WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN/round-up: Germany coach Rudi Voeller will have memories flying in his head when his convalescent team take on Argentina in an appetising World Cup warm-up game this evening.
Voeller experienced the bitterest and the sweetest moments of his playing career against the South American giants.
The former striker came on as a substitute and scored a goal when Germany lost 3-2 to Argentina in the final of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. But Voeller was in the team again when the Germans took revenge with a 1-0 victory over the same opponents in the Rome final four years later.
"Argentina are always a tough proposition," said Voeller, whose team have appeared to be recovering from the worst crisis in their history, thanks initially to their 5-2 aggregate victory over Ukraine in the World Cup play-offs last November.
A 7-1 demolition of Israel and a 4-2 defeat of the United States in friendlies followed, but now comes the real test against one of the top World Cup favourites.
Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa will be missing record goal-scorer Gabriel Batistuta, who was injured during AS Roma's match against Parma on Sunday when he received an accidental kick in the head from Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro.
Austria coach Hans Krankl has called on his squad not be fazed by Cameroon in their friendly tie today. "When the game starts, everyone has to stop respecting them," Krankl insisted.
Cameroon, who drew 2-2 against Argentina last month, are clear favourites for the match and riding high on the road to the World Cup where they play in first-round Group E with Germany, Saudia Arabia and the Republic.
The Danish Football Association (DBU) have confirmed the match against Israel will go ahead tonight despite a bomb scare.
The DBU revealed that they had received a letter warning of an "enormous explosion" in the Parken stadium if the friendly went ahead.
Lazio's out-of-favour midfielder Gaizka Mendieta hopes to claim a place in Spain's World Cup squad with a strong performance in their final warm-up game against Northern Ireland.
As for the injury-plagued Northern Ireland side, Sammy McIlroy will be without 12 regular squad members.
"Hand on heart I am disillusioned," said McIlroy. "This is my lowest ebb since I've been Northern Ireland manager.
"I want to do so well for the country, but sometimes this job kicks you in the teeth."
Scotland manager Berti Vogts has called on his goal-shy players to listen to their attacking instincts and get forward more.
Of the 25 players originally named in the squad to face Nigeria in Aberdeen, only six have already scored for their country and only one has done so twice.
Injuries mean Giovanni Trapattoni's depleted Italy squad will have an unfamiliar look when they face Uruguay at the San Siro.
But at least Trapattoni knows what to expect from Uruguay, whose key players are drawn from Italy's Serie A championship.
Brazil can count on key duo Ronaldo and Rivaldo for their game against Portugal, although Ronaldo's participation will be limited to half of the match.
France midfielder Emmanuel Petit freely admits he will not be surprised if Russia again beat Les Bleus at the Stade de France.
Oleg Romantsev's men have lowered the French colours twice in their three most recent encounters, the last a Euro qualifier in June 1999.
Croatia striker Alen Boksic has admitted that he won't risk missing the World Cup by facing Bosnia tonight.
The Middlesbrough front man has pulled out of the Zagreb international after a spate of injuries have blighted his campaign this season.
Today's fixtures
(7.45 unless stated)
INTERNATIONAL MATCHES: Republic of Ireland v US (Lansdowne Road, 7.30); Northern Ireland v Spain (8.00); England v Paraguay (Anfield, 8.0); Austria v Cameroon (7.30); Belgium v Slovakia (7.15); Croatia v Bosnia-Herzegovina (5.00); Denmark v Israel (6.15); France v Russia (8.00); Germany v Argentina; Greece v Czech Republic (7.15); Hungary v Belarus (4.30); Italy v Uruguay; Luxembourg v Liechtenstein (7.00); Norway v Sweden (7.00); Poland v Romania (4.30); Portugal v Brazil (9.00); Scotland v Nigeria (Pittodrie Stadium, 8.00); Slovenia v Tunisia (7.15); Turkey v Chile (7.00); Ukraine v Georgia (5.00); Yugoslavia v Lithuania (3.30).
