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Euro 2008

Portugal ease past Georgia in Cup warm-up

  • Story Highlights
  • Portugal beat Georgia 2-0 in a friendly game in Viseu.
  • Joao Moutinho and Simao Sabro (penalty) score in the first half
  • Romania romp to 4-0 home win over Montenegro in Bucharest
  • France are held 0-0 by Paraguiay in Toulouse
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(CNN) -- First-half goals from Joao Moutinho and Simao Sabrosa gave Portugal a 2-0 victory over Georgia in a friendly in Viseu on Saturday.

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Sabrosa scored Portugal's second goal from the penalty spot.

The Euro 2004 runners-up, completing their preparations for this year's finals which get under way next weekend, went ahead when Moutinho struck after 19 minutes.

A minute before the break Sabrosa scored the second from the penalty spot.

Moutinho's first goal for Portugal came in his 13th appearance.

The Sporting Lisbon midfielder controlled a pass on his thigh outside the area and struck a volley that bounced before going in.

Sabrosa was brought down by goalkeeper Girogi Loria as he broke into the area, and stepped up to score from the spot.

Cristiano Ronaldo made little impression until the 40th minute, when Loria deflected his free kick onto the crossbar. Ricardo Carvalho hit the rebound against the bar again.

Scolari, in his 70th game in charge, made six substitutions at halftime, including replacing Ronaldo with clubmate Nani, and another three after 63 minutes. The tactical change robbed Portugal of its rhythm.

Winger Ricardo Quaresma, a standout player along with Nani in the second half, hit the post with a powerful shot in the 60th.

"I'm happy, especially with the way we played in the first half," Scolari said. "And we can learn some things from the second half."

Portugal, who will play Turkey next Saturday in their opening match of the finals, will also meet co-hosts Switzerland and the Czech Republic in their group.

Romania hammered Montenegro 4-0 in their final warm-up for the Championships.

Romania's went in front in the 15th minute through Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu, who scored with a strong left-foot shot after a pass from captain Cristian Chivu.

Romania coach Victor Piturca made several changes in the second half, testing out most of the squad before its matches in Group C at Euro 2008.

Sorin Ghionea scored the second goal in the 49th minute with a close-range header.

Nicolae Dica added the third in the 55th minute from a pass from Daniel Niculae, and grabbed a second in the 69th.

Niko Kovac scored for both teams as Hungary drew 1-1 with Croatia in Budapest.

He sent the visitors in front after 23 minutes but put through his own goal a minute before the break.

World Cup runners-up France were held to a goalless draw by Paraguay in Toulouse.

France coach Raymond Domenech fielded several players who are likely to be starters in the European Championship against Romania on June 9 -- including goalkeeper Gregory Coupet, winger Franck Ribery, and striker Thierry Henry.

Ribery twice shot wide from passes from Karim Benzema in the first half. Benzema also had chances, and substitute Sidney Govou hit the post in the 84th minute.

Aureliano Torres and Paulo Da Silva went close for the visitors.

Patrick Vieira, who limped off during Friday's training session clutching his left thigh, was not risked.

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