FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.05.2008 12:29

Countdown to Euro 2008

Sandra Sarmiento

Warm-up time has begun for the eight Barça internationals that will be playing in Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland in June.

There are only two weeks to go before Switzerland and the Czech Republic play the first game in the festival of European international football at the St. Jakob-Park stadium in Basle. There will be eight Barça players taking part for four teams as they battle for the title held by Greece since the last championships in 2004. The final will be on Sunday 29 June in Vienna.

Spain, the last team to get together

Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta have been called up for this Monday at the Las Rozas Football Complex. Luis Aragonés’s side is to play two friendlies before kicking off its campaign against Russia on 10 June at Innsbruck. On Saturday 31 May the Spaniards will play Peru and on 4 June the United States.

France, three friendlies

France are to play the most friendlies before Euro 2008. Raymond Domenech’s team will take on Ecuador this Tuesday, followed by Paraguay on Saturday and Colombia on Tuesday 3 June at Saint Denis. Henry, Thuram and Éric Abidal are the backbone of Les Bleus.

Italy at Coverciano

Since this Sunday the Italian squad has been working in the Technical Sector at Coverciano. Roberto Donadoni once again can call on Gianluca Zambrotta in defence. Italy will play only a single friendly (this Friday against Belgium in Florence) before they kick off their campaign against Holland on 9 June in Berne.

Portugal, one warm-up match

Finally, Deco has been training with his Portuguese team-mates for a few days now at Viseu 300 kilometres north of Lisbon. The midfielder has recovered from his thigh strain and can play in the side’s only warm-up fixture against Georgia on Saturday.