World champions Italy and arch-rivals France lead a group of Euro 2008 contenders testing their credentials in friendly matches.

Italy, facing fellow-finalists Portugal in Switzerland, have again overlooked Alessandro Del Piero who now looks likely to miss the June tournament.

With Francesco Totti having retired from international football, coach Roberto Donadoni looks set to hand a start to Genoa striker Marco Borriello.

France, who play Spain in Malaga, are without injured forward Franck Ribery.

But coach Raymond Domenech, who did not call up Juventus marksman David Trezeguet, is still spoilt for choice in attack with Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and 20-year-old Karim Benzema all available.

Barcelona's 17-year-old Bojan Krkic is in Luis Aragones's squad and can become the youngest player to be capped by Spain.

He will be capped after just a handful of club appearances to prevent him from being snapped up by his father's home country of Serbia.

Croatia entertain the Netherlands, the Czech Republic take on Poland and Turkey host Sweden in other fixtures between Euro 2008 finalists.

Championship co-hosts Austria and Switzerland will both be busy, at home to Germany and away to non-qualifiers England respectively.

Captain Michael Ballack returns for Joachim Loew's side, who will be looking to deepen Austria's gloom.

Romania have a tough away trip to Israel and Greece take on Finland.

Czech and Greek shadow squads were in action on Tuesday night, with Greece prevailing 1-0.

Russia are the only Euro 2008 qualifiers not to play a friendly. They have instead opted to spend the international week at a training camp in Turkey.

AC / Reuters