International Round-Up: 10th August

Several of Everton's stars were in action for their national sides on Wednesday, so here's a round-up of how they each fared.

Let's start in Moscow, where Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's Russia took on Serbia in a friendly match. The Everton man started on the bench but was introduced before half-time following an injury to Arsenal's Andrei Arshavin.

Russia went on to win 1-0 thanks to a goal from VfB Stuttgart striker Pavel Pogrebnyak. The Serbian 'keeper spilled a long-range shot and Pogrebnyak was on hand to tap home.

England's friendly with the Netherlands was cancelled due to rioting in the capital - which was probably a good thing for Everton as Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and John Heitinga would all have risked injuries 3 days before the new Premier League season.

Apostolos Vellios was another Evertonian in international action as his Greece U21 side took on their Belarussian counterparts at the Stadio Zosimades in Ioannina, Greece in a Euro Qualifier. Like Bilyaletdinov, Vellios started on the bench but came on before half-time to replace an injured player.

By the time Vellios had entered the fray his side were already 2-0 down to goals from Oleg Patotsky and Dmitry Khlebosolov. Ioannis Potouridis pulled one back for the Greeks from the penalty spot before half-time.

Vellios had a header wide on 48 minutes as Greece pressed for an equaliser. Then, minutes before the final whistle, Kostas Fortounis grabbed a goal that looked to have earned Greece a point.

Unfortunately for Vellios and Greece, that wasn't the end of the scoring. Belarus won a 94th minute penalty which was put away by Dmitry Khlebosolov and the Belarussians won 3-2.

Jan Mucha kept goal for Slovakia as they won in Austria. Goals from Juraj Kucka and Robert Jez (what a name) secured victory for the Slovaks, despite Erwin Hoffer's header for Austria which threatened to spoil the party.

Closer to home, Tim Cahill represented the Socceroos of Australia in their friendly against Wales in Cardiff. The Australia side, which also included ex-Evertonian Lucas Neill, had the better of the first half and got their rewards just before half time.

Indeed, it was their talisman Cahill that broke the deadlock. Luke Wilkshire crossed from the right and Cahill struck a crisp volley low into the net to make it 1-0. After the break Australia doubled their advantage through Robert Kruse, with Everton man Cahill involved in the build-up.

Blake's header pulled one back for Wales but 2-1 was how it ended.

Cahill was then substituted on 70 minutes and, to the relief of Evertonians, he had come through the game without picking up an injury.

Meanwhile in Slovenia (which, incidentally, sounds like a poor James Bond film), Marouane Fellaini was playing for Belgium. Fellaini started the match as Belgium pressed and they had a goal ruled out but, with the scores level at 0-0, Fellaini was subbed at half-time. The scores stayed the same for the remainder of the match.

Everyone came through injury-free, now for Spurs on Saturday (riots-permitting!)