Shock illness ends Payer's EURO dream

Austria goalkeeper Helge Payer has been ruled out of UEFA EURO 2008™ and replaced in the squad by Ramazan Özcan because he urgently needs an operation for a stomach condition.
Shock diagnosisThe 28-year-old from Bundesliga champions SK Rapid Wien was coach Josef Hickerberger's likely tournament No1 until being diagnosed with partially blocked veins in the stomach during the last 24 hours. Payer broke down in training on Monday with pains in his back and stomach, prompting team medics to perform an MRI scan and further tests. With the player requiring immediate treatment, he has been transferred to Vienna to a vascular surgery unit.
'No physical activity'Austria doctor Ernst Schopp said: "Helge will be unable to undertake any physical activity for some time." Payer, who had looked favourite to keep goal in the finals ahead of Jürgen Macho and Alex Manninger, said of what is a devastating career blow: "My greatest wish was to be the No1 keeper at the EURO, but my health is more important. On the one hand I'm sad about being unable to fulfil my dream, but on the other I'm happy I saw the doctor when I did. I'll have to follow the EURO from my sick bed and I wish my team-mates all the best and an injury-free tournament." He won the last of his 15 caps in March, against the Netherlands.
Özcan call-upPayer's replacement, Ramazan Özcan, caught the eye this season by helping TSG 1899 Hoffenheim achieve promotion to the German Bundesliga. The 23-year-old, capped at Under-21 level, moved on loan to Hoffenheim from FC Salzburg in January and had done enough by April to earn a three-year deal with his new club.

Source Euro 2008 UEFA official site

Cassano choice shocks some in Italy

Antonio Cassano is a surprise inclusion in the 24-man draft Italy squad for UEFA EURO 2008™, on the day coach Roberto Donadoni announced he has signed a new contract.
Long absenceStriker Cassano has had an excellent season with UC Sampdoria but has not played for Italy since a September 2006 qualifier against France. "I'm not taking any chances with Cassano," explained Donadoni. "He is not a youngster any more and knows what it means to be a member of a group. I know perfectly well what he can give in technical terms." The 25-year-old, on loan from Real Madrid CF, scored ten goals in 22 Serie A games for sixth-placed Sampdoria.
Inzaghi excludedJuventus captain Alessandro Del Piero, 33, is also included after scoring 21 goals this term – his best tally since 1997/98 – to finish as the top flight's leading scorer. However, there is no place for AC Milan forward Filippo Inzaghi or for Massimo Oddo and Vincenzo Iaquinta, who are struggling with injuries. "I have called up 24 players and they will compete for the 23 places," said Donadoni.
'Gesture of trust'Donadoni also revealed that he has put pen to paper on a new deal with the Italian Football Federation, expiring in 2010. "I'm delighted with the new contract because I consider it a show of faith from the federation," he said. Both parties can cancel the deal depending on results at UEFA EURO 2008™, with Donadoni saying: "I'll be the first to step down if we don't get good results."

Training plans

The squad will train at the FA's Coverciano HQ between 25 and 28 May before facing Belgium in Florence on 30 May in their last friendly before the finals in Austria and Switzerland. The Azzurri play their opening Group C game against the Netherlands in Berne on 9 June. They then meet Romania on 13 June and France four days later.
Italy squadGoalkeepers: Marco Amelia (AS Livorno Calcio), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Sevilla FC).

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (US Città di Palermo), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid CF), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Fabio Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Marco Materazzi (FC Internazionale Milano), Christian Panucci (AS Roma), Gianluca Zambrotta (FC Barcelona).

Midfielders: Massimo Ambrosini (AC Milan), Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Riccardo Montolivo (ACF Fiorentina), Simone Perrotta (AS Roma), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan).

Forwards: Marco Borriello (Genoa CFC), Antonio Cassano (UC Sampdoria), Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese Calcio), Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese Calcio), Luca Toni (FC Bayern München).

Source UEFA official site

17-year-old Bojan Krkic Won’t Play at UEFA EURO 2008

The youngster won’t play at UEFA EURO 2008! That’s the pact reached after Bojan Krkic admitted he suffered from fatigue.
The 17-year-old Spanish football player had an exhausting, highly competitive football year, so he had to eventually agree that Luis Aragones was right. He needs a break; after all, he is only 17 years old!
“I know what it is I’m missing out on but I’ve reached a point where I’m very tired,” said Bojan Krkic, who is also FC Barcelona’s player. “At no point did I ever say ‘no’ to the Spanish team. On the other hand, I want to be honest with the manager, the [Spanish Football] Federation and with myself,” added Krkic.
However, although he won’t play at UEFA EURO 2008, Bojan Krkic will remain fully committed to Spain. “My commitment to the Spanish set-up can’t be called into doubt when you consider that I have always played when I have been called upon to do so,” Krkic said, adding also: “I played at a [UEFA] European Championship and a [FIFA] World Cup at Under-17 level and took part in three or four games with the Under-21s. There are no personal problems, I’m just exhausted and I need to disconnect.”

Parking fillip for registered buses

New initiativeThe initiative, introduced by Euro 2008 SA for the first time at a major tournament, will guarantee every registered bus a parking pass, which in turn will guarantee a place near the stadium on the day of the match. Buses must be registered as special traffic regulations for matchdays will restrict access to the areas around stadiums to all but authorized vehicles.

Registration essentialIt will not be possible to park buses in the immediate vicinity of the stadiums or in the city centres if they have not been registered in advance. The registration system also makes it possible to split supporters into separate, team-specific car parks. Parking must be requested by 31 May for group matches and no later than two days before the relevant match during the knockout phase.

Innsbruck unveils June festival

UEFA EURO 2008™ host city Innsbruck has unveiled its off-pitch attractions for the tournament including worldwide hit bands Smokie and Rednex as well as sporting attractions.
'Great bands'The diverse programme will serve up musical and sporting highlights for all visitors to the UEFA European Championship next month. "EURO 2008™ will not only be a football festival," said organising committee chairman Christoph Platzgumme. "EURO also will provide locals and international guests the chance of enjoying a month of free entrance to watch great bands and musicians."
Smokie performBands Russkaja and Les Babacools will be performing in the fan camp, and Gentleman and Juli gigging in the Fan Zone at Bergisel Arena. Meanwhile at the Landhausplatz, in the heart of Innsbruck's downtown Fan Mile, there will be some big names – Rednex, whose biggest hit was Cotton-Eyed Joe, Liquido and Smokie, who found chart success with the song Living Next Door To Alice and backed Kevin Keegan on his records Head Over Heels In Love and It Ain't Easy.
Ski jump challengeOn the sporting side there is a special attraction planned for 16 June. "In Vienna there is the game between Austria and Germany," Michael Bielowski, the head of the work group Fan Zone and Fan Areas." And in Innsbruck, ski jumpers from both nations will challenge for the title by jumping on to mats. Innsbruck will have super entertainment throughout the city not only on game days but off days as well."

Source (euro2008.uefa.com)

Fair play focus for Swiss school

Youngsters with hearing and speaking difficulties took part in a fair play football festival last month – the latest initiative of EUROSCHOOLS 2008.
Fair play focusEUROSCHOOLS, the official schools programme of UEFA EURO 2008™, has seen more than 200 institutions from Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein serve as ambassadors for the 53 UEFA member countries since the start of the 2007/08 academic year. This latest festival involved 60 pupils from the Hohenrain therapeutic education centre in the Swiss canton of Lucerne, who were visited by guest speaker Marta Dubayowa of the Slovakian embassy. The students sampled Slovakian food and participated in a general knowledge quiz all about Slovakia to win a signed shirt from Swiss Super League team FC Luzern.

Source (Euro2008.uefa.com)

The UEFA EURO 2008 Final Official Ball was chosen

The specially-designed silver ball that could make or break the dreams of a nation went on show in Vienna today as the official ball of the UEFA EURO 2008™ final, the adidas EUROPASS gloria, was handed to UEFA President Michel Platini by adidas AG chairman and CEO Herbert Hainer in the ceremonial presentation of the adidas 'Europass Gloria' ball on April 30, 2008 in Vienna, Austria.The 'Europass Gloria' ball will be reserved for the EURO 2008 final match.