Winning start for Spain's Del Bosque; Italy draws

European champion Spain enjoyed a winning start to life under Vicente Del Bosque while Italy and England were held to draws as most European nations prepared for World Cup qualifying in friendlies on Wednesday. Two months after Luis Aragones ended Spain's 44-year wait for a major trophy, his successor enjoyed a 3-0 victory over Denmark, while runner-up Germany beat Belgium 2-0. Returning coaches had mixed fortunes. Italy's Marcello Lippi saw his 2006 World Cup-winning side come back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Austria, while Carlos Queiroz began a second spell leading Portugal with a 5-0 rout of the Faeroe Islands. Despite England salvaging a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic in stoppage time, Fabio Capello's side was outclassed and jeered by a disappointed Wembley crowd. France rallied from a 1-0 deficit to... [read full story]