in Freiburg that saw all their strikers find the net.

Werder Bremen forward Miroslav Klose chipped in with two goals while Polish-born attacker Lukas Podolski also notched a brace along with substitute Oliver Neuville, who scored twice in stoppage time. Torsten Frings was also on target as Luxembourg suffered a repeat of the 7-0 thrashing inflicted on them by Germany ahead of the 1998 World Cup.

"It is good for us to overcome this hurdle in such convincing fashion," said coach Jürgen Klinsmann. "We told the strikers before the match that they would have a lot of chances and should take them. They did just that and it was good for their confidence."

While Germany enjoyed a one-sided victory, France and the Netherlands both had to settle for victories by a single goal in their matches against Mexico and Cameroon respectively.

Controversy surrounding Barthez

France had Florent Malouda to thank for their 1-0 victory at the Stade de France in a match which saw Zinedine Zidane clock up 100 appearances for his country. It was the veteran midfielder's last match in Paris, the scene of his finest hour eight years ago when his two headed goals inspired France to their World Cup final victory over Brazil. Malouda ensured it would be a happy farewell for Zidane with a spectacular finish from a Djibril Cisse cross.

The match was marred however by persistent jeers and whistles directed at French 'keeper Fabien Barthez. Barthez, who had earlier this week been the subject of a controversy at France's World Cup base that saw goalkeeping rival Gregory Coupet storm out of the team hotel only to return later, has never been popular with Parisian fans. At one point chants of 'Coupet, Coupet' rang around the stadium to the disgust of members of the French squad.

"You just can't understand it," said coach Raymond Domenech. "The players were stunned. It just doesn't make any sense -- we're preparing for a World Cup and that sort of thing happens. You can't put it into words."

Nistelrooy shines

There were no such controversies in Rotterdam however, as the Netherlands served notice that they could be one of the teams to watch in Germany with a 1-0 win over the 'Indomitable Lions' of Cameroon.

Ruud van Nistelrooy marked his 50th international appearance with the winning goal as the Dutch downed the Africans with some stylish football. Van Nistelrooy, who is reported to be heading for the exit at Manchester United after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson, gave a reminder of his eye for goal by finishing from close range on 23 minutes. It was van Nistelrooy's 26th goal in half a century of appearances for the Netherlands, a phenomenal strike rate that indicates why several leading clubs are likely to pounce if he is forced out of Old Trafford.

"At times we were very good," said coach Marco van Basten. "We should be satisfied with that because we played well against a quality side. It didn't feel like a friendly match from a physical point of view."

Holland face Ivory Coast, Argentina and Serbia-Montenegro in Group C of the World Cup, and will have taken note of friendlies involving two of their first round opponents elsewhere Saturday. The Ivory Coast impressed after coming from behind to thwart Switzerland with a 1-1 draw, while Serbia-Montenegro were held to an identical scoreline by Uruguay in Belgrade.

In other friendlies involving World Cup teams Saturday, Spain were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Russia in Albacete. Two of England's first round opponents meanwhile, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago, both struggled. Trinidad and Tobago lost 2-1 to Wales while Paraguay were held to a 1-1 draw with Denmark, who failed to qualify for the World Cup.