Italians take it easy in low-key session

DEFENDER ALESSANDRO Gamberini trained with Italy yesterday only hours after joining the Euro 2008 squad.

Gamberini has replaced Fabio Cannavaro, ruled out of the tournament on Monday after tearing ankle ligaments when tackled by Giorgio Chiellini in Italy's first training session in Austria.

That incident was viewed by 6,000 locals who packed out the stands at their training base, but yesterday the world champions had a more low-key session; the players refrained from tough challenges on the wet surface in a session closed to the public.

Italian soccer federation president Giancarlo Abete attended as he waits for coach Roberto Donadoni to sign a two-year contract verbally agreed last month. His current deal runs out after the tournament.

Italy play the Netherlands in their first Group C match on June 9th in Berne before taking on Romania and France.

The 34-year-old Cannavaro has decided to remain with the squad and support for his team-mates.

"It's my last chance to experience a Euro. I'll be an ordinary spectator but I hope to be useful," he said. "It seems right to me after two years working together."

Cannavaro added the injury had caused him to change his plans to retire from international football after the tournament. He said he was now more determined than ever to captain Italy during their World Cup title defence in 2010.

"You'll have to put up with me for another two years," he said. For me this accident is a challenge, to be able to return to the highest level. I had planned to stop after the Euro."

Thierry Henry celebrated his 100th cap for France in a 1-0 Euro 2008 warm-up win over Colombia at the Stade de France last night.

Winger Franck Ribery opened the scoring from a penalty after striker Henry, who became the sixth French player to reach the century milestone, was fouled in the box on 24 minutes.

The game closed South American-flavoured preparations for the 2006 World Cup runners-up, who had beaten Ecuador 2-0 last week before being held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay at the weekend.

Tonight's fixtures
INTERNATIONAL MATCHES:Spain v USA (9.0); Estonia v Faroe Islands (5.0); Russia v Lithuania (6.0); Canada v Panama (11.0).