Italian coach Roberto Donadoni called up Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini to replace injured captain Fabio Cannavaro two days before the opening of the Euro 2008 soccer championship.
After being chosen to join the Italian team, Gamberini described his mixed feelings of pity for Cannavaro and the "great satisfaction" he has experienced at being asked to represent his country at the Euro 2008.
"I was ready for a call when it came but I was hoping that it wouldn't come because that call meant that Cannavaro had injured himself and I felt particularly sorry for Fabio," Gamberini was quoted by the Euro2008.com as saying.
"At first they just called to warn me that he'd hurt himself and that they would evaluate the extent of the injury to Fabio and then they organized my journey here."
Now Gamberini is hoping for the chance to make a mark in his own right on the tournament ahead of Monday's Group C opener against the Netherlands in Berne.
"I know full well that I was the last one in the squad and I'm humble enough to know that there is a hierarchy in place, and rightly so," he said. "But I will give 100 percent in training and try to make it difficult for the manager to leave me out."
"Nonetheless, for me it's already a huge satisfaction to be involved at all and to be a part of this squad." Gamberini said.
Source:Xinhua
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