Post by Salem6 on Jun 2, 2004 10:22:55 GMT
Arsenal.com will be keeping you up to date with all the Arsenal-related news from Euro 2004 this summer.
A number of Arsene Wenger's squad are expected to be involved in the tournament, which takes place in Portugal from June 12 to July 4.
The deadline for Euro 2004 squad announcements is June 2. Read on for the latest call-ups involving Arsenal players.
LATVIA
Igors Stepanovs has been named in Latvia's squad for Euro 2004 - their first major international tournament. Coach Aleksandrs Starkovs has omitted six names from his previous squad and put his faith in experience. The Latvia squad will prepare for the finals at a training camp in Jurmala before a friendly on June 6 against Azerbaijan. "It is important to understand that we had to pick only 23 players, and we had to make a difficult choice," said Starkovs. "My assistants and I are sure about our choices, and we think we have done the right thing. My experience tells me that we normally do."
FRANCE
Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and Sylvain Wiltord have been called up to the France squad for Euro 2004. The Arsenal quartet were all regulars for Jacques Santini's team during the qualifiers. France won every game to qualify for Portugal in style and are now firm favourites to defend the crown they won in Holland and Belgium four years ago.
ENGLAND
Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole have been named in Sven Goran Eriksson's provisional 23-man squad for Euro 2004. Campbell, who has 56 caps and one goal for his country, is the first England outfield player to be called up for five consecutive major tournaments. Campbell was in the England squad for Euro 96 and Euro 2000 and has also played in two World Cups, most recently in 2002 when he scored with a header against Sweden. Cole is just 23 years old but already has 24 caps and, like Campbell, is expected to start England's first game against France.
SWEDEN
Sweden were the first nation to name their provisional 23-man squad for the finals, and Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has been called up as expected. Ljungberg had been a regular for Sweden since making his debut against the United States in January 1998 but injuries have restricted his appearances in recent years. A hip injury hampered him at the 2002 World Cup and he played just five of Sweden's qualifiers for Euro 2004. Ljungberg scored one goal, against group minnows San Marino. Sweden clinched their place at the finals with a 2-0 win in Poland.
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