Goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand was shocked to be left out of Germany's Euro 2008 squad, but he is not the biggest name missing from next month's tournament.

The Valencia keeper was convinced he had done enough this season to keep his place behind first-choice Jens Lehmann, and then take over in the Germany goal for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Other, more illustrious players were less sure they would be heading to the tournament in Austria and Switzerland. And for many the fears proved justified.

Not far away in Madrid, the writing was already on the wall for Real striker Raul Gonzalez, who despite form, experience - and the fact he is still one of the biggest names in European football - had been unable to convince coach Luis Aragones.

"I focus on the players, not the position of the team in the league," he said.

"There are many other players who, when you look at the number of minutes played, have scored more than Raul and they haven't made the squad either."

Raul, who has played 102 times for Spain, had not been picked by Aragones since October 2006, with the coach remaining stubborn despite the striker scoring 18 league goals this season and having a powerful Madrid press lobby behind him.

Football fans also looking forward to seeing Barcelona teenager Bojan Krkic in action for Spain will also be disappointed after the player said he did not feel physically and mentally at his best.

In neighbouring France, it was the fate of another big name in David Trezeguet to miss the tournament despite 20 goals for Juventus in Serie A this season.

Trezeguet, France's third all-time scorer with 34 goals in 71 games, scored the winning goal in the Euro 2000 final against Italy and was a member of the World Cup-winning squad of 1998.

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