International Roundup: Elano and Robinho Lead Brazil to Victory Over Italy

Brazil 2 - Italy 0 (International Friendly, February 10, 2009) Fabio Grosso was on the receiving end of a bad call for offside that ruled out an opener for Italy. Brazil then broke the deadlock at the Emirates with a trademark free-flowing attack. Ronaldo, Elano and Robinho were all involved in the move that Elano eventually finished off past Buffon. The Samba Boys doubled their lead 15 minutes later, Robinho turned Zambrotta inside out before firing a low just inside Buffon’s far post. Daniele De Rossi forced a smart save from Cesar with a shot from 20-yards out. Luca Toni handled when trying to control a Pirlo through-ball to chalk off another goal for the Azzurri.

Cyprus 0 - Serbia 2 (International Friendly, February 10, 2009) Milan Jovanovic began and finished an incisive move to give Serbia the lead in Cyprus, picking up the ball in midfield, driving at the defence and finishing in style. And Jovanovic was the architect of the second, teeing up Danko Lazovic minutes before the break.

Slovakia 2 - Ukraine 3 (International Friendly, February 10, 2009) Valyaev’s opener was cancelled out at the break by Vittek’s expert shot on the turn. Selesniov regained the lead for Ukraine immediately after the restart but the hosts equalised through Marek Hamsik. Ukraine weren’t to be denied and Milevsky’s late penalty decided the match.

Portugal U21 3 - Switzerland U21 1 (International Friendly, February 10, 2009) Arsenal’s Amaury Bischoff gave Portugal a 3rd minute lead against Switzerland U21, his endeavour at chasing down a loose cause bore fruit when the number 4 made a horrendous gaff, before scoring with a sweet strike in off the post. Tiago Pinto doubled the lead on the half hour and Yazalde Pinto added a third in the second half. Igor scored a late consolation for the Swiss.

Ireland U21 1 - Germany U21 1 (International Friendly, February 10, 2009)

Spain U21 1 - Norway U21 1 (International Friendly, February 10, 2009)

Partizan Belgrade 2 - Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1 (Club Friendly, February 10, 2009) Ilic’s 3rd minute opener was cancelled out by Ri’s wonderful free-kick two minutes later. But the was bettered by Zuka effort in the 67th minute.

Cittadella 4 - Avellino 0 (Serie B, February 9, 2009) Riccardo Meggiorini was the hero for Cittadella, bagging all four goals.