Eleven weeks before the tournament kicks off, Germany and Spain showed they are coming into form with victories but the event's host nation Portugal were beaten 2-1 by Italy in Braga.

The Czech Republic, tipped for success in Portugal, crashed to a surprise 2-1 defeat to the Republic of Ireland.

After committing himself to the England cause until at least the 2006 World Cup after press revelations that he was in talks with Premiership club Chelsea, Eriksson must have been hoping for a victory back on home soil in Gothenburg.

But a smart finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic after 54 minutes was enough to dampen his homecoming.

Eriksson was at least encouraged by the lively debut of Spurs striker Jermain Defoe who forced his way into the Euro 2004 plans with a spirited performance.

"We played well in the first half and created good chances," said Eriksson.

"I can't feel positive after we lost the game but in these matches you are looking for answers to questions and tonight the answer was from Defoe."

England hit the woodwork twice in the first half and could have run out winners, despite the absence of more than half of their first-choice line-up.

"We should remember that England were missing some good players and I think they can be much stronger (in Euro 2004)," Swedish coach Lars Lagerback conceded.

Holland ended European champions France's 14-match winning streak but with stars such as Zinedine Zidane and Ruud Van Nistelrooy missing, both sides had a makeshift appearance.

In the best chance of the game, Olivier Dacourt supplied an outstanding pass to Sidney Govou but his powerful shot was tipped over the bar by Edwin Van der Sar.

Holland had their best opportunity in a goalmouth scramble which ended when Rafael Van der Vaart swung a leg at the ball and stabbed it wide.

French coach Jacques Santini admitted the timing of the match affected the result.

"Considering the lack of freshness of both teams and the way the match was played, a draw was a good result."

In Cologne, goals from Kevin Kuranyi, Dietmar Hamann and Michael Ballack clinched a much-needed win for Germany after their thrashing by France in their last home match

"Getting three goals under our belt was the most important thing," said German coach Rudi Voller. "I am also pleased that we did not concede many chances."

Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane hit an injury time winner in Dublin to end the Czech Republic's 20-match unbeaten run.

Milan Baros had equalized Ian Harte's opening strike, but some slack Czech defending allowed Keane to plunder a right-footed winner.

Fabrizio Miccoli's first international goal gave Italy victory over Portugal in a rain sodden stadium in Braga which is among the Euro 2004 venues.

Miccoli scored the winner direct from a left-wing corner 15 minutes from time to snatch victory after Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo let the Juventus striker's inswinging kick slip through his fingers.

Nuno Valente gave Portugal a fourth minute lead, only for Christian Vieri to head Italy level just before half-time.

Spain meanwhile needed strikes from Fernando Morientes and Raul to see off Denmark 2-0 in Gijon while Greece, who are in their Euro Group A, beat another qualifier, Switzerland, 1-0.

Surprise Euro qualifiers Latvia meanwhile defeated Slovenia thanks to a Maris Verpakovskis strike.