International Friendlies/Qualifiers, 18/08/2004

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Average Odds,Int.Friendlies: Russia v Lithuania 1.27 4.77 8.33 Moldova v Georgia 2.12 3.21 3.00 Latvia v Wales 2.16 3.17 2.97 Norway v Belgium 2.10 3.17 3.08 Turkey v Belarus 1.33 4.16 7.98 Poland v Denmark 2.40 3.14 2.62 Faroe Island v Malta 1.91 3.26 3.54 Croatia v Israel 1.48 3.55 6.12 Switzerland v Northern Ireland 1.35 3.96 7.79 Sweden v Netherlands 2.39 3.10 2.65 Czech Republic v Greece 1.68 3.24 4.61 Slovenia v Serbia & Montenegro 2.26 3.17 2.75 Liechtenstein v Estonia 7.03 3.91 1.40 Ireland v Bulgaria 1.71 3.19 4.57 England v Ukraine 1.50 3.52 6.07 Austria v Germany 3.31 3.16 2.02 France v B&H 1.20 5.25 10.79 Scotland v Hungary 2.10 3.17 3.07 Iceland v Italy 5.98 3.33 1.53 Spain v Venezuela 1.23 4.91 9.73

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SERBIA & MONTENEGRO Goalkeepers: Dragoslav Jevric (Vitesse), Oliver Kovacevic (Zeleznik) Defenders: Ivica Dragutinovic(Standard Liege), Goran Gavrancic(Dinamo Kiew), Mladen Krstajic(Schalke 04), Dusan Petkovic(Spartak Moscow), Nemanja Vidic(Spartak Moscow), Milan Dudic(Red Star), Nenad Djordjevic (Partizan) Midfielders: Zvonimir Vukic(Shakhtar), Dejan Stankovic(Inter Milan), Predrag Djordjevic(Olympiacos), Milos Maric(Olympiakos), Ognjen Koroman(Krylya Sovetov Samara), Sasa Ilic(Partizan) Forwards:Savo Milosevic(Osasuna), Mateja Kezman(Chelsea), Danko Lazovic(Feyenoord), Nenad Jestrovic(Anderlecht) We are without a few players like Ljuboja(PSG), Kovacevic(Real Sociedad), Stefanovic(Portsmouth), Mladenovic(Glasgow Rangers), Boskovic(PSG), Cirkovic(Partizan),...,but still the current squad isn't so bad and should be able to make a positive result in Slovenia IMO.

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GERMANY Goalkeepers: Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart) Defenders: Frank Baumann (Werder Bremen), Frank Fahrenhorst (Werder Bremen), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Andreas Hinkel (VfB Stuttgart), Philipp Lahm (VfB Stuttgart), Jens Nowotny (Bayer Leverkusen) Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich), Borowski (Werder Bremen), Fabian Ernst (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Bayern Munich), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich) Forwards: Thomas Brdaric (VfL Wolfsburg), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Kevin Kuranyi (VfB Stuttgart), Lukas Podolski (1.FC Koln)

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SWEDEN Goalkeepers: Eddie Gustafsson (Molde, Norway), Andreas Isaksson (Stade Rennes, France) Defenders: Mikael Antonsson (Austria Vienna), Erik Edman (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Mikael Dorsin (Rosenborg Trondheim, Norway), Petter Hanson (Heerenveen, Netherlands), Teddy Lucic (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Olof Mellberg (Aston Villa, England), Alexander Ostlund (Hammarby) Midfielders: Niclas Alexandersson (IFK Gothenburg), Anders Andersson (Belenenses, Portugal), Kim Kallstrom (Stade Rennes), Tobias Linderoth (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal, England), Mikael Nilsson (Southampton, England), Anders Svensson (Southampton), Christian Wilhelmsson (Anderlecht, Belgium) Forwards: Marcus Allback (Aston Villa, England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Mattias Jonson (Norwich City, England), Rade Prica (Hansa Rostock, Germany)

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ENGLAND Goalkeepers: David James (Manchester City), Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Kirkland (Liverpool) Defenders: John Terry (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Chelsea), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Matthew Upson (Birmingham City), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Gary Neville (Manchester United) Midfielders: Nicky Butt (Newcastle United), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle United), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), David Beckham (Real Madrid, Spain), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich, Germany) Forwards: Michael Owen (Real Madrid, Spain), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Alan Smith (Manchester United), Darius Vassell (Aston Villa), Emile Heskey (Birmingham City)

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POLAND Goalkeepers: Jerzy Dudek (Liverpool), Artur Boruc (Legia Warsaw) Defenders: Jacek Bak (RC Lens), Michal Zewlakow (Anderlecht), Tomasz Rzasa (Heerenveen), Bartosz Bosacki (FC Nuremberg), Arkadiusz Glowacki and Tomasz Klos (Wisla Krakow), Pawel Kaczorowski (Lech Poznan), Dariusz Dudka (Amica Wronki) Midfielders: Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Jacek Krzynowek (Bayer Leverkusen), Kamil Kosowski (Kaiserslautern), Miroslaw Szymkowiak, Damian Gorawski, Mariusz Kukielka (Wisla Krakow), Sebastian Mila, Radoslaw Sobolewski (Groclin Grodzisk), Patryk Rachwal (Wisla Plock) Forwards: Andrzej Niedzielan (NEC Nijmegen), Grzegorz Rasiak (AC Siena), Maciej Zurawski (Wisla Krakow)

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ROMANIA Romania will have several key players absent due to injury for their first World Cup qualifier against Finland next week. Ajax Amsterdam striker Nicolae Mitea will join Romania's skipper, defender Cristian Chivu of AS Roma, and striker Ionel Ganea of Wolverhampton Wanderers in missing next Wednesday's match in Bucharest. "Some last minute bad news is that Ajax Amsterdam striker Nicolae Mitea is injured and he will miss the (Finland) match," a team spokesman said on Friday. Mitea has a muscle strain in his left leg and is also likely to miss Ajax's first game of the Dutch season next weekend, he said. Chivu, who has undergone surgery on a broken bone in his left foot, is set to miss at least the first three of five Romania qualifiers scheduled this year in Europe's Group One. Ganea is out for six months with a knee injury. Romania coach Anghel Iordaneswcu has called up strikers Ionel Danciulescu of Dinamo Bucharest and Adrian Neaga of Steaua Bucharest to complete his attacking line up. Rapid Bucharest goalkeeper Emilian Dolha has replaced 36-year-old veteran Bogdan Stelea, who has been unable to find a team. Romania's group also includes the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra. Goalkeepers Bogdan Lobont (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands), Emilian Dolha (Rapid Bucharest, Romania) Defenders: Flavius Stoican (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Ionut Stancu (Rapid Bucharest, Romania), Sorin Ghionea, Mirel Radoi (both Steaua Bucharest, Romania), Cosmin Barcauan (Shakhtar Donetsk), Razvan Rat (Shakhtar Donetsk), Adrian Iencsi, Florin Soava (both Spartak Moscow, Russia) Midfielders: Cristian Dancia (Torpedo Moscow, Russia), Daniel Pancu (Besiktas, Turkey), Florentin Petre (Dinamo Bucharest), Nicolae Dica (Steaua Bucharest), Gabriel Caramarin (National Bucharest, Romania), Mihaita Plesan (Universitatea Craiova, Romania), Florin Cernat (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine) Forwards: Ciprian Marica (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Ionel Ganea (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Marius Niculae (Sporting, Portugal), Adrian Mutu (Chelsea, England), Adrian Neaga (Steaua Bucharest), Ionel Danciulescu (Dinamo Bucharest)

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BELGIUM Goalkeepers: Erwin Lemmens (Espanyol), Tristan Peersman (Anderlecht) Defenders: Eric Deflandre (Standard Liege), Olivier Deschacht (Anderlecht), Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht), Timmy Simons (Club Bruges), Jelle Van Damme (Southampton), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Didier Dheedene (Austria Wien), Daniel Van Buyten (Hamburg SV) Midfielders: Walter Baseggio (Anderlecht), Philippe Clement (Club Bruges), Mbo Mpenza (Anderlecht), Roberto Bisconti (Standard Liege), Sven Vermant (Schalke 04), Bart Goor (Feyenoord), Tom Soetaers (Ajax Amsterdam) Forwards: Thomas Buffel (Feyenoord), Wesley Sonck (Ajax Amsterdam), Luigi Pieroni (Auxerre)

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FRANCE Goalkeepers: Fabien Barthez (Olympique Marseille), Gregory Coupet (Olympique Lyon) Defenders: Eric Abidal (Olympique Lyon), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Rangers, Scotland), Patrice Evra (AS Monaco), William Gallas (Chelsea, England), Gael Givet (AS Monaco), Bernard Mendy (Paris St Germain), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon), Sebastien Squillaci (AS Monaco) Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Racing Lens), Rio-Antonio Mavuba (Girondins Bordeaux), Benoit Pedretti (Olympique Marseille), Robert Pires (Arsenal, England), Jerome Rothen (Paris St Germain), Patrick Vieira (Arsenal, England) Forwards: Djibril Cisse (Liverpool, England), Pierre-Alain Frau (Olympique Lyon), Sydney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Thierry Henry (Arsenal, England), Peguy Luyindula (Olympique Marseille)

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SPAIN Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Santiago Canizares (Valencia) Defenders: Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Ivan Helguera (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Juanito (Betis), Asier del Horno (Athletic Bilbao), Enrique Romero (Deportivo Coruna), Aitor Lopez Rekarte (Real Sociedad) Midfielders: Juan Carlos Valeron (Deportivo Coruna), Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), Ruben Baraja (Valencia), Vicente (Valencia), David Albelda (Valencia), Joaquin (Real Betis), Victor (Deportivo) Forwards: Raul (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Morientes (Real Madrid), Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal, England), Raul Tamudo (Espanyol)

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HOLLAND Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Fulham, England), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam) Defenders: John Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam), Nigel de Jong (Ajax Amsterdam), Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona, Spain), Kevin Hofland (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany), Jan Kromkamp (AZ Alkmaar) Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax Amsterdam), Edgar Davids (Inter Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax Amsterdam), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar) Forwards: Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich, Germany), Robin van Persie (Arsenal, England), Romeo Castelen (Feyenoord), Collins John (Fulham, England), Dave van den Bergh (Utrecht)

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AUSTRIA Goalkeepers: Thomas Mandl (Basel), Andreas Schranz (Graz AK); Defenders: Anton Ehmann (Graz AK), Ferdinand Feldhofer (Rapid Vienna), Martin Hiden (Rapid Vienna), Martin Stranzl (VfB Stuttgart), Emanuel Pogatetz (Graz AK), Mario Hieblinger (Kaernten), Joachim Standfest (Graz AK); Midfielders: Martin Amerhauser (Graz AK), Rene Aufhauser (Graz AK), Andreas Ivanschitz (Rapid Vienna), Markus Kiesenebner (Austria Vienna), Dietmar Kuehbauer (SV Mattersburg), Michael Moerz (SV Mattersburg), Markus Schopp (Brescia); Forwards: Roland Kirchler (SV Pasching), Roland Kollmann (Graz AK), Roland Linz (Nice), Roman Wallner (Hanover 96)

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ICELAND Goalkeepers: Arni Arason (Valerenga, Norway), Birkir Kristinsson (IBV) Defenders: Hermann Hreidarsson (Charlton Athletic, England), Petur Marteinsson (Hammarby, Sweden), Olafur Orn Bjarnason (Brann, Norway), Ivar Ingimarsson (Reading, England), Kristjan Sigurdsson (KR) Midfielders: Runar Kristinsson (Lokeren, Belgium), Arnar Gretarsson (Lokeren, Belgium), Thordur Gudjonsson (Bochum, Germany), Brynjar Gunnarsson (Watford, England), Arnar Vidarsson (Lokeren, Belgium), Joey Gudjonsson (Leicester, England), Indridi Sigurdsson (Genk, Belgium), Gylfi Einarsson (Lillestrom, Norway) Forwards: Helgi Sigurdsson (AGF, Denmark), Eidur Gudjohnsen (Chelsea, England), Heidar Helguson (Watford, England), Veigar Gunnarsson (Stabaek, Norway), Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson (IBV

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SLOVAKIA Goalkeepers: Kamil Contofalsky (Zenit Petersburg), Miroslav Koenig (Banik Ostrava) Defenders: Marek Cech (Sparta Prague), Michal Hanek (Dinamo Moscow), Roman Kratochvil (Denizlispor), Martin Petras (Sparta Prague), Stanislav Varga (Celtic Glasgow), Radoslav Zabavnik (CSKA Sofia) Midfielders: Igor Demo (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Vratislav Gresko (Blackburn Rovers), Vladimir Janocko (Austria Vienna), Miroslav Karhan (Wolfsburg), Rastislav Michalik (Sparta Prague), Marek Mintal (Nurnberg) Forwards: Robert Vittek (Nurnberg), Szilard Nemeth (Middlesbrough), Lubomir Reiter (Sigma Olomouc), Stanislav Sestak (Zilina)

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NORWAY Goalkeepers: Espen Johnsen (Rosenborg Trondheim), Thomas Myhre (Sunderland). Defenders: Christer Basma (Rosenborg), Andre Bergdolmo (Borussia Dortmund), Hassan El Fakiri (Monaco), Claus Lundekvam (Southampton), John Arne Riise (Liverpool), Vidar Riseth (Rosenborg). Midfielders: Martin Andresen (Stabaek), Magne Hoseth (FC Copenhagen), Frode Johnsen (Rosenborg), Jan Gunnar Solli (Rosenborg), Alexander Odegaard (Sogndal). Forwards: Tore Andre Flo (Siena), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Tromso), Sigurd Rushfeldt (Austria Vienna), Jan Derek Sorensen (FC Lyn), Ole Martin Arst (Tromso)

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SLOVENIA New Slovenia coach Brane Oblak called up nine uncapped players and left out top scorer Zlatko Zahovic in a 21-man squad for the home friendly against Serbia and Montenegro on August 18. "Our aim is to make the team younger ... This is the only way to start a new and successful story," Oblak told reporters on Monday. The 33-year-old Zahovic, who scored 34 goals in 77 internationals, has been omitted along with former first-choice goalkeeper Marko Simeunovic. "I am happy for him that at his age he plays in such a good form for Benfica, but Zlatko (Zahovic) would be losing form in this team... We have turned the page and started anew," Oblak said. Oblak replaced Bojan Prasnikar as coach in May. Slovenia are preparing for for their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign in European Group Five along with Italy, Scotland, Norway, Belarus and Moldova, who they face on September 4. Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Domzale), Borut Mavric (Greuther Furth). Defenders: Bostjan Cesar (Olimpija), Branko Ilic (Olimpija), Aleksander Knavs (Bochum), Ales Kokot (Nova Gorica), Matej Mavric (Nova Gorica), Almir Tanjic (Ajdovscina). Midfielders: Marko Bozic (Murska Sobota), Miso Brecko (Hamburg), Nastja Ceh (Club Bruges), Amir Karic (Torpedo-Metallurg Moscow), Andrej Komac (Nova Gorica), Robert Koren (Lillestroem, Norway), Jalen Pokorn (Hapoel Nazareth Elit), Simon Seslar (Celje), Luka Zinko (Istres), Milenko Acimovic (Lille) Forwards: Zlatko Dedic (Parma AC), Borut Semler (Bayern), Ermin Siljak (FC Dalien, China)

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REP.IRELAND Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Newcastle United), Nick Colgan (Barnsley), Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United). Defenders: Steve Finnan (Liverpool), Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham City), Andy O'Brien (Newcastle United), Alan Maybury (Hearts), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Stephen Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), Gary Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Gary Breen (Sunderland). Midfielders: Liam Miller (Manchester United), Alan Quinn (Sheffield United), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Matt Holland (Charlton Athletic), Graham Kavanagh (Cardiff City), Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest), Graham Barrett (Coventry City), Kevin Kilbane (Everton), Damien Duff (Chelsea) Forwards: Alan Lee (Cardiff City), Clinton Morrison (Birmingham City), David Connolly (Leicester City)

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MACEDONIA Goalkeepers: Petar Milosevski (A.Sebatspor), Jane Nikoloski (Sloga Jugomagnat Skopje) Defenders: Igor Mitreski (Spartak Moscow), Goce Sedloski (Vegalta Sendai, Japan), Goran Stavrevski (Diyarbakirspor), Vasko Bozinovski (Kamen Ingrad), Pance Kumber (Groclin Grodzisk), Alexander Vasovski (Vardar Skopje) Midfielders: Goran Popov (Red Star Belgrade), Alexander Mitreski (Grasshoppers), Mile Krstev (Groningen), Velice Sumolikoski (Zenit St Petersburg), Artim Sakiri (West Bromwich Albion), Igor Jancevski (Varteks Varazdin), Vanco Trajanov (Arminia Bielefeld) Forwards: Goce Toleski (Rabotnicki Kometal Skopje), Goran Pandev (Lazhbio), Draganco Dimitrovski (Pobeda Prilep)

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SCOTLAND Goalkeepers: Paul Gallacher (Norwich City), Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian), David Marshall (Celtic), Scott Shearer (Coventry City) Defenders: Gary Caldwell (Hibernian), Steven Caldwell (Sunderland), Christian Dailly (West Ham United), Jackie McNamara (Celtic), David McNamee (Livingston), Steven Pressley (Heart of Midlothian), Andy Webster (Heart of Midlothian) Midfielders: Colin Cameron (Wolves), Barry Ferguson (Blackburn), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Gary Holt (Norwich City), Richard Hughes (Portsmouth), Gary Naysmith (Everton), Nigel Quashie (Portsmouth) Forwards: Stephen Crawford (Plymouth Argyle), Paul Dickov (Blackburn Rovers), Andy Gray (Sheffield United), Kevin Kyle (Sunderland), James McFadden (Everton), Kenny Miller (Wolves)

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CROATIA Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Tomislav Butina (Club Bruges, Belgium), Joey Didulica (Austria Vienna, Austria) Defenders: Dario Simic (AC Milan, Italy), Robert Kovac (Bayern Munich, Germany), Boris Zivkovic (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Stjepan Tomas (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Mato Neretljak (Hajduk Split), Igor Tudor (Juventus, Italy), Vedran Jese (FC Zagreb) Midfielders: Niko Kranjcar (Dinamo Zagreb), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Niko Kovac (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Jerko Leko (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Marko Babic (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Ivan Leko (Malaga, Spain), Nikola Safaric (Varteks Varazdin), Jasmin Agic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Banovic (Nurnberg, Germany), Mario Carevic (Hajduk) Forwards: Dado Prso (Rangers, Scotland), Ivica Olic (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Ivan Klasnic (Werder Bremen, Germany), Ivica Mornar (Stade Rennes, France)

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BULGARIA New coach Hristo Stoichkov dropped four players from Bulgaria's Euro 2004 squad on Wednesday for next week's friendly against Ireland. Defenders Kiril Kotev and Ivailo Petkov, midfielder Velizar Dimitrov and striker Georgi Chilikov, who were in Bulgaria's Euro 2004 squad and his preliminary squad for the match, were not included in the slimmed-down 18-man squad for Stoichkov's debut as coach next Wednesday in Dublin. "I will rely on Petkov when he is prepared to play and has a club," Stoichkov told a news conference. He did not say why he had not included the other three. Stoichkov said he would favour an attacking style of football for his side. "It depends on the players I have for a certain match (but) I will push for attacking football. I have always favoured attacking football as it offers spectacle." Bulgaria are in European Group Eight with Croatia, Hungary, Malta, Sweden and Iceland, who they will face in their first qualifying match for the 2006 World Cup on September 4. Goalkeepers: Zdravko Zdravkov (Rizespor, Turkey),Dimitar Ivankov (Levski Sofia) Defenders: Radostin Kishishev (Charlton Athletic, England), Ilian Stoyanov, Georgi Markov, Elin Topuzakov (all Levski Sofia), Rosen Kirilov (Litex Lovech) Midfielders: Marian Hristov (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany), Stilian Petrov (Celtic, Scotland), Chavdar Yankov (Slavia Sofia), Hristo Yanev, Emil Gargorov (both CSKA Sofia) Forwards: Martin Petrov (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany), Vladimir Manchev (Lille, France), Zdravko Lazarov (Gaziantepspor, Turkey), Dimitar Berbatov (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Valeri Bojinov (Lecce, Italy), Martin Kamburov (Lokomotiv Plovdiv)

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CZECH REPUBLIC Czech captain Pavel Nedved will miss his side's friendly against Greece on August 18 because of a knee injury, coach Karel Brueckner said on Wednesday. The Juventus star limped off the field in the Czech's last fixture, also against Greece, in the semi-finals of Euro 2004 when they lost 1-0. Brueckner said he was hopeful Nedved would rejoin the squad for the 2006 World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands on September 9, contradicting reports that the captain may give up the national jersey for good. "A lot of speculation has appeared in the media, but I communicate with the players directly," Brueckner said on the official Czech Football Association website. "I talked to Nedved and our agreement is clear. If he is healthy, I can count on him for the Netherlands. However, his injury is complicated and at this point it is tough to estimate anything." The 32-year-old Nedved, named European footballer of the year in 2003, said earlier this month he was considering quitting the national team to concentrate on Juventus. Brueckner will also be without injured defender Tomas Ujfalusi and midfielder Vladimir Smicer for the Greece friendly to be played in Prague. Sparta Prague midfielder Karel Poborsky will claim his 100th international cap if he plays next week. Goalkeepers: Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague), Petr Cech (Chelsea) Defenders: Rene Bolf (Auxerre), Zdenek Grygera (Ajax), Tomas Huebschman (Shakhtar Donetsk), Marek Jankulovski (Udine), Martin Jiranek (Spartak Moscow), Pavel Mares (Zenit Petersbourg), David Rozehnal (Club Brugge) Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Ajax), Karel Poborsky (Sparta Prague), Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund), Libor Sionko (Austria Vienna) Forwards: Milan Baros (Liverpool), Marek Heinz (Banik Ostrava), Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund), Vratislav Lokvenc (Bochum)

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DENMARK Goalkeepers: Thomas Sorensen (Aston Villa, England), Stephan Andersen (Charlton Athletic, England) Defenders: Kasper Bogelund (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Thomas Helveg (Norwich City, England), Niclas Jensen (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Thomas Gaardsoe (West Bomwich Albion, England), Martin Laursen (Aston Villa, England), Brian Priske (Racing Genk, Belgium) Midfielders: Thomas Gravesen (Everton, England), Claus Jensen (Fulham, England), Christian Poulsen (Schalke 04, Germany), Nicolai Stockholm (OB Odense)Jesper Gronkjaer (Birmingham City, England), Martin Jorgensen (Udinese, Italy) Forwards: Peter Madsen (VfL Bochum, Germany), Kenneth Perez (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Dennis Rommedahl (Charlton Athletic, England), Jon Dahl Tomasson (AC Milan, Italy)

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FINLAND Finland are without Teemu Tainio and Hannu Tihinen for their opening 2006 World Cup qualifier against Romania in Bucharest on August 18. Anderlecht defender Tihinen had surgery earlier this week on a fractured toe and will be out of action for at least two months. Midfielder Tainio dislocated his shoulder in a training ground prank last month. The AJ Auxerre player had surgery and is expected to be sidelined for another two months. Finland coach Antti Muurinen named a 20-man squad for the European zone Group One match on Wednesday. Muurinen included striker Mikael Forssell, who scored 19 goals for premier league side Birmingham City last season, and midfielder Aleksei Eremenko, one of Finland's best young talents. Finland have never qualified for a major competition. They are drawn with Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra, as well as Romania. "I am satisfied with our ability to gain and keep possession, but that has to be translated into scoring goals," Muurinen told a press conference. Goalkeepers: Antti Niemi (Southampton), Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton Wanderers), Peter Enckelman (Blackburn Rovers) Defenders: Sami Hyypia (Liverpool), Toni Kuivasto (Djurgarden), Petri Pasanen (Portsmouth), Janne Saarinen (Copenhagen), Markus Heikkinen (Aberdeen), Miika Koppinen (Tromso) Midfielders: Aleksei Eremenko (Lecce), Jari Ilola (Elfsborg), Joonas Kolkka (Crystal Palace), Pekka Lagerblom (Werder Bremen), Jari Litmanen (Lahti), Mika Nurmela (Kaiserslautern), Aki Riihilahti (Crystal Palace), Mika Vayrynen (Heerenveen) Forwards: Mikael Forssell (Birmingham City), Jonatan Johansson (Charlton Athletic), Peter Kopteff (Viking Stavanger)

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SWITZERLAND Disgraced striker Alexander Frei has been included in Switzerland's squad to face Northern Ireland in a friendly international in Zurich on August 18. Frei was given a three-match ban by UEFA for spitting at England midfielder Steven Gerrard during a group match at Euro 2004. The ban only covers competitive matches so Frei will miss next month's World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Ireland, having sat out of Switzerland's final Euro 2004 game against France. Coach Koebi Kuhn named the 25-year-old to face Northern Ireland in the Hardturm Stadium following discussions with the Swiss Football Federation (SFV) and Frei. "Alex Frei explained that he is ready to do everything he can for the success of the Swiss national team," Kuhn said on Wednesday. Frei, who has scored 15 goals in 29 appearances, is the most senior striker available to Kuhn following the retirement of Stephane Chapuisat after Euro 2004. The other strikers in the squad -- Daniel Gygax, Johan Vonlanthen and Andre Muff -- have only 11 caps and two goals between them. Uncapped goalkeeper Sebastien Roth included in the 20-man squad following the retirement of Joerg Stiel and Fabrice Borer. Midfielder Tranquilo Barnetta could make his international debut after failing to come off the bench in Euro 2004. Switzerland host the Faroe Islands in their first European zone Group Four World Cup qualifier in Basel on September 4. They play Ireland at St Jakob Park four days later. Goalkeepers: Pascal Zuberbuehler (FC Basel), Sebastien Roth (Servette). Defenders: Bruno Berner (Freiburg), Bernt Haas (West Bromwich Albion), Stephane Henchoz (Liverpool), Patrick Mueller (Real Mallorca), Murat Yakin (FC Basel), Christoph Spycher (Grasshoppers), Ludovic Magnin (Werder Bremen). Midfielders: Ricardo Cabanas (Grasshoppers), Raphael Wicky (Hamburg SV), Benjamin Huggel (FC Basel), Hakan Yakin (VfB Stuttgart), Johann Lonfat (Sochaux), Johann Vogel (PSV Eindhoven), Tranquillo Barnetta (Hannover 96). Forwards: Alexander Frei (Rennes), Daniel Gygax (FC Zurich), Johan Vonlanthen (PSV Eindhoven), Andre Muff (FC Zurich)

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VENEZUELA Goalkeepers: Gilberto Angelucci (UA Maracaibo), Rafael Ponzo (Real Oviedo, Spain) Defenders: Andres Rouga (Caracas FC), Ricardo Duno (Mineros de Guayana), Jose Manuel Rey (Pontevedra, Spain), Alejandro Cichero (Nacional, Uruguay), Luis Vallenilla (Olimpo, Argentina) Midfielders: Luis Vera (Caracas FC), Ricardo Paez (Estudiantes de Merida), Juan Arango (Real Mallorca, Spain), Gabriel Urdaneta (Young Boys, Switzerland), Leonel Vielma (Deportivo Cali, Colombia), Jorge Rojas (Atletico Nacional, Colombia), Leopoldo Jimenez (Once Caldas, Colombia), Andre Gonzalez (Defensor Sporting, Uruguay), Fernando de Ornelas (Olimpiakos Nicosia, Cyprus) Forwards: Rafael Castellin (Caracas FC.), Massimo Margiotta (Vicenza, Italy), Alexander Rondon (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Alejandro Moreno (LA Galaxy, United States)

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TURKEY Goalkeepers: Rustu Recber (Barcelona, Spain), Omer Catkic (Genclerbirligi), Volkan Demirel (Fenerbahce) Defenders: Umit Ozat (Fenerbahce), Bulent Korkmaz (Galatasaray), Hakan Unsal (Galatasaray), Kursat Duymus (Rizespor), Servet Cetin (Fenerbahce), Onder Turaci (Fenerbahce), Adem Dursun (Ankaragucu) Midfielders: Gokdeniz Karadeniz (Trabzonspor), Ibrahim Toraman (Besiktas), Serkan Balci (Fenerbahce), Hasan Sas (Galatasaray), Okan Buruk (Besiktas), Emre Belozoglu (Inter Milan, Italy), Ergun Penbe (Galatasaray), Muzzy Izzet (Birmingham City, England) Forwards: Nihat Kahveci (Real Sociedad, Spain), Hakan Sukur (Galatasaray), Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce), Fatih Tekke (Trabzonspor), Hamit Altintop (Schalke 04, Germany), Ersen Martin (Denizlispor), Serhat Akin (Fenerbahce)

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BOSNIA AND HERZEGOWINA Bosnia and Herzegowina: Kenan Hasagic (Gaziantepspor), Almir Tolja (Bregenz), Nermin Sabic (Vatai), Asim Sehic (Pula 1856),Emir Spahic (Shinnik), Elvir Bolic (G'birligi), Zlatan Bajramovic (Freiburg),Dragan Blatnjak (Hajduk), Mirsad Beslija (Genk), Sasa Papac (Austria Wien), Hasan Salihamidsic (Bayern Munchen), Sergej Barbarez (Hamburg SV), Vladan Grujic (1.FC Koln), Elvir Baljic (Galatasaray), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Bochum), Ivica Grlic (Duisburg), Branimir Bajic (Partizan) Both Mo Konjic(Derby County) and Vedin Music(Modena) will miss the game against France through injuries.

[Guest kojic2003]

Slovenia v Serbia and Montenegro There are no offers with AH line yet,but I expect something like Serbia & Montenegro(+1/4)@1.80 and this should be a great deal IMO.I'm not biased.As we can see,the hosts have a pretty new team(there are exactly 9 new players!?),without their stars like Pavlin, Zahovic, Rudonja, Simeunovic,etc....,and although Acimovic, Ceh and Knavs will take a part in Wednesday's game,with the current squad we should have enough power to deal with them. H2H(0-3-0): EURO 2000 :: Slovenia v S&M 3:3(Amazing match!? :| We were 0:3 down in the middle of 2nd half,but we made a big, big, big comeback,with 3 goals in only 6 minutes and with 10 men on the pitch!?!?) WC 2002 Qualifications :: Slovenia v S&M 1:1 WC 2002 Qualifications :: Slovenia v S&M 1:1 S&M striker Savo Milosevic has scored three goals against Slovenia so far and has a chance to improve this record as he's likely to start up front on Wednesday IMO.On the other hand,Zlatko Zahovic has scored the same amount of goals against S&M,but won't have a chance to improve his record.He isn't available for selection.

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ROMANIA News Romania, already missing several key players, suffered another blow to their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign with the news Shakhtar Donetsk striker Ciprian Marica will miss Wednesday's qualifier against Finland. "Marica has a left leg muscle strain and he needs a week to recover," Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu said on Sunday. Romania are already without striker Ionel Ganea, captain Christian Chivu and forward Nicolae Mitea for the European Group One qualifying match in Bucharest. The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Andorra, Macedonia and Armenia are also in the group. Macedonia host Armenia in Skopje on Wednesday.