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Elmander back to lift Sweden

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

The Sweden manager, Erik Hamren, included Johan Elmander in his Euro 2012 squad yesterday after receiving positive news about the striker's fitness. Elmander suffered a foot injury playing for Galatasary at the end of the Turkish club season but tests suggest the former Bolton Wanderers player will be fit in time for the team's first game against Ukraine on 11 June.

Gourcuff fluffs final audition for France

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

The midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has paid the price for an indifferent display in France's 3-2 friendly win against Iceland on Sunday.

Vladimir Smicer: How Neville can make switch from player to coach

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Vladimir Smicer thinks very little of offices. The former Liverpool midfielder is provided with one, of course, as an executive of a national team's football association should be; his is in central Prague in the labyrinth of corridors beyond the gates that mark the entrance to the Czech Republic FA.

Marathon men: Are Spain running out of puff?

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

When history beckons even the tired come running: this summer, Spain can become the first team to win three back-to-back tournaments and, although fatigue and the absence of arguably their two most important players count against them, the benefits of picking a team from the two best club sides in the world and the incentive of being the first to do the "impossible treble" mean they remain the team to beat.

Hodgson urges squad to attempt to 'enjoy' Euros

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Roy Hodgson held his first squad meeting with his full array of senior England players yesterday, telling them that they had "worked bloody hard" for their place at Euro 2012 and, in keeping with his low-key approach to the tournament, saying they should "go and enjoy" the tournament.

Jagielka: 'I never thought I'd get this far with England'

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Until Saturday night, Phil Jagielka anticipated that he would be playing golf in Portugal by now, but one twist of fate later and Everton's centre-back finds himself on the plane to Poland next week – the country that his paternal grandparents left in 1948.

Schmeichel earns late Denmark call-up after Sorensen injury

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Kasper Schmeichel, the Leicester City goalkeeper, has been called up to Denmark's Euro 2012 squad after Stoke City's Thomas Sorensen was forced out by a back injury sustained in Saturday's friendly against Brazil.

McShane called into Irish squad

Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

The Republic of Ireland's preparation for Euro 2012 might have gone a little more smoothly after they were thrown into injury turmoil this week. Several key members of the initial 23-man squad, including Shay Given and John O'Shea, have sustained niggles in a far from ideal run-up to the tournament.

Italy Euro 2012 warm-up match called off due to earthquake

Tue, 29 May 2012 14:41:16 +0100

Tonight's Euro 2012 warm-up game between Italy and Luxembourg in Parma has been called off after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit the northern region of Emilia Romagna this morning.

Phil Jagielka reveals relief at England call up for Euro 2012

Tue, 29 May 2012 14:37:23 +0100

Defender Phil Jagielka's "frustration" at missing out on England's initial 23-man squad for Euro 2012 was tempered after being called-up as a replacement for Gareth Barry.

England squad to visit Auschwitz during Euro 2012

Tue, 29 May 2012 14:35:09 +0100

Members of England's Euro 2012 squad will visit the former Nazi death camp at Auschwitz when they travel to Poland ahead of next month's European Championship.

Mario Balotelli among Italy squad for Euro 2012

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:40:46 +0100

Defender Andrea Ranocchia and forward Mattia Destro were left out of Italy's 23-man Euro 2012 squad today but centre back Leonardo Bonucci was included despite the match-fixing crisis engulfing the country.

No surprises as Roy Hodgson submits England Euro 2012 squad

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:37:22 +0100

Roy Hodgson has submitted his final 23-man squad for England's Euro 2012 campaign with Liverpool forward Andy Carroll handed the number nine shirt.

Kevin Foley misses out as Republic of Ireland name Euro 2012 squad

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:35:34 +0100

Kevin Foley's Euro 2012 dreams were shattered today when he was left out of the Republic of Ireland's final squad because of injury, Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed.

Yoann Gourcuff omitted as France announce Euro 2012 squad

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:12:32 +0100

Yoann Gourcuff and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa have been left out of France's squad for Euro 2012 after it was named today.

Denmark's Euro 2012 plans hit by Thomas Sorensen injury

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:08:06 +0100

Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has been ruled out of Euro 2012 after suffering a back injury against Brazil at the weekend.

Roy Hodgson assured Gareth Barry he has England future

Tue, 29 May 2012 08:58:22 +0100

Roy Hodgson has promised Gareth Barry he still has a future with England.

Euro 2012 in Brief: Germany limits strikers; Bleus' red faces; Poland acts on hooliganism

Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Löw puts faith in just three strikers

Roy Hodgson calls on Phil Jagielka as Gareth Barry is forced to withdraw from England's Euro 2012 squad

Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Roy Hodgson lost the second member of his original 23-man Euro 2012 squad to injury yesterday when Gareth Barry was forced to withdraw after scans revealed the extent of damage in a stomach muscle torn during Saturday's friendly win over Norway.

Italy's Euro 2012 squad in crisis as match-fixing rears head again

Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

The man who oversaw Fifa's attempts to combat the spread of match-fixing last night described the escalating scandal in Italy that has disrupted the country's preparations for Euro 2012 as the "most important" the sport has seen. He also warned there is more revelations to come involving rigged games.

Movement is key to making 4-4-2 work for England

Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Roy Hodgson diagnosed the problem himself after England's 1-0 victory over Norway. "We have to get in between the lines a little bit better," the national manager said after watching his rigid side win on Saturday night.

England midfielder Gareth Barry ruled out of Euro 2012

Mon, 28 May 2012 18:30:12 +0100

Gareth Barry will play no part at Euro 2012 after the FA confirmed the midfielder has been forced to pull out due to a lower abdomen injury.

Adem Ljajic banished from Serbia set-up after national anthem snub

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:56:06 +0100

Serbia coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has banished Adem Ljajic from the international set-up after the forward failed to sing the national anthem before Saturday's defeat to Spain.

Euro 2012 files: The youngsters

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:00:43 +0100

Euro 2012 kicks-off in just a matter of days and in anticipation The Independent is running down the key factors and people to keep an eye on in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

Patrice Evra untroubled by France form

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:52:01 +0100

Patrice Evra is unconcerned by France's struggles in beating Iceland last night as they build up to Euro 2012.

England midfielder Scott Parker delighted to be fit for Euro 2012

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:35:02 +0100

Midfielder Scott Parker has revealed his joy at being fit for Euro 2012 after finally making the breakthrough into the England side in the past 18 months.

England manager Roy Hodgson considers taking wife's advice

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:32:40 +0100

England manager Roy Hodgson is considering whether to heed the advice of wife Sheila as he eases himself into his new role.

PFA says Euro 2012 racism concerns should not be underestimated

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:27:10 +0100

Sol Campbell has the support of the Professional Footballers' Association after warning of the danger of racist abuse and violence at Euro 2012.

Roy Hodgson refuses to gamble on Gareth Barry's fitness for Euro 2012

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Roy Hodgson has vowed that England will not repeat the mistake of taking an unfit Gareth Barry into another tournament, as the day arrives that will tell the manager the full extent of the injury crisis that clouds his European Championship hopes.

Humble Roy Hodgson makes modest start for England in Norway

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Gary Neville posts a song of the day to his social network followers each morning, and on Saturday it was Paul Weller's "Brand New Start". It is beginning to feel as if this is just such a thing for England, even though it felt faintly Engelbert Humperdinck to be taking a very flat 4-4-2 into Europe on Saturday night.

Man for man marking: England

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Rob Green: Struggled early in first cap for two years. Let Pedersen corner hit post but improved later and showed good handling. 7/10

Fernando Torres makes the cut with Spain as Germany slip up

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Despite his up and down form for Chelsea this season, striker Fernando Torres was yesterday named in defending champions Spain's squad for this summer's European Championships.

Craig Levein laments lack of 'focus' after Scotland receive Florida drubbing at hands of US

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Craig Levein said his Scotland players had no option but to take their thrashing by the United States on the chin and ensure they show a massive improvement in their next game.

Giovanni Trapattoni wants Republic of Ireland to show they know the score

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

Giovanni Trapattoni set off on the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2012 adventure yesterday insisting that their success will rest not on his glorious past but his ability to adapt to the present.

Franciszek Smuda backs Poland to progress at Euro 2012

Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:01 +0100

The Poland coach, Franciszek Smuda, yesterday announced the European Championship co-hosts' 23-man squad, and declared it the worst moment of any coach's career. Smuda made the announcement, including telling the three players who were surplus to requirements, as Poland wrapped up their training camp less than two weeks before kicking off the tournament.

Hodgson worries about 'fatigue factor'