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England to face World Cup runners-up Netherlands in February 2012 friendly
Following August's UK riots, the friendly between the two teams had to be rescheduled and will now be Capello's side's first warm-up game ahead of Poland and Ukraine
2 Dec 2011 19:57:00
By Omar Shahid
England will face World Cup runners up Netherlands in February in their opening match of 2012, the FA have announced.
The game was originally scheduled to take place in August, but due to the riots which swept the country, the match was postponed and will now be played at Wembley on Wednesday 29 February.
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The Three Lions have faced the Dutch side 18 times beforehand, with England having won five and drawn none of their previous meetings.
The last encounter between the two teams ended 2-2 in August 2009, in which striker Jermaine Defoe's second-half double secured a draw.
The game will serve as a warm-up to Euro 2012 in the summer, the draw for which was made today, with England set to face France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D, whilst the Netherlands will take on Germany, Portugal and Denmark in Group B.
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Live!
Four days to go - Follow the Euro 2012 build-up LIVE!
Join Goal.com as we update you on all the Euro 2012 news and build-up in the first of our daily LIVE! blogs. Join the debate on Twitter and Facebook.
Hosted by George Ankers
Hosted by George Ankers
14:29 BST
Hummels may be getting praise, but Netherlands hero Marco van Basten thinks that Philipp Lahm is Germany's only reliable defender. The man who conjured one of the European Championship's most seminal moments in 1988 argues that "Joachim Low has a lot of problems in defence". But do you agree? Tweet me!
14:20 BST
Which leads me into some Germany news. Some slight source of worry for Joachim Low's hotly-tipped side is the defence - which it would be, when you lose 5-3 to Switzerland in a pre-tournament match - but Michael Zorc believes that Mats Hummels is the team's best centre-back and should start.
That's the Borussia Dortmund sporting director. Talking about the Dortmund player. I'm onto you, Zorc. I'm onto you.
That's the Borussia Dortmund sporting director. Talking about the Dortmund player. I'm onto you, Zorc. I'm onto you.
14:16 BST
Germany are on the move, heading to Gdansk. Don't believe me? Here's proof:
14:09 BST
One of my favourite parts of tournaments like these is seeing someone come out of nowhere to make an impact on the international scene. Juventus' Emanuele Giaccherini is hoping to be one of those having been a surprise, uncapped inclusion in the Italy squad - and good luck to him!
14:06 BST
Our Ukraine team expert, Michael Yokhin, checks in with the latest on the co-hosts' preparations:
"Ukraine are preparing for their last friendly, against Turkey in Ingolstadt tomorrow, with the starting lineup at the Euros very much unclear. Taras Mykhalyk and Yevhen Khacheridi were tried as central defenders against Austria - not a bright idea, and that didn't work well at all..."
Well, no wonder - ol' Taras looks about 12.
"Ukraine are preparing for their last friendly, against Turkey in Ingolstadt tomorrow, with the starting lineup at the Euros very much unclear. Taras Mykhalyk and Yevhen Khacheridi were tried as central defenders against Austria - not a bright idea, and that didn't work well at all..."
Well, no wonder - ol' Taras looks about 12.
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