I started following football closely a couple of years ago, so it’s strange to experience another offseason. Transfer speculation and activity (Gareth Barry to Man City?!) only whet the appetite.

Thankfully, crucial World Cup qualifying matches and entertaining friendlies are on the horizon.

A look at some of this month’s results, provided by FIFA:

Uzbekistan 0:0 Bosnia-Herzegovina Head-to-Head»
01/06/2009 Tashkent Friendly
China PR 1:0 (1:0) Iran Head-to-Head»
01/06/2009 Qinhuangdao Friendly
France 0:1 (0:1) Nigeria Head-to-Head»
02/06/2009 St. Etienne Friendly
United Arab Emirates 2:7 (0:4) Germany Head-to-Head»
02/06/2009 Dubai Friendly
Turkey 2:0 (0:0) Azerbaijan Head-to-Head»
02/06/2009 Kayseri Friendly
Oman 0:0 Korea Republic Head-to-Head»
Uzbekistan 0:0 Bosnia-Herzegovina Head-to-Head»
01/06/2009 Tashkent Friendly
China PR 1:0 (1:0) Iran Head-to-Head»
01/06/2009 Qinhuangdao Friendly
France 0:1 (0:1) Nigeria Head-to-Head»
02/06/2009 St. Etienne Friendly
United Arab Emirates 2:7 (0:4) Germany Head-to-Head»
02/06/2009 Dubai Friendly
Turkey 2:0 (0:0) Azerbaijan Head-to-Head»
02/06/2009 Kayseri Friendly
Oman 0:0 Korea Republic Head-to-Head»

The writing is on the wall for Raymond Domenech if he cannot get France into form. While Les Bleus still boast the talents of Thierry Henry and Franck Ribery, a generational shift beckons with Karim Benzema, Yoann Gourcuff and Jeremy Toulalan. It remains to be seen if Domenech, coach of the 1998 winning squad and the infamous 2006 finalists, is the man for the job.

Domenech would not be blamed for looking enviously across the Pyrenees. France’s neighbor, Euro 2008 winner Spain, have an abundance of talent and the team tactics to match.

Coach Vincent Del Bosque named a strong side for the Confederations Cup in South Africa later this month, a precursor to next summer’s World Cup.

Champions League winners Barcelona send five players, including the instrumental Xavi and Andres Iniesta, to power their possess-and-pass game.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Diego Lopez (Villarreal).

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia), Juan Mata (Valencia), Albert Riera (Liverpool).

Forwards: David Villa (Valencia), Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Fernando Llorente (Athletic de Bilbao).