Italy see off Finland, Poland held in Euro warm-ups

Paris (AFP) – Italy, runners up at the 2012 European championships, tuned up for Euro 2016 with a 2-0 friendly win over Finland in Verona on Monday.

Antonio Candreva’s first half penalty with Daniel De Rossi’s contribution after the break gave the Azzurri a useful confidence booster ahead of their tough Group E opener against Belgium next Monday.

Lazio winger Candreva scored from the spot in the 27th minute after earning the penalty himself.

He then turned provider to set up Roma midfielder De Rossi in the 71st minute, this pair advancing their claims for a start in future Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s starting line-up in Lyon next week.

The 1968 continental champions, who got the better of Scotland last week, arrive in Montpellier, their base in France, on Thursday.

The Italians, trounced by Spain in the final four years ago in Kiev, limped out of the 2014 World Cup at the first round.

After their Euro 2016 curtain-raiser against the Belgians they face Sweden on June 17 in Toulouse followed by the Republic of Ireland in Lille four days later.

In other Euro warm-up action on Monday Poland, missing star striker Robert Lewandowski, were held 0-0 by Lithuania in Krakow.

The Poles are drawn in Group C in France. They face Northern Ireland on Sunday, followed by Germany on June 16 and Ukraine on June 21.

In Monday’s third friendly, Iceland were playing Liechtenstein.