Spain 2 - Italy 0

Spain beat Italy for the first time in 22 years in a friendly match on Wednesday night. The match was played in the Montjuic Olympic stadium in Barcelona at the request of first division side Espanyol, who are celebrating their centenary this year. This was the first time an international football match involving Spain had been staged in the Catalan capital since the Olympic team won the gold medal there in 1992, and there was concern that the Catalan separatists would cause trouble. Local crowds have usually been anti the national side, as for example when crowds danced in the streets in celebration when Lineker (then playing for FC Barcelona) scored all four goals when England beat Spain 2-4 in Madrid in the late 80's. The authorities shouldn't have worried however. Espanyol supporters are not so extreme, and a capacity crowd turned up waving Spanish flags and cheering on their side as if the match had been played in the heart of nationalist Spain. Camacho had called up a full squad, this being the last practise game before he names his full squad in June for the Euro 2000 championships, and he lined up what could (with the exception of the injured Hierro) be his starting line up in Holland. Raúl almost surprised Buffon in the fifth minute and Fiore missed his shot for the Azurri with only the keeper to beat. Spain gradually took control of the match however, with Guardiola commanding midfield and Etxeberria and Fran putting in crosses from the wings. Just before half time French referee Claude Colombo turned down Spain's appeals for a penalty when Fuser pushed Spain's captain Abelardo in the back. At half time both managers made changes, with Cañizares taking over in goal and Alfonso coming on up front for Spain, and Dino Zoff bringing on four players. Alfonso made the difference, the Betis striker rising unmarked to head past Buffon on the hour mark following a corner by Guardiola. Both managers continued with their substitutions, with Rufete and Juanfran coming on to make their debuts for their country. Camacho has now given 26 players a first cap in the 16 games that he has been in charge, which is something of a record. With both teams having made their seven changes, Spain increased their lead, once again the goal coming from slack Italian marking after a corner. This time it came from the left, with Fran's kick being met strongly by Abelardo's head for the Barcelona defender's second goal in a week. Cañizares was called upon to save from Totti (recently linked with Real Madrid) near the end, but he kept his goal clean and Spain went on to their best victory against Italy in 80 years. The post-match euphoria by the Spanish press was a bit much however. This was after all a friendly, with both teams trying out players and combinations, especially in the second half which is when the goals came. Spain's problems usually begin once they get to the finals, as in the last world cup, when they started as one of the favourites and bowed out early on after disappointing performances against Nigeria and Paraguay. Hopefully they have learnt their lesson from that, and Camacho has at the moment instilled a new confidence in the side. It remains to be seen if it lasts.

Teams were as follows:

Spain: Molina (Cañizares 45'), Velasco, Abelardo, Paco, Aranzábal (Juanfran 73'), Etxeberria (Rufete 63'), Guardiola (Helguera 77'), Valerón (Engonga 81'), Fran, Urzaiz (Alfonso 46'), Raúl (Munitis 77').

Italy: Buffon, Ferrara, Cannavaro, Maldini, Fuser (Zambrotta 46'), Di Biagio (Tacchinardi 46'), Ambrosini (Gattusso 60'), Pessotto (Pancaro 73'), Fiore (S. Inzaghi 73'), P. Inzaghi (Delvecchio 46'), Del Piero (Totti 46').

Under 21 international: Spain 3 - Italy 0

Spain's under 21 side set the scene for the full international with a convincing victory over Italy on Tuesday night. Played in a rainstorm in Terrassa, near Barcelona, the match was hard fought, with strong tackles from both sides. All three goals came from Valencia players, with Gerard heading the first from a cross by Farinós in the 18th minute, and Farinós himself scoring the second ten minutes from half time after a pass from Xavi. Gerard added his second and his team's third in the 74th minute with another header after a free kick by Xavi.

The Spanish team was as follows:

Casillas (Aranzubia 79'); Lacruz (César 64'), Marchena, Sergio, Capdevila; Xavi Ismael, Angulo (Velamazán 46'), Farinós (Gabri 46'), Gerard; José Mari (Luque 76').