England win under new coach Hodgson

Roy Hodgson made a winning start to his reign as England manager on Saturday after an Ashley Young goal gave his side a 1-0 victory over Norway in a Euro 2012 friendly at the Ullevaal Stadium.

Hodgson, who only took over from Fabio Capello earlier this month, saw his experimental England side record their first win over Norway for 32 years in a largely-lacklustre encounter.

With only four or five of Saturday's starting England XI likely to feature in their opening Euro 2012 Group D game against France on June 11, Hodgson was given the opportunity to run the rule over several fringe members of his squad.

However, despite an encouraging opening spell from striker Andy Carroll and another goal-scoring contribution from Young, there were few major English success stories in a low-key contest.

'It's a great start. I was concerned about fatigue creeping in and some players were feeling their muscles,' said Hodgson. 'They worked hard in training trying to impress me.'

Hodgson was given a potential injury headache however when second-half substitute Gareth Barry hobbled off with a groin injury which will require a scan, placing his Euro 2012 participation in doubt.

Elsewhere in other friendlies, Germany and the Netherlands - two of the sides widely-tipped as potential Euro 2012 winners - suffered worrying international defeats on Saturday.

Germany slumped to a shock 5-3 defeat in Switzerland while the Dutch were booed off in Amsterdam after surrendering a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 against Bulgaria.

Defending European and world champions Spain, however, showed off their impressive strength in depth when a second-string side defeated Serbia 2-0.

Germany, who rested their eight-strong Bayern Munich contingent, will play their last friendly against Israel on May 31 before embarking on their Euro campaign against Portugal, Netherlands and Denmark in Group B.

Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok, who has just left Bayer Leverkusen for fellow German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, grabbed a hat-trick in Basel.

The Netherlands' 2-1 loss to Bulgaria came just four days after they were beaten 3-2 by Bayern Munich.

With Euro 2012 starting on June 8, Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque fielded a host of fringe players with Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao stars having played in Friday's Spanish Cup final.

Spain kick off their Group C campaign against Italy on June 10, followed by the Republic of Ireland on June 14 and wrapping up with Croatia on June 18.

Ireland saw off Bosnia 1-0 in Dublin while Portugal were held 0-0 in Leiria by Macedonia.

Denmark lost 3-1 to a young Brazil side, who are preparing for the London Olympics, in a friendly in Hamburg with Hulk scoring two of the Brazilians' goals.

Elsewhere on Saturday, there were wins for tournament co-hosts Poland who beat Slovakia 1-0, Croatia beat Estonia 3-1, the Czech Republic edged Israel 2-1 while 2004 champions Greece were held 1-1 by Slovenia.

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