<div class="hd"><h1>Cannavaro will miss Euro 2008</h1><p class="byline">By ANDREW DAMPF, AP Sports Writer 22 minutes ago </p><div class="toolbar"><ul class="storyactions"><li><h5 class="buzz"><form class="buzzvote" action="http://buzz.yahoo.com/vote/" method="post" target="_new"><input type="hidden" name="from"/>
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</form></h5></li><li><h5 class="print"><a class="action" title=" rintable View" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AuE.RW7jafNSFPrnA9LiNE0UwLYF?slug=ap-euro2008-italy-cannavaroinjured&prov=ap&type=lgns&print=1"> rint</a></h5></li></ul></div></div><div class="bd"><div id="copy"><div id="sidebar"></div><div class="body_copy"><p>ENZERSDORF, Austria (AP)—Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro will miss the European Championship after tearing ligaments in his right ankle Monday during the Azzurri’s first training session in Austria.</p><p>Six hours after Italy’s plane touched down in Vienna, Cannavaro was hurt in a collision with fellow defender Giorgio Chiellini.</p><p>The World Cup champions replaced Cannavaro with Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon likely will become captain.</p><p>Cannavaro was on the ground for about 20 minutes before being carried off on a stretcher. The 7,000 fans in attendance gave Cannavaro a long applause when he finally exited.</p><p>Italy opens the tournament next Monday against the Netherlands.</p><div class="skinny"></div><p>Cannavaro was instrumental in Italy’s run to the World Cup title two years ago, earning the Golden Ball award as top player.</p><p>With Alessandro Nesta retired from international play, Italy’s other top central defenders are Marco Materazzi, Andrea Barzagli and Chiellini. Right back Christian Panucci also has experience in the middle.</p><p>Italy has a history of defenders and goalkeepers getting hurt at big tournaments.</p><p>Defender Franco Baresi hurt his meniscus at the 1994 World Cup and came back to play in the final, when the Azzurri lost to Brazil on penalty kicks. Defender Ciro Ferrara was hurt in Italy’s final exhibition before the 1996 European Championship and was replaced by Nesta.</p><p>Goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi missed the 1998 World Cup after getting hurt in one of Italy’s final training sessions before departing for France. Buffon sat out Euro 2000 after injuring his hand in a pre-tournament exhibition and was replaced by Francesco Toldo.</p><p>The Azzurri were also dealt a defensive blow at the 2006 World Cup, when Nesta missed the final four games with an injury. Materazzi and Barzagli proved able replacements, but losing Cannavaro could be even a bigger blow, given his skill and leadership.</p></div></div></div><img src="images/post/smile/dvbbs/em03.gif" /> |