Del Piero ... couldn't make Italian squad for today's friendly against Spain. - File

LONDON (AP):

WORLD CUP finalists Italy and France each have a tough friendly match today in the latest stage of their preparations for this year's European Championship.

All 16 nations at the summer showpiece are in action, with World Cup holders Italy at Spain and France hosting England.

The stiff challenge both are likely to face should help them toughen up in time for the June 7-29 tournament and give the coaches some tips on which players are likely to make it into their final squads.

Italy's Roberto Donadoni already made one big call when he left Alessandro Del Piero off the roster for the match in Elche, Spain.

Great help

The 33-year-old forward helped Juventus upset Serie A leader Inter Milan 2-1 on Saturday, but was still omitted from an attack that includes Marco Borriello, Luca Toni and Vincenzo Iaquinta - Del Piero's back-up at Juve.

But Donadoni says Del Piero might make it to yet another major tournament - 12 years after his competition debut at Euro 96.

"Ale believes he can make the squad for the Euros and he is right to think that," Donadoni said. "Before the start of the tournament we will have another friendly against Belgium.

"And while there tend not to be many late, surprising inclusions just ahead of a big tournament, one or two players could make it - it might happen."

Del Piero's Juventus teammate Giorgio Chiellini is also fighting for a place on the final 23-man squad after being omitted this time, but is up against several established players for a defensive berth.

"He is among the in-form players right now," Donadoni said of Chiellini. "But I cannot call 26 or 27 players and I already have Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, Andrea Barzagli and a versatile defender like Christian Panucci in this squad.

"We get closer and closer to a definite selection but nobody can feel the shirt is his."

Donadoni did recall Juventus pair Gianluigi Buffon and Mauro Camoranesi to the squad after they missed last month's 3-1 friendly win over Portugal with injuries.

Spain beat France 1-0 last month and are seeking another morale-boosting victory as they prepare to shrug off their reputation as Europe's underachievers.

But coach Luis Aragones may be short of options up front after leaving out Real Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez - Spain's all-time leading scorer with 44 goals in 102 games. That's because Fernando Torres, who has hit 27 goals for Liverpool this season, sat out training on Monday to have physiotherapy work on a sore ankle and ribs.

France's plans were hit by the withdrawal of strikers Karim Benzema, Thierry Henry and Louis Saha because of injury, although Juventus striker David Trezeguet now has a chance of pressing his claims for a place at Euro 2008 after being called up as a replacement.

France's third all-time scorer with 34 goals, Trezeguet was largely ineffective on his last appearance six months ago in the 1-0 defeat against Scotland and has annoyed coach Raymond Domenech by saying he would not consider playing for the B team.

Domenech had already called up four new players in midfielders Mathieu Bodmer and Mathieu Valbuena and defenders Mathieu Delpierre and Adil Rami.

Player appearances

England coach Fabio Capello could be about to make David Beckham just the fifth player to make 100 appearances for England after recalling the former captain.

"As much as reaching 100 is a milestone, I want to carry on for quite a few years yet," Beckham said. "I'd have turned round and retired if I didn't. I wouldn't be here if I felt I couldn't physically do it any more.

"I feel I can offer something."

If France and Italy have tough matches, they are nothing compared to the tasks facing tournament co-hosts Austria and Switzerland.

Lowly Austria play the Nether-lands, who are strengthened by the return of Clarence Seedorf, Andre Oojer and Robin van Persie from injury, while the Swiss are up against three-time European champions Germany.

In other matches between qualified teams, it's: Romania vs Russia; and Portugal vs Greece. Also, the Czech Republic are at Denmark, Croatia play at Scotland and Turkey go to Belarus.

Brazil and the United States also visit Europe - playing Sweden and Poland respectively.