Euro 2008 - Pre-Tournament Notes

With only three weeks to go until the European Championships, Coaches all across Europe are finalizing their rosters and readying for the prestigous tournament.  Here is an update on what is going on currently.

Spain -
International star Raul has been left off the squad by coach Luis Aragones.  The former Spain captain has recaptured his form at title-winning Real Madrid this season and is the club's top scorer with 18 goals, his best tally in seven years.  Also omitted form the team was Barcelona's teen sensation Bojan Krkic who ruled himself out in an agreement with Aragones that he needed to rest.   Spain are in Group D alongside Russia, Sweden and Greece.

Germany -
Germany coach Joachim Loew named 19-year-old winger Marko Marin and called up 23-year-old goalkeeper Rene Adler in place of Timo Hildebrand in a provisional 26-man squad for Euro 2008 on Friday.  Marin and Alder, both uncapped, were not the only surprises as Loew also recalled Real Betis winger David Odonkor, despite his uninspiring club form in Spain, and kept faith with another old face from the 2006 World Cup, striker Oliver Neuville.  Germany are in Group B for the June 7-29 tournament with co-hosts Austria, Croatia and Poland.

Holland -
Holland coach Marco van Basten has trimmed his provisional European Championships squad from 29 men to 26 ahead of revealing his final selection later this month.  AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf  pulled out of the Euro 2008 squad after finding it difficult to work under coach Marco van Basten. Real Madrid trio Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink will join up with the squad later this month as all have club obligations to fulfil.   Holland, the 1988 European champions, have been drawn alongside Italy, France and Romania in Euro 2008 Group C.

Czech Republic -
Czech Republic coach Karel Brueckner named a 23-man squad on Wednesday for a Euro 2008 training camp and excluded Pavel Nedved, who had been rumoured to be considering a return from international retirement.   The Czech Republic play Switzerland, Portugal and Turkey in the Group A of the European championship.

Italy -
Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero has been politicking for a place in the squad and says believes he deserves an Italy recall for Euro 2008 after scoring 18 goals in Serie A this season.   The World Cup winner has not played for his country since giving a poor performance in a goalless qualifying match against France in September.