EURO hopefuls name friendly squads

The first international friendlies of 2006 are scheduled to take place over the next seven days. uefa.com rounds up the squad news affecting teams for whom the matches represent a first step towards UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying.

New Azerbaijan coach Shakhin Diniyev has six new faces in his squad for the home friendly against Ukraine on 28 February: Sergey Sokolov, Farkhad Veliyev, Elshan Mammadov, Ramazan Abbasov, Elvin Nuriyev and Jamshid Maharramov.

Belarus's interim boss Yuri Kurenin is deprived of injured striker Vitali Kutuzov and goalkeeper Yuri Zhaunov for the Cyprus Football Association tournament, at which Aleksandr Hleb, Siarhei Shtaniuk and Pavel Kirilchik will all play only one of two games.

Bosnia-Herzegovina kick off their international year against Japan in Dortmund on 28 February. Coach Blaž Slišković has included newcomers Zlatan Muslimovic, a forward from FC Messina Peloro in Italy, and Edin Pehlic, a striker based in Lithuania with FBK Kaunas.

Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoitchkov has selected PFC Levski Sofia striker Emil Angelov while recalling MKE Ankaragücü defender Ivailo Petkov and PFC CSKA Sofia midfielder Velizar Dimitrov as a friendly against F.Y.R. Macedonia looms.

FC København right-back Lars Jacobsen is set to make his Denmark debut against Israel next month. The 26-year-old Jacobsen impressed for a national league XI in games against Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea in January. Coach Morten Olsen said: "We have been aware of Jacobsen's potential for some time, and his performances in the national league team convinced us."

Estonia trainer Jelle Goes is shorn of FC Lokomotiv Moskva left-back Dmitri Kruglov and FC Levadia Tallinn winger Maksim Smirnov for the visit to Belfast to take on Northern Ireland on 1 March.

Finland coach Roy Hodgson has named his squad for the Cyprus tournament, with Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder Teemu Tainio and Blackburn Rovers FC striker Shefki Kuqi the missing links, ahead of Tuesday's opener against Kazakhstan. Finland will then play either Greece or Belarus.

F.Y.R. Macedonia's new coach Srećko Katanec has put just two home-based players in his first squad, goalkeeper Tome Pacovski and striker Blaze Ilioski, both from champions FK Rabotnicki. The Macedonians face Bulgaria in Skopje on 1 March.

Israel coach Avraham Grant celebrates his final match in charge against Denmark on 1 March. Grant, who will be replaced by Dror Kashtan, said: "I have not missed a national-team home game since the age of ten. I can proudly say I am leaving behind a healthy set-up, which will serve us all in years to come."

For Lithuania's first match of 2006, against F.Y.R. Macedonia on 1 March in Tirana, coach Algimantas Liubinskas will do without Edgaras Cesnauskis, Edgaras Jankauskas, Deividas Šemberas as well as goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas, whose place will go to one of two uncapped youngsters, Paulius Grybauskas or Mindaugas Malinauskas.

Hibernian FC goalkeeper Mario Muscat has been recalled by new Malta coach Dusan Fitzel. The experienced 29-year-old had been dropped by Fitzel's predecessor Horst Heese following a 7-0 home defeat by Sweden in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in September 2004.

Russia's caretaker coach Aleksandr Borodyuk has named a tried-and-trusted squad to take on Brazil in Moscow on 1 March, with the only notable absentees being FC Lokomotiv Moskva duo Vadim Evseev and Dmitri Sychev.

Scotland manager Walter Smith has drafted in two uncapped players for the international against Switzerland in Glasgow on 1 March. Wigan Athletic FC midfielder Gary Teale gets the nod along with Cardiff City FC goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

Wales have called up 17-year-old Derby County FC defender Lewin Nyatanga for the friendly against Paraguay in Cardiff on 1 March, as coach John Toshack gives youth a chance. If he plays, Nyatanga will be Wales's youngest-ever debutant at 17 years and 195 days.