Euro 2008 - Who won't be there

Eurosport - Fri, 06 Jun 09:19:00 2008

This year's European Championship may well boast a veritable galaxy of international superstars, but there are plenty of names whose absence from the tournament is just as noticeable.

FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup Germany-Portugal Kahn - 0

While the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry will be strutting their stuff on pitches across Austria and Switzerland, a world-beating XI can be easily compiled from those who have missed out for one reason or another.

Here we bring you the best of the rest and the reasons why they will be topping up their tans on a beach this summer instead of toiling on a pitch in front of thousands of fans.

(Formation: a rather experimental 3-3-4)

1. Oliver Kahn (Germany) - The outspoken keeper retired from international football after the World Cup in 2006. His entertaining spats with Jens Lehmann will be sorely missed.

2. Fabio Cannavaro (Italy) - The Azzurri captain was crocked in pre-tournament training by fellow centre-half Giorgio Chiellini, who now stands to benefit from the Real Madrid stopper's absence. Go figure.

3. Paul Scharner (Austria) - Undoubtedly the co-host nation's best player, but the Wigan utility man's bitter falling out with coach Josef Hickersberger has seen him miss the cut for Euro 2008.

4. Alessandro Nesta (Italy) - Retired from international football last year having won the World Cup - there has been a surprising lack of clamour for him to reassess his position since.

5. Tomas Rosicky (Czech Republic) - His nation's captain, the Arsenal midfielder misses out with a knee injury, off the back of a season that has been plagued by fitness problems.

6. Clarence Seedorf (Holland) - The Dutch are past masters of in-house squabbling, with the Milan midfielder the latest to storm off in a sulk. For the record, Mark van Bommel is suffering from a similar affliction to his bottom lip.

7. Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic) - Despite their best efforts, the Czech camp could not persuade the still scampering veteran into ending his international retirement (for a third time) for the tournament.

8. David Trezeguet (France) - The Juventus ace netted 20 times last season - which in Serie A is no mean feat - but Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech still inexplicably preferred Nicolas Anelka and Bafetimbi Gomis.

9. Eduardo da Silva (Croatia) - His horrific leg break remains one of the most vivid memories of last season, for all the wrong reasons. The Brazilian-born striker will not play again until next season.

10. Raul (Spain) - The 30-year-old Real Madrid captain used to be considered untouchable, but not even a high profile public campaign was powerful enough to see him included.

11. Francesco Totti (Italy) - Another who believes it doesn't get much better than winning a World Cup, Totti retired after 2006 and, unlike so many, has refused to change his mind.

Subs from: Bacary Sagna (France, crocked), Ryan Babel (Holland, crocked), Pippo Inzaghi (Italy, overlooked), Luis Figo (Portugal, too old) and the entire England squad (not good enough).

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

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  2. I fancy Portugal to win the 2008 Euro Cup not because of our Nani and Roo but because they play a collective games like Brasil. A humble start will win the Cup because they won't pose any threat at the start as such. I sit back and wait for my US$1mn.

    From Charles O, on Fri 6 Jun 4:27PM

  3. England should learn how to play together as a team and win matches instead of displaying individual talents of their various clubs in vain. England, you can watch from your TV in your sitting room instead of being watched. It is unfornate! Prepare hard for South Africa 2010.
    From Sunny Udogu (Nigeria)

    From sunday a, on Fri 6 Jun 1:51PM

  4. ok, lets adopt a team so we don't miss out, how about Portugal

    From First L, on Fri 6 Jun 10:12AM

  5. ENGLAND ARE THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD AND WILL BE SADLEY MISSED IN THE TOURNAMENT.
    THEY HAVE THE MOST TALENTED PLAYERS OUT OF ALL THE QUALIFIED TEAMS. THE MANAGERS HAVE LET THEM DOWN.

    From Gary s, on Fri 6 Jun 9:35AM

  6. i thing england winning the eurocup 2008

    From jeran_116, on Fri 6 Jun 8:54AM

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    From onlieromle, on Fri 6 Jun 7:31AM

  8. ronaldo would help Portugal to win the tiitle

    From chng, on Fri 6 Jun 5:11AM

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    From Matt P, on Fri 6 Jun 3:57AM

  10. portugal will win the euro 2008. portugal is looking to come out on top after taking second against greece when they hosted the '04 competition. they have a great side too, a mixture of youth and experience, and with christiano ronaldo, they will be unstoppable.

    From soccerfantasy25, on Fri 6 Jun 2:59AM

  11. England will win the World Cup in South Africa in spectaculer,gifted fashion.
    Just wait and see..

    From aafoxall, on Fri 6 Jun 2:27AM

  12. We don't have the players as we've been invaded by Jonny foreigner. Send them all back I say. That will stop all that play acting, diving, spending money on ridiculous american sporty car things and all those so called WAGS. Get shot of them too.
    While your at it just think for a moment who manages our national football team, no not a ginger haired true brit but an ITIE, you must be joking! While you're at it send him back as well- he needs to learn the Queen,s English before he can set foot on these shores. We don't need any foreign games just bring back the home friendly, that I can't wait to see- proper football players kicking lumps out of each other then a jolly good handshake at the full time whistle

    From scottox4, on Fri 6 Jun 1:31AM

  13. England are a bad team! A group of talented (and not so talented) players who just don't seem to be able to play together. How long before they at least try Agbonlahor up front? And please England, sort out the midfield!

    From killridereload, on Thu 5 Jun 11:51PM

  14. I think the AZURRIS will miss lots of their players that conqure the World in year 2006(GERMANY). most of their strikers like inzaghi,totti and defender like cannavaro due to injury and nesta due to retireement from international football. Likewise france will a lanky striker who was the 2nd highest goal scorer with 20gosl infact i love this player so much 'cos he gave france the trophy against italy in year 2000 at the extra time and the defensive mildfielder patrick vieira might be replaced by flamini of arsenal.ADEYANJU Samson

    From talk2samade, on Thu 5 Jun 11:46PM

  15. What about Australia!! CARN AUSSIES!

    From chelt_united, on Thu 5 Jun 11:34PM

  16. Spain will prevail!!! just wait and see!!

    From aminus04, on Thu 5 Jun 11:24PM

  17. I think Brazil will win the EURO 2008 :D:D:D:D

    From vav11111, on Thu 5 Jun 9:38PM

  18. Mon the Scots!!!.....oh hang on we are not going are we!Bugger!!!Eh Mon the Rep of Ireland then!!! D'oh!!!Errrrrmmmm.... Mon The Germans!!!!YAY!!!!

    From stanleyippkiss2003, on Thu 5 Jun 8:48PM

  19. England didn't make it because they were poor in the qualifaction matchers, it doesn't mean there a "bad" side. It doesn't mean Croatia are better than England(nor England are better than Croatia) Get over it, Holland didn't make it to the 2002 world cup but there still a great side does it?

    From wb, on Thu 5 Jun 8:39PM

  20. what about the Irish?

    Come on the boys...South Africa here we come!

    Trapattonis Green Army!!!

    Tiocfaidh ar an Lá!

    From shanenolan11, on Thu 5 Jun 7:09PM
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