FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.08.2007 10:32

Internationals for Barça players

Berta Brau

On Wednesday night no fewer than 10 Barcelona players have international matches to play. Of the eight different games, only the one between Portugal and Armenia forms part of an official tournament.

Here we take a closer look at each of these games, to which can be added Japan’s 2-0 win against Samuel Eto’o and his Cameroon played earlier this morning.

Portugal in Euro 2008 qualifier

Portugal, currently third in Group A, face Armenia in a qualifying match for Euro 2008, and Deco will be one of players they will relying on to produce the goods in a crucial encounter where only three points will do. The game will be played at the Republican Stadium in Yerevan at 21.00.

‘Les Bleus’ in Slovakia

Eric Abidal and Thierry Henry will be in the side that faces Slovakia in Trnava at 21.00. It will be the first time the Frenchman has played for the national side since February.

Ronaldinho back with the ‘canarinha’

The Brazilian star didn’t play at the recent Copa America, but will be back in the side as Brazil take on Algeria at 18.30 in the Stade de la Mosson in the French city of Montpellier.

Iniesta and Xavi, in Greece

Salonika will be the venue at 22.00 when Spain face 2004 European champions Greece. The game is being played in tribute to Zagorakis, the captain of the Greek side when they shocked everybody by winning the trophy in Portugal three years ago.

Oslo welcomes Copa America runners up

Argentina’s first game since losing to Brazil in the Copa America final will be against Oslo in Norway at the Ullevaal Stadium. The games starts at 19.00 and the starting eleven, which has already been announced, is set to include both Gaby Milito and Leo Messi.

Hungary v Italy

The world champions, including Barça defender Gianluca Zambrotta, have a friendly against Hungary at 20.50 in the Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest.

All African encounter

The Ivory Coast and Egypt meet tonight in France. Touré Yaya will be joining the Elephants in a game at the Charlety Stadium in Paris that gets going at 19.00.