Tradition under fire

Italy, Germany and France can book their places for next summer's Euro 2000 finals today - but the traditional powers of Europe need more of a cutting edge against teams who have already denied them valuable points.

Group Seven leaders Romania need a victory to secure qualification ahead of Portugal, while tomorrow Israel go in search of points from runaway Group Six leaders Spain. Israel, on 13 points, are on thin ice in Group Six as they play away to leaders runaway leaders Spain. Cyprus (12 points) can still grab the play-off place if they triumph at Austria (10 points).

Such is the parity in European football that world champions France find themselves in a must-win situation in Group Four against Iceland to at least make certain of a play-off place. Ukraine are a point clear of France and Russia, whom they play in Moscow.

The situation is eerily reminiscent of 1993 when France lost 2-1 at home to Bulgaria, knocking them out of USA 94.

France had to come from behind to draw 1-1 in Reykjavik, and coach Roger Lemerre said: "Iceland concede very few goals, they know their strengths. They are very difficult to break down and they never give up. We must forget for a moment that we are the World Champions and concentrate on the match for 90 minutes."

Marcel Desailly is likely to miss out through injury, with Chelsea team-mate Frank Leboeuf filling the void.

The Italians, who travel to Minsk, have left it late to seal their place for the finals with the loss of two valuable points at home in the 1-1 draw with Belarus the biggest reason why they are only level on points with Denmark.

The Azzuri's squad selection has been the source of endless debate in Italy where boss Dino Zoff has brought in eight new players after the 3-2 defeat against the Danes last month.

Zoff has been criticised for overlooking Chelsea's Gianfranco Zola, whose performance against AC Milan in the Champions League brought wide acclaim for the Italian in his homeland.

Zoff has also come under fire for including six Juventus stars, and specifically Alessandro Del Piero, who has yet to return to top form since a serious knee injury last November.

Del Piero will start on the bench with Inzaghi partnering Inter Milan's Christian Vieri up front.

Ciro Ferarra is back in the squad after 20 months out with a broken leg, but injury has forced late withdrawals by Roma's Francesco Totti (knee) and Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini (thigh).

Turkey, who shocked Germany 10 with Hakan Sukur scoring in the first meeting, must win in the Olympic Stadium in Munich to grab the automatic qualifying place.

Germany, two points ahead of Turkey in Group Three, have been invincible at home where they have won each of their qualification matches.

"We have a score to settle with the Turks," said Middlesbrough's Christian Ziege.

Germany are without Jens Nowotny (thigh) whilst Turkey welcome back defenders Alpay Oezalan and Fatih Akyel after injury.

Hertha Berlin teenage sensation Sebastian Deisler is also in the German squad, having recovered from a thigh injury.