Euro 2008 Team News Ahead of Next Week’s Friendlies

March 21st, 2008 | by: Daryl |

Euro2008ball With all the Euro 2008 teams in friendly action next Wednesday, here’s a quick rundown of all the squad news from the teams involved:

Austria v Holland
Markus Weissenberger has played his way back into the Austria squad after being dropped back in 2007. Coach Josef Hickersberger still has no room for Paul Scharner though, even though the Wigan defender has made himself available for international selection again.

Edwin van der Sar has been left out of Marco van Basten’s Netherlands squad for the game against Austria. MvB basically told EvdS to concentrate on getting fit instead. Also, the form Austria are in, the Netherlands probably won’t need a keeper anyway. MvB has also recalled (semi) fit again Robin van Persie and ignored Dirk Kuyt again. When asked if Kuyt could do anything to get back in the squad, MvB replied “Absolutely: play good football.”

Belarus v Turkey
Tuncay Şanlı is back for Turkey, but fellow North East of England resident Emre Belözoğlu misses out as coach Fatih Terim looks to try out some new talent. The uncapped faces in Terim’s 30 man squad are Gökhan Emreciksin, Mevlüt Erding and Mustafa Sarp.

Denmark v Czech Republic
Karel Bruckner is without injury victims Tomas Rosicky and Petr Cech.

France v England
Raymond Domenech has named a squad of 39 for France’s two friendlies next wee (a full game against England and an ‘A’ game against Mai.) But there’s still no room for poor David Trezeguet, who has more or less given up on going to Euro 2008.

Poland v USA
Leo Beenhaaker has trimmed his initial 30 man squad down to 22. Meanwhile Roberto Acquafresca has said thanks but no thanks to Poland and decided to stick with the Azzuri.

Portugal v Greece
Traianos Dellas and Yourkas Seitaridis are back from injury and in the Greece squad , as they face Portugal in a rematch of the 2004 European Championship final.

Portugal boss Big Phil Scolari has included midfielder Carlos Martins for the first time in more than a year, and also has in-form Man Utd duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani at his disposal. This is the two team’s first meeting since Greece beat Portugal in the Euro 2004 final, so Scolari’s team will probably be out to prove a point.

Romania v Russia
Romania are without star striker (and former nose candy enthusiast) Adrian Mutu, who’s getting over a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Russia coach Guus Hiddink has dropped arguably his best player for the friendly against fellow Euro 2008 hopefuls Romania. Andrei Arshavin was sent off in the final Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra and so misses the first two games of the tournament. Not sure what Hiddink’s thinking is with this. Would he dare to leave the Russian player of the year out of Euro 2008? Or is he just looking at other options and getting the team used to playing without their captain?

Scotland v Croatia
Slaven Bilic has recalled Ivan Klasnić and Igor Budan. Klasnić’s recall is particularly impressive as he’s recovered from a kidney transplant to put in some good performances for Werder Bremen.

Spain v Italy
Still waiting on Luis Aragones and Roberto Donadoni to name their squads.

Sweden v Brazil
Lars Lagerbäck has included Zlatan Ibrahimovic despite the big fella having trouble with his knees. Lagerbäck will also take another look at big defender Fredrik Risp.

Switzerland v Germany
Striker Alexander Frei is back in the Swiss squad after missing nearly a year with a hip problem.

Joachim Löw is going to take a second look at defender Robert Huth and keeper Robert Enke.