Dutch recall Ruud for Hungary clash

The Netherlands will have their toughest test yet in Euro 2012 qualifying, when they travel to Hungary on Friday.

The Dutch have impressed in the first major campaign since the World Cup final in South Africa last year, allowing just two goals in four games while scoring 12 to go top of Group E.They will tackle Hungary at the Puskas Ferenc Stadion in Budapest, with the hosts also in superb form which has taken them to second place in the group.Both countries have won their respective friendlies since the last qualifying games – the Dutch beating Turkey (1-0) and Austria, and Hungary beating Lithuania (2-0) and Azerbaijan (2-0) – meaning one side will drop their winning run on Friday.Veteran Ruud van Nistelrooy has been recalled to Bert van Marwijk’s squad, to cover for injured stars Arjen Robben, Theo Janssen and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.Attila Tokoli has been called up to the Hungary squad, with manager Sandor Egervari hopeful he can cover for the loss of Mainz forward Adam Szalai.Palermo star Josip Ilicic is confident Slovenia can cause an upset against Italy in their Group C top-of-the-table clash on Friday.”My intention is to come back to Palermo as a winner and with a grin from ear to ear,” Ilicic said.Slovenia manager Matjaz Kek said he was spurred on by the quality of their opposition ahead of the match, with the chance of going equal top on points with the Azzurri on the cards.”These challenges really motivate teams, so bring on Italy,” Kek said.”We know that we are hosting a side that has won the World Cup four times and I?d call them a football super-power in terms of tradition and world-class players.”Norway will be without goalkeeper Jon Knudsen and Stoke striker John Carew for their crucial Group H meeting with Denmark on Saturday.Crystal Palace’s Steffen Iversen is back in the squad replacing Rosenborg BK forward Morten Moldskred.Brondby IF goalkeeper Stephan Andersen and FC Midtjylland midfielder Jakob Poulsen return to the Denmark squad after long-term injuries. Danish coach Morten Olsen is bidding for at least a point in Oslo.”They have a way of playing that makes it hard for any opponents, but they also have some weaknesses we can try and exploit,” Olsen said.In other fixtures on Friday, Austria host Belgium (Group A), Serbia welcome Northern Ireland (Group C), Luxembourg play off against France (Group D) and reigning European champions Spain take on the Czech Republic.On Saturday, Armenia and Russia go head to head in a top-of-the-table clash (Group B), Wales take on England in a battle of the British nations (Group G), Bulgaria welcome Switzerland (Group G), Georgia play host to Croatia (Group F), Cyprus take on Iceland (Group H), Israel and Latvia do battle (Group F), Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania will play off (Group D), Albania host Belarus (Group D), football powerhouse Germany host minnow Kazakhstan in what looks to be a mismatch (Group A), Andorra take on Slovakia (Group B), Malta host Greece (Group F) and Ireland Republic will clash with Macedonia (Group B).