Milestone night for old favourites

Krassimir Balakov, a veteran of Bulgaria's run to the 1994 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, will make his 92nd and final international appearance for Bulgaria tonight as Marcel Desailly collects his record 104th cap for France.

Bowing out
There are five UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers tonight and 19 friendly matches. Balakov, the VfB Stuttgart midfield player, will bow out in the friendly against Albania in Sofia. The 37-year-old, who made his debut back in 1988, said: "My international career is over but though I'm leaving the team my soul will always be here."

Squad changes
Balakov aside, PFC Naftex Burgas striker Stoyko Sakaliev and defender Nikolay Krastev were late additions to replace the injured Georgi Chilikov, Zlatomir Zagorcic and Predrag Pazin. The Bulgarians were already without goalkeeper Zdravko Zdravkov and Marian Hristov.

No Petit
In Paris, Desailly's record appearance for 'Les Bleus' comes in the friendly against Egypt. France will field an experimental midfield against Egypt after Chelsea FC player Emmanuel Petit pulled out with a groin problem. It is possible that Jacques Santini will field a middle four of Benoît Pedretti, Olivier Dacourt, Robert Pires and Sylvain Wiltord.

Mixed emotions
While two veterans will have a night to remember, there were mixed emotions for two of Europe's brightest young defenders. Internazionale FC defender Giovanni Pasquale has been called into the Italy squad for the first time for the match against Switzerland in Geneva while Manchester United FC full-back John O'Shea has been denied the chance to celebrate his 22nd birthday with another cap after pulling out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face Norway in Dublin because of a knee injury.

Given wins 50th cap
Giovanni Trapattoni had no hesitation in calling up the 21-year-old Pasquale after some key withdrawals. The Inter left-back played the first half of the Italy Under-21's 2-1 defeat by the Swiss last night. O'Shea's absence for the Irish, meanwhile, should mean a chance for Leeds United AFC defender Ian Harte. One player definitely due to start is Newcastle United FC goalkeeper Shay Given who will win his 50th senior cap.

Bak trouble
Poland too have had difficulties as they prepare to face Belgium with Jacek Bak the latest doubt after the earlier pull-outs of Emmanuel Olisadebe, Jerzy Dudek, Maciej Zurawski and Jacek Zielinski. Bak is unwell but there is a slim chance he could make it for the match in Brussels. Michal Zewlakow is a late addition to the squad.

Günes eyes record
Elsewhere, veteran striker Hakan Sükür may miss Turkey's friendly in the Czech Republic with a fractured toe. If Senol Günes can guide his team to victory he will become the leading coach in the country's football history, with 18 wins. He is currently tied on 17 with predecessor Fatih Terim. "Even though this is a friendly match, our target is to win at all costs," Günes said.