Italians and Dutch hampered by injuries

BERNE: Italy and Netherlands will be relieved to play for real on Monday after a string of injuries in training upset their Euro 2008 preparations.

Dutch winger Arjen Robben will miss its Group C opener against the world champion in Berne because of a groin problem while Ryan Babel is out of the tournament and forward Robin van Persie is struggling for general fitness.

Italy has been almost as unlucky with captain Fabio Cannavaro out of the finals after tearing ankle ligaments last week and fellow defender Christian Panucci suffering a knee injury.