Belarus hold Germany in friendly

Kaiserslautern, May 28:

Germany let a two-goal lead slip and Belarus came back on a pair of goals from Vitaly Bulyga to draw 2-2 with one of the European Championships favourites in a friendly match on Tuesday.

The Germans led 2-0 on two early goals, but wasted too many opportunities in the second half and displayed some major defensive lapses in the first of their two warm-up games before next month’s Euro 2008.

Miroslav Klose scored in the 10th minute after collecting a through pass from Lukas Podolski and rounding goalkeeper Vasily Khomutovsky to slot the ball home with ease. Germany doubled their lead 10 minutes later on an own-goal by Vladimir Korytko.

Bulyga got Belarus back into the game when he beat an offside trap in the 60th and charged one-on-one on goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Bulyga got another chance in the 88th when the defense lost the ball, and he shot past Lehmann to earn the draw.

In Grenoble, Bafetimbi Gomis scored twice in his international debut to help France beat Ecuador 2-0. The Saint-Etienne striker entered as a second-half substitute and scored both the goals. The 22-year-old Gomis scored his first in the 58th, collecting the ball with his back to goal, turning his marker and hitting a powerful shot into the top left corner from just inside the penalty area. The second he converted from Nicolas Anelka’s cross from the left with a powerful volley in the 85th.

Domenech used the match to evaluate several fringe players prior to his final 23-member squad select. Domenech chose an attack-minded team, with Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri playing behind the strikers.

In Prague, Czech Republic, Jan Koller scored twice to lead the Czech Republic past Lithuania 2-0. The Czech Republic’s career scoring leader headed in from close range in the 39th minute off a Zdenek Grygera cross and added a second in the 62nd, giving him 54 goals in 86 internationals.

In Reutlingen, Germany, forward Maciej Zurawski scored the only goal early and Poland beat Albania 1-0. Poland coach Leo Beenhakker started most of his top regulars against Albania, unlike in Monday’s 1-1 draw against Macedonia when he tested younger players vying for a spot on his final 23-man squad for the June 7-29 tournament.

Zurawski put Poland ahead in the third minute, collecting the ball deep in the area off a long throw-in from Marcin Wasilewski, before turning quickly and slotting the ball through the legs of Albania goalkeeper Isli Hidi.

In Graz, Austria, Roman Kienast scored 11 minutes after kickoff and Austria drew 1-1 with Nigeria. Roland Linz controlled a cross by Joachim Standfest and backheeled to Kienast, who scored from just outside the area for his first goal in six matches.

Kalu Uche equalised eight minutes later, exchanging passes with Aiyegbenji Yakubu before beating Austria keeper Juergen Macho. The draw left Austria with only one victory in their last 15 matches.