Time running out for players

The hosts are up against Sweden in Coimbra, one of the ten Euro venues. Three time holders Germany, thrashed by the French in November, travel to Bucharest to take on Romania with their confidence restored after seeing off Belgium on their last run out.

Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu is expected to be missing for Romania after picking up a ligament strain, while Germany coach Rudi Voeller is deprived of two Christians – Worns and Rahn, both players picking up injuries for their respective clubs Borussia Dortmund and SV Hamburg at the weekend.

Germany, last successful in 1996, are grouped with Holland who welcome back star striker Patrick Kluivert after a six month hiatus due to a knee injury for their friendly against Greece. Kluivert’s Barcelona teammate Giovanni van Bronckhorst is also back in the fold along with Frank de Boer, Jaap Stam and Clarence Seedorf – all four missed last month’s goalless draw against France.

Italy host fellow finalists Spain in Genoa without as Roma striker Francesco Totti and AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta – both players picking up knocks at the weekend.

Inter Milan goalkeeper Francesco Toldo is also out of sorts with coach Giovanni Trapattoni offering his place to veteran Lazio stopper Angelo Peruzzi whose last appearance for Italy was back in 1999.

On the Spanish side Kluivert’s captain at Barca, Carlos Puyol, is unavailable with his place going to Real Betis’ Juanito.

In Prague the Czech Republic, who as Czechoslovakia beat a German side that included Scotland manager Berti Vogts on penalties to capture the 1976 title, host Zico’s Japan.

In other Euro action, Russia, who booked their place in Portugal by knocking Wales out of the running in the lay-offs, travel to Oslo to play Norway, Switzerland host Slovenia, Bulgaria take on Cameroon and Croatia face Macedonia in Skopje.