EURO 2008 INFO

This is perhaps the big names whose presence at the UEFA Euro 2008 is widely expected, but for these four stars of football, coaches have perhaps decided otherwise…

Deco (Portugal)

This will perhaps seem silly but some Portuguese supporters do not wish to see Luis Felipe Scolari caper Deco for Euro 2008. His technique and its application led Portugal to the final of 2004 and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup but was not in the best shape since his triumph with Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League in 2006 . With a positive breath test in January, it is probably one of the players that was intended when Scolari called on his team of "caring more football and less of fashion and nightlife."

In fact, Deco had to be replaced in four of the ten qualifying matches of the Euro 2008 he has played, raising just 548 points in the performance index Castrol. In his absence, Scolari could select Maniche (1317 pts) and Tiago in the centre of mid-field, with Marco Caneira and Joao Moutinho on the wings to support Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma. Scolari can also appeal to the artistic talents of Simao and elegance of Nani. To ensure its place in the Euro, Deco must regain its form. And fast!

Raul (Spain)

The fury that caused the non selection by Raul Luis Aragones has become so intense that the player and the coach had to hold a press conference unprecedented to defuse the bomb. The meeting, at the initiative of Raul, may have reduced the pressure but Aragones knows that the media will crucify if Spain does not reach the quarter-final.

Only 30 years old, Raul showed a stunning form this season at Real Madrid. Yet Aragones reserves are understandable. For his selection, Raul scored 37 goals in 68 matches before falling to a statistic seven goals over its last 34 appearances. His tenure at the expense of a Fernando Torres (147pts) or a David Villa (1261 pts) would be difficult to justify.

Spain has qualified with a degree of ease, by scoring 23 goals, and according to some, Aragones think that his team has more cohesion without Raul. He said they have no animosity towards Raul and has not yet chosen the final composition of his team, but the striker may have to wait for the resignation of its coach this summer to resume his international career.

Alessandro Del Piero (Italy)

The captain of the Azzurri, Fabio Cannavaro, think Del Piero has its place in the Italian team. Like Gianluca Zambrotta and the son of Roberto Donadoni. But the coach of the Azzurri had not left impressed by those complaining - either by the superb form posted in Del Piero at Juventus.

Last September, Del Piero was quoted as saying he would play for Italy that instead of attacking. The rumors of such an ultimatum had not provided the favors of Donadoni, who has not played since. Yet, the fact that there is a certain fervor around a potential return of Del Piero mark is a remarkable comeback for the Golden Boy. At the start of the Serie A, it was not even certain to have its place in the Juventus reinvented by Claudio Ranieri.

In the absence of Del Piero, Italy has prospered with Luca Toni (4058 pts), Antonio Di Natale (2885 pts) and Fabio Quagliarella in the front. Filippo Inzaghi, Alberto Gilardino, Raffaele Palladino, Marco Barrielli Cristiano Lucarelli and are also capable of giving the change. At 33 years old, Del Piero will probably not at the World Cup 2010 and Donadoni think perhaps it is more logical to build his team without him in this perspective.

David Trezeguet (France)

The coach Raymond Domenech said understand the frustration of the Juve striker when he has played 181 minutes during which the qualifications of Euro 2008. "I know the qualities of David. It does not become top scorer of the Serie A by chance. But the performance of international Trezeguet had recently suffered a brake which recalls the difficulties of Raul. He scored 28 goals in his first 48 tenure but just six in the last 22, including three against China and the Faroe Islands.

And the tricolour coach is not short of options at the front, with Thierry Henry (720 pts), Karim Benzema and Nicolas Anelka (1368 pts) at the head of an attack which also includes a Djibril Cisse in great shape, the star of Stade Rennais Jimmy Briand (linked to Arsenal) and Jeremy Menez, Monaco player as the Inter covets.

Trezeguet, 30 years old, may have scored the winning goal at Euro 2000 but the chance to see him make his return to the Euro 2008 are increasingly slim.