PARIS: Germany suffered a hammerblow to their confidence ahead of Euro 2004 on Wednesday as the 2002 World Cup finalists were thrashed 5-1 by a young and inexperienced Romania in the latest set of warm-up matches.

　　The Czech Republic, the side Germany beat on a golden goal in Euro 96 to take the title, also suffered a huge blow as they were beaten 1-0 by Japan in Prague, their second successive defeat, but a much needed boost to Japan's hopes of retaining their Asian Cup title later this year.

　　There was disappointment too for the coach who masterminded their Euro 96 defeat as Berti Vogts saw his Scotland side succumb to their fourth successive defeat, 1-0 to Euro 2004 bound Denmark, who have a habit of besting him as they beat his German team in the Euro 92 final.

　　There was no victorious international farewell for the 'divine ponytail' as Roberto Baggio is fondly known but the 37-year-old showed enough during the 1-1 draw with fellow Euro 2004 finalists Spain that perhaps he should be taken along by Giovanni Trapattoni as a wild card.

　　Euro 2004 hosts Portugal had to battle back twice to draw 2-2 with visitors Sweden, grabbing an injury-time equalizer by Nuno Gomes.

　　Germany's thrashing - they were down 4-0 at halftime - even without playmaker Michael Ballack left German football legend Franz Beckenbauer incredulous.

　　"Anyone in Europe looking at this result will think it is a printing error," exclaimed the man known as Der Kaiser.

　　Captain Oliver Kahn had the misfortune of playing in goal the last time they lost 5-1, to England in a 2002 World Cup qualifier, and was angry that the scoreline could be repeated.

　　"There is no excuse for this disaster," raged Kahn.

　　"Some people pulled out but there is still no excuse.

　　"I am speechless."

　　There was only an abject apology from coach Rudi Voller, who was in the then West Germany team that won the 1990 World Cup and which was managed by Beckenbauer while Vogts was the assistant coach.

　　"It reminds me of the England game," admitted Voller. "We made too many amateur mistakes and were punished.

　　"We can only apologize to everyone for the first half."

　　Japan's scoring hero was Tatsuhiko Kubo.

　　He struck in the first half to give Japan a deserved lead and the Asian champions dug in after the break to hold on for an unexpected win despite missing captain and Bologna midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, Reggina midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura and SV Hamburg striker Naohiro Takahara.

　　This loss follows the 2-1 defeat inflicted by the Republic of Ireland in March which ended the Czechs' 20-game unbeaten record.

　　Japan were quickly into their stride, seeking to bounce back after defeat to Hungary three days ago.

　　Six corners as against two for their hosts in the first 20 minutes underlined Japan's early domination, and it was no surprise when they went ahead in the 32nd minute.

　　A storming run down the right from Kubu culminated in him outsmarting defender Tomas Ujfalusi and firing past Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech to give the visitors their first victory over European opposition since beating Russia in the 2002 World Cup finals.

　　Substitute Ebbe Sand's second-half header consigned Scotland to another defeat under Vogts.

　　While Vogts has tentatively been given an ultimatum of getting the Scots to the 2006 World Cup finals their fourth successive defeat may increase the pressure on the German, who won the World Cup as a player and guided Germany to the Euro 1996 title as a coach.

　　Defeat took Scotland's record under Vogts to just six wins in 24 matches and 14 defeats.

　　Such are the meagre resources at Vogts' disposal that he was forced to hand a debut to Norwich City captain Malky Mackay, who at 32 was their oldest debutant since the late Ronnie Simpson, who was 36 when he played goal against England in 1967.

　　However it was the slow moving centreback Steven Pressley who was at fault for the goal as he was beaten by Sand to Jesper Gronkjaer's cross on the hour mark.

　　Baggio, nicknamed 'The Divine Ponytail' because of his hairstyle and Buddhist beliefs, was given a standing ovation from his adoring public when he was substituted four minutes from the end.

　　Baggio was overcome with emotion after such a rousing send-off.

　　"The match tonight is the fondest memory of my career," he said.

　　"The highlights for a professional are goals and victories, but nothing was quite this emotional, the way the people showed their affection for me today.

　　"The applause, the wonderful messages and the love of the public are something that will stay with me forever."

　　Baggio said his only regret was that he was unable to add to his tally of 27 goals for his country in his final game. "I didn't think I was going to play for as long as 86 minutes. The coach obviously wanted to give me as long as possible to try to score, but unfortunately the goal never came."