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Germany warms up with 3-0 victory

By TIMES WIRES
Published June 3, 2006

MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany - Germany warmed up for the World Cup with a confidence-building 3-0 win over Colombia on Friday, one week before it kicks off the tournament against Costa Rica.

Bastian Schweinsteiger set up Michael Ballack's opening goal in the 21st minute, then scored himself from a free kick in the 37th. Substitute Tim Borowski made it 3-0 in the 69th in Germany's final tuneup.

The World Cup host produced entertaining, attacking soccer and created many chances against an overwhelmed Colombia team, a non-qualifier.

"Two years of preparations came to an end today and we are pleased," German coach Juergen Klinsmann said. "We played tactically very well and the team worked very well together."

Defender Philipp Lahm returned after elbow surgery two weeks ago and played nearly the entire game as Klinsmann used what is likely to be his starting lineup next Friday in Munich against Costa Rica in the World Cup opener.

Italy was held to a second consecutive tie in Lausanne, Switzerland, though it performed slightly better than in a 1-1 result against Switzerland on Wednesday. Ukraine was without its star striker Andriy Shevchenko (knee), who is expected to play in the World Cup. The Italians, on an 18-game unbeaten streak, face the United States in the World Cup June 17 in the second of three group phase matches for each.

Henrik Larsson scored on a free kick and Humberto Suazo tied it in the second half for Chile to draw 1-1 in the final tuneup for Sweden, which extended its winless streak to six.

Turkey beat World Cup-bound Angola 3-2 in an exhibition in Sittard, Netherlands. ... Kougbadja Kader scored in the second half as World Cup bound Togo edged host Liechtenstein 1-0. ... ... ... Uruguay won the LG Cup tournament in Rades, Tunisia, beating the hosts 3-1 in a penalty shootout after the teams tied 0-0 in regulation.

The Americans got enhanced special security at Hamburg Airport and their team bus - unlike the other 31 - didn't have the national flag on its rear. But there was a more reserved show of force than 2002 in South Korea where players were surrounded by about 500 police, with SWAT team commandos mixed in. The U.S. team will be based in Hamburg during the tournament.

Chelsea signed teenage Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo, though most of the reported $30-million transfer fee will go to Manchester United. The English clubs have been in a long legal battle over the 19-year-old star. Mikel signed a pre-contract with Man U. in April 2005 but later said he was pressured and wanted to move to Chelsea instead. ... PAOK Salonica will be excluded from the UEFA Cup next season because of financial problems, to be replaced by fellow Greek club Atromitos.

[Last modified June 3, 2006, 01:29:10]