THE BEST SOCCER PLAYERS

The UEFA Technical Team has named its UEFA EURO 2008™ Team of the Tournament, with no fewer than nine Spanish players being picked in the final 23. Team breakdown The nine-strong group of experienced football technicians who have followed every game at the tournament decided the selection – and the success of Luis Aragonés's side was underlined by the fact nine Spain players made the cut, with the remainder of the squad comprising three players from runners-up Germany, four from Russia, two each from the Netherlands and Portugal and a single player representing Turkey, Croatia and Italy. 'Not about reputations' UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh said: "The Team of the Tournament is something we put into our technical report for our coaching colleagues. We give them pointers on the players that our technical experts have appreciated during this event. This team is very much self-contained in terms of the tournament – this is not about reputations. In fact there are o

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernández Creus has been named the best player at Euro 2008 after his stirring displays helped his country to the title. The 28-year-old Barcelona player, the heartbeat of Spain's midfield during the tournament, was voted the Castrol player of the tournament by a nine-strong panel of UEFA's technical experts. He appeared in five matches at the finals, scoring once in the semi-final against Russia, as Spain earned their first major international success since beating the Soviet Union to win the 1964 UEFA European Championship. His ability to dictate the pace of the game from midfield brought him to the attention of the UEFA Technical Team who decide upon the Castrol Player of the Tournament, taking into account votes from the public. UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh said: "We chose him because we think he epitomises the Spanish style of play. He was extremely influential in the whole possession, passing, penetrating kind of game that Spain played.

Cesc Fabregas is desperate to avoid a repeat of the 'hurt' of losing a major final when Spain do battle with Germany on Sunday. Arsenal midfielder Fabregas suffered heartache when the Gunners were defeated in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona. But two years on the 21-year-old is ready to do 'whatever it takes' to claim glory when the Spanish take on Germany in the Euro 2008 final at the Ernst-Happel Stadion. "I know what it's like losing a big final," Fabregas said. "I know just how much it hurts - and I don't want to do it again. "Of course we haven't achieved our objective yet. We can't draw the line with getting to the final. We want to go home with the cup. "We have 90 or 120 minutes left or even 125 minutes with the penalties, whatever it takes to go home with the trophy." Ballack threat Fabregas went on to highlight the threat of Germany captain Michael Ballack, who has impressed during this summer

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has admitted he does not know where his future lies following interest from 'one of the biggest clubs in the world'. Adebayor gave conflicting messages over his Emirates Stadium future on Friday after he initially stated he will remain in North London before conceding that he has yet to make a definitive decision. Serie A giants Milan, who will play in the Uefa Cup next season, have made no secret of their interest in the Togo international and will be eagerly anticipating the expected announcement on his future next week. The Gunners will be desperate to hold onto Adebayor after he struck an impressive 30 goals last season, but the former Monaco forward feels an exit would not necessarily be detrimental to the club, who paid £7million for his services in 2006. Dream "I had a dream of playing for Arsenal, and Arsenal are one of the loveliest clubs in the world," he said. "When I go back to Africa it is obvious that a lot of peopl

It has been a heady rise for Spain striker Daniel González Güiza. The previously unsung 27-year-old RCD Mallorca forward forced himself into the reckoning for UEFA EURO 2008 after finishing the season as the Primera División's leading scorer, and has seized his chance here with two goals in three appearances. It is an impressive return for a player who only made his international debut in Spain's final qualifier against Northern Ireland in November. Güiza scored the winner against Greece in Spain's final Group D game then hit another in the 3-0 semi-final victory against Russia, flicking the ball over Igor Akinfeev after being played through by Cesc Fàbregas. With David Villa injured, coach Luis Aragonés is likely to give either Güiza or Fàbregas a starting role in the final against Germany and the Mallorca man is desperate for the chance. "Of course you dream, and my dream has always been to play in the final with the Spanish national team," he said. "Now we

Spain coach Luis Aragones says David Villa will miss Sunday's Euro 2008 against Germany. The Valencia striker was forced out of Thursday's 3-0 victory over Russia on 34 minutes after pulling a leg muscle. Villa, who helped himself to a hat-trick in Spain's 4-1 group success over Russia, will now sit out the final in Vienna. "Villa won't be playing in the final. He suffered a muscle strain," confirmed Aragones after their semi-final success. David Villa is still a top scorer in Euro 2008 with four goals. The absent of the Spain hit-man open a chance for German striker Lukas Podolski to get a golden ball, an award for top scorer in this cup. Villa's place in the side could well be taken by Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, who impressed off the bench in their semi-final triumph over Russia. Villa came off after 35 minutes to be replaced by Cesc Fabregas after appearing to injure himself taking a free kick. Sunday's final will be played at the Ernst Happel sta

By Luke Harding in Moscow It has been one of the great enigmas of Euro 2008. Why has a forward of the quality of Andrei Arshavin, Russia's exquisitely gifted playmaker, not previously attracted international recognition? Victory for Russia on Thursday night against Spain would be likely to confirm 27-year-old Arshavin as the player of the tournament. This would follow his pivotal role in Russia's 3-1 demolition of Holland during the quarter-finals and their 2-0 mobbing of Sweden. In fact, Russian sports journalists identified Arshavin as a world-class player a long time ago - in 2004. But several factors conspired to prevent Arshavin from reaching his current inspirational greatness, they suggest. These include Russia's failure to progress at major tournaments. A more profound obstacle has been Arshavin's immaturity or - as one observer put it - his propensity to behave "like a spoiled kid". "We started to talk about Arshavin when he was 23. He was playin

Emmanuel Adebayor's departure from Arsenal moved a step closer today when his agent, Vincenzo Morabito, claimed Milan now have a "70 to 80% chance" of signing the forward. The Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said last week that Adebayor was his club's sole transfer target this summer. It now appears that the Rossoneri are close to securing a deal for the striker, with Arsenal reportedly already searching for his replacement. "Milan have already stated their position, while Arsenal have started moving in the market in the hunt for an attacker to replace Adebayor," Morabito told Italian television channel Mediaset. "Until that search ends the deal won't move forward but I am quite optimistic because Arsenal are looking for a player. They're talking about [Mario] Gomez, [Roque] Santa Cruz, and [Peter] Crouch. I'd say there's a 70 to 80% chance Adebayor will go to Milan." Reports in Spain suggested that Barcelona had reached a dea

Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin has thanked Guus Hiddink for his chance at Euro 2008 - and he wants to repay him by sending the Dutchman into a first major final as an international coach. Arshavin was suspended for the first two games of the tournament after needlessly getting sent off in the last qualifier, but Hiddink kept him in his squad despite being upset at the 27-year-old. He has scored against Sweden and Holland and tonight face Spain in the semi-finals at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium. 'Even so I'm happy Guus Hiddink brought me here despite the ban and let me become a part of the tournament,' said Arshavin. 'I came here hoping I'd get a chance to play at such a big tournament. I've never been to an event like this before. 'We had some very tough training sessions and it was difficult for me to be training a lot knowing I wouldn't be playing. It was an unusual feeling.' His performances has put top clubs in Europe in alert, and Zenit S

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez insists he and his team-mates are ready to end a 44-year wait for international silverware. Ahead of Thursday's semi-final meeting with Russia, Xavi is confident Spain can secure their first trophy since winning the 1964 European Championship. Barcelona star Xavi accepts Russia, who have earned the plaudits in Austria and Switzerland, will prove difficult opposition. However, the 28-year-old insists Luis Aragones' team, who have earned a reputation as perennial under-achievers as domestic success is rarely replicated on the international stage, are hungry to win this summer's competition. "I'm very happy because we have taken a step towards making history, but we haven't done it yet," said Xavi. Nut to crack "We've got a tough nut to crack in Russia, but the team is ready in all senses and we want to win the tournament. "We want to keep faith with our playing style. This game will be very different but the key

The Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri yesterday announced on his website that he has signed a four-year contract with Arsenal although his agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, later said, "It is premature to announce this. Discussions are continuing between the two clubs and the player." Arsenal have yet to confirm the deal. Samir Nasri was born 26 June 1987 in Marseille, is a French attacking midfielder currently playing for Marseille. He play for Marseille since at 9 yeras old. He has been involved in the French national set up for a long time, progressing through the Under-16s, 17s, 18s, 19s and 21s. He won his promotion to the full national squad this year, to which he has been called up three times. Nasri scored his first senior international goal in his third appearance for the senior team in a 1-0 win for France against Georgia on June 6, 2007 in a EURO 2008 qualifier. He received his first cap for France on March 28, 2007 against Austria, in a home friendly match at the age of 1

Turkey captain Emre Belozoglu is still unfit and will not play in Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany, coach Fatih Terim said. The midfielder suffered a hamstring tear following the opening group defeat by Portugal and had been rated 50/50 to recover in time for the Basel match. 'With Emre, it's impossible for him to play,' the coach said on Tuesday, adding that midfielder Tumer Metin, who has a groin strain, may be able to play for the last 30 minutes. Emre Belözoğlu was born at 7 September 1980 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is currently a midfielder for English Premier League club Newcastle United. He is one of the most accomplished Turkish players of all time, being instrumental in Galatasaray's unbeaten run to a historic UEFA Cup victory in 2000, and UEFA Super Cup victory the same year. He is also a member of the Turkey national team, which he helped to a third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup. In 2004, Emre was selected to the FIFA 100 by Pelé as one

Germany captain Michael Ballack is refusing to under-estimate Turkey's 'never-say-die' attitude ahead of the Euro 2008 semi-finals. Turkey are arguably the surprise package in the last four of the European Championship after sneaking through Group A with a last-gasp victory over Czech Republic and stunning Croatia on penalties in the quarter-finals. And, after incorrectly tipping world champions Italy, France, Portugal and Croatia ahead of the tournament, Ballack is wary that Germany could become the latest surprise elimination. Turkey have been decimated by injuries and suspensions to leave manager Fatih Terim struggling for options ahead of the meeting in Basel on Wednesday, but Ballack still expects a stern test. "I admit I was utterly wrong with my predictions," said Ballack. Mental strength "But the only important thing is that we have a major chance to go through to the final. "We know Turkey are missing a lot of players through injury and suspens

Colin Kazim-Richards is hopeful Turkey can upset Germany on their way to Euro 2008 glory. Kazim-Richards and his team-mates are preparing for Wednesday's semi-final against Germany as Turkey look to cause another shock in Austria and Switzerland. Turkey, who have been badly hit by injuries and suspension, sneaked through Group A with a last-gasp victory over Czech Republic and then stunned Croatia in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out. Colin Kazim-Richards, also known as Colin Kâzım or Kâzım Kâzım in Turkey, (born 26 August 1986 in Leytonstone, London) is an English-born footballer who plays for Fenerbahçe in the Turkcell Super League and internationally for Turkey having qualified for Turkish nationality from his mother who is of Turkish Cypriot descent. His father is of Antiguan descent. He is now looking forward to stunning pre-tournament favourites Germany. Dream "It's amazing," Kazim-Richards said in The Times. "I'm not only Turkish, I'm English as we

Germany striker Lukas Podolski is putting transfer talk on hold until the conclusion of Euro 2008. The Bayern Munich striker reported looking to leave Bayern Munich after admitting his fear that the club do not rate him. Podolski is currently enjoying a fine European Championships with Germany, having netted three goals along the country's route to the semi-finals. But at the Allianz Arena the 23-year-old has admitted he is frustrated at playing a bit-part role. Podolski has struggled to force his way into the starting XI at the Allianz Arena and has had to settle for often being back-up to Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni. Bayern have also been linked with a summer move for his international team-mate Mario Gomez, leaving Podolski to conclude that he is surplus to requirements. A number of European clubs, including Stuttgart, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham, are reportedly monitoring the forward's situation. However, Podolski is focused on helping Germany progress to the Eu

Cesc Fabregas has spoken of his joy at sending Spain into the semi-finals of Euro 2008, while confirming that he will remain at Arsenal. Fabregas, on as a substitute, netted from the penalty spot as Spain claimed a shoot-out victory over world champions Italy on Sunday evening. And the 21-year-old schemer is sure Luis Aragones' men have what it takes to advance past Russia on Thursday and go on to claim European Championship glory. On his penalty, Fabregas told Sky Sports News , "It was a great feeling. It was probably the most important goal I have scored." Arsenal likeness "As a footballer you never know if you are going to feel like this again. The team has worked really hard to get here. It reminds me a little bit of Arsenal: the unity of the team, the togetherness, the quality of our game and the great players. I think we can do something special. The semi-final is going to be difficult because Russia are a great team. They are very competitive and young. We w

Hamit Altıntop is looking further forward than a semi-final reunion with a number of his FC Bayern Munchen team-mates after helping Turkey defeat Croatia in an epic last-eight tie in Vienna. "If we believe in ourselves we can win the tournament," said the Carlsberg Man of the Match award winner. The midfielder covered more ground than any other player – 14.21kms – and came into his own in an unfamiliar role as Turkey's playmaker following the 76th-minute substitution of Mehmet Topal for Semih Şentürk. Semih went on to rifle in a last-second equaliser after Ivan Klasnić had scored 29 minutes into extra time for the Croatians, prompting a shoot-out which the side in red won 3-1. Hamit, who drilled in Turkey's third penalty, said: "We played well as a team and reaching the semi-final is the important thing. It's vital to be cold-blooded in shoot-outs – you mustn't show nerves in football. If we carry on this way, and believe in ourselves, we can win the tour

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas is keeping his feet firmly on the ground after proving Spain's saviour in their UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final shoot-out victory against Italy. The Carlsberg Man of the Match saved penalties from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale to help his side into a semi-final against Russia, but later admitted fearing Spain would suffer a seventh last-eight exit in this competition. "It's true we had a few inner doubts about getting past the quarter-finals again," the 27-year-old said. "There was a lot of pressure on us to do it but I think we deserved it, even though it was a very hard match. We held out until penalties and, in the end, everything turned out well for us and we're through." The Real Madrid CF player knows that two more wins are required if Spain are to clinch their first major title since the European crown of 1964 – and that Thursday's semi-final opponents Russia will present a sterner challenge than in their opening

On the eve of the UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final between the sides in Vienna, Spain defender Carles Puyol paid fulsome tribute to the winning mentality of Italian footballers as he acknowledged that one of the biggest tests of his career lies ahead. Excluding Olympic Games, Spain have never beaten the Azzurri in a competitive fixture yet, with David Villa's goal earning them a 1-0 friendly victory at the end of March and their form in the group stage – taking maximum points as Italy struggled to progress – the momentum would seem to be with La Furia Roja this time round. As a close friend of former FC Barcelona and Italy midfielder Demetrio Albertini, and a long-standing admirer of Paolo Maldini, Puyol does not expect it to be that simple, explaining: "I admire the Italian footballing mentality. Every Italian player always plays to his absolute maximum and I love that in sport." Albertini, now vice-president of the Italian Football Federation, spent a year alongside Puyol a

Xabier Alonso Olano, commonly known as Xabi Alonso has said he is "fascinated" by Italian football as his Liverpool future remains in doubt with Juve leading the pack to sign him. The playmaker is currently playing a pivotal role in Spain's Euro 2008 campaign preparing to face Italy and with the Serie A side chasing his signature, Alonso could be also facing several future Juventus team-mates during the quarter-final tie. But the 26-year-old is giving nothing away, remaining calm about his club commitments and fully focused on Spain's progression into the final four. "I have little to say about Juve because at the moment I am very focused on Euro 2008 and on Spain," the �16million-rated midfielder said. "We'll see what will happen with Juve. It's difficult to say. Fascinated "I've spent four fantastic years at Liverpool, but I have to admit that I have always been fascinated by Italian football. "However, it's too soon to talk

Zenit St Petersburg coach Dick Advocaat has confirmed that Andrei Arshavin wants to leave the club. The Russian star had a brilliant domestic campaign last season helping Zenit to the league title and Uefa Cup. Arshavin only added to his reputation when he starred in Russia's final Euro 2008 group game - after being suspended for start of the tournament - against Sweden as scored the winner in the 2-0 triumph. He is also mastering Russia's victory over Netherlands at quarter final Euro 2008. He scored a goal and an assist to Dmitri Torbinski to eliminate The Dutch. He later received the Man of The Match accolades. The 27-year-old is being tracked by clubs from Italy, Spain, France, Germany and England - with the likes of Newcastle, Manchester City, Everton and more recently Arsenal said to be interested. Now Advocaat has confirmed that Arshavin want to move to one of Europe's biggest leagues. "Andrei has told us that he wishes to change clubs," Advocaat told repor

Italy's Luca Toni will have extra motivation to score in Sunday's UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-final against Spain as he tries to win a bet with club-mate Miroslav Klose. The FC Bayern München strikers have a private contest to see who can score the most goals at the tournament, and after the German got off the mark in the 3-2 defeat of Portugal on Thursday, the pressure is on Toni in Vienna. "I scored my goal so now it's up to Luca to equalise," Klose said. "I texted him and he messaged back saying he's having a few problems with his best friend, the ball. He said at the moment it's doing what it wants, not what he wants." Between them, Toni and Klose claimed 34 Bundesliga goals for Bayern last season so it is surprising that they have struggled to make an impact here, although the latter did create chances for his team-mates in Germany's Group B matches while Toni won the penalty from which Andrea Pirlo fired the Azzurri in front in their pool d

Milan will intensify their efforts to prise Emmanuel Adebayor away from Arsenal this summer, after the Italian side's vice- president Adriano Galliani said yesterday that the Togolese striker was the club's only transfer target. Galliani had previously stated that Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o of Barcelona and Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov, together with Adebayor, were on Milan's radar as they looked for fresh blood up front after Alberto Gilardino's departure to Fiorentina and the serious injury to Ronaldo. But Galliani's determination to land Adebayor, who scored 30 goals for Arsenal this past season including one against Milan in the Champions League last-16 tie, has hardened. "One single player interests us and that is Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor," said Galliani. "If he doesn't come, then nobody will come and we will keep the team as it is in attack." Adebayor has sent mixed messages since the end of the Premier League seas

At 36 years of age, Croatia captain Niko Kovač recognises his time on the international stage is limited. The evergreen midfielder is expected to withdraw from national-team duties after UEFA EURO 2008 – but there is no room in his plans for quarter-final opponents Turkey to send him into premature retirement on Friday. The two sides meet at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion knowing they lie just three games from glory, so it is sure to be a charged occasion for Kovač as he contemplates the end of his career. "It is a particular joy for me, because I think this is my last big tournament," he told euro2008.com. "I enjoy every single day, not just the matches. There is a special atmosphere in the national team – we feel like we are all brothers, and I already feel sad because I know I will have to retire, but that's life. We have to give more of an opportunity to the younger players, and I'm sure they will continue in the same way." Having made his Croatia deb

After putting two goals past Petr Čech in the last four minutes of their final group game to lead Turkey to the UEFA EURO 2008 quarter-finals, Nihat Kahveci is understandably on something of a high at the moment. Little wonder he can look ahead with confidence to Friday's showdown with Croatia and declare: "If we qualify for the semi-finals, it might seem like a miracle for the rest of the world, but not for us." Even now, though, the 28-year-old Villarreal CF striker admits it is hard to take in what happened in the match against the Czech Republic in Geneva on Sunday. "It is very difficult to sum up this happiness with only one sentence," Nihat, skippering Turkey due to Emre Belözoğlu's absence through injury, told euro2008.com. "After we went 2-0 down, nobody was expecting such a victory from us. But after our first goal, we saw that they were worried. After the goal, we talked to each other and said: 'Let's give it everything. If we lose, i

France's UEFA EURO 2008 hopes may be hanging by a thread, yet Franck Ribéry remains convinced Les Bleus will progress to the quarter-finals and is calling on his team-mates to "give absolutely everything" against Italy. The FC Bayern München playmaker has been one of France's most positive influences both on and off the pitch over the last ten days, making the other players laugh with his infamous practical jokes and giving everybody hope through his effervescent displays. It was no surprise, therefore, when the 25-year-old arrived at Sunday's news conference and immediately looked to raise French spirits. "We're still here and it's vital we keep on believing," Ribéry declared. "We need to give absolutely everything we've got against Italy, win the game, and make the most of the small chance we still have." Central Role Having started on the right wing against Romania, Ribéry was switched to a central role against the Netherlands fr

Internazionale made their long-mooted interest in Chelsea's Frank Lampard public last night after the Serie A champions' president, Massimo Moratti, confirmed the midfielder is their "No. 1 priority" in the transfer market this summer. Inter are yet to make a formal approach to the Premier League club to request permission to speak to Lampard, who has a year left on his current contract, though Chelsea are aware of their interest. Jose Mourinho's appointment as manager at San Siro has opened the possibility of a move to Italy with Lampard's future expected to become clearer when he returns from a family holiday in Ibiza. Mourinho is keen on adding the midfielder, who turns 30 next week, to his ranks at the Nerazzurri for a fee of about £8m. "Everybody considers Lampard a great player, but this doesn't mean that signing him will be easy," said Moratti. "We like him, though, and he's our No1 priority. Mourinho likes Lampard a lot. We all k

Cristiano Ronaldo's personal terms for a move to Real Madrid were agreed 'a long time ago', according to a senior Manchester United source. Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes is now understood to have finalised all the key details with executives from the Spanish club. 'They have been talking for at least two months,' the source told Observer Sport last night, 'and it was all agreed with Real Madrid weeks ago. All this chat from [Real president] Ramón Calderón that he does not want to upset Manchester United, and Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be bought because he belongs to another club, is absolute rubbish. Discussions have gone way beyond the point of no return. Sir Alex Ferguson knows this now so you can imagine how it has gone down.' This explains United's decision to lodge a formal complaint with Fifa, claiming that Ronaldo has been tapped up; a threat that, although announced occasionally by clubs, is rarely acted upon. Last week a national newspaper also

Veteran France international defender Lilian Thuram may be the next player to leave Barcelona. The Catalan side have begun a shake-up of their squad following the arrival of new coach Pep Guardiola, with Gianluca Zambrotta having already left to join AC Milan while Martin Caceres and Gerard Pique are the new arrivals in defence. Reports in France suggest Paris St Germain would be the 36-year-old's preferred destination and the France veteran, who is out of contract this summer, admits the capital club is one that interests him. "There are a number of things that could interest me, most notably going to PSG or maybe another club too," he told French television station TF1. "I don't know what I'm going to do in the coming days, so I can't really say." However Thuram, who is currently with the France squad at Euro 2008, also admitted that Britain or Italy could be possible destinations. "Going to a club outside of France is also being discussed. We

Spanish star David Villa Sánchez has hinted he would like to move to Liverpool, if he heads to England this summer. The Valencia striker has lit up Euro 2008 with four goals in their opening two group games. A host of clubs are tracking Villa with Liverpool and Chelsea reported to be heading the queue for the diminutive front-man. Villa, who has linked up so well with current Reds star Fernando Torres for Spain, admits he would be tempted by the prospect of playing with him on a weekly basis. "Liverpool and Chelsea are both big clubs with a lot of attraction," he told the News of the World. Villa, nicknamed El Guaje (The Kid), also admitted that Liverpool's Spanish coach Rafa Benitez could play a big role in attracting him as he tried to sign him earlier in his career. "Liverpool have a Spanish coach and I also have a lot of friends there," he said. "When Rafa was coach at Valencia and I was at Zaragoza there was contact about me joining Valencia but I cou

Switzerland will be without talismanic captain Alexander Frei (28) for the remainder of UEFA EURO 2008 after he tore interior ligaments in his left knee in the 1-0 defeat by the Czech Republic. The 28-year-old limped off the St. Jakob-Park pitch in tears 42 minutes into Saturday's Group A opener, following a challenge with Zdeněk Grygera, and an MRI scan has now revealed the extent of the problem. "The injury is a shock, no doubt about it," said Switzerland coach Köbi Kuhn. "To lose our skipper is a disaster." Meanwhile, Jürgen Klopp, Frei's club coach at BV Borussia Dortmund, predicted that he will be out of action for six to seven weeks. The most prolific scorer in Switzerland's history with 35 goals from 59 internationals, the Dortmund striker has been beset by complications stemming from an operation for a hip problem this season. He made just 13 Bundesliga outings, scoring six times. Switzerland played well in Frei's absence against Czechs but d

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Henrik Larsson can help him end his long goal drought at Euro 2008. Ibrahimovic has won back-to-back Serie A titles with Internazionale but he has not been able to reproduce his club form at international level. He has not scored for Sweden since October 2005 but feels confident that he can make an impact in Austria and Switzerland. The 26-year-old is hoping to play alongside Henrik Larsson, who was a surprise call-up to the Sweden squad after coming out of international retirement. "Henrik and I have a special relationship and we have played a lot together. He helps me a lot and he can help me during this championship if we are picked together," Ibrahimovich told reporters. "Of course it is up to the coach who plays and I respect all the strikers in our team but Henrik is who I play best with. Pressure "Sooner or later I will score. I just keep trying to create as many chances for myself and my team-mates. "The only p