Dani axed as Coelho closes in

Dani: Too much of a luxury for a pragmatic coach?

Ajax star Dani and Benfica defender Paulo Madeira have both been overlooked for Portugal's Euro 2000 campaign, after coach Humberto Coelho named the first 15 players in his squad.

Coehlo will kept the other seven places open until Thursday's Portuguese Cup final replay between FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon.

"There's nothing extraordinary about this," Coelho said. "The players need to concentrate on the replay, and there could also be injuries."

Paulo Madeira was ignored for a defensive place

The 15 names included most of Portugal's leading players - including the star midfield trio of Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Paulo Sousa and Benfica strikers Joao Pinto and Nuno Gomes.

The only real surprises were the exclusion of former West Ham striker Dani, whose talent has often been overshadowed by his unpredictability, and Benfica's Paulo Madeira.

Instead there was an unheralded call-up for midfielder Costinha, of French champions AS Monaco.

Keeper doubt

Coelho said he would name the full squad after the replay between Porto and Sporting, who drew 1-1 in Sunday's final.

The coach is keeping his fingers crossed that his first-choice goalkeeper Vitor Baia of Porto will overcome a knee injury.

Baia has not played since March, but is expected to play in the replay in what will be a crucial test of form and fitness.

"Vitor Baia is a player we want in the finals, but all those selected have to be cleared by the medical department," Coelho said.

As long as none of them suffer injuries on Thursday, the seven remaining places are expected to go to Baia, along with Porto team-mates Carlos Secretario, Jorge Costa and Capucho and Sporting players Beto, Rui Jorge and Vidigal.

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15-man Portugal squad:

Goalkeepers: Pedro Espinha (Guimaraes); Quim (Sporting Braga).

Defenders: Abel Xavier (Everton); Fernando Couto (Lazio Roma); Dimas (Standard Liege).

Midfielders: Costinha (AS Monaco); Paulo Bento (Real Oviedo); Luis Figo (Barcelona); Rui Costa (Fiorentina); Sergio Conceicao (Lazio Roma); Paulo Sousa (Parma).

Forwards:Pauleta (Desporto La Coruna); Ricardo Sa Pinto (Real Sociedad); Joao Pinto (Benfica); Nuno Gomes (Benfica).